Destination: Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Travelled: May.
The last stop on our Southern music cities tour was the bright and booming capital of country music — Nashville, Tennessee. After the bluesy charm of Memphis, Nashville hit us with a very different vibe: louder, livelier, and polished. From cowboy boots to electric guitars, this was a city that wore its musical heart proudly on its sleeve.
Getting there
We left Memphis early and took the I-40 eastbound — a smooth, roughly four-hour journey through rolling Tennessee countryside. As we neared Nashville, the city skyline emerged, modern and expansive, with cranes marking its ongoing growth. This was clearly a city on the up.
A short history of Nashville
Nashville was founded in 1779 along the Cumberland River and quickly grew thanks to its strategic location and river access. By the mid-1800s it had become a hub for trade and education, earning the nickname “The Athens of the South” — hence the full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park. But of course, its global fame comes from music. From the founding of the Grand Ole Opry in 1925 to its role today as the heart of the country music industry, Nashville is rightly called Music City USA.
Where we stayed
For our final three nights, we checked into the sleek and stylish Virgin Hotel Nashville. This very modern hotel, built in 2020, offers over 260 rooms and is located in the Music Row neighbourhood — the heart of the recording industry and a short cab ride from Broadway’s neon pulse.
The rooms were compact, creative and comfortable. The hotel had good food and drink options available from breakfast to late-night cocktails. It had a buzzy rooftop bar and a cool, arty vibe throughout — just what we were looking for.
First impressions: bigger, louder, bolder
Nashville was noticeably busier than the other cities we’d visited. More people, more nightlife, more buzz. It’s clearly a favourite for hen and stag dos — cowboy hats and boots were everywhere! The music here leaned more towards rock and country rock than blues or soul, and every bar seemed to host a full band belting out big tunes.
It felt like a celebration on every corner — wild but fun.
Getting our bearings: the open-top bus tour
As with many cities, an open-top bus tour is a great way to get your bearings. Ours took us around all the major landmarks:
- The Parthenon in Centennial Park (yes, a full-scale replica of the Greek original!)
- Vanderbilt University’s leafy campus
- The Nissan Stadium – home to the Tennessee Titans, with a brand new stadium being built next door
- The legendary Ryman Auditorium
- The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- And of course, the bright lights and honky-tonks of Broadway
It was a great way to understand the layout of the city and spot places to revisit.
Broadway: where the music never stops
After a good hotel breakfast (healthy options and excellent coffee), we set off on foot for Broadway — the central artery of Nashville’s nightlife. Music poured from every doorway, and each venue had its own flavour. We spent hours hopping from bar to bar, soaking in the sounds and snapping pictures. Everyone seemed up for a good time.
Johnny Cash lives on
We were both keen to understand more about the phenomenon that is Johnny Cash, so visiting the Johnny Cash Museum was a must. This intimate but brilliantly curated museum takes you through the highs and lows of the Man in Black’s life, his music, his marriage to June Carter, and of course his iconic Folsom Prison performance. With music clips, TV appearances and original artefacts, it’s an evocative place.
We spent about an hour inside — and then naturally made our way to the Johnny Cash Bar & BBQ next door. The band there were absolutely on form, rolling through country classics as the crowd clapped and cheered along.
There’s a great energy to the place — it’s intimate, historic, and full of soul. The tour takes about an hour, and we highly recommend booking ahead.
Our favourite live music spot
We checked out several bars on Broadway that day — including Whiskey River Saloon and Chief’s on Broadway — and while the musicianship across the board was incredible, our standout favourite was Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse (to give it its full title!).
Here, the band was playing our kind of music — rock legends like The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones and even a bit of Deep Purple. The place was absolutely packed, but the staff were quick and friendly, and there was a great mix of people, from die-hard country fans to rockers like us. At one point, spontaneous line dancing broke out — some knew the moves, others… not so much!
A hands-on musical experience
The next day we made our way to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, housed in the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. This was less crowded than some of the other spots but just as fascinating. The museum celebrates not just the stars, but the session musicians and producers behind the hits.
There’s a fantastic interactive area where we had a go at playing the drums, guitars and even recording vocals — huge fun whether you’re a seasoned musician or a total amateur. Highly recommended.
Wandering further: Printers Alley and beyond
Later we strolled through Printers Alley, a historic district that once housed dozens of publishing companies. These days it’s a nightlife hub, but the original signage and architecture give it a unique vibe. Worth a wander in the late afternoon or early evening.
Where we ate in Nashville
While Broadway had all the expected bar food and quick bites to go with your beer and live music, we also made time to explore quieter parts of the city for more refined meals. Here are a few standouts:
Sadie’s – vibrant Mediterranean dishes, laid-back vibe, and killer cocktails
Two Hands – a light, fresh spot with Australian-inspired fare and great coffee
The Row Kitchen & Pub – hearty Southern dishes in a relaxed setting
Final thoughts on Nashville
Nashville is slicker, busier and more commercial than the other stops on our trip — but it still holds plenty of soul. It’s bursting with talent, energy, and opportunity, which helps explain why it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
It felt like a fitting end to our music cities road trip — a final crescendo of air guitar, drinks and joy. And yes, we’d go back in a heartbeat.
Want to read more about our Music Cities Tour?
👉 Check out our road trip blog here