Nashville Tennessee Honky Tonks Hot Chicken and the Ryman

Why visit Nashville

Live music is the obvious draw, and the sheer amount of it is hard to match anywhere. On a single evening you can hear a cover band on Broadway, a legend on the Opry stage and a songwriter performing a song that may be on the radio next year.

Nashville is also the capital of Tennessee and has deep history, from the Greek Revival State Capitol to presidential and plantation estates whose tours now address the lives of the enslaved people who worked there.

Downtown and the music landmarks

Lower Broadway

The few blocks of Broadway between the Cumberland River and the Bridgestone Arena area are the heart of Nashville's honky-tonk scene. Bars here have live music on several floors from late morning until well after midnight, usually with no cover charge, and musicians play for tips.

Ryman Auditorium

Just off Broadway on Fifth Avenue, the Ryman opened in 1892 as a gospel tabernacle and later became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, earning the nickname the Mother Church of Country Music. Its curved wooden pews and famous acoustics still draw artists from every genre.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

This large museum tells the story of country music through costumes, instruments, handwritten lyrics and vehicles, including Elvis Presley's gold-leafed Cadillac. The Hall of Fame rotunda displays plaques for every inductee. Allow at least two to three hours.

Johnny Cash Museum and the National Museum of African American Music

The Johnny Cash Museum on Third Avenue holds a large collection of Cash's instruments, stage clothes and personal items, and takes about an hour. On Broadway, the National Museum of African American Music, which opened in 2021, explores the gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and hip-hop traditions that shaped American music, with interactive exhibits where you can try producing a track. Give it two hours.

Riverfront, Capitol Hill and the arts

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

This long steel truss bridge, once a road bridge, carries walkers and cyclists across the Cumberland River from downtown to the east bank. From the middle you get one of the best views of the skyline, especially at sunset and after dark.

Tennessee State Capitol and Bicentennial Mall

The Greek Revival State Capitol, completed in 1859, crowns a hill north of downtown and is the burial place of President James K. Polk and his wife.

Frist Art Museum

Housed in a grand Art Deco former post office near Union Station, the Frist has no permanent collection and instead hosts rotating exhibitions that range from old masters to contemporary design. A visit usually takes an hour or two.

Centennial Park, the Opry and historic estates

The Parthenon in Centennial Park

Nashville built a temporary replica of the Athens Parthenon for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, and the version you see today is a permanent full-scale reconstruction.

The Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio broadcast in American history, on the air since 1925. Shows feature a rotating lineup of members and guests, from Hall of Famers to rising stars, each playing a few songs.

The Bluebird Cafe

In a strip mall in the Green Hills neighborhood, the Bluebird is a tiny listening room famous for songwriter nights, where writers often sit in a circle and take turns playing the songs they wrote for big stars. Reservations open online and go fast, and the room expects silence during performances.

The Hermitage

About twenty to thirty minutes east of downtown, The Hermitage was the home of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president. Tours cover the mansion, gardens, Jackson's tomb and the cabins and archaeology that tell the story of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation.

Belle Meade and Cheekwood

On the west side, Belle Meade Historic Site was once a large plantation famous for breeding thoroughbred horses. Tours of the mansion and outbuildings take about an hour and a half, and the site now includes a winery.

Food and local flavors

Nashville hot chicken is the dish everyone talks about: fried chicken coated in a cayenne-heavy paste, served on white bread with pickles, and offered in heat levels from mild to painful.

For dining neighborhoods, East Nashville has a strong independent restaurant scene, The Gulch and Germantown are good for more polished dinners, and the Nashville Farmers' Market food hall is a convenient lunch stop near the Capitol.

Where to stay

Downtown and SoBro. Best for first time visitors who want to walk to Broadway, the Ryman and the museums.

Midtown and Music Row. Close to Vanderbilt University, Centennial Park and lively bars on Demonbreun Street, suited to travelers who want a mix of nightlife and green space.

East Nashville and Germantown. Quieter neighborhoods with independent restaurants, coffee shops and vacation rentals, ideal for return visitors and couples.

Music Valley near Opryland. Convenient for Opry shows and families, but you will need a car or rideshare to reach downtown.

Best time to visit

Spring, from April to early June, brings pleasant temperatures, blooming dogwoods and a packed music calendar.

Summers are hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, though music venues are air-conditioned and evenings on rooftop bars can be pleasant. Winters are generally mild with occasional cold snaps and ice, and hotel availability is better.

Getting there and getting around

Nashville International Airport is about fifteen to twenty minutes from downtown by car in normal traffic, with taxis, rideshare and WeGo public buses available.

Downtown, The Gulch and SoBro are walkable, and pedicabs and rideshare cover short hops at night.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, then take the Studio B tour. After lunch, visit the Johnny Cash Museum or the National Museum of African American Music.

Second day

Tour the Ryman in the morning, then walk up to the State Capitol, Bicentennial Mall and the Farmers' Market for lunch.

Third day

Head to The Hermitage or Belle Meade in the morning, followed by biscuits at the Loveless Cafe or hot chicken back in town.

Practical tips

• Book Opry, Ryman and Bluebird tickets as early as possible, especially for weekends.
• Carry small bills to tip musicians in the honky-tonks; it is how many of them earn a living.
• Bring photo ID even if you look well over drinking age, as venues check it.
• Stay midweek if you can; hotel rates and crowds rise sharply on weekends and during big events.
• Use rideshare or walk at night rather than driving, and avoid parking on the street downtown during events.
• Drink plenty of water in summer and plan indoor museum time for the hottest part of the day.

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