Nashville has a moderate climate with hot summers and cold winters. An ample annual rainfall keeps things green and clean, but there are enough sunny days in between to keep everyone happy. Summers can be very humid, which pushes up the discomfort index even if temperatures do not hit major highs.

Buses and trolleys ply the streets of Nashville, the Metropolitan Transit Authority running several bus routes from 5.30am to midnight each day. Bus 34 is the Music Valley Express that links the downtown district with Opryland, where it meets the Music Valley Trolley serving Music Drive. This service operates every 40 minutes daily between 8.15am and 6.15pm. There is a free trolley route, the Lunch Line, looping through the central city area between Second Broadway and Sixth Avenue. For sightseers a trolley leaves the Frist Arts Center on Broadway at midday and 2pm for a two-hour tour that takes in the main attractions. There are several taxi companies operating in Nashville, and the major car rental companies offer services. Driving in Nashville's small downtown area can be frustrating, but a hire car is useful for excursions out of town.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

The home of country music, Nashville is synonymous with entertainment and is anything but dull. With a music industry that keeps on churning out headlining acts, visitors are sure to have a toe-tapping good time when they hit the streets for a night out on the town.

Don't be fooled by the charming southern drawl, Nashville is not just about country music and visitors will find enough rock, jazz, bluegrass, country, and gospel to meet their musical needs. First stop has to be the District, crammed with nightclubs, bars and restaurants where country music reigns supreme, the District is the heart of Nashville's nightlife scene. For a night out with a difference visit the Wildhorse Saloon where you can get in on free country line dancing lessons, head to the Mercy Lounge for a more edgy, laid back atmosphere, while the Tin Roof is a popular hotspot where live bands are hosted six nights a week. For party animals looking for a last stop before heading home, Orbit is a good bet as it keeps the dance floor and music going for die-hards between 3.30am and 5am.

For a more relaxed, suburban night out, look no further than Music Valley where you'll find the long-running country music radio broadcast known Grand Ole Opry as well as Nashville Palace and the Opryland Hotel, which has bars featuring live music while Five Points neighbourhood boasts some great bars and cafés for a mellow night out.