City Guide to Nashville

Tennessee’s ever-crooning capital has evolved into something much more than its ‘Music City’ moniker. A melodic hub of history, culture, live gigs, toe-tapping bars, historic homes, world-class food and museums, Nashville is one of the most vibrant cities in the US. Home to celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift, this pulsating town makes a strong case for dreaming big.

National Museum of African American Music

With its expertly curated collections, interactive exhibits and extensive gospel, jazz, blues and hip-hop playlists you can download on the spot, this is one of the world’s most incredible musical archives. Retracing the many music genres created by African Americans in the US, this soul-stirring space feels like a national treasure. nmaam.org

Ryman Auditorium

Designed in the Gothic Revival style in 1892, this 2,362-seat live performance venue is all original arched windows, stained glass and wooden pews. The former gospel space and world-renowned concert hall is nicknamed ‘Mother Church’ for a reason: its mind-blowing acoustics transform every gig into a spiritual experience. ryman.com

Grand Ole Opry

The mecca of country music had a handful of homes before it moved into this Brutalist space in 1974. Originally a live radio show, the Grand Ole Opry has become a rite of passage for performing artists, and every week rising stars across a multitude of genres play to crowds here. opry.com

Honky Tonk Highway

No trip to Nashville is complete without a sing-a-long at the rowdy live music venues along Lower Broadway. It’s hard to miss this main drag, what with the supersized cowboy boot signs, neon lights and bars that pump out tunes every day of the week from 10am until 3am. Conquer the ride-on bull at the Wild Beaver Saloon (just off the main strip) and make a toilet stop at Redneck Riviera to check out the basins fashioned out of tyres and petrol bowsers. visitmusiccity.com

Johnny Cash Museum

The ‘Man In Black’ is bowed down to inside this temple of all things Cash. The somewhat pokey space displays artefacts and paraphernalia, including the country music star’s fire-emblazoned patent-leather cowboy boots. Also on show are handwritten lyrics, guitars and interactive exhibit allowing visitors to listen to an archive of his tracks. johnnycashmuseum.com

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Owned by the seventh president of the US, this more than 450-hectare heritage property and former cotton plantation is 15 minutes from Downtown and comprises an immaculately preserved main mansion, winery, walking trails and gardens. Learn about the ‘peoples’ president’ and the life of the enslaved women and men who worked here. thehermitage.com

Frist Art Museum

Occupying the city’s historic post office building, this not-for-profit space has an inspiring roster of exhibitions on the cards for this year, including a local display exploring the topic of food’s role in bringing people together; later, explore photographs taken by Paul McCartney during peak Beatles era. fristartmuseum.org

Folk

Located in hip East Nashville, this casual spot has all the light, laidback appeal of  somewhere you might find in Byron or Bali. Think natural wine, elevated share plates and wood-fired pizzas with clams, parsley, bonito and lemon drizzled with the state’s famous hot honey. goodasfolk.com

Bastion

Tucked away in the city’s emerging warehouse area, this speakeasy-esque 24-seat dining spot is hidden behind a nondescript metal door. Inside, choose how many dishes you want and settle in for vinyls and a tasting menu that might include raw trout with chestnut and rose. bastionnashville.com

Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Southern barbecue is a national sport in Tennessee. This all-out meat assault has chains throughout the city and dishes up heaped servings of everything from smoked wings to pork ribs, brisket and fried catfish with sides. Order the platter and prepare for a food coma. edleysbbq.com

Radnor Lake State Park

Spot deer and wild turkeys as you circle the lake and wander the unpaved trails of this protected nature oasis, just 20 minutes from Downtown. The biodiverse, 553-hectare park is home to all sorts of other wildlife including owls, herons, mink and otters, as well as hundreds of species of wildflowers. tntstateparks.com

The Hermitage Hotel  

One of the city’s most iconic stays, this grande dame opened in 1910 and is a brisk walk to the Ryman Auditorium in Downtown. The hotel underwent a full renovation in 2022 and staff are dressed by Reese Witherspoon’s label Draper James. thehermitagehotel.com

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

A rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Cumberland River provides much-needed refreshment during sultry Nashville summers. Guests can book a songwriter experience, during which a Nashville artist will perform their original hits in your private suite. fourseasons.com/nashville

Nashville’s diverse ’hoods are surprisingly spread out, and unless you don’t plan on venturing further than Downtown (a huge mistake), the best way to get around is ride share. Alternatively, electric bike fleet BCycle has stations around the city offering bikes for hire, as do on-the-spot scooter companies such as Bird and Lime.