The Q & A Lady's Top Ten Reasons to Hit the Road to Nashville this Summer

Opry Fun. Always tops on my To Do list when friends come into town, it's the Opry. Summertime brings great shows every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, and both today’s superstars and all-time legends are scheduled to visit the Opry stage between now and Labor Day. Among them: Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Montgomery Gentry, Mel Tillis, and Charley Pride. You’ll also want to take a tour of the Opry House while you're in town.

The Big Scream! The area surrounding Music City is a wonderful water playground for folks, no matter how they most love to hit the waves. Just last spring, nearby Dale Hollow and Center Hill Lakes were listed in U.S.A. Today's article showcasing “10 great places to go float your houseboat.” Closer still are Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lakes as well as others offering superior fishing – everything from largemouth and smallmouth bass to catfish, they say – in addition to boating, skiing, and camping along scenic shorelines. The pretty waters of the Harpeth and other nearby rivers are perfect for Middle Tennessee canoeing and kayaking. And just a few miles from the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville Shores' gates are swung open all summer long with fun of both the high and dry as well as wet and wild varieties. The park features seven water slides including one rather ominously named “The Big Scream.” (I also bestowed that name on a date I had in 1952, but that's beside the point!) A quick and sure-fire way to beat the summer heat is the Shores' Giant Bucket of Fun. The enormous bucket tips over every two minutes and drops hundreds of gallons of water on kids of all ages. Close your eyes and you can hear the squeals and laughter right now!

Of course the General Jackson Showboat, just a few steps away, cruises down the mighty Cumberland for both daytime and evening cruises with pleasant scenery every mile of the way and a variety of shows inside.

It’s All at the Hall. I Can't Stop Loving You: Ray Charles and Country Music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's current exhibit, pays tribute to a man who was hailed as the “genius of soul,” but whose reach took in much more of the American musical experience. The Hall says that by recording in his own inimitable style the works of country songwriters, Charles brought many new fans to country music. This 5,000 sq. ft. exhibit features unique artifacts including instruments, handwritten music charts, stage costumes, and photographs, along with computer interactives, video footage and so much more. I've been there twice, and I enjoyed it immensely. I have to tell you, though, I still get a kick out of getting to see the cornfield from Hee Haw up close and personal.

The Hall of Fame will pay tribute to another Hall of Fame inductee, Marty Robbins, with an exhibit, titled Among My Souvenirs opening in August. Have I told you lately, dear readers, how much I love Marty Robbins? Love the music, the personality, the daredevil attitude. I will be there when that exhibit’s doors swing open. You should be, too.

Stars and Stripes Forever! The Opry's popular series of Signature Shows continues with a Star Spangled Opry on Tuesday, July 3. There’ll be plenty of flag-waving, and dare I say there’s not a better place to celebrate our country than the home of America’s music. Stick around for Nashville’s Independence Day fireworks, among the most brilliant in the nation.

Bluegrass at the Ryman. 61 Years and Going Strong. Last summer, the Ryman Auditorium received a historic marker designating it as the “Birthplace of Bluegrass.” This summer, Earl Scruggs returns to the Ryman stage for its Bluegrass Nights series more than 60 years after introducing bluegrass on the stage alongside Lester Flatt and Bill Monroe. This year's Thursday series line-up also includes Opry members Vince (have I told you lately I think he's wonderful?) Gill and Ricky Skaggs in addition to a host of bluegrass award-winners including Entertainers of the Year The Grascals and Female Vocalist winner Rhonda Vincent.

Take A Dip! No matter where you are in Tune Town, I swear I can guide you just down the street to a fun eatery. Outdoor dining is the way to go in the summer if you ask me, and spots such as Hillsboro Village not far from downtown offer plenty of that. I've been known to eat my weight in fried green tomatoes at Arnold's, a friendly little meat and three at 605 8th Ave. I'll tell you what, I've known vegetarians who strongly considered changing their lifestyle after watching me oooh and ahhh over Arnold's tender roast beef and gravy. And the only thing better than the view of the state capital building from the Germantown Café (1200 5th Ave. North) on a summer evening is the aroma of the restaurant's plum pork on your plate. Good stuff, I tell ya, in a sophisticated yet reasonably priced spot. If it's a burger you've got on your mind, you don't want to miss Bobbie's Dairy Dip (5301 Charlotte Avenue). Their juicy Angus burger with a side of sweet potato fries is a combo that's hard to beat. And don't let me yadda, yadda, yadda over the best part … the ice-cream! No matter how you take it – banana split, malted milkshake, or a plain ol' softee – this 50-year-old establishment will serve it up to you with a smile. Even Opry member Martina McBride counts Bobbie’s as a favorite—she just keeps the evidence off her hips better than I do!

And it just wouldn't be summertime without a stop at the Farmer’s Market for fresh tomatoes, melons, and cucumbers. I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs, but I think I've let it be known your palette is going to be pleased the rest of your body journeyed to Nashville!

Party on the Plaza! I just love Opry Plaza Parties. Honest. They set up an outdoor stage on the Opry Plaza, and folks either bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, find a comfortable spot in the Plaza, or dance! The Parties are on Saturday nights, so you can kick back and enjoy some great music before the Opry begins or under the stars after the Opry concludes. This year’s line-up includes Jim Lauderdale, The Derailers, Chuck Mead (he’s no Josh Turner, ladies, but you gotta love a guy with hair that cool) and more. Come say hello if you see me on the Plaza. I'll be the one on the blue and white striped blanket next to the sign reading “this space reserved for Josh Turner.” I didn’t see a sign of him last year, but I just KNOW Josh will come calling this year. Josh, my dear, where are you?

Summer + Festival = SummerFest. It looks as if SummerFest at Gaylord Opryland is the place to be. The events include celebrations of food, wine and music featuring "DiVine" character performer; Culinary Classes; Songwriter Rounds; "Aqua" Fountain Show; Hotel and Garden Tours and "HydroponiX", featuring live performers, interacting with nature and water in the Cascades Atrium. Even a stroll through the hotel’s gardens is a beautiful way to spend the day.

Summer Shopping. Summer is my favorite season, so I'm a sucker for summer fashions. Give me a pair of sandals, clamdiggers, and some sunglasses over a coat and scarf any day! That being said, I can't walk into nearby Opry Mills even for a bite to eat or to catch a summer blockbuster without walking out with a clothing purchase or two. 200+ stores under one roof have that effect on a gal!

But there's more to summer shopping in Nashville than retail or even outlet shopping! Check out the Tennessean each weekend for a listing of estate sales in town, or visit on the fourth full weekend of the month to experience the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Flea Market. This one, dear readers, is the Mother of Southern flea markets, attracting more than 1,500 vendors and 50,000 bargain hunters each weekend the gates are open. It's fun to spend the morning there just looking around at everything from antiques to plants to lunch boxes adorned with the face of John Boy Walton, but even more fun to find just what you're looking for at a darn good price. And just like everywhere else you go in Nashville, you never know who you might see. Superstar Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman hit the Fairgrounds for the flea market a few months ago, leading one of my girlfriends to say, “I guess he wanted to show her where we used to have Fan Fair!” Admission to the flea market is free, and parking fees are quite modest-- $3 or so. A day to be treasured, whether or not you leave with a treasure in hand.

Sounds Good to Me. Hit Greer Stadium, Nashville's ballpark, for hot dogs, peanuts, ice cream, and—oh yes— a Nashville Sounds game. You can't forget you're in Music City for even a second, as the Sounds have America's only guitar-shaped scoreboard.