5 Reasons to Stay Downtown When Visiting Nashville

 

If you’re looking for a “rootin’ tootin’ good time,” there is only one place you can get that experience, and that’s Nashville, Tennessee; more so, downtown Nashville. The downtown area is most notable for its live music bars, museums dedicated specifically to music, and amazing food. But there is so much more to this music mecca area. If you’ve never been to Nashville, just think of it as a big city with humble beginnings and small-town roots. And the downtown area, specifically, is the perfect mix between southern hospitality meets the iconic “Nashville sound” meets famous bars in Nashville. 

So, whether you’re a foodie, a music enthusiast, or a history buff, downtown Nashville has a little something for everyone. Before you start considering various destinations for your next vacation, just make downtown Nashville the location of your next travel destination. Of course, the decision is ultimately yours, but if you’re going to take our word for it, here are five reasons you should stay in downtown Nashville when visiting if you want a memorable trip.  

1. Live Music is Never-Ending

Nashville isn’t called the “country music capital of the world” for nothing. The downtown area is jam-packed with live music bars, and it’s actually home to the best bars on Broadway! But you also have to keep in mind that while Nashville is well-known for country music, it’s also important you recognize that Nashville’s downtown music scene is a melting pot of all kinds of genres of music, including hip hop, rock, indie, and bluegrass! During your visit, you can rest assured knowing music will be playing when you go to bed, and it will likely be playing when you wake up the next morning!

2. Wide Range of Culinary Adventures

When you think of comfort foods, downtown Nashville is the destination where you can eat food that literally brings you pure comfort, whether you want to feast at a Michelin Star restaurant or a southern meal at a “mom and pop” diner, you can find it downtown Nashville. Places like The Diner Nashville, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Merchants, and Jack’s Bar-B-Que are all famous eateries in the downtown area where you absolutely must dine during your stay.

3. Southern Hospitality

Southern hospitality is just something that permeates the air the moment you arrive in Nashville, and once you arrive downtown, you’ll quickly realize that you’ll never meet a stranger. From the “howdys” and “hey sugars” to the hugs and big smiles, the downtown area is a place you’ll feel right at home every single time you visit.

4. Historical and Cultural Landmarks

Believe it or not, this “big city with small town roots” has housed presidents, helped lay the foundation of music history, and even played a role in the Civil Rights Movement. Places like the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Parthenon, Frist Art Museum, National Museum of African American Music, and the Adventure Science Center make up a long history of Nashville’s contribution to not only the city’s own art and culture, but also to the world. While visiting, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to take in some of Nashville’s historical and cultural landmarks.

5. You Might See Your Favorite Celeb

Who wouldn’t love the opportunity to see your favorite celebrity in person? If you’re like many people, you probably think that you have to go to Los Angeles to get star-struck, but the reality is that celebrities from film, television, professional sports, and music have all recognized the beauty of this wonderful city and decided to make it their home. While out and about, there’s a very high chance that you run into Maneet Chauhan, Brad Paisley, Todd and Julie Chrisley, Sheryl Crow, Jill Scott, and many, many more! You never know whom you’ll see when you visit downtown Nashville!

Downtown Nashville is Everywhere You Want to Be

Downtown Nashville is one of the most live and most electric entertainment destinations you’ll ever experience. Obviously, there’s more to this vibrant city than musicians strumming on guitars. In fact, you’ll not only get to experience some of the most famous bars in Nashville, but you’ll also get to see some of Nashville’s most historical landmarks, dine on some of the area’s most delicious and exquisite cuisine, and listen to live music from country music greats as well as raw talent from local artists. 

The Stage is right at the heart of downtown. If you don’t do anything else while visiting Nashville, be sure you stop by The Stage on Broadway, where you can get a glimpse of all the wonderful things about Nashville, all in one location. For more information about the Stage or hosting a private event, be sure to fill out our contact form. 

WHAT MAKES MUSIC CITY THE "IT CITY"

 

We live in the digital generation of influencers who want to be the next big thing. The next "it…." The "it" designation goes beyond people wanting to get noticed. This descriptor can also be applied to locations like cities. Like Nashville. Music City has become the "It City."

Nashville has always been known as the birthplace of country music. This rich history has coursed through the decades and has produced music legends and signature hit songs.

Many songwriters and artists continue to make their way here, hopeful of landing a gig at the best bar on Broadway to showcase their talent.

Tourists and loyal country music fans arrive from all over the United States and the world to visit Nashville so they can experience what it means to be in "The It City of the South.

Nashvillians already know their home is a treasure and are proud to share its history, entertainment, and hospitality. Let’s look at some of the reasons why Nashville has become one the most popular cities for visitors who want an authentic Southern experience in a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

Southern Hospitality

Anyone who visits Nashville will immediately experience the deep-rooted charm of Southern hospitality. For Nashvillians, you are not a visitor but a guest who must be treated with the proper amount of welcoming, feeding, and fussing. Folks love to visit Nashville for its warm and friendly personality, live country music, and the taste of hot chicken.

Ask a local to direct you to famous bars in Nashville, and they can recite a long list of choices, especially the places to most likely spot a country music star.

Booming Tourism

There is no denying that Nashville is a bustling tourism hub, and we are proud to roll out the welcome mat. In addition, to live country music at the best bars in Nashville, there are numerous well-known venues and attractions downtown, like the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, Printers Alley, and the Johnny Cash Museum.

The part of these Nashville institutions is that they are only a short walking distance to Lower Broadway, where you will hear the sounds of live country music.

Downtown Music Scene

In addition to the best bars in Nashville playing live country music, the downtown area also features bars and clubs featuring rock, blues, jazz, and Americana. For an exciting live music scene, downtown Nashville, including the area around Lower Broadway, can’t be beat!

Music Festivals

Nashville and the surrounding area love to host large-scale festivals that showcase country music and a diverse array of genres. Depending on the time of year you visit Nashville will determine if the more prominent festivals are taking place, like the CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival. But never fear! Nashville has live music for you, no matter the day, month, or year!

Traditional and Trendy Food Scene

Nashville's unique take on Southern cuisine includes hot chicken joints, barbeque with all the fixins', and where a meat-and-three is only a hop, skip, and jump away.

In addition to our Southern-style food and restaurant traditions, Nashville also boasts high-end dining with James Beard Award-winning chefs, ubiquitous food trucks, cozy bistros, and ethnic cuisines like Ethiopian, Uzbek, Dominican, and Nigerian. If you are hungry, Nashville has the perfect meal for you.  

Arts and Culture

No one who visits Nashville should be surprised that the “It City of the South” is home to world-class art museums, galleries, theaters, and performance halls. Visitors are encouraged to experience the artistic and architectural beauty of the Frist Art Museum, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Tennessee State Museum, the Parthenon, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Center. And all these Nashville gems are a stone’s throw away from the best bars in Nashville featuring live country music, a staple for any time spent in the downtown area. 

Professional and College Sports Teams

Nashville is the "It City" for fantastic sports teams with legions of devoted fans. The minor league baseball team, the Nashville Sounds, laid the foundation for live sports entertainment, and other pro sports soon followed.

Nashville is also the home field for the NFL Tennessee Titans football team, the NHL Nashville Predators hockey team, and the Nashville Soccer Club. And because Nashville is also known for its numerous colleges and universities, college sports are equally popular, with outstanding teams from Vanderbilt University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Belmont University.

Other major sporting events include the Music City Bowl during the NCAA college football bowl season, and the Country Music Marathon held annually in the spring. 

Nashville may have earned its reputation as the "It City of the South" with its growing population, diverse range of industry headquarters, and burgeoning music, restaurant, art, and culture scene, but residents and tourists never forget Nashville's roots.

If you need a little reminder to ground yourself in authentic history and culture, venture down to Lower Broadway and enjoy live country music at the best bars in Nashville.