Navigating Nashville - Couples Style!

““I think Nashville is a perfect 3-day trip. Great food, amazing music, and pleasant people!””

When your husband tells you he’d love to go to Nashville one day and you tell one of his fun friends, it gets planned!

We decided to give Nashville a few days in April, which is a great time to go if you like to avoid big crowds! I cant’ imagine trying to get into Tootsies mid summer with all those people…

I think Nashville is a perfect 3-day trip. Great food, amazing music and pleasant people! This “Music City” is very hospitable. You can totally tell they love visitors!

Now, let’s get to the Navigating Tips:

#1 – Do not rent a car. It’s not needed if you’re staying near or around Broadway. Our hotel even offered a private driver anywhere within 3 miles. Of course, Uber is also very easy here and the drivers are very informative.

#2 – Do stay close to Broadway. We were within walking distance of just about everything we wanted to see and do!

#3 – Avoid the lines for the Hall of Fame Museum and other tours by utilizing the concierge at the hotel.

#4 – You will read blogs that recommend breakfast at places like Biscuit Love or Pancake Pantry, but be advised you will wait in line. While they do have a good breakfast, we found that the hotel was just as good. Plus when you add in the Uber Ride, it can make for an expensive breakfast.

#5 – Be prepared to have a GREAT time at Honkey Tonks like :

AJ’s (Alan Jackson’s)
Tootsies
Legends Corner

Most of the Honkey Tonks have different floors with bands playing on each level, so keep going until you find a band you like and an open seat! Seriously, there is so much talent everywhere.

#6 – Bring tip money for each Honkey Tonk. All of these musicians play for tips only! Also, it is common for the musicians to ask for tips or money with your song requests.

#7 – Prepare for the Day Drinking! Let me tell you, it’s real easy to go to bed before 9 PM if you first cocktail is at 2, just say’n! Do note: in most places you need to go up to the bar to get drinks, as servers are hard to come by. The further down Broadway you go towards the river, the cheaper the drinks are!

#8 – Eat the food. I happen to love southern food, so things like buttermilk breaded chicken, BBQ, cornbread and sweet potato fries really hit the spot. If you’re on Broadway and want a fabulous lunch, be sure to hit Merchants.

#9 – You gotta hit the Grand Ol’ Opry, country music’s church. This really was one of my favorite things we did. I’d recommend getting these tickets before you go, as it sells out often. Did you know it is broadcasted live as a radio show? A must-do to complete any Nashville trip! On a tip from our driver, we went early to check out the Gaylord Hotel on the property and had a delicious dinner at The Old Hickory Steak House. Each couple split our meals and it was plenty of food. The Gaylord Opryland also has a shuttle that will take you to The Opry. Be prepared to pay more than expected for an Uber back with surge pricing.

#10 – Share this experience with great friends, who you will cherish the memories with for a lifetime. We did and it’s by far the best part of traveling!

After visiting Nashville you will likely know toasts like: “Cheers to A Holler and A Swaller”, say “Ya’ll” more, and have a fancy for some Cowboy boots! I also loved that you could meet a few people on the plane and a day later you see them at a Honkey Tonk.

So the true nature of Nashville is that friends will be made, food will be enjoyed and fun will be had, all while hearing great music! We will be back!