Neon guitars glowing above Broadway, steel guitars ringing from legendary stages, and a dizzying culinary landscape that spans everything from fiery hot chicken and soul-comforting BBQ to global delights: Nashville is a city where music, flavor, and creative energy play in perfect harmony

By Amanda McCoy

First founded in 1779 along the Cumberland River, Nashville has grown from a frontier trading post into one of America’s most electric culture capitals. Known worldwide as “Music City,” the Tennessee hub pulses with creativity, where historic honky-tonks spill live country, blues, and rock onto neon-lit Broadway and songwriters swap verses in tucked-away listening rooms. Beyond the stage lights, the city has become a serious global culinary contender, famed for its fiery Nashville hot chicken, inventive Southern kitchens, and a fast-growing craft cocktail scene. From rooftop bars overlooking the skyline to quiet morning strolls along the riverfront, Nashville blends old-school charm with a restless creative energy that keeps the city humming long after the final encore.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The city experiences four distinct seasons, with spring and fall considered the most pleasant for visitors thanks to mild temperatures and colorful blooms/foliage. Summers can be hot and lively, often accompanied by outdoor concerts and festivals, while the holiday season dresses the city in spectacular light displays, and landmark venues like the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium, and Schermerhorn Symphony Center host festive shows and live performances dripping in tinsel and twinkling lights. Downtown Nashville is compact and walkable, especially around Broadway, the Gulch, and SoBro, but it’s worth it to visit the city’s many emerging hotspots outside of the central entertainment district, particularly the eclectic stew of art galleries, boutiques, and cafés of East Nashville. There are more than 35 museums to explore, including the hallowed Country Music Hall of Fame, considered the globe’s largest repository of country music history. For a quieter break from the neon, leafy parks like Centennial Park and the Shelby Bottoms Greenway offer scenic trails just minutes from the city’s musical heart.

ATTRACTIONS

GRAND OLE OPRY

Few stages in America carry the cultural weight of the Grand Ole Opry. Founded in 1925 as a humble radio broadcast on Nashville’s WSM station, the show quickly grew into country music’s most legendary platform, launching and sustaining the careers of icons from Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. Today, the Opry remains the longest-running live radio show in the world, blending history and modern star power in nightly performances that feature a mix of country superstars, rising artists, and surprise guests. The current Opry House—just outside downtown Nashville—offers visitors the chance to experience the magic firsthand, whether through a live show, behind-the-scenes backstage tour, or by stepping into the famous wooden circle cut from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium. opry.com

BROADWAY

If Nashville has a beating heart, it’s Broadway. The neon-drenched stretch through downtown—often called the city’s Honky Tonk Highway—buzzes day and night with live music spilling from nearly every doorway. Inside the legendary bars, bands rotate through high-energy sets of country classics, rock covers, and modern hits, often performing for crowds that pack the dance floors from morning well past midnight. Historic venues like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge share the strip with multi-story hotspots owned by country superstars including Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and Miranda Lambert, each offering rooftop views, Southern comfort fare, and nonstop entertainment. visitmusiccity.com

LIQUOR LAB 

For a hands-on twist on Music City’s booming cocktail scene, Liquor Lab Nashville turns mixology into an interactive night out. Located just outside downtown, the lively venue hosts instructor-led cocktail classes where guests step behind the bar to learn the art of shaking, stirring, and garnishing like a pro. Each session walks participants through several classic and contemporary drinks while breaking down the techniques and spirits behind them, from flavor pairings and balancing citrus to mastering the art of a proper shake. It’s a perfect pick for date nights, group outings, or anyone curious about the craft behind a great drink. liquorlab.com/nashville

WHERE TO STAY

FAIRLANE HOTEL NASHVILLE

Set inside a beautifully restored mid-century bank building in downtown Nashville, the Fairlane Hotel blends retro glamour with contemporary comfort. The boutique property channels a sleek 1960s aesthetic—think warm wood tones, brass accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping city views. Spacious guestrooms feature custom furnishings and thoughtful touches, while the ground floor hums with local flavor thanks to Ellington’s restaurant and the beloved retro doughnut counter, Union Teller. Just steps from Broadway’s neon honky-tonks and the city’s top music venues, the Fairlane offers a stylish home base for exploring Music City. fairlanehotel.com

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

A destination unto itself, the sprawling Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center feels more like an indoor botanical city than a traditional hotel. Just minutes from downtown Nashville, the resort’s nine-acre glass atriums shelter lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and winding waterways where flatboats glide beneath leafy canopies. Guests can stroll through tropical conservatories, dine at more than a dozen restaurants, or unwind at the resort’s upscale spa before catching a show next door at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. During the holidays, the property transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, festive displays, and its famed ICE! exhibition carved entirely from colorful blocks of frozen water. marriott.com

WHERE TO DINE & DRINK

THE CATBIRD SEAT

One of Nashville’s most coveted reservations, The Catbird Seat flips the traditional restaurant format on its head. Guests gather around a small chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen, where the culinary team prepares an ever-evolving tasting menu just inches away. The experience is equal parts dinner and performance, with inventive courses that shift with the seasons—delicate seafood, vegetable-driven compositions, and imaginative desserts presented with a bit of storytelling from the chefs themselves. Long a darling of Nashville’s dining scene, the restaurant recently earned even greater distinction as one of only three establishments awarded a star in the inaugural Nashville edition of the Michelin Guide. thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com

Luogo

This longstanding Italian hotspot in Germantown brings a refined yet relaxed approach to classic cucina. The menu celebrates handmade pastas, seasonal ingredients, and bold coastal flavors – think delicate pan-seared salmon dressed with parsnip puree, pappardelle cloaked in slow-braised duck confit, and a juicy double-cut pork chop served with roasted gala apples and butternut squash. The warm, contemporary dining room hums with energy, while a thoughtfully curated wine list highlights Italian producers alongside global favorites. luogo-nashville.com

CAFÉ ROZE

Tucked into Nashville’s leafy East Nashville neighborhood, Café Roze has quietly become one of the city’s most beloved neighborhood cafés. The airy, minimalist space—soft pink tones, blonde wood, and sun-drenched windows—sets the stage for a menu that balances comfort with creativity. Daytime favorites range from fluffy pancakes and turmeric-laced breakfast bowls to standout sandwiches and seasonal salads, while evenings bring inventive small plates and natural wines. Equal parts brunch destination and laid-back dinner spot, Café Roze captures the relaxed, design-forward spirit that has made East Nashville one of the city’s most exciting culinary enclaves. caferoze.com

Poppy & Peep Chocolate

Tucked in a quiet corner of the creative Wedgewood-Houston district, Poppy & Peep Chocolate is a playful micro-factory that blends artisan techniques with whimsy aplenty. The father-daughter–run shop specializes in handcrafted bonbons, chocolate bars, and imaginative confections that feel as artful as they are indulgent. Expect glossy, hand-painted bonbons in rotating seasonal flavors, silky bean-to-bar creations, and quirky Nashville-inspired treats – like a dark chocolate bar infused with the city’s famous hot chicken spices. There are even chocolate-themed Airbnbs on site. poppyandpeep.com