So here is a list of my favorite things in Nashville:
If you have the time do the Hop On/Hop Off Bus tour is really good in Nashville. The entire loop takes about 90 minutes with lots of historical information given out by the driver during the tour. This is the company we used: Hop On Hop Off Nashville Tours
Ryman Auditorium is the original Grand Ole Opry and it’s right downtown. Definitely worth doing a tour.
Grand Ole Opry – they built a new one and its huge and really neat but it’s not downtown … worth visiting but it will mean an uber ride there and back.
The Parthenon – yes they actually built a full size replica of the Parthenon in Greece. Very interesting but again not walking distance from broadway.
Country Music Hall of Fame – Right in downtown and its neat but unless you really like old school country music most of the people and exhibits won’t mean a whole lot to you.
Johnny Cash Museum – I didn’t do this one but for those that like him I’ve heard it’s really good
Most of the “Honky Tonks” are on Broadway or 2nd Ave. Here are the best (in my opinion):
Tootsies Orchid Lounge – The “original” and still one of the most fun
Legends – Kind of seedy but good drinks and the music is always good.
Jason Aldean’s – Nice big place with a great rooftop bar
Redneck Riviera – owned by Rich from big & rich – Martha’s favorite bar
ACME Feed & Seed – just a good all around bar
Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse – Mostly rock-n-roll and country rock here. Cool bar with black lights all around.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row – another good bar with good music
AJ’s Good Time bar – owned by Alan Jackson
TGI Fridays – typical food but they have an upstairs live music venue which is cool
BB Kings – Shrimp and grits here is bangin! Mostly blues here
Wildhorse Saloon – hundreds of lines dancers with live country music
Most of these venues have multiple floors and they will have different bands on each floor playing different kinds of music
If you get a chance, take an uber to Marathon Village. This building was an auto manufacturing plant a hundred years ago but has been converted into lots of shops and has 3 distilleries in it most of which offer free or cheap tastings.
If you like checking out breweries here are a couple of ones we liked:
- Bearded Iris (My favorite)
- Southern Grist
- Broadway Brewhouse – right on Broadway downtown
