Nashville, the talented Southern city on Tennessee’s Cumberland River, is a vacation spot that’s a beautiful hybrid of metropolis and American heartland. Even if you think you don’t like country music, this soulful city will sway you with its attractions, amazing food, a nightlife scene filled with stellar live performances, and a stellar roster of top-quality hotels.
View of people on Tootsie’s rooftop
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Day One
Nashville’s central location makes it an ideal destination for a road trip, but if you’re flying in to Nashville International Airport, head downtown to the center of the city. Hotels like Music City Loft and 404 Hotel , in the Gulch, are walking distance to your first stop. Nashville has plenty of public transportation, cabs, and rideshares—there’s even a free Joyride shuttle downtown—but if you rent there’s also plenty of parking. Start the day at Puckett’s Grocery. The place has been around since the 1950s and serves breakfast until 11 a.m. Order the ham steak and eggs with red-eye gravy.
Now properly fueled, walk down Fifth to Ryman Auditorium, the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry, two blocks away. You’ll soak up more than 100 years of American music history in the humble building that was originally built as a church. When your indoctrination is complete, take a left toward Broadway. Your first stop is the lavender Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, which shares the alley with the Ryman and often hosts Ryman performers after their shows. Spend the afternoon bar-hopping Honky Tonk row from Fifth Avenue to the waterfront, and seek out every stage for the best singers, fiddlers, and local talent.
For dinner, make a reservation at Husk, just south of downtown, for chef Sean Brock’s amazing ways with produce and creative noshes like fried chicken skin, served up in a country-house setting.
