Nashville is called “Music City” for good reason. This is where legendary singers like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton first found fame. Any first-time visit to Nashville has to include a stop at the Grand Ole Opry and the honky tonks of Broadway, but there’s so much more to explore: lush green parks, sizzling hot-chicken joints, artisan whiskey distilleries and the famed replica of the Parthenon. Here’s a quick travel guide that covers the basics: what to do, where to sleep, and what to eat in Nashville, Tennessee.

Five Fun Things to Do in Nashville

1. Stroll the Honky Tonk Highway. From 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. every evening, the bars under the neon signs on Lower Broadway host live music and dancing. Is it crowded and touristy? You bet. But catching a show at Tootsies or the Tin Roof will always be one of the most fun things to do in Nashville.
2. Enjoy dinner and a show on the Cumberland River. The General Jackson Showboat, named after President Andrew Jackson, has a two-story theater that hosts musical revues like “Taste of Tennessee” and “Music City Nights.”
3. Tour Hatch Show Print. Part of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show Print created the iconic letterpress posters that advertised Nashville musicians for decades. You can tour the place — still a working print shop — and make your own poster in the Space for Design.
4. Go backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. You don’t need a special pass — just sign up for one of the backstage tours at Nashville’s most famous venue. You’ll hear stories about musical legends, and may get a glimpse of the dressing rooms. The VIP tour lets you stand on the stage as the big red curtain goes up for the night’s first performance, before you’re escorted to your seats
5. Retreat to the garden. For a moment of quiet, head to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. This 55-acre botanical garden is also home to an art museum, a model-train exhibit for children, outdoor sculptures and seasonal celebrations.

4 of the Best Boutique Hotels in Nashville

Edgy, dramatic, and totally Instagrammable, the Urban Cowboy Nashville is a B&B in East Nashville. Suites feature Southwestern textiles, clawfoot tubs and lots of leather. The Public House Bar and Kitchen is known for craft cocktails and its backyard firepit.  

The SoBro Guest House is a Nashville boutique hotel with a tech-y twist: There’s no front desk. Instead, you check into your suite with the access codes from your booking email. Services like grocery stocking and dry cleaning are arranged by email or app. (There are staff on site, however, if you need to speak to a live person.)

Is it charm you’re looking for? The  Germantown Inn is a Federal-style house that has been made into a boutique hotel with six luxurious suites. The vibe is modern and playful, and the location in historic Germantown — just blocks from the state capitol and the Musicians Hall of Fame — can’t be beat.

The Kimpton Aertson Hotel is a simply gorgeous property in midtown Nashville (next to Vanderbilt University). It boasts a rooftop pool, pet-friendly rooms, nightly wine receptions and bikes to take out for a spin.

3 Great Places to Eat in Nashville

Memphis may claim Tennessee’s best barbecue, but Nashville has a few special dishes of its own. First, of course, is hot chicken: chicken coated in tongue-burning spices, deep-fried and then served atop white bread and garnished with pickle slices. Taste hot chicken at the place where it was born: Prince’s Hot Chicken. Just don’t order the XXX-Hot. Seriously.

Nashville’s also known for its meat-and-threes, down-home diners that serve a main course (like catfish or meatloaf) with three savory sides. Everyone has their favorite meat-and-three spot, but we’ll suggest the Loveless Café, which has been open since 1951. The third side will always be one of the café’s famous biscuits, served with house-made preserves.

For fine dining, one of the top restaurants in Nashville is The Catbird Seat. Just 22 seats surround the open kitchen, where Chef Ryan Poli and his team serve an ever-shifting tasting menu for $125 per person. The dishes themselves are a surprise (vegetarian options may be requested) and the experience is unforgettable.

When planning a Nashville vacation, don’t forget travel insurance. On domestic trips, travel insurance is invaluable if you experience flight delays, lost luggage, a covered trip cancellation or other vacation mishaps. Find the plan that’s right for you!

Related Articles

• Destination Guide: Dallas
• Destination Guide: New Orleans
• From Theme Parks to Outer Space Fun: Exploring Orlando