Nashville Tennessee
Nashville is the capitol of country music, where tomorrow’s hits are written and where performers and songwriters come to make it in the music business and where music is performed just everywhere. Their energy seeps into almost everything in this city. For me the biggest highlight had been the performances on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, the longest running live radio show in the US. Only enjoying this justifies a visit in Nashville.
“It seems as there is an ongoing song in the air all around the city”
In the numerous bars, clubs, restaurants, honkey tonks, along the Broadway, downtown Nashville, along the music row and the Music Valley. Nashville is full of life music venues. They even start playing music along with the breakfast.
And Nashville seems to be the capitol of Cowboy boots. There seem to be hundreds of shops with millions of boots. So even though you never thought about buying some, here at the latest you intend to do so. I could resist but I am still not sure whether this had been right or wrong.
Leave the car in the garage and walk between broadway and the state capitol which is easily doable. Just bare in mind that it is quite hilly. So during summer it could get warm. But you will find most of the attractions in this area beside the Music Row which is in West Nashville and the Music Valley where you’ll find the Grand Ole Opry.
The Broadway itself, the distinctive designed Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, one of the best places to hear life music, Printers Alley, hotbed of clubs and bars, AT&T Building, “Batman Building”,Jonny Cash Museum, Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, Tennessee State Capitol, George Jones Museum, 128, 2nd Avenue
Honkey-tonks are determining the street scene of the Broadway. Do you know what a honkey-tonk is? I hadn’t known so far. A honky-tonk is a bar that provides country music and it is very typical for the southern part of the US. Walk along the lower Broad, as the blocks from 5th Avenue to the river are called. The Second Avenue is close to the Johnny Cash museum , Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium, one of the best places to hear life music is around the corner. Walk the Shelby Pedestrian Bridge, that is nearby and enjoy the views of the downtown cityscape from there.
In West Nashville you’ll find the “Music Row” where music deals are done and where the most famous record labels, studios and producers are located. You’ll find it a few blocks southwest of downtown at 16th and 17th Avenue and very close to Hilsboro Village, which is one of the hippest neighborhoods in Nashville. Hillsboro is home of stylish boutiques, bookstores and notable restaurants.
Still within Nashville landmark but outside downtown you will find beautiful locations like Belle Meade Plantation, Cheekwood, the Parthenon, Fontanel Mansion, Harpeth Hills Golf Course, Hamilton Creek Park.
If you want to see where the real celebrities are living you have to go to Brentwood, one of the wealthiest cities of America and a suburb of Nashville.
And finally the Fontanle Mansion, the former estate of country star icon Barbara Mandrell. You get a great tour in the house itself, using her bed for a photo or playing the guitars. The very entertaining tourguide Dany makes this huge 27,000 square foot house (log cabin) alive with all the stories that happened there. A very entertaining tour.
Nashville is worthwile for a weekend trip. Be aware that it is heavily frequented during the weekend so book well in advance.
Recommended restaurants:
The Southern, 150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 3720, recommended by locals, very crowded
Tequila Cowboy, 3rd Avenue
Rolf & Daughters, 700 Taylor St., 37208 TN
Whiskey Kitchen, 118 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Pancake Pantry, 1796 21 Avenue South, TN 37212, Hilsboro Village, close to music row
Fido, 1812 22st Avenue South, TN 37212, good for breakfast, Hilsboro Village close to music row
Loveless Motel and Cafe, 8400 Highway 100, TN 37222 a bit outside of downtown but very unique
The Sinema, Nashville 2600 Franklin Pike, Nashville TN 37204 a bit outside of downton but very unique
Live Music Venues (there are hundreds):
The Grand Ole Opry, 2802 Opryland Drive
B.B. King’s Blues House, 152 2nd Avenue
The Wildhors Saloon,120 2nd Avenue, to learn line dancing
The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hilsboro Pk
