Nashville is a great shopping city, so be sure to bring your credit cards. Whether you're looking for handmade stage outfits costing thousands of dollars or a good deal on a pair of shoes at a factory-outlet store, you'll find plenty of spending opportunities in Nashville.
As in most cities of the South, the shopping scene in Nashville is spread out over the width and breadth of the city. Most of the city's best shopping can be found in the many large new shopping malls scattered around the newer suburbs. However, there are also many interesting and exclusive shops in the West End area. In downtown Nashville, you'll find gift and souvenir shops, antiques stores, and musical instrument and record stores that cater to country musicians and fans. Second Avenue North, in the historic downtown area known as The District, is becoming a souvenir and gallery district, though it still has a few antiques stores.
Country music fans will appreciate plenty of opportunities to shop for Western wear. There are dozens of shops specializing in the de rigueur attire of country music. You probably can't find a better selection of cowboy boots anywhere outside Texas, and if your tastes run to sequined denim shirts or skirts, you'll find lots to choose from.
Antiques -- For the best antiques browsing, drive just south of downtown to the corner of Eighth Avenue South and Douglas Street, where several large antiques shops are clustered.
Gifts/Souvenirs -- Nashville abounds in shops purveying every manner of country-themed souvenirs. The greatest concentrations of these shops are in the Music Row and Music Valley (Opryland Hotel) areas, where several of the stores specialize in particular country music performers. Several of the gift shops, including Cooter's and the Willie Nelson Museum on McGavock Pike (Music Valley), also have backroom museums where you can see music memorabilia. These museums are, however, really just an excuse to get you into the big souvenir shop out front, but if you're a fan, you'll enjoy touring the exhibits and maybe picking up a souvenir.
Kids' Stuff -- Don't overlook music attractions as shopping sources. For instance, in addition to an extensive selection of books and CDs, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum features a wondrous kids' corner, with hundreds of goodies, from kazoos and coin purses, to rooster-headed pencil sharpeners, and cowboy-hatted rubber duckies.
Western Wear -- You can pick up clothing at the Wildhorse Saloon and other shops in The District. There are also clothing stores in Music Valley and on Music Row.
