Like a diamond, Nashville shines brightly with over 15 million visitors. Reasons to visit this dynamic growing city are multi-faceted from its vibrant music scene, fine arts, education, college and professional sports to its large number of festivals, city events and conventions, Music City continues to attract the attention of visitors nationally and abroad. Synonymous with good times and friendly people, Nashville always offers something exciting to do. If you are planning a trip to Nashville, give us a call. Our staff will help you plan the perfect trip and then offer you the perfect locale for a respite after a very long day.

East Nashville

A short 15 minute drive away is the East Nashville neighborhood; a revitalized historic community known for arts, craft beer and the Tomato Art Festival. Popular bars and restaurants include Rumours East, The Family Wash featuring live music, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden, Marche Artisan Foods listed as a USA Today 10 Best for Coffee Shop cuisine. East Nashville is known the area’s beautifully restored homes, offbeat shops, street art, trendy bars and fine dining such as Marrgo Café & Bar.

The Gulch

Located in the crossroads of downtown Nashville and Music Row, only minutes from Germantown,  is The Gulch (#NashvilleGulch). Known for exciting nightlife, and one of the most popular locales for mural photos, The Gulch offers a vast array of restaurants, bars and shops in a concentrated area. Check out Hops+Crafts, Gerties’s Bar or LA. Jackson for fine dining and Instagram worthy drinks, or head over to Rudy’s Jazz Room for New Orleans style food and music. Or, check out Station Inn, a music room featuring the best in Bluegrass, classic country and Americana roots music.

The Nations

Though located near one of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods, Sylvan Park, The Nations began mostly as a low cost residential neighborhood intersected by I-40 where Mom and Pop businesses and thrift stores thrived on Charlotte Street. The renovation of homes spurred by Nashville’s growth has brought many first time home buyers to the area and with it a slew of places to eat and drink that won’t bankrupt your wallet.  Begin your day at one of two coffee houses – Three Corners or White Bison, and then catch the least expensive most lunch for the money at Wendell Smith’s. Open Mon-Sat from 6:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. daily Wendell’s is known for their homegrown tomatoes, sassy servers and lunch specials.  Want to help a good cause, stop in The Café at Thistle Farms for farm fresh food and line of skincare products that support women survivors of human trafficking and addition. Not far away is Coco’s Italian Market for truly authentic Italian food, Bocce Ball and rich desserts. Cross under the interstate and The Nations dining selection widens with 20 different restaurant options – The Nations Bar & Grill, Red Bicycle, Harding House Brewing Co or Nicky’s Coal Fired to name a few and many options for fun thrift store shopping.

Elliston Place

Elliston Place is not quite Haight-Ashbury, but its history of being a hangout for the counterculture movement was inspired in part by The Exit/ Inn, The Gold Rush (now closed), Elliston Place Smoke Shop and some of the coolest boutiques to hit Nashville. Though not large in geographic size, intellectuals, writers, songwriters and musicians have all spent time on Elliston Place to hear or perform music or discuss the next big deal. Today, Exit/Inn is still rockin’ it with a full line-up of booked acts that are known or soon-to-be-known. If your taste is anti-country, this venue offers a reprieve for rockers, rappers and metalheads. Don’t leave town without checking out one of Nashville’s most historic venues and then stop in the Elliston Place Soda Shop for the best milk shake in town. For fine dining, Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse, is around the corner. Now celebrating 85 years of continuous service, this is the place to go for a perfectly made martini and intimate romantic dining.

Hillsboro Village

Less than 20 minutes away from Germantown is Hillsboro Village known far and wide for the celebrity frequented Pancake Pantry. Few restaurants in Nashville have retained the popularity and tried and true patrons as this restaurant located on 21st Street proven by the wait on any Saturday morning.  Located in close proximity to Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, this area is a fave of students past and present and is known for its shops, salons, the Fido coffeehouse and Belcourt Theatre. The Belcourt opened its doors in 1925 and through public and private support today is a non-profit that provides first rate access to acclaimed documentaries, foreign films, short films, classics and limited release films. Take a stroll and have a cold one at The Grilled Cheeserie or experience a quaint southern style breakfast at Biscuit Love. The options range from Tapas to Sushi and everything in-between.

Nashville and the surrounding counties offer an abundance of fun activities from visiting lower Broadway’s honky tonks to the day trips to Williamson County to visit scenic Franklin, TN and the Carnton Plantation, to a trip to Cheatham County to float the Harpeth River. If you are looking for outside fun, history, music or art – Nashville has it all within a short drive.

 

The Parthenon

Nashville, a.k.a. the Athens of the South is the only city that has a replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Built originally for the 1897 Centennial Exposition, this monument represents the pinnacle of classical architecture and is open to the public year-round. Inside you will see plaster replicas of original sculptures of the Green pantheon of Gods- the Parthenon Marbles found in the Naos are direct casts of the originals.  For more information, visit: https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parthenon.aspx.

 

Frist Art Museum

Located in one of Nashville’s most significant art deco buildings, the Frist Art Museum offers exciting high-quality exhibitions, and family-friendly educational programs. Through September 2, the Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection.  Through September 29, Monsters & Myth: Surrealism and War in the 1930s and 1940s is also on display.

For more information about the Frist Art Museum including dates and hours of operation visit: https://fristartmuseum.org/calendar#C=1&P=P0

 

The Ryman Auditorium

The Grand Ole Opry first began in the historic Ryman Building located in downtown Nashville. A tour of this mid 19th century building should be on everyone’s bucket list as it was the location of the birth of country music and The Opry. While the Grand Ole Opry no longer performs every week at this beautiful tabernacle turned music venue, tours are offered weekly and many special shows are still performed by artists of all genres in this famed hall. For more information about shows or tour options, go to this website.

 

Grand Ole Opry

This show holds the distinction of being Tennessee’s number one entertainment attraction. Weekend performances feature artists of yesteryear and today’s top performers, and it is still broadcasted live by Nashville’s WSM 650, making it the longest running live radio show in the U.S. Each performance is made up of official Opry members and guest artists. The Grand Ole Opry is sometimes performed in the Ryman, but typically is performed at the Grand Ole Opry House built in 1974 at 2804 Opryland Drive.  This state-of-the-art venue is also used for performances of national and international artists – covering music from rock to blues, to Americana. For ticket pricing and show dates, visit this site.

 

Nashville Farmers’ Market

Farm fresh is just around the corner at the Nashville Farmers’ Market located at 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Open seven days a week, this nationally recognized food market, garden center and international food hall is the place to explore the best in fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, or to get a great cut of beef to grill. Conveniently located to the Downtown Greenway trailhead, this is a great place to grab some carbs before taking a run on this hub that connects up to 80 miles of city greenways. Night Market occurs on the third Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. featuring live music (with an occasional D.J.). Shop then dine under the stars.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum

Located in downtown Nashville, this museum is located only blocks from lower Broadway, the hub for Nashville’s celebrated Honky Tonks. The museum has incredible permanent collections and travelling or seasonal exhibitions located in the modern 350,000 square foot museum.  The museum’s core collection – Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music is always on display and covers country music over time with audio recordings, costumes, instruments and photos to bring the history of this genre to life.  Additionally there are dynamic state-of-the-art galleries, archival storage, education classrooms, retail stores, and a special event space that offers stunning downtown views.

The exhibit that is currently showing for a limited time is Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ‘70s featuring the life and career of top artists: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker,  David Allan Coe, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and many more. The exhibit explores an era of cultural and artistic exchange between Nashville, Tenn., and Austin, Texas, revealing untold stories and never-seen artifacts.
countrymusichalloffame.org/

 

Nashville Mural Tour

Nashville’s murals are as diverse as our music scene. Most every neighborhood has their signature murals. If you have a phone head over to Germantown, the Gulch or East Nashville and capture your stay with an Instagram worthy pic. Below are a few of the more popular ones to capture during your stay.

 

Nashville at Heart Mural
2705 12th Ave. S.

 

Flowers Mural
2900 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

I Believe in Nashville
Marathon Village 625 Main Street and 2702 12th Avenue South

What Lifts You
The Gulch, 302 11th Avenue South

FALL

OKTOBERFEST

A visit to Nashville’s Germantown in October is the ideal way to experience Oktoberfest, the site of the 2nd largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States.  Now in its 40th year, Oktoberfest begins with opening ceremonies on Thursday, October 3 at the corner of 5th Ave. N. and Jefferson Street. Highlights in addition to copious amounts of beer and wurst includes the 5K Bier Run which is the second largest 5K in Tenn., the Dachshund Derby on Sunday at 3 p.m. and the parade on Saturday at 1 p.m. The parade starts at the corner of 4th Ave. N & Jefferson Street and goes to the stage at 7th and Jefferson St.

There are more than 200 arts, crafts, food and commercial vendors and lots of kid activities. VIP tickets are available. Butchertown Hall and Von Elrod’s Beer Garden and Sausage House are two must visits while here.  Live music is provided by The OomPahsters, UBERkrainer and The Klaberheads throughout the weekend.

Schedule Link

VIP Tickets Link

Dates: October 10 – 13

The Glow –  A Pumpkin Wonderland

THE GLOW features an enchanting and unforgettable wonderland of more than 5,000 hand carved, illuminated pumpkins transformed into beautiful landscapes, iconic figures and larger than life structures. Event begins October 3 and continues through October 27.

Location: Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson
Website Link
Dates, Prices and Ticket Information

12th & Porter – North Gulch

For over 30 years, 12th and Porter has offered the likes of now nationally known acts a place to get their start. Keith Urban, Ben Folds and Kings of Leon all played here at one time before they were international stars.  Musician friendly with a professional sound stage this venue with a full menu and balcony continues to attract sell-out acts. So rather your taste in music is more  Candlebox than Chris Stapleton, check out their website. The 12th & Porter has featured the best of the best from rap to rock to Americana.

Address: 114 12th Avenue N.
615-369-6474
Open daily from 4 p.m. until 3:00 a.m.

 

Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge

In the land of a thousand Honky Tonks, Tootsie’s remains Nashville’s go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Tootsie’s has more music history per square inch than anywhere else in Music City. Named after Tootsie Bess, former owner, Tootsie’s is known for its characteristic orchid painted exterior, and multiple floors featuring Nashville wannabee’s and Nashville giants. Almost everyone slinging a guitar has been to Tootsie’s to try and get their foot in the door. Performers at the Opry made this their go-to after performances and the walls are covered with their autographed photos. If Honky Tonkin’ is one reason you are here, head to Tootsie’s first.

Downtown – 422 Broadway
615.726.0463
www.tootsies.net

Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar

Historic Printers Alley is the home to the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar known for live Delta style blues, Cajun and Creole Cuisine and a taste and feel of the Big Easy in the heart of the land of honky-tonks With six local taps and a full bar, this is the place to catch legendary blues musicians belting out classics, or catch the next up-and-coming Grammy award winning blues artist singing originals. The stage is hopping from 8 p.m. until midnight seven days a week. Reservations are recommended – walk-ins accepted space permitting.   in the words of anyone familiar with Nawlin’s  – Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Address: 220 Printers Alley
615.242.5837
Open Daily: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.