MURFREESBORO, TN – Spice up your holiday shopping with the "2009 Heart of Tennessee Christmas Tour" recently announced by the Rutherford Convention & Visitors Bureau. This 2-day itinerary combines visiting historic sites decorated for the holidays, eating great southern cooking with shopping at historic sites - even tax free shopping - or the Avenue Murfreesboro, the largest outdoor retail shopping center in Tennessee. Get ready for the holidays:

“Heart of Tennessee Christmas Tour”

Day 1

Tour: Oaklands Historic House Museum - Victorian Holiday Tours
900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Website: www.oaklandsmuseum.org
Cost: $5.00 (driver & escort admitted free)
Oaklands Mansion will be dressed in holly and evergreens as traditions such as the cobweb room and Saint Nicholas transport you to a simpler time. Families make memories touring the gracious mansion decorated for the holidays.
(1 ½ hours for tour)
Tour Dates: December 4-24, 2009

Lunch & Shopping: Christmas Feast at Miller’s Grocery – A Country Café and tax-free shopping opportunity at Honey-Bunny Crafts, Gifts & Antiques

Miller’s Grocery
7011 Main Street
Christiana, TN 37037
Website: www.millersgrocery.com

Meal includes: Choice of baked ham, beef tips with gravy, or chicken & dressing
Green beans, mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole and a few corn nuggets
Choice of several homemade desserts
Coffee/tea
(2 hours for lunch & shopping)
Cost: $15.50 per person, inclusive (includes tax and gratuity)
(one comp meal per 20 guaranteed, cash or check only)

Tax-free shopping opportunity at Honey-Bunny Crafts, Gifts & Antiques - Guests find many holiday treasures at Honey-Bunny, which is located within walking distance of Miller’s Grocery. Upon advanced notice of group arrival, complimentary hot chocolate will be provided. Several holiday items include holiday home décor, festive scented candles, hand-made Christmas tree ornaments and holiday jewelry.
Store Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11a.m.-2p.m. - Friday Evening 5p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday – 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Check-in Embassy Suites located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee – 1200 Conference Center Blvd., Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Embassy Suites of Murfreesboro features 283 two-room luxury suites. This full service hotel offers a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast served in a beautiful10 story atrium. The Embassy Suites of Murfreesboro is adjacent to upscale dining and shopping at The Avenue, the largest out-door retail center in the state. After a busy day touring the area and “Shopping till you Drop,” guests can relax and enjoy their favorite cocktail at the complimentary nightly manager’s reception.

Special Group Tour Discount from Santa: $99.00 per suite - double occupancy ($10 per additional person)
Special Group Tour Rates Available: Friday, November 20, 2009 – Friday, December 31, 2009

Guests will enjoy a complimentary cocktail reception at the Embassy Suites.

Dinner & live Christmas themed entertainment at Historic Carriage Lane Inn – Carriage Lane Inn will provide live Christmas themed musical entertainment. Guests are encouraged to participate in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” activity. A delicious three course dinner will be provided and served in a beautiful historic reception house.

Carriage Lane Inn & Reception House
337 East Burton Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
615-890-3630
Website: www.carriagelaneinn.com
Cost: $21.00 per person, inclusive with tax and gratuity, tour escort meal is complimentary (one comp for tour escort)

Day 2

Guests will be treated to a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in the beautiful Embassy Suites atrium.

Tour: Sam Davis Home & Museum - A Turn-of-the-Century Christmas
1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna, TN 37167
Website: www.samdavishome.org
By the end of the Victorian era, the Davis family home was elegantly decorated for Christmas as the traditions surrounding the holiday were well established. Each room of the house will tell the story behind the traditions we associate with Christmas today. Traditions include Christmas Carols, Father Christmas, and Paper Crafts. (1 ½ hours for tour)

Group Tour Rates: $7.50 Adults/$5.50 Seniors & Students

Tour Dates: December 1-31, 2009

Additional Tour Options:

Santa Arrives on the Historic Murfreesboro Square - Murfreesboro's Public Square: 6 to 8 p.m. The night is filled with Christmas music from school and church choirs, music ensembles, storytellers, dance groups and more. Plus, the Murfreesboro Fire Department brings Santa to town and the County Christmas Tree is lit in front of the Historic Courthouse in what is one of the community's favorite holiday events. Downtown merchants and restaurants are open for the arrival.

Contact: Main Street - (615) 895-1887
Date: Friday, December 4, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost for admission

Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes - Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro, TN. Usher in the holiday season with an enchanting tour of historic homes. The annual Tour of Homes will be from 4 – 8 p.m. The tour, sponsored by the Oaklands Association, will feature beautiful and historic private homes and the graceful Oaklands Mansion. Set in the historic district of Murfreesboro, stops along the tour will include festively adorned historical homes and churches. Additionally, the Sons of Confederate Veterans Murfreesboro Camp #33 will present a living history demonstration on the lawn of the mansion.
Admission charged.
Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum - (615)-893-0022
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 4:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 Adult /$8.00 Students

Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village - Cannonsburgh Village, 312 South Front Street, Murfreesboro, TN. Cannonsburgh, the original name of Murfreesboro, is a reconstructed village that serves as a living history museum of early Southern life. The old-time village will be dressed up for the holidays as visitors experience the Christmas festivities of the 1800s.

Contact - Cannonsburgh Village - (615) 890-0355
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost for admission

Bethlehem Marketplace – Southeast Baptist Church, 708 Minerva Drive, Murfreesboro, TN. Southeast Baptist Church will host the annual Bethlehem Marketplace. Guests become a part of the drama as they walk through the village of Bethlehem as it may have appeared the morning after the birth of baby Jesus. Tour includes Roman soldiers, carpenters, tentmakers, live camels, and much more.

Contact – Southeast Baptist Church - (615) 896-0940
Date: Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Cost: No cost for admission

Copyright 2009 Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved. From http://www.rutherfordchamber.org
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