Moving to the Melodies of Music City in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee has a plethora of aliases. Athens of the South. Music City. Cashville. Nashvegas. The birth place of country music. One characteristic which shines thru is the aurora of music that envelops the city. Whether you’re in love with country or not, Nashville is a vibrant city that any type of music enthusiast can enjoy. From the abundance of live music to the legendary venues and sites, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our top 8 best things to do while visiting Nashville, and what to expect from your first visit to this illustrious city.
The Vibe of Nashville
The capital of Tennessee is a hub of musical influences, as is evident in the multitude of historical sites and live performances that seem to last all day and night. Nashville is renowned for its festive nightlife scene, and the flocks of bachelorette crowds you are bound to see. The best times to visit are around the spring and summer months, since it can get pretty cold outside of that. There’s tons of museums and historical sights to see, but 3 to 4 days should be sufficient for most of them. It’s a pretty expensive city, so budget traveling won’t be easy.
Where to Stay in Nashville
Nashville isn’t a huge city, so you can easily choose accommodations depending on where you want to spend the most time. Downtown is extremely expensive! We stayed at Hotel Preston, which was about 10mins from down town and very close to the airport. It’s a way more affordable option but prepare to spend more on transportation.
Transportation in Nashville
Getting around Nashville was one of our most expensive mistakes. Most iconic attractions are spread out, which makes traveling between them difficult. We mainly relied on ride sharing apps, with the city’s apparent lack of public transportation options. However this became extremely expensive, especially at the later hours on Broadway when the prices triple. The streets get overly congested and almost inaccessible without walking a few blocks away. Renting a car might be the best option if you plan on sightseeing around the area. Just keep in mind the horrendous traffic that awaits you.
Top 8 Best Things to do in Nashville, TN
8. Ryman Auditorium
This legendary music venue has set the stage for the most popular musicians since 1885. The enormous theater has over 2,000 seats and is located right in downtown Nashville. You can get backstage tours here. Another famous auditorium is the Grand Ole Opry, which is a bit out of the way. Arrive early since as with most of Nashville’s attractions, it closes at 5pm.
7. Johnny Cash Museum
The legendary Man in Black has his own museum with the largest collection of personal items and memorabilia in the world. Johnny Cash is the only artist to have songs on the billboard charts for 6 consecutive decades, creating music influenced by various genres. However, the museum’s entry fee is pretty steep considering the size and content of it. I would recommend it mostly for die hard fans.
6. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Blocks within the heart of the city, this truss bridge connects downtown with the residential suburbs. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian bridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and offers great views of the Nashville skyline.
5. Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
This esteemed hall of fame houses the world’s most extensive music collection and isn’t only reserved for country music lovers. Amongst its collection, you’ll find celebrity musicians including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Dolly Parton. The walls lined with golden LP records also make for a great photo op. Those with an affinity towards country music will definitely not mind buying the expensive ticket.
4. Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
This infamous mansion on the huge plantation grounds represents a preserved moment in time. Learn all about the century-long history on a guided tour thru the house and property. Oh, did I mention there’s also wine? A free wine tasting is included along your historical tour package. Or you can always opt in for an exclusive wine, food, or bourbon experience. Belle Meade is quite far from downtown Nashville, so plan accordingly.
3. Nashville Hot Chicken
There’s hot, and then there’s Nashville hot. This fiery spiced fried chicken is a must have while visiting. A few of the most famous restaurants include Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack and Hattie B’s Hot chicken. Both offer an array of spiciness levels that are definitely worth a try. To avoid the long line, I recommend placing an order online. I haven’t had chicken this tantalizing since Korea. For more of Nashville’s signature meals, try some southern BBQ, meat & 3, a Loveless Café biscuit, or a Goo Goo Cluster.
2. Broadway Honky Tonks
Nothing reflects the essence of a night out in Nashville like bar hopping on Broadway’s Honky Tonk Highway. Stemming from the Nashville vernacular, a Honky Tonk is basically a bar where live music is being performed. This iconic downtown strip is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops and boasts live music performances all with no cover charge. It is the quintessential Nashville party experience. Some of the most iconic bars include Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Johnny Cash Bar & BBQ, and the Wild Beaver Saloon if you’re interested in riding a mechanical bull.
1. The Parthenon
Resting at the epicenter of Centennial Park is the Parthenon, an exact replica of the temple in ancient Greece. This marvelous structure was built in 1897, as a homage to the architectural masterpiece created in Athens long ago. Inside is a 42 foot statue of Athena, the Olympian goddess of wisdom and war plus a permanent art exhibit. Only about an 8 minute ride west of down town Nashville, the Parthenon is the most unique building in the city and is definitely worth seeing.
Check out our Nashville travel vlog for what to see with only 48hrs!
And here’s our Nashville Bar hopping tour with all of downtown’s coolest party spots!
