Home to such heavyweight attractions as Graceland and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Central West Tennessee draws a steady stream of visitors from all over the world.
These renowned venues, among others in the region, such as Hardin County’s Shiloh National Military Park and Jackson’s cultural arts center, The Ned, double as intriguing off-site event venues for groups. The benefit of booking these popular attractions is for attendees to take in the area’s local flavor.
Nashville
The list of attractions in Nashville is extensive, with many venues boasting knockout meeting spaces for all types of off-site group gatherings.
OZ Arts Nashville, housed in a former cigar warehouse, is a performance and installation space with group facilities, including a boardroom, an outdoor veranda, a lounge and what was formerly one of the world’s largest walk-in humidors, The Escaparate, now well suited for intimate dinners.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, another grand group venue, provides an extensive overview of the music genre beloved by so many worldwide, according to Kay Witt, chief sales officer for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Among the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s beautiful event spaces, she suggests for groups the rotunda, the CMA Theater, the conservatory and the grand hall.
“The conservatory is modern and breathtaking when lit up for an evening event, and the second-floor event hall’s floor-to-ceiling windows display a skyline view unlike anywhere else,” Witt says. “By incorporating a museum tour into an event, attendees can immerse themselves in exhibits at their own leisure.”
A major expansion project, Witt adds, recently unveiled the Taylor Swift Education Center as well as new spaces that accommodate private events.
At Acme Feed & Seed, an impressive culinary and entertainment venue, visitors will find live music, a delicious menu, a shop selling Nashville-based artisan goods, several bars serving craft beers and handcrafted cocktails, and the Hatchery, an event space that accommodates 200 for seated functions.
The Wildhorse Saloon, a three-story concert hall with a calendar of events featuring everything from Wildhorse’s own house band to national touring acts, is a quintessential live country music venue and a sought-after event space.
“The Wildhorse Saloon is a great venue for semi-private and buyout events,” Witt says, adding that line dancing lessons and an on-site catering menu of barbecue and other Southern dishes complement gatherings here. “The Wildhorse is everything you could imagine; its countless bars and rich wood detail are warm and inviting.”
Meanwhile, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, located in a former post office with a distinct Art Deco architectural design, houses permanent and traveling art exhibits from around the world.
“As Nashville’s premier traditional art museum, the Frist offers a beautiful backdrop for any event,” Witt says. “Its Art Deco design adds dramatic and bold touches, making any event stand out.”
The Frist, which works with a handful of preferred caterers, handily accommodates larger groups of 200 or more people in a few different event spaces.
“The auditorium provides a traditional stage setup, ideal for presentations or general sessions,” Witt says. “The lobby, with its architectural details, is a lovely location for receptions or banquets. And the outdoor courtyard can easily be transformed for any type of event.”
Memphis
Memphis is home to the famed residence of Elvis Presley, the epitome of a must-visit attraction and a big slice of Americana.
“Graceland offers a one-of-a-kind experience you cannot get anywhere else,” says John Oros, outgoing COO and executive vice president of the Memphis CVB. “Having an event at the home of the king of rock and roll gives groups a chance to experience a rich piece of Memphis music history unlike any other.”
When booking a private event at Graceland, which hosts banquets for up to 250 people and receptions for up to 300, planners are encouraged to include time for attendees to enjoy an after-hours tour of the mansion. Beale Street Landing, which sits on the Mississippi River at the end of Beale Street, is a splendid place to host a planned event or to just grab a drink and watch the sunset, according to Oros.
PageBreak“Beale Street Landing is one of the newer developments and is the perfect spot to catch a view of the great Mississippi River,” Oros says, adding that the venue can host up to 5,000 people.
Facility rental gets groups access to an on-site bar and grill, gift shop, two breezeways and the grass-covered rooftop.
In addition, the Memphis-based Stax Museum of American Soul Music doubles as an event destination that hosts parties for up to 500 people.
”When you rent Stax for your event, you rent the entire museum,” Oros says. “As soon as you step in the door, you are taken back to a time where people were united by music, if nothing else. The museum offers a unique experience by letting groups have an event inside what was once one of the top recording studios for soul music.”
Hardin County
Among Hardin County’s attractions that host group events is Shiloh National Military Park, which according to Rachel Baker, tourism director for the Hardin County CVB, is great for leadership retreats.
There is a designated picnic area on the property, and at the visitors center there is a 150-person auditorium where the 46-minute interpretive film, Shiloh: Fiery Trial, is shown every hour on the hour.
“Various concerts, displays and programs can also be hosted in the auditorium,” Baker says.
Pickwick Landing State Park, which includes a waterfront hotel, walking trails and two white-sand beaches with swimming areas on Pickwick Lake, also features 6,000 square feet of conference space with dinner seating for up to 600 people, an on-site restaurant with a private dining room and picnic shelters that are available for group bookings.
“There is also a large lobby area for registration or additional booth setup, a boardroom for 20 people, a portable stage, a dance floor and cash bar,” Baker says.
A newer kid on the block is Tennessee Street Park, which opened in 2014 with a grand lawn that is perfect for picnics and two pavilions.
“The grand lawn at Tennessee Street Park has been used to host outdoor movies with BYO blanket and lawn chair to accommodate 400-plus people,” Baker says. “Tents may also be set up for receptions.”
Jackson
In Jackson there are two standout facilities for group get-togethers.
The Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, referred to as The Ned by locals, features art galleries, a 440-seat theater that stages musical and other performances, and meeting rooms that accommodate receptions and seated meal functions.
At Miss Ollie’s, a piano bar and nightlife staple in Jackson, groups can listen to music, dance, play pool and enjoy cocktails. There are also a variety of venues groups can use for private receptions and parties.
Frequent contributor CAROLYN BLACKBURN thinks Elvis was a class act, no matter how tacky the Jungle Room at Graceland is.
