A Destination: Nashville, Tennessee
I just returned from a fun-filled weekend in Nashville, Tennessee. I must say, that Nashville is a great city! This was my first time visiting and I can see why so many people make sure to visit this southern influenced destination.
Nashville is full of green trees, southern charm, delicious food and lots of music! This is definitely a place to visit if you are up for some fun and entertainment.
Things to Do
Nashville is a great destination to visit with friends!
Take a walk down Broadway and stop into bars along the way. Each bar has live music. I was surprised that the majority of the establishments on Broadway have multiple bands playing at the same time. Check out each floor and see which band is playing. Dance, sing a long and enjoy the music. The bands make it easy to request a song that you want to hear. Several bars are owned by well known country music stars. My favorite stops along Broadway include…
Justin Timberlake’s The Twelve Thirty Club. The decor was my kind of vibe and the food was delicious. I appreciate that you can enjoy a meal while also listening to live music. The green leather chairs and mustard colored curtain set the tone for a good time. I also really enjoyed the musicians at this bar the most. They played a variety of music genres and the band had amazing voices. Reservations are required for the Supper Club, none are needed for the rooftop bar.
Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa is located just a few doors down from Blake Shelton’s Ole Red. I liked the Southwest decor that paired well with the pink accents. The window openings on the 2nd floor and roof top bar are great spots to hang out. If you stop in for a meal, get the Mahi Mahi tacos.
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - I suggest the basic ticket option that allows you to guide yourself through the museum. The museum does offer audio and guided tours. There are 2 floors of the museum to visit. Expect to see artists’ memorabilia including costumes and even Elvis’ gold plated Cadillac. The exhibits rotate and feature dynamic singers such as Chris Stapleton. I must say, he has such an interesting story!
Do a little shopping in 12 South - There are great shops to support. A favorite of mine is Imogene + Willie. There are murals, restaurants and more to check out. This is a short ride from downtown.
Check out the schedule for the Grand Ole Opry. See if a headliner is playing and book those tickets! We booked tickets to see Blake Shelton and to our surprise, Gwen Stefani made her debut at the Opry that evening! It was so great to see the pair sing together. A few things that I learned about the Opry were…
That it is a weekly radio show that has been airing every Saturday night since 1925.
The show made country music famous!
There are two shows each Saturday night.
Each Saturday night includes several acts, with performers singing 3-5 songs each.
The current location of the Opry is not the original building. The initial location is known as the Ryman and can be seen when visiting the Broadway area.
Attend a Tennessee Titan’s football game and pregame on Broadway before walking to the stadium.
Rent a bike to explore the city.
Take a Lyft to Printers Alley. This is an alley that has much smaller bars than Broadway. The bars are more intimate and you can sit quite close to the musicians while they perform. You can grab a casual and quick bite to eat in this area, too.
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum!
Where to Stay
I did my homework about where to stay while visiting Nashville. There are numerous options at a variety of price points. I couldn’t be happier that we stayed in the Gulch at The Thompson Hotel. The location worked out very well. It was located away from the late nights of Broadway, which allowed for well rested nights.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may want to stay closer to Broadway, just count on it being noisier in the evenings.
Overall, I am a huge fan of the rooftop bars, southern cooking and neon signs. This was the perfect destination for a girls weekend getaway. We stayed for 3 nights and four days and it was just the right amount of time to explore Music City.
What is your favorite place to visit in Nashville?