Nashville
Nashville, the Music City, NashVegas. Whatever name you choose, this Tennessee town is the heartbeat of Country Music.
From the packed bars along Broadway to out-of-the-way honkytonks to the dual meccas of the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville has more high-quality live music than just about anywhere. Rounded out with Southern hospitality, some world-class art and a burgeoning dining scene, this town knows how to party and you just can’t help getting swept up in the fun.
Broadway
Broadway is the main drag of Nashville, and it’s impossible to miss. The crowds, the cars, the neon lights and the noise! Music literally pours out of every bar, most with open windows to the street, which provides a live soundtrack to the city. While there are a ton of celebrity-backed bars - Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, with a killer country band, Jason Aldean’s bar, with an amazing rooftop, to Miranda' Lambert’s Casa Rosa, ground zero for the omnipresent bachelorette parties to Garth Brooks’ brand new Friends In Low Places bar, that had a live performance kickoff by GB himself my first night in town - my favorite was Robert’s Western World. Grab a beer midday, away from the mess, and claim the end seat at the bar to hear some of the best Country Music anywhere. They publish the bands and times so you can plan ahead. I spent my first few hours here and it was over-the-top good, but I didn’t order the classic fried bologna sandwich….next time!
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry, along with the Ryman Auditorium, is the spiritual home of Country Music. As America’s longest-running live radio program, the Opry features multiple acts in each performance, including bluegrass, folk, country, and country & western music. My night featured a guitar hero of mine, Vince Gill (or Mr. Amy Grant). There were performances by “Nashville” star Charlie Esten and the Voice’s runner-up Emily Ann Roberts (Team Blake!)
Ryman Auditorium
Getting ready for the Brett Eldredge concert at the “mother church” of Country Music - the Ryman Auditorium!
I was SO EXCITED to be at the Ryman - where all the famous names of Country Music have played….from Hank Williams, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline. It’s literally an old church, so you sit in pews and there’s no bad seat in the house!
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-do stop in Nashville. The museum covers the whole history of country music - from instruments, costumes, posters and memorabilia from Elvis’ gold Cadillac - complete with a TV set in the backseat - to Taylor Swift’s lyric sheets, guitar and sparkly dress. You can spend a few hours tracing the chronological history of the birth of Country Music from its humble roots to today’s superstars!
Johnny Cash Museum
This was a highlight of my trip - the Johnny Cash museum is small, but mighty tribute to “the Man in Black.” The museum features a comprehensive collection of memorabilia, artifacts, and interactive exhibits that chronicle Johnny Cash's life and career. Visitors can explore displays of his iconic stage costumes, guitars, handwritten lyrics, awards, and personal items that provide insight into his remarkable journey in the music industry. Alongside a wall of gold and platinum records, there is the original recording of “Ring of Fire” all the way up to a haunting video of one of his last performances of “Hurt.” I found this intimate museum to be one of the best experiences in Nashville. When you’re done….talk a walk over the pedestrian bridge over the Columbia river to get a great view back towards downtown and over to East Nashville.
Frist Art Museum
The Frist Art Museum is located right off the Broadway strip and occupies the Art Deco landmark that was formerly the city’s post office. The museum's building, a historic structure dating back to the 1930s, underwent extensive renovations to transform it into a modern art facility. The architecture of the building itself is a draw for visitors. The current exhibition “Multiplicity” features work by living Black artists using collage, and the exhibit explores themes of queer blackness, family, slavery, and Black life in the current climate.
1 Hotel Nashville
The 1 Hotel Nashville is part of the SH hotel and resort group focusing on sustainability and environmental consciousness. The brand is known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices and design aesthetics incorporating natural elements. HIghlights of this hotel is the terrific rooftop bar and restaurant, Harriet’s, and the super spa. After spending the day walking around the city, it was great to come back to a welcoming bar and one of the best hot chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had. If you’re staying in downtown Nashville, this is the spot.
Parting Shot
This Athena statue is inside a full-size replica of the Parthenon, built in for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, which was held in 1897 to celebrate the state's 100th anniversary of joining the Union.
