Nashville, Tennessee · City Break
Honky-tonks, hot chicken & the home of country music
Live music on every corner of Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, fiery hot chicken and Tennessee whiskey on the doorstep — Music City is the most exhilarating short break in the South.
Why Nashville
Music City, around the clock
Nashville is the world's country music capital — but it's also a serious food city, a craft cocktail city, a Southern history city and one of the friendliest places in America. Pair a few nights downtown with Memphis, the Smoky Mountains or a wider Deep South fly-drive and you have one of the best short breaks in the USA.
Explore More · Top Tips
Top things to do in Nashville
Highlights drawn from Visit Music City, Nashville's official destination organisation — tell us which appeal and we'll fold them into your itinerary.
Bar-hop the honky-tonks on Broadway
Lower Broadway is Nashville's neon heart — live country music from 10am to 3am at Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Robert's Western World, Legends Corner and Acme Feed & Seed. Free entry, just tip the band.
Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry
The longest-running radio show in America — a Nashville institution since 1925. Catch a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday night show at the Opry House, or tour the historic Ryman Auditorium downtown, the Opry's original home and the 'Mother Church of Country Music'.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
The definitive story of country music — from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Add the RCA Studio B tour to stand where Elvis recorded over 200 songs.
Try Nashville hot chicken
The city's signature dish — fiery cayenne-rubbed fried chicken. Hattie B's, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack (the original) and Bolton's are the holy trinity. Order it 'medium' unless you really know what you're doing.
Explore The Gulch & 12 South
The Gulch for rooftop bars, the famous 'What Lifts You' wings mural and brunch at Biscuit Love. 12 South for boutique shopping, Five Daughters Bakery doughnuts and the Draper James store.
Wander East Nashville & Germantown
East Nashville for indie coffee, vintage shops, craft cocktails and the city's best new restaurants. Germantown for tree-lined streets, the Nashville Farmers' Market and dinner at Rolf and Daughters or City House.
Songwriters' rounds at the Bluebird Café
The intimate listening room (made famous by the TV show 'Nashville') where hit writers play stripped-back versions of the songs you know. Tiny venue — book well ahead or queue for a same-day seat.
Visit The Parthenon in Centennial Park
A full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon, complete with a 42-foot statue of Athena — Nashville's nickname 'the Athens of the South' made literal. Bring a picnic to the surrounding park.
Tour Tennessee whiskey country
Distilleries on the doorstep — Nelson's Green Brier and Corsair in town, or a day trip to Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg (90 min) and George Dickel in Tullahoma. Most of the world's whiskey grain still comes from Tennessee.
Day trip to Franklin & the Natchez Trace
Historic Franklin (30 min south) for a beautifully preserved Main Street, Civil War history and antique shops. Pick up the Natchez Trace Parkway for one of America's most scenic drives — and stop at the Loveless Café for biscuits on the way back.
Source: visitmusiccity.com, the official Nashville destination marketing organisation.
See Nashville
A glimpse of Music City
Ready for Nashville?
Pair a few nights of honky-tonks and hot chicken with Memphis, the Smoky Mountains or a wider Deep South fly-drive — we'll build the hotel, the show tickets, the food reservations and the day trips around you.