Overall, Nashville is comforting food and familiar tunes. It’s like a visit to your grandparents’ house—except it’s a visit where you can sneak out the back door when everyone is asleep to experience some neon-lit nightlife and a vibrant music scene.
Where I stayed:
For Southern glam, I recommend the Hermitage, Union Station or the Germantown Inn. For a chic gram-worthy vibe, consider The Bobby or The Thompson. And for a truly unique experience, The Russell is a great option. It’s housed in a 115-year old church in one of Nashville’s “coolest” neighborhoods (Vogue’s words, but I totally agree with them!) and donates a substantial portion of its profits to local homeless shelters. Plus, the design is amazing.
And if you’re opting for a meal or cocktails instead of an overnight stay, don’t miss 21C Museum Hotel and Joseph Hotel for some modern art and stylish photo ops.
What I wore:
I’m a musician, and I LOVE all genres of country music . . . from bluegrass, outlaw country, and Southern rock to classic, folk and honky tonk. I wasn’t shy about flaunting my love of the Southern aesthetic, complete with cowboy hats, boots and belt buckles.
I even glammed it up a bit with some chiffon shirts and big hair. When in Tennessee, channel your inner Dolly!
What I did:
There is so much to do (and hear) in Nashville. Here is my list of faves:
Mural Walk: Nashville loves its urban art, and there is plenty to explore throughout the city. 12 South, The Gulch, and Belcourt Avenue have colorful homages to all things Nashville. Neighborhoods near Belmont University and Vanderbilt University pulse with creative artistry. I highly recommend spending an afternoon roaming these areas with your appetite, your iPhone and a cute fit!
Live Music: Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and Bluebird Café are the headliners. Go see a show or plan a pilgrimage to one of these country music meccas. And if you have the time, check out other iconic venues such as Listening Room Café, The Station Inn, The Basement East, or Robert’s Western World.
Museums and More: Nashville is home to a variety of offbeat and interesting museums. For music lovers, I recommend the Gallery of Iconic Guitars (GIG) at Belmont University, the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. There are also museums dedicated to Johnny Cash, George Jones and Patsy Cline.
Other museums worth a visit include the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (for Titans and Predators fans), Cooter’s Nashville (for the Dukes of Hazzard fans), Frist Art Museum (for art deco and fine art fans), the Parthenon and Belle Meade Mansion (for fans of Greek and Greek-Revival architecture) and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage (for US presidential history buffs).
What I ate/drank:
It all about the bird! Nashville Hot Chicken is a can’t-miss. Whether it’s Prince’s, Bolton’s or 400 Degrees, plan to put some fire in your gut. You can balance out the spice with a traditional Meat-and-Three meal at Katie’s, Swett’s, Wendell Smith’s or Arnold’s Country Kitchen. Make sure to save room for sweet tea and a slice of chess pie. And do not skip a trip to Loveless Café for a country ham biscuit!
Being from Texas, I always try the local barbeque. I definitely recommend a visit to Edley’s if you’re in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville.
The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and Tennessee is known for its whiskey. You can tour local distilleries like Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Nashville Craft Distillery (featuring innovative offerings like the Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit), and Corsair (2 locations). Or take a 1-hour road trip to Woodbury and sign up for a Moonshine Mixology Class at Short Mountain Distillery.
Social media musts:
Nashville knows how to “do it for the gram”! At every turn, you’ll find colorful murals, vintage music shops, clothing stores, architectural diversity (from shotgun shacks to antebellum mansions), vibrant nightlife and cowboy culture. Nashville doesn’t just want to show up on your feed, it wants to dominate it😊
My travel playlist:
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