Music is Nashville’s heart and soul. There are two main music-related strips in Nashville – Music Row and Broadway. If Broadway is the partier of the family, Music Row is the more serious cousin. It is in a quiet part of town and is where the recording studios, record label offices, and radio stations are located. Broadway, on the other hand, runs through the heart of downtown and is the lifeblood of the city. Also known as Honky Tonk Highway, Broadway is loud, bright, and crowded. “Colorful” takes on multiple meanings on Broadway, from the bright purple building that houses Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to the slightly risqué signs that adorn many of the buildings. Just walking down Broadway is a feast for the senses.
We were there with our teenagers and although most honky tonks allow minors in until a certain time, we didn’t really go inside any of them with the kids. Honestly, most of them were so open and loud that you could get a pretty good experience just from walking by on the street. (This is especially true for those of us who are not huge fans of country music.) My husband and parents and I did go out one night to explore a little. We quickly found that the traditional honky tonks were a bit too much for us so we headed to Justin Timberlake’s Twelve Thirty Club. More upscale than most places on Broadway, the three level club includes a traditional honky tonk on the first floor, an exclusive supper club on the second floor, and a lounge and rooftop bar on the third floor. We headed up to the third floor and enjoyed drinks, jazz and the view. (And yes, I realize this is not the most authentic Nashville music experience but as someone who doesn’t like country music, beer, or whisky, it was a better fit for me.)
The boys and I did a Joyride golf cart tour to explore beyond Broadway and get a feel for the whole city. And we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, including its famous RCA Studio B tour. Other than that, we enjoyed just walking around. There are lots of things to see, including some architecturally unique buildings, interesting statues, famous sites, and the stars on the Music City Walk of Fame.
We stayed in the Drury Plaza Hotel (which was fantastic!!!) on Korean Veterans Boulevard and never had to get in our car the entire time we were there. Nashville is really best explored on foot and that was really easily done from the Drury, which was close enough to the action to get everywhere quickly but far enough away that it was quiet and safe for a family. I highly recommend just wandering around Nashville to see the sites, feel the vibe, and explore any attractions that pique your interest. There is so much to see and do. After all, Tenneseein’ is Tennebelievin’!
