If you're considering attending the first-ever Whitman Coin & Collectibles Nashville Expo, May 20-22, 2010, be certain to plan some extra time before or after the Expo to visit the many amazing attractions Music City has to offer, many of which are within easy walking distance of the convention center and the headquarters hotel.

Among the most interesting, perhaps, is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, just two blocks from the Expo site. Here you can step into the entire history of country music in multi-media displays that will interest even those who don't count country music among their greatest enthusiasms. A range of permanent and temporary exhibits chronicle the entire sweep of America's music with memorabilia, movies, and artifacts like Elvis' golden piano.

Pictured here, is Webb Pierce's "Silver Dollar" Pontiac Bonneville convertible, custom made for him to include horseshoe gas and brake pedals, pistol door handles and inlaid dollar coins. When the designer Nudie Cohn created the car for Pierce, it included hundreds of silver dollars. In 1978, Pierce found it necessary to replace them with Eisenhower dollars, which were less likely to be pilfered.

Just one block from the convention center is the storied Ryman Auditorium, home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974. The Ryman offers tours and also continues as a live music venue for top-rate country, rock, alternative, classical, gospel, jazz, classical and blue grass music, as well as musical theatre.

Other Nashville attractions include Belle Meade Plantation, The Hermitage, Music Valley Wax Museum and the Tennessee State Museum. To learn more, visit Nashville.com.