It’s the country music capitol of the world, and while Chris would prefer to hear the sounds of Beale Street a bit to the west, Nashville, Tenn., certainly has its charm. You may grow tired of country music after a few days, but it is an experience that everyone should have.
Public transportation isn’t so easily navigable and many attractions are far from downtown, so a car or tour bus is recommended.
Our Favorite Places
Wildhorse Saloon
Don’t leave Nashville without a trip to the Wildhorse Saloon. Don’t worry if line dancing and country aren’t your thing; a large balcony above looks down on the stage and dance floor. From here, you can at least witness the Nashville style of club life.
Ernest Tubb Record Shop
For the day-time music scene, not far away is the world famous Ernest Tubb Record Shop surrounded by local bars with recent Nashville migrants trying to burst onto the scene, playing live music and hawking CDs, often referred to as “the best souvenirs in Nashville.”
Country music enthusiasts will also flock to the Grand Ole Opry and its former home, the Ryman Auditorium, to see and hear the astounding acoustics where decades of stars have performed.
For those tired of the country music, you can find good acts in almost every genre launching themselves from the Nashville area. Nashville is home to non-country acts Young Buck, Kings of Leon and Ben Folds. In fact, Nashville’s marketing over the past several years has simply referred to it as“Music City,” and dropped the country references.
Vanderbilt University
With arguably the SEC’s most academically-oriented school, Vanderbilt University attracts an intellectual crowd. The sports program is actually run by the intramural department and the athletic director wears many hats.
The Hermitage
Although much more cruel in nature than Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson was probably his closest comparison as a U.S. president by virtue of home and inventions. His home, The Hermitage, is Tennessee’s Monticello, 10 miles from downtown. We also enjoyed touring the Belmont Mansion, the largest house museum in the state, built by Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham with her second husband after inheriting a huge fortune upon the death of her first.
Parthenon
Evoking images of Greece, The Parthenon is modeled after the original in Athens. It serves as the city art museum, and makes a wonderful backdrop for photos.
Gaylord Opryland
If you want to splurge on your lodging, stay at the Gaylord Opryland. It’s like a city in itself under one roof. You can kayak down creeks, eat in top restaurants, and hang out listening to live music late into the night with dozens of choices. Even if you don’t stay there, be sure to visit as you head to the Grand Ole Opry. If you do stay there, just don’t get so caught up in this “town” that you forget about the city nearby.
Eats
It would seem most of our favorite local eating spots have regrettably closed in Nashville. The Nashville restaurant scene is always changing. If you’re a tourist, you’ll certainly find yourself downtown one night for a meal on the picturesque Cumberland River front with the typical lineup of Hard Rock Café, Joe’s Crab Shack and the Titan fans’ hangout, Eddie George Sports Grille.
For a tourist in Nashville, the mecca of pancake houses awaits. The Pancake Pantry has every combination of fruit, sweet or plain pancakes. The line may wrap around the block when you first arrive, but it moves much more quickly than other prime tourist restaurant queues you may have visited.
If you have a car (and like we said, you need one), spend an evening at the Loveless Café for some good country cooking and biscuits. It’s a bit of a drive but definitely worth it. If a member of your party is on a gluten-free diet, visit the Germantown Café for a good lunch in an awesome neighborhood.
Working in Nashville
For an insider’s perspective, we turn to Amy and Blake NeeSmith. Due to Blake’s music career, they have been traveling between the Music City and their hometown in Georgia for the past four years, moving permanently to Nashville this past summer. Blake, the lead singer for the Christian band Finding Favor that goes on tour this summer, finds the city particularly accommodating at it “thrives on good music and great talent.” Amy, an antiques dealer and soon-to-be owner and operator of Tin Roof Antiques in Franklin, Tenn., finds the city is also conducive to her business with its up-and-coming antique scene, which she contributes to the rich history of the area and its extensive entrepreneur population.
Both agree Nashville is unique for its people. Most are from somewhere else, explains Blake, looking for friends who are also doing what they love. “People here are more open to enjoy the little things and explore the city and what it has to offer,” says Amy.
Finding a weekend activity is easy enough, and the couple especially recommends the abundance of live music downtown with a dinner at Whiskey Kitchen. When he’s not playing a show, Blake recommends taking a picnic out to Arrington Vineyards for a weekend escape. Amy likes to browse the flea markets or attend one of the many festivals. “Overall it’s a great city to live in,” says Amy. “I love it and think that anyone who visits would be able to find something to absolutely love about the city!”
We give Nashville a 6 on our favorite places to be. What is your favorite type of music and what city do you think best represents it?
