Come for the Convention, Stay to Enjoy Nashville

Broadway Historic District. U.S. National Registry of Historic Places. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
It will have been a little over two years since we had the opportunity to meet with our rose friends in Rhode Island and share, commiserate and encourage one another by the time the Medley of Roses – 2026 American Rose Society National Convention & Rose Show comes around. The Nashville Rose Society is honored to once again host this convention from October 2-5, 2026. It has been a while, 1999 to be exact, since Nashville hosted and we are so excited to welcome you back – and also to welcome first timers. To say that we are thrilled with the developing plans would be an understatement. With a focus on modern (Kordes and Jalbert) roses, we believe we are offering something for all rosarians at this event.

Regular ARS convention attendees already know this, but we want to reassure those who have never attended one that you will NOT feel out of place or awkward at a rose convention. We LOVE first time attendees and first time rose exhibitors!! Even if you are attending by yourself, it won’t take you long to find someone you will enjoy hanging out with. With a stunning rose show that will give you an opportunity to add roses to your wish list, great and diverse programs, a fabulous variety of vendors and lots of enthusiastic and FUN people, we think we will have something for everyone.

Grand Ole Opry. Photo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry website.
We want to share a bit of information now about Nashville and encourage some of you to consider spending a few extra days exploring our beautiful area following the Convention. Early October is a wonderful time to be in Tennessee!!!! Days are still pleasantly warm, the horrible summer humidity has typically relented, and evenings are perfect! Our rainy season normally doesn’t start before mid to late November so weather is incredible.

Of course, Nashville is known for music, primarily country music, being home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is always a popular destination for those visiting Nashville and offers a weekly shows featuring at least 8 artists. Plan to attend the Friday night, October 2, show after the Convention Reception, only 15 minutes from the Sheraton Hotel.

We are offering NRS Bus Tour on Monday, October 6, that will feature the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum website
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum “collects, preserves, and interprets the evolving history and traditions of country music. Through exhibits, publications and educational programs, the Museum teaches its wide range of audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music.” A 2014 expansion doubled the size of the facility to approximately 350,000 square feet offering exhibition galleries and retail stores.

Cheekwood Gardens and Estate. Photo courtesy of Cheekwood Estate and Gardens Website.
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens serves as Nashville’s botanic garden as well as an arboretum and museum. The 1930’s Cheek estate features 55 acres of gardens to enjoy, including the 1.5 mile Carell Family Sculpture Trail. Cheekwood regularly offers exhibitions of contemporary and classic artists, live music and seasonal garden events and displays.

We have several members of the Nashville Rose Society (as well as a few other folks) who are planning to open their gardens to attendees. These will not be a part of the NRS Bus Tour but something you could do on your own.

Nashville is also well known for food! If you want to try some chic and trendy spots we have a lot of options. Food Network personality Maneet Chauhan and her husband have a local popular restaurant, Chauhan Ale and Masala House. Other well known and rising chefs include Kelly English (Restaurant Iris), Tandy Wilson (Nashville’s City House), Trevor Moran (Locust), Josh Habiger (Bastion), Jake Howell (Peninsula) and Philip Krajeck (Rolf & Daughters, Folk).

Some fun and interesting tours/areas to check out include the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, The Parthenon (The world’s only exact-size replica of the original Parthenon in Athens) located downtown in Centennial Gardens, and Music City Walk of Fame.

For night owls, Lower Broadway, Printer’s Alley, The District and Music Valley offer great options. Lower Broadway is where you will find the live music as well as retail shopping and tourist attractions. A night owl but not really into music and/or the bar scene? – maybe the always popular Nashville Ghost Tours might be for you.

We hope you will consider joining us at the Medley Of Roses – 2026 American Rose Society National Convention & Rose Show and perhaps spending a little extra time exploring our part of the city. We will soon have information for places to visit and things to do around Tennessee and nearby states. Keep some days open to venture out!

We look forward to meeting you – or seeing you again – and sharing our roses and our city with you.