Known for Honky Tonks and country music our Nashville, Tennessee trip itinerary included all that plus a couple side trips to take in the area’s history and culture. We also sampled a few of the region’s better known meals and found a few hours to explore a couple museums. Here are our must see sights in and around Nashville, Tennessee.
Honky Tonk Highway
Lower Broadway is brimming with Honky Tonks; bars with live music, beverages and dance floors. We went both during the day (music starts at 10am) and in the evenings. Of course there are fewer people during the day which can make for a more intimate experience. At night, the atmosphere is more lively and it’s far more crowded. We found that if one level of the bar is packed, hike up a few flights of stairs and you may find less of a crowd. You’ll also find a different band playing and likely an entirely new music scene.
One of the best features of Honky Tonk Highway is the free, live music. There are no cover charges so you can walk up and down the street and sample the sounds of Nashville’s musical hopefuls. These up and comers work solely on tips so bring cash or use your Venmo App to show them the love.
Be sure to check out the roof top bars at whatever joint you wander in to. They all offer great views of Broadway and the bustling nightlife below. If the crowds are too much and you’re willing to walk a block off Broadway, check out Florida Georgia Line’s Place; FGL House or the Wild Horse Saloon where line dancing is still alive and well.
Grand Ole Opry
Founded almost one hundred years ago, the Grand Ole Opry is America’s longest running radio show. It’s a must see in Nashville. No matter who is playing the Opry, the experience is well worth the price of admission. We saw a Country Classics Performance with The Gatlin Brothers, Rhett Akins and John Conley. It was fabulous.
After the show, we took the Backstage Tour. The tour took us to the set of Hee-Haw, passed the entrance the performers come in as well as the dressing rooms and green room. The most exciting stop on the tour was the stage where we got to “step into the circle” as if we were Grand Ole Opry performers.
Ryman Auditorium
The Mother Church of Country Music. That’s the nickname of the Ryman Auditorium. Located right off Broadway, the Ryman’s first purpose was as a house of worship as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. After builder Thomas Ryman’s death and thanks Lula Naff’s ability to book stage shows and world class performers, the auditorium gained world renown fame. It also served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry for just over 30 years and continues to draw big names like Garth Brooks.
Our visit to Nashville, Tennessee did not include a performance at the Ryman but we did do the tour. It was very well done and informative. A favorite tour fact; the backdoor of the Ryman leads to the back door of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Artists are said to make their way straight from the Ryman stage to the beloved Tootsie’s in a mere 10 steps.
Country Music Hall of Fame
We are big country music fans so the idea of touring the Country Music Hall of Fame was quite appealing. Even if you are not into country music, it’s worth a visit. The exhibits contain amazing artifacts like performers guitars and stage clothes as well as platinum albums and napkins with lyrics of now famous songs scrawled on them. We chose the Country Music Hall of Fame general admission ticket and spent about 60-90 minutes browsing the exhibits. It was a nice break from the chaos of lower Broadway.
Belle Meade Plantation
Just a 20 minute Uber ride outside the city, the Belle Meade Plantation offers a fun tour of the mansion and a wine tasting. The guided tour took about an hour and covers the history of the plantation and the Jackson and Harding families who lived here from 1807-1904.
We really enjoyed our tour. The guide was funny and very knowledgeable. A favorite tour fact; Belle Meade was not a plantation whos main revenue stream was crops. Belle Meade was a horse breeding and racing plantation. In fact, many triple crown racing winner can trace their lineage back to a sire at Belle Meade.
Smoke House 
Back of Mansion 
Whiskey Distillery 
Slave Cabin
Nashville Eats
Biscuits and gravy and hot chicken. We found these two Nashville favorites at Biscuit Love and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. To try biscuits and gravy we ventured to The Gulch area of Nashville and sought out Biscuit Love. Biscuit Love is popular and often has a line warpping around the block. The trick seems to be a go early (before 10am). We ordered the egg plate and of course biscuits and gravy. The Bonuts looked amazing as well and I wish we would have tried them.
I’m sure locals never stop in at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken but we chose this popular spot to sample the spicy hot chicken. The term hot chicken means it will be HOT. You get to choose your heat level and even the mild was very spicy. Again, arriving early is the trick here as well. We arrived about 10 minutes before the place opened and there were already 20 people in line. The line moves quickly and the chicken was worth the wait. We ordered one sandwich and the dirty bird fries. Delicious.
Despite being known for country music Nashville has much to offer to all types of travelers. We also took the city’s hop on and off trolley tour and tasted whiskey at the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. Both worth the visit if you have the time. Our trip to Nashville, Tennessee was without kids. We love traveling with our kids but relish couple trips. New York City and Washington D.C, have been a couple of our favorite parent’s only vacations. We can now say Nashville will be added to that list.
Happy Adventuring, Rochelle