Nashville – The Capital of Country Music
Nashville is one of the most interesting destinations on a trip to what is known as the South. The capital of Tennessee is not the Deep South as we know from the states to its south, but a destination with the character of the Midwest, yet with the resonating sounds of Middle America. The city saw the development of country music in the 1920s. This style blossomed through the Grand Ole Opry's radio and television show, becoming the tribal campfire for the entire South. This style is closely tied to the music of Middle America, including gospel and bluegrass music. Today, the city's downtown is still part of a musical journey, featuring vibrant streets with music clubs and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
How many days do you need for a trip to Nashville?
You should dedicate a full day to a trip to Nashville.
When visiting Nashville, you must stay at least one night in the city to experience the vibrant evening and nightlife of downtown.
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What must you see and do in Nashville?
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Show at Ryman Auditorium
- Performance at the Grand Ole Opry House
- Performances by emerging artists at Printers Alley clubs
- The grand South at the Tennessee State Capitol
- The everyday South at Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
- The Parthenon in Centennial Park
- Tennessee Titans football game at Nissan Stadium
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What is Nashville?
Nashville is the capital of the state of Tennessee and the central city in the northern part of the South. It is one of the most important cultural cities in the Southern USA, known as a hub for country music.
- Nashville is home to about six hundred thousand people, and its metropolitan area houses nearly two million.
- Downtown is bisected by the Cumberland River, which is part of the massive Mississippi River watershed (it connects with the Kentucky River to form the Tennessee River, which flows into the Ohio River and continues to the Mississippi River at Cairo, where the borders of Missouri, Kansas, and Kentucky meet).
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Nashville is named after American Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Nash. The city's origins trace back to French trading posts established in the early 18th century on the Cumberland River, not far from today's downtown.
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- In 1779, the trading post Fort Nashborough was established. The fort was founded by James Robertson and John Donelson, who were part of the Overmountain Men pioneering group. The party's goal was to settle the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains.
- Over the years, the fort grew into a major city, a large river port was constructed, and it became a crucial transportation hub in building the railways towards the Great Plains.
- In 1860, Tennessee seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. Nashville was captured by Union forces in 1862, leading to a slight decline in the city's power and prestige.
- Towards the end of the 19th century, the city rapidly resumed development, with much of it being built during this time.
- From the 1960s, Nashville began to flourish once again, and to this day, it is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire USA.
While the main tourism in the city is centered on its undisputed status as America's country capital (the city hosts the second largest volume of music production companies in the US, after New York), today's city is primarily based on the health industry and serves as headquarters for hundreds of pharmaceutical companies and private hospital corporations spread across the US.
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Nashville and Country Music
Nashville is still considered a hub for country music in the U.S. and for various derived genres such as bluegrass, gospel, and elements of folk. The city remains very musical today, and beyond the big institutions, the downtown streets are filled with live music clubs or even just music in the streets.
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The city's important popular institution is the Grand Ole Opry House radio and television program since 1927, from which the style emerged. The program established Nashville's undeniable status as the capital of country music, with record companies quickly following suit in this vibrant city. Nashville has drawn famous artists like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and even Taylor Swift, who all lived and worked here. All these artists have small museums dedicated to them downtown, right where they created their magic.
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Map of Nashville
How to Get to Nashville?
How to Fly to Nashville?
Nashville International Airport (BNA) – The city's main airport is located in the eastern part, just a ten-minute drive from downtown. It's one of the hub airports for Southwest Airlines and is conveniently connected with all major airports in the USA and Canada, especially those in the southern cities.
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How to Get to Nashville by Car?
Nashville is situated at the intersection of two major highways, the I-40, which crosses America from Raleigh in North Carolina to the Los Angeles metro area, and the legendary southern highway, Route 65, stretching from Chicago at Lake Michigan to Mobile in the state of Mississippi on the Gulf Coast.
When is the Best Time to Visit Nashville?
Nashville is a city of two main seasons: summer and winter. Nashville's summer is like the entire South's summer – hot and very humid. Nashville's winter is a Midwest winter – cold and snowy. In between, there are two especially pleasant transitional seasons.
- The transitional seasons are the ideal times to visit the city. Spring in the city is pleasant and cool, with plenty of sunshine hours. In spring, you can witness the city thaw from winter and the magnificent shift from cold to the city's country parties
- Fall is an even better season, warm and pleasant, and especially less rainy than spring. The city itself is relatively rainy (and snowy in winter), and in fall there's less chance of encountering rainy days
- Summer in Nashville is fantastic (for those who love Florida in the summer), with high temperatures and high humidity. Although the weather is harsh at noon, the evening hours in the city are one big party
- Winter in Nashville is cold and freezing, with quite a few snowy days and days with temperatures below zero
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Everything you need to know about accommodations and hotels in Nashville
There are four main clusters of accommodations in and around Nashville:
- Urban hotels in downtown Nashville
- Motels in the southern part of downtown near Korean Veterans Boulevard
- Business hotels and motels near Nashville Airport
- Motels in Music Valley near the Grand Ole Opry House
The hotels in downtown Nashville are spread throughout the compact downtown area, mostly in the new towers built in the city. These are urban hotels from all the big chains. There's a plentiful supply of three and four-star hotels downtown, as well as some more luxurious hotels.
The motels in Music Valley mainly serve those attending the big shows at the Grand Ole Opry House. Near the grand hall, there are plenty of motels from well-known American chains like Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Residence Inn, and more. These are excellent motels, with spacious rooms that also offer easy access to the downtown area.
Nashville's airport hotels are also a very convenient lodging option near the city. They range from four-star business hotels close to the terminal of all major international companies to nearby motels.
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A map of where to stay in Nashville
How to plan a travel itinerary in Nashville?
The Nashville trip is part of a journey through the northern part of the southern USA and along the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. The city is situated midway between southern capitals like Atlanta, Georgia (4-hour drive), Memphis (3-hour drive), Birmingham, Alabama (4-hour drive), Louisville, Kentucky (3-hour drive), Saint Louis, Missouri (4-hour drive), and more. Most visitors come to the city for a couple of days by flight, exploring mainly the music scene in both Nashville and Memphis, the city of Elvis Presley.
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The travel itinerary within Nashville is easy and compact. A large part of what there is to see and do in the city is located in the small downtown on the banks of the Cumberland River. Start your city tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, then visit the Ryman Auditorium, Printer’s Alley, and head towards the Tennessee State Capitol where also the music hall of fame and museum is located.
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It's highly recommended to also take a quick drive to Music Valley where the Grand Ole Opry House is located, and the Belle Meade Plantation, both about a fifteen-minute drive from downtown.
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Everything to See and Do in Nashville
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame is probably the main tourist attraction in Nashville and the number 2 tourist destination in Tennessee after Graceland Mansion near Memphis. It’s a quintessential American destination that has become a pilgrimage site for residents of this vast country. With domestic tourism, international tourists also come from around the world to taste the less universal American culture, the culture of country music and the heart of America.
The large museum is located in the southern part of downtown, near Bridgestone Arena and the huge Music City Center convention center. It opened to the public in 1967 and has since become a must-see in the city. Inside the museum space are exhibits related to the local music world based in Nashville, plenty of memorabilia from great singers (with whom you may not be familiar) and of course memorabilia of Elvis Presley, including his golden Cadillac.
Address: Rep. John Lewis Way S, 222, Nashville
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Ryman Auditorium
If the Hall of Fame sums up country music, Ryman Auditorium is the opener for Nashville's signature style. This is where the iconic Grand Ole Opry show began, initially broadcast on radio and later on TV. This show has been held in Nashville since 1925 and is considered the main stage for spreading country music across the U.S., including sub-genres like Bluegrass and Gospel.
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This show is considered the birthplace of country music and one of the most important cultural pillars of Mid-America and the South. The show was held in the auditorium until 1974, when it moved to the Grand Ole Opry House in Music City, in the Nashville metropolitan area up the river. Yet, the Ryman Auditorium remains one of the most significant venues in American and Southern culture, and it continues to host major country music performances by the most well-known artists in the genre.
You can also visit the Grand Ole Opry House itself, a ten-minute drive from downtown Nashville, which can accommodate nearly 5,000 spectators. Next to the hall are exhibits related to country music and a wax figure display of great artists.
Address: 5th Ave N, 116, Nashville
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Printers Alley
If the Ryman Auditorium is the place from which country music spread across America, Printers Alley is its true homeland. Along the alley, you'll find numerous blues clubs, bars, and all the places where you can hear live music during the afternoon and evening. It's one of the busiest streets in downtown Nashville, especially north of Church Street. Wandering around downtown Nashville also includes nearby streets, mainly the broad Broadway Avenue, which also hosts many music clubs.
Tennessee State Capitol Building
The Tennessee State Capitol building graces the downtown of Nashville from the north. The building was erected in 1859 and stands as one of the finest examples of grand state architecture in the southern states. A year after its completion, Tennessee withdrew from the Union, and two years later, the building was occupied by Union forces. Visitors can enter the building for guided tours at the Capitol, as part of a visit to the nearby Tennessee State Museum.
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Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
The Music Hall of Fame is Nashville's attempt to dive into the broader world of music and step away from the country music mold with which the city is associated. The Hall of Fame and museum are situated near the Capitol building in the direction of the riverfront. This museum also features fascinating memorabilia from top American artists, especially in genres other than country.
Address: Gay St. 401, Nashville
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The Parthenon in Centennial Park
On the way to Belle Meade Plantation in the west of the city, you can stop and see the exact replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park. It's a precise reproduction of the main and important building of the Acropolis in Athens. Nearby is Taylor Swift's Bench which has become a popular tourist destination.
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
The Belle Meade estate is located on the outskirts of Nashville, about a fifteen-minute drive west from downtown. It's a grand, beautifully preserved mansion from the mid-19th century that today tells the story of the great rural mansions of the South. Tours are held on site, and you can see the Southern way of life from the 19th century, including the slave quarters. The site features a full recreation of the lifestyle, complete with actors in period costumes.
Address: Harding Pike, 5025, Nashville
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Sports Events and Teams in Nashville
Football in Nashville
The Tennessee Titans
The Titans are currently one of the best teams in the NFL and it's a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the thrilling game if you happen to visit Nashville in the fall and winter months. The team was founded in Houston in 1960 named the Oilers, moved to Memphis in 1997, and finally to Nashville in 1999 when they changed their name to the Titans. That very year, they showcased their strength, finishing almost perfectly but lost tragically to the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl. Since then, the Titans often make it to the playoffs but haven't reached another Super Bowl.
The team plays at the large Nissan Stadium on the east bank of the Cumberland River, just across from downtown Nashville. The stadium seats 70 thousand fans.
Home stadium address: 1 Titans Way, Nashville
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Hockey in Nashville
The Nashville Predators
The Predators are a fairly average hockey team that has been playing in the city since its founding in 1998. The team is a great opportunity to catch NHL hockey games, especially because there are no problems getting tickets and the home stadium is right in the heart of downtown Nashville, where you'll likely be exploring the city anyway. The team plays at the Bridgestone Arena next to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown. The stadium accommodates 18,000 spectators.
Home stadium address: Broadway, 501, Nashville
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