nashville, tn ... home of honkeytonk and hoecake
By Heather
There is no doubt that fun and flavor abound in Nashville, Tennessee. I mean a town with that many double letters in its name is sure to offer a good time. Julie and I went in the spring of 2021 with our husbands, looking for music and whiskey. We found that and more! We’ve been back since, several times, and this town never disappoints.
Definitely this is a town for bachelorette parties and drunken groups of “it’s my birthday” 40-year-olds, drink-and-pedal carts and crazy city tours on large tractors, but that’s part of its charm. On Broadway, there are scores of celebrity-branded clubs, honkytonks, dive bars and country-themed restaurants. And they all have live music. The vibe is incredible. The whole scene draws you in like a siren song—the bright neon lights, music spilling out every door, country legend history, and crazy people watching (and dodging, refer back to drunken groups).
One of the places not to miss is The Grand Old’ Opry. Now, the venue they now do most shows is located out of town, but you can tour and see concerts at the original Ryman Auditorium. We had the opportunity to see the “Opry at the Ryman” in this first-building-of-country, and it was fantastic. Called the church, because it once was one, you sit on pews and watch a variety of musical acts from legends to newcomers, all while they are being broadcast around the world.
If you’re looking for something more in the moment, head around the corner to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Their website says it was once considered the green room for the Opry and now bills itself as the most famous honkytonk in the world. It’s three stories of music, bars and dance floors, there’s an open terrace at the top so you can get some air. You’re going to need it after dancing and moving through all the crowds.
There’s a never ever ending, and constantly evolving list of places you can go, like Tootsie’s … The Stage, Nudies (check out the penny bar, gravity defying Cadillac El Dorado and the costumes on display), Jack’s, and celebrity bars ranging from Jason Aldean’s to Miranda Lambert’s for unforgettable experiences. And then there what’s …
To the Left (to the Left)
One of our favorite stops was the Country Music Hall of Fame is of course a major draw for visitors. Before you remind us, we said we’d show you the locations less visited, let us tell you that we didn’t have the time for the full tour, but you can get quite a sense of it just walking through the building and seeing the stars on the sidewalk across the street. The lobby/gift shop sports an entire wall of gold records, which are quite impressive. What we actually went to the Museum for was to see the Hatch Show Print shop. If you walk toward the south side of the building, you’ll come across this design shop, which has been doing letterpress printing since 1879 and is known for their iconic style of concert posters. You can watch them printing on the old presses, using vintage type and hand-carved blocks for images, producing one-of-a-kind works of art. It’s truly a step back in history and a glimpse of art in progress at the same time.
Another out-of-the-norm spot is the Parthenon. Located in Centennial Park, it’s the world’s only full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Greece. Built in 1897 to celebrate Nashville’s 100th anniversary of statehood, it was meant to be temporary. Seems Nashvillians liked it so much that in the 1920’s they tore down the structure and built a permanent version. Today it houses brilliant artworks and sculptures, including a 42-foot rendition of the Goddess Athena. Ask one of the docents about the enormous wooden doors and how they open. It will surprise you. (Note: the attraction is closed until June 2026 for renovations.)
While you can immerse yourself in all the country-star bars on Broadway, you’re going to have to go a little off the beaten path if you want some Dolly vibes. You can drive 3-4 hours to Dollywood, or you can head over to the Graduate Hotel. Head up to the White Limozeen roof-top bar, named for a song Dolly sang in 1989. It’s all the pink your eyes can handle. Enjoy a Queen of the Rodeo (they claim it to be a gussied-up Cosmo), or some Fancy Nancys (champagne Jell-O sots). The outdoor patio has open seating, or you can make a reservation to sit inside, or relax at a pool-side cabana. And you must take a selfie with the oversized, pink Dolly bust. If you really want the Dolly treatment, check into the Dolly suite. In addition to Dolly, the hotel honors all the great female country singers of old. It’s a treat just to walk through the colorful lobby and see a giant painting of Minnie Pearl.
Also off Broadway, so to speak, and worthy of a visit is Marathon Village. We headed there because our husbands wanted to go to the Jack Daniel’s store. In addition, we were pleased to find Corsair and Tennessee Legend distilleries, the Nashville Whiskey House (a speakeasy), unique shops and boutiques. It’s still haunting me to this day that I didn’t buy a very cool silver and turquoise ring that I found there.
FLAVOR FOUND:
We found the best barbeque at Martin’s Bar-b-que joint. It’s a sprawling building with several levels and bars. It was hard not to order more than one thing, so we opted for the Big Poppa Sampler, complete with slaw, beans and hoecakes!
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is a must eat. Even if you’re afraid of “hot” you have to try a bit to say you did. And they have milder options for those in fear or frying their taste buds off. Now, hot chicken wasn’t invented at Hattie’s, and Nashville isn’t the only place you can get it, but this hot coop has been around since early 2000’s and has won itself a flock of awards. Plus, the vibe will getcha coming back for more.
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