Grand Ole Opry, Nashville TN — Photo courtesy of flickrMusic City is a musical capital. Street musicians pluck notes from the muses and deliver them to the masses frequenting shops and honky-tonks along Broadway. Bars, restaurants, and out-of-doors courtyards are filled with the voices and melodies of country legends from past recorded and live performances.
A Nashville Morning
The perfect way to kick-start your day in Nashville is by starting it off right. Breakfast is served over at the Loveless Café, where they dish up some of the best down-home, true southern fares and buttermilk biscuits in the entire state. There are also walls of memorabilia, signed photos of the stars, and a chance that someone familiar will pass through the doors.
From Loveless, it’s time to head a few miles in town to downtown Nashville. A mid-morning stroll through gorgeous Centennial Park will lead you to Music City’s very own Parthenon, where history and culture come alive. Outside the steps of this great art hall, are joggers, walkers, and local college students playing Frisbee golf. Inside are replicas of Greece’s finest sculptures and paintings by some of Nashville’s favorite artists.
Lunch and Iconic Sightseeing
After you’ve soaked up all that the park has to offer, it’s time to mosey on down to Elliston Place, a few streets over. Here you’ll find some of the cities trendiest shops and one of Nashville’s most celebrated restaurants, Rotier’s. Known for it’s award-winning burgers, be sure to check out the cheeseburger on French bread and a side of their home-battered onion rings. Top it off with one of their memorable milkshakes and don’t forget to try your hand at one of the old-fashioned video games on your way out.
As afternoon sets in, Broadway and the bright lights of Second Avenue are singing your name. It’s the perfect time to meander around the vibrant downtown - which ranges from legendary dives and music stores to sushi bars and Planet Hollywood - and take in the live music, street performers and souvenir shops.
Next head over to the Country Music Hall of Fame over on Fifth Avenue. Here, history warbles itself alive. The home of America’s music since 1967, it’s only a few short steps from the famous Ryman Auditorium. Inside, the Museum paints the history of country music's story as told through the turns of two centuries. It offers a treasure trove of historic country video clips and recorded music, vibrant exhibits and public programs.
Spend the Evening Downtown
From the museum, walk the short distance to the honky-tonks where dinner, live music, and unforgettable performances loom. Rippy’s, The Stage and legendary Tootsie’s are three spots to stop into if you’re looking for an authentic Nashville experience.
Southern hospitality, cowboy boots, country crooning and some of the finest food around, cumulate together to provide you with the sounds of an outstanding night out in Music City.
