Quick Guide to Music City

Written By Jennifer Curnutt

A Dozen Things To Do in Nashville

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear Nasvhille? For most, it’s MUSIC… especially country music.

Nashville’s long standing musical heritage earned it the nickname “Music City” and its musical roots trace back long before it was affectionately called that. Back in the 1700s, it was a place to find fiddle players and buck dancing. Then came hymnal publications and evenutally the establisment of the Grand Ole Opry in 1925, which solidified its reputation as the captial of country music.

If you’re visiting, here’s a quick list of a dozen things to do in this bustling town allowing you to experience the best it has to offer.

  • Music Row - The heart of Nashville’s music industry that houses recording studios, record labels and publishing houses. Located in downtown centered around 16th and 17th Avenues South.

  • Broadway - The “Honky Tonk Highway.” A major downtown street known for live music, honky-tonk bars and restaurants. Music pours out of this bustling area 24/7 and it’s the prime spot to catch Nashville’s nightlife with many of its bars staying open into the wee early morning hours.

  • The Ryman Auditorium - The original location of the iconic Grand Ole Opry. This legendary venue is open for tours and still hosts live music concerts.

  • Grand Ole Opry - Nashville’s most infamous live music venue and an institution for country music showcasing famous singers and up and coming new artists. Here, you can also explore Opryland which features restaurants, shops, live music, and an indoor boat ride.

  • Country Music Hall of Fame - The world’s largest collection of country music history with world class exhibits. Here, you can view over 850 gold and platinum records lining the walls, artifacts, interactive displays, videos, and recordings.

  • The Parthenon - Art museum housed in a full scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. It is the centerpiece of the stunning 132-acre Centennial Park. Here, you can also catch some great candlelight concerts.

  • Johnny Cash Museum - World’s largest, most comprehensive collection of Cash memorabilia and artifacts dedicated to the life and musical legacy of Johnny Cash. It features an impressive collection of his stage outfits, instruments, handwritten lyrics, photographs and more. Plus, it’s officially endorsed by the legend’s estate.

  • Frist Art Museum - Art exhibitions which include some of the most prestigious collections in the world as well as interesting and impressive temporary displays.

  • Cheekwood Estate & Gardens - 55-acres of botanical gardens and a historic mansion built in 1929 that showcases its history and world-class artwork. Each year, the estate comes to life with various exhibitions and shows including Cheekwood in Bloom with 100,000 tulips each spring, classic car shows around Father’s Day, enchanted castles that turn the grounds into a fairytale land, Cheekwood Harvest with an explosion of 75,000 pumpkins at Halloween, and an Annual Holiday of Lights show that can’t be beat.

  • Tootsies Orchid Lounge - A famous and historic live music venue on Broadway. It was originally called Mom’s before Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess purchased it in the 60s and it was mistakenly painted orchid purple from which it derived its name. It gained notoriety over the years as a gathering place for famous musicians who were performing at the Ryman.

  • Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage - A historic plantation that was home to 7th President Andrew Jackson. Today, you can tour the Greek Revival style mansion, housing for the enslaved who worked and lived on the estate, and the stunning gardens.

  • Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery - A historic mansion and winery dedicated to perserving the history of Tennessee and its culture. It is also one of the largest thoroughbred farms in the south covering 5,400 acres.

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Jennifer Curnutt
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