June 27, 2024
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5 Minute Read
Nashville is known as Music City for a reason. Its iconic venues run the gamut from honky-tonks to cavernous concert halls. But live music isn’t the only thing that the city has going for it—its mouthwatering cuisine and well-situated hotels will both enhance and elevate your stay. Abby Reuther, owner and founder of The Nashville Guide (@thenashvilleguide), shares an insider’s perspective on can’t-miss experiences in Tennessee’s capital.
If you’re a country music fan, a trip (or return trip!) to Nashville is probably already on your bucket list. Tennessee’s largest city may be famous for its rhinestone-studded honky-tonk culture, but its culinary scene is also world class. Whiskey and bourbon distilleries, hot chicken, and traditional “meat-and-three” (one meat and three sides) are staples to add to your travel list, says Abby Reuther, publisher of The Nashville Guide, which helps visitors discover the best local restaurants, shops, and events.
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Where to Eat
“You can’t come to Nashville and not try some hot chicken,” says Reuther. She favors Hattie B’s, a family-owned chain that prides itself on Southern hospitality. The heat level ranges from mild to extreme to cater to every tolerance. And you can wash it down with a root beer or coke float.
For the city’s best “meat-and-three,” check out Big Al’s Deli, which serves up Southern comfort food at its finest. Food aside, Reuther loves how welcome the owner makes guests feel. “Big Al greets each of his customers with a friendly hello,” she says.
For a more elevated experience with smaller parties, check out Locust. The restaurant has just eight tables and no set menu, so Reuther suggests making reservations ahead of your trip and bringing both your curiosity and an appetite to the restaurant.
In the heart of East Nashville, Reuther recommends Noko, which offers Asian-inspired “comfort food with an elevated twist,” she says. Case in point: the wagyu brisket, served with pickles and Noko bbq sauce. The seasonally inspired beverage menu has a range of mouthwatering options, from non-alcoholic cocktails with toasted garnishes to a wagyu-fat-washed old fashioned made with Japanese whisky.
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Where to Stay
There’s no shortage of accommodations in Nashville, with options ranging from luxurious to historic. If a relaxing, spa-like stay piques your interest, 1 Hotel Nashville is an elegant place to return to every night. After a long day of exploring the sights, guests can enjoy the holistic wellness spa, personalized workouts, and rain showers to feel refreshed and energized for another day of sightseeing.
With the city’s spread-out landscape, it’s important to consider what attractions you want to be near when booking a place to stay, especially if you want to avoid Nashville’s traffic. Boutique hotel Noelle is an excellent location for those who want to stay downtown and within walking distance of Lower Broadway (or Lower Broad, as it’s known), the historic district that offers live music, neon lights, and the hustle and bustle for which the city is known. With its speakeasy, restaurant, coffee shop, and rooftop bar, you might even find yourself tempted to stay at the hotel all day. “Hidden Bar, the speakeasy on the lower level, is a must, even if you aren’t staying at the hotel,” says Reuther. She loves that it’s hidden behind the door of “a storage closet.”
In the heart of Midtown, Kimpton Aertson Hotel is close to Music Row as well as plenty of bars, shops, and authentic Nashville restaurants.
If you’re bringing the whole band on your trip, Nashville’s newly opened Drift Hotel is the ideal spot for larger groups. The spacious rooms have plenty of setup options for a group, including three-bedroom suites, a lounge, a kitchenette, and a dining area.
TIP: Venture X cardholders can elevate their stay at Nashville hotels from the Premier Collection like 1 Hotel Nashville and Noelle and the Lifestyle Collection like Kimpton Aertson Hotel and Drift Hotel. Booking a stay at either collection provides eligible cardholders with premium benefits, like room upgrades when available, a $100 experience credit, and complimentary daily breakfast for two for Premier Collection bookings, and a $50 experience credit for Lifestyle Collection bookings. Terms apply. Click above for details.2
Where to Explore
First-time visitors to Nashville can’t miss a visit to Lower Broad. “I recommend hitting it up on day one,” Reuther says. “Visitors will likely walk away with some epic stories that they can talk and laugh about for the rest of the trip.” Some of Reuther’s favorite honky-tonks are Robert’s Western World, known for classic country music and fried bologna sandwiches; Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where you might catch a celebrity sighting; and The Stage, which offers a lively atmosphere, dance floor, and rooftop bar.
Nashville’s music scene isn’t all about country music. Music City can meet the needs of even the most eclectic music fan. “There is truly nothing like the music scene in Nashville,” Reuther says. “The talent is unmatched, vibrant, and diverse. Everywhere you turn there’s someone playing music.”
Well-known venues like Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry will enthrall diehard country music fans. But the lesser known, more intimate venues are just as full of talent and worth a visit. Rudy’s Jazz Room hosts world-class jazz in a New Orleans setting; Station Inn is a bluegrass lover’s dream, and The Basement has a packed calendar of shows by alternative and indie rock bands.
Enthusiastic music lovers should stop by some of Nashville’s record shops to dig through stacks of vinyl, says Reuther. Grimey’s has used, collectible, and new records; books; CDs; and even cassette tapes. At Vinyl Tap, record hunters can sip craft beer as they search for the perfect new or used LP.
For an even deeper dive into Nashville’s music scene, Reuther suggests attending a singer-songwriters’ round, where musicians take turns singing songs they have written. Reuther recommends Backstage Nashville, where some of the country’s top rising stars come together every Saturday to play their songs and share the stories behind them. “You might get lucky and hear a song before it becomes the next big hit,” Reuther says.
With all these options, it’s no surprise that Nashville is an extremely popular vacation destination. Whether you visit for a week or for a long weekend, there’ll be something for everyone to experience during your unforgettable Nashville adventure.
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