If you think Nashville is cowboy boots, bachelorette parties and country music, you’re not wrong. But Nashville is so much more than bright lights and big drums on Broadway. Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway, a couples’ trip, a family vacation or a long weekend, Music City might surprise you. I’ve been with my kids, I’ve been without the kids, and it’s become one of my favorite cities in America. So grab your boots (or don’t) and your cowboy hat, and let’s head to Tennessee.
Why Nashville Is So Much Fun
Nashville has exploded in popularity over the last decade. But unlike some destinations that get trendy and lose their charm, it has managed to grow while keeping its personality.
First, the music. It’s everywhere, and it’s insane. There’s a band playing against the window here, you walk two steps and there’s another band against the window playing a completely different song, and the songs clash together as you walk by: “Wait, I know that song. Oh, I know this one too.” It’s like a mashup. I always say Key West has live music all the time, and it’s a good second place, but there’s no place else like Nashville. If you love listening to music, this is where you need to be.
Then there’s the incredible food (and yes, I did eat the hot chicken), the Southern hospitality, so much history, the nightlife, the outdoor adventures and, perhaps most importantly, fun. This place is so, so, so much fun.
You Don’t Have to Love Country Music
Let me dispel one myth: you don’t have to be into country music to go to Nashville. I’ll be honest, country music isn’t my favorite thing. (Don’t kill me, Nashvillians. I love your city.) Most of the places we went didn’t play country the entire time. It was rock bands playing a mix of country and rock, and they took requests. We asked for “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers all the time, and they played it. Trust me, they’ll play anything. Many visitors arrive expecting a music town and leave talking about the food, the neighborhoods and the experiences.
Where to Stay
I always stay near downtown, because if you’re drinking, you’ll want to just walk back to your hotel without worrying about an Uber. I’ve stayed at the Sheraton, which wasn’t far from Broadway; the Four Seasons; and, most recently, the Omni, which is actually connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. All three are super close. There’s also a hotel with a gorgeous rooftop bar that’s not cheap but in a phenomenal location. Honestly, there are tons of options; just stay near Broadway, because it makes everything so much easier.
If you want something that feels a little more homey and neighborly, stay in The Gulch, near 12 South, in East Nashville or in Germantown. They have more of a local feel than that massive energy downtown.
Broadway: Yes, You Should Go
Broadway is where all the bars and the live bands are. It can be daunting, because there are a lot of people. On Friday and Saturday nights when we were there, they closed part of Broadway to cars, so you could cross it but not drive down it. It’s like Times Square, no joke. And it’s the coolest thing on the planet.
I’m not going to tell you which bars to go to, because after a while, they feel the same. (I know, Nashvillians, they’re not all the same.) This last trip, we somehow stayed on one side of the street almost the whole time, because our hotel was on that side. We fell in love with Jon Bon Jovi’s bar, which played rock music all the time and had bull riding that they showed on the screens downstairs. We also liked Kid Rock’s, which is huge. The only time we made it to the other side of the street was for Tootsie’s, because, gee, we came all the way here. We should probably go to Tootsie’s.
You don’t even have to walk in to hear the bands. They’re right up against the open windows, so close that you could talk to the drummer as you walk by. (We did. When I asked one what their next song was, he said they didn’t really know. You’re the drummer! Don’t you set the beat?) If you like what you hear, in you go. And the music starts early, around 10:00 a.m. or noon (look up the times), so if you’re an early bird and not a night owl, go during the day. It’s still a great place to hang out.
Broadway after dark: if you like what you hear through the window, in you go.
Yes, We Dressed Like Tourists
This time, we wore the hats and the boots and everything. My friends who live there said, “You know we don’t dress like that.” I didn’t care. People on the plane laughed at us. The lady behind me said, “Wow, it’s pretty obvious you’re tourists.” Yep, and we’re really okay with that. And guess what? Once we got down to Broadway, every single person looked exactly like us. If you can’t laugh at yourself and have a good time, what’s life all about?
Where to Eat in Nashville
The Twelve Thirty Club
There’s not much on Broadway I’d truly want to eat at, except the Twelve Thirty Club. (Rumor has it Justin Timberlake had a hand in it.) There are three spaces: the honky-tonk downstairs, the supper club upstairs and the rooftop bar. I originally wanted the rooftop, but go to the supper club. Don’t fall for the rooftop, and don’t fall for the honky-tonk you pass on the way in (though honestly, I’d probably try all three).
The food outshined everything. I wanted literally every single thing on the menu, and the drinks were really good too. There’s a stage in the middle, and instead of jazz, they played the 70s and 80s at a nice, easy volume that gave it a flowing, jamming feel. They do ask you to dress appropriately, and that first day we happened to stay in our T-shirts, bright cowboy hats and boots. We giggle that they put baby in the corner, but nobody else was dressed to the nines.
Good to know (checked October 2026): the rumor is true. Justin Timberlake is one of the backers of the Twelve Thirty Club. Source: NewsChannel 9.
The Treehouse
A little away from downtown (take an Uber, because the drinks are really good too) is the Treehouse, a creative farm-to-table spot. They’ve made it look somewhat like a treehouse, the food is phenomenal and it’s 100% a locals’ place.
The Pancake Pantry
You cannot miss the Pancake Pantry, and you might have to go a couple of times, because the line gets really long. If you get there between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., the line is shorter and moves fast. Any time after 9:00, you’ll be waiting a long time. The pancakes and the syrup are unreal. I don’t know who makes them. The pancake gods.
Pancake tip: get in line between 8 and 9 a.m., before the wait gets long.
House of Cards
House of Cards is a hidden underground magic show with dinner. It’s very hard to find, and you can’t just show up, so get tickets ahead. Usually when food comes with a show, I feel like the food is kind of meh. Not here. My friend ordered the elk tenderloin, and I had a bite; I would never have ordered it in a million years, and it was so good. After you eat, you get personal time with two different magicians before a bigger show at the end. The ambiance is dark, cozy and just perfect.
The Girls Just Want to Have Fun Brunch
Hampton Social is a chain, so I wouldn’t necessarily send you there for that reason, but it has a brunch called Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Everyone grabs a blow-up microphone to lip-sync and sing along, and there are bachelorette parties everywhere. If you like loud music and partying, that’s exactly what happens. Book a table ahead. We sat at a bar-top table right where people walk by, and it was overcrowded, with people ten deep at the bar. It was fun, and I did it, but it’s one and done for me unless someone begs me.
On My List
Monell’s: community-style Southern dining at big tables with strangers, passing bowls like family dinner. There’s no menu; it’s whatever they’re serving that day.
The Catbird Seat: a chef’s counter tasting experience where you sit around the kitchen and watch every dish being created. It’s theatrical fine dining, and you definitely need a reservation.
Nashville is known for Southern comfort food, barbecue, upscale steakhouses, creative farm-to-table restaurants and fantastic brunch spots, so come hungry.
Hidden Sides of Nashville
12 South
12 South isn’t exactly hidden, but people love it. It isn’t an address; it’s a neighborhood with boutique shops, coffee shops, cute murals, local restaurants and a slower pace than downtown. It’s a bit of a ways out, so if you didn’t rent a car (I suggest you don’t), just Uber there. The shops are authentic and different. When we went on a Saturday, there were pop-up shops with great clothes, and there’s even a place where you can create your own trucker hat. Don’t miss it if shopping is your thing.
Rooftop Bars
Nashville is known for its rooftop bars, so check them out before sunset. The skyline is beautiful. Just know it’s hot up there, without much of a breeze, so stay hydrated.
Things to Do in Nashville
The Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus
I know, it’s super touristy, and you’re thinking, “Oh my God, I’m not doing that.” But I’ve done it twice, and it’s really, really great, because there’s so much to see and you don’t have to plan anything. One of the coolest parts is the street lined with recording studios, one right after the other, where the guide points out where famous artists recorded and which stars own which studios. It also stops at The Gulch, the replica of the Parthenon, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium.
Yes, Nashville has a Parthenon. The hop-on, hop-off bus stops nearby.
A Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
The Grand Ole Opry is a bit outside the city, but if you’re interested, the backstage tour is so freaking cool. You get to stand in the circle, and they take your picture.
A Line-Dancing Class
We took a line-dancing class with about 50 people, and they taught us three dances. It was so much fun. I’ll tell you, we didn’t see as many people line dancing in the bars as I expected, which kind of stinks, but whenever I did, I joined in.
A Songwriter Round
If you’ve never experienced a songwriter round, put it at the top of your list. Songwriters perform the songs they’ve written and tell the stories behind them, so you might hear the person who wrote a hit before you knew their name. It’s one of the most authentic Nashville experiences there is. When I stayed at the Four Seasons, I did a songwriting experience with a few other people, and we wrote a song together. You can also book a private session to learn how songs get written. It’s not cheap, but if you or your kids are into music, it’s a very special experience.
More Ideas
Moonshine tasting: Ole Smoky is right downtown.
The Country Music Hall of Fame: everybody loves it.
History outside the city: there are historic mansions just outside Nashville that are phenomenal, so do your research (or write me and I’ll look it up for you).
Today’s Travel Lesson
Nashville isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience, 1,000%. It’s live music pouring out of every doorway (music is my soul), and these musicians are so freaking talented. It’s finding the hidden restaurant that serves the best meal of your trip. It’s dancing when nobody’s watching. And it’s one of those cities that somehow feels welcoming the moment you arrive.
If Nashville isn’t on your travel list yet, grab your hat and your boots, get yourself there and let the locals give you a look. By the time you reach Broadway, you’ll look exactly like everybody else. And if you’d like help planning it, my team at Fabulous Adventures Travel would love to get you there.
