My DS loves music and history
He would love for us to spend a week in Nashville
suggestions of what to see/do and where to stay
thank you
If you like country music, Nashville is for you. IF you like any other kind of music well Nashville has that too but not in better quantities or quality than most big cities. The Country Music Hall of Fame is really nice and the Johnny Cash museum is cool too. The restaurant scene is improving though Nashville doesn't crack the top 10 there.
History. You can see a replica of the parthenon as it looked before it was destroyed. Better than the real thing actually imo because it's not blown to pieces and you don't have to deal with the problems of Greece to go see it. Unfortunately many of the home tours in the area such as the Hermitage won't give you anything in the way of history. It's here is the chair, here is the study. Andrew Jackson built this (hint, no, the slaves did.) The real meat of history is left out. It's still fun to tour them though. There is Traveler's rest, Bellmeade, Belmont, The Hermitage, Rock Castle and others.
Your son might also be interested in Mansker station which features the historic Bowen house and a replica of a log station complete with folks in period dress.
Not history per say but you can tour the mansion built for Barbara Mandrell at Fontenel.
People mentioned the Ryman. I've seen all the back stage areas there are to see. IMO the tour is over priced. If there is a concert there you like go see it. The best seats in the house are actually upper deck. Some of the lower deck seats toward the back are obstructed. In fact way too many of them are.
Hotels. Opryland is pretty nice. As for the new mini water park you have to book the package. You can't just pay for the park without staying at the hotel for the time being at least. We'll see if that changes down the road. Nor can you add it even if you are staying if it is already booked up. They have a conservatory and the like too. The drawback is it is not where the majority of things you want to see and do are. But the reality is you're going to likely need a car anyway. Public transportation is extremely bad and the historic areas are well all over the place. Most of the downtown hotels near the country music HOF are decent enough but at times can be prohibitively expensive. IF you're looking to cut expenses a bit, and let's face it, sometimes those downtown hotels can be out of price range for many of us, I would suggest Mt. Juliet. Hotels are relatively new there and reasonably priced with a plethora of chain restaurants nearby. Avoid the Trinity Lane and Dickerson Road area for hotels at all costs.