In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems we are all stuck at home, yearning for better days.
We long for the excitement of walking down the gangway, entering a congested tube, where we once shared filtered air. We long for the days of the Mexico sun reaching our skin, as it shared its golden glow with us. We long for the days of the brisk winter air slapping our faces as we return home for Christmas.
As if we aren’t already going stir crazy at home, now, we put a mask on to go downtown, to embed ourselves in the chaos that unfolds at the grocery store, as we watch people fight for the last package of toilet paper, and we ask ourselves, “when will this madness end?”
Luckily, airfare these days is cheap, and my guess is you are probably sitting at home as you read this, so why not plan a getaway? Grab your laptops, and let’s take a trip to music city – as soon as the pandemic allows us, of course.
Welcome to Nashville
If you think about country music, when you think about Nashville, you have guessed right. Nashville is best known as a music city, and today, it is one of the fastest-growing urban metropolises in all of the United States. Nashville is on a roll that won’t stop:
- Country-music stars are slapping their names on brand-new honky-tonks
- Boutique hotels seem to open monthly
- Bachelors and bachelorettes are arriving in hordes to party
- And acclaimed chefs are going far beyond the meat-and-three, though biscuits and hot chicken are doing just fine.
“Nashville is the kind of city that makes you want to dance even if you don’t know the steps, sing even if you don’t know the words, and drink even though it’s 2 pm and you’re still riding a hot chicken high” – Practical Wanderlust.
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Getting to Nashville
It is Friday morning, and by this time tomorrow, we will be checking into our Airbnb, located only minutes away from the heart of Nashville. As I squish the last few items into my suitcase, I already know that I have overpacked, but a girl can never have too many dancing shoes.
The car is loaded, and we air headed for YYC. After a quick check in, we have made it through security, as we sit impatiently waiting to board our flight.
At this point, I am starting to regret my decision of selecting the redeye. I already know I won’t be getting a wink of sleep, as I am vibrating with excitement.
After six hours of flying time, and one layover in Toronto, we have touched down in Nashville. As we step onto the Nashville tarmac, the early morning dew and fresh air rejuvenates us all. My hair has already lost its curls as the humidity entangles itself in every strand, but who cares, we have finally arrived in music city.
Now, it is time to let the fun begin.
Travel Recommendations
Though we were slightly concerned about booking the redeye flight, we were able to save money, and it gave us the opportunity to spend an extra afternoon in Nashville. We made the best of it and hit Broadway only hours after checking into our accommodations.
Accommodations in Nashville
Stay at the Chic Urban Getaway: Minutes to Nashville Hot Spots
Chic Nashville AirBnb Accommodations
With five-star reviews, you will find yourself feeling right at home in this beautiful Airbnb. Located only minutes from the Honky Tonks, this Airbnb boasts comfort, cleanliness, and room for up to 8 people. It is the perfect home away from home.
We chose to rent an Airbnb, as we were travelling as a group of 8. This allowed us to save money on the cost of multiple hotel rooms, and we had the option of cooking our own meals.
Accommodation Recommendations
When we rented this Airbnb, there were only three reviews, so we had to go with our gut. Overall, we were happy with the house and the location.
1. Two Full Bathrooms and One Half Bathroom
2. Three Bedrooms (1 King, 1 Queen, and 4 Single Bunk Beds)
3. Fully Equipped Kitchen with Table and Bar Seating
4. Living Room with Television
5. Outside Kitties to Keep you Company
Things to Do and Things to See
Bar Hop the Broadway Honky Tonks
Broadway is home to Nashville’s music venues and hip-hopping bars, where the nightlife starts in the morning and never ends. The neon lights of Lower Broadway glow seven days a week, as music pours out the open windows of every Honky Tonk, that spans across two blocks.
Since 1920, Nashville’s Honky Tonks has been bursting with life, as wannabe singers and songwriters travel far and wide to share their love for music with YOU, in the heart of Nashville.
Broadway at night
Whether your stay in Nashville is two nights or one week, visiting the Honky Tonks is an absolute must. It may be overwhelming, to decide what bars to choose from, but they are all equally wild. Here is a list of my top recommended Honky Tonks
Tootsies is by far the busiest and smallest Honky Tonk there is. But its popularity stems back to the days of Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran, Patsy Cline and many more.
Tootsies is located behind the Ryman Auditorium, which was once home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. The legend goes, that Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Harlon Howard, and Merle Kilgore could be found in Tootsies between sets, as they could just sneak through the alleyway.
- Rippy’s Honky Tonk (https://www.rippysbarandgrill.com)
- Kid Rocks Big Ass Honky Tonk (https://www.kidrockshonkytonkandsteakhouse.com)
- Redneck Riviera (https://redneckrivieranashville.com)
Here, you can dance the day and night away, listening to the up-and-coming singers and songwriters. The alcohol is endless, and so is the live music. I just knew my dancing shoes would come in handy somewhere.
On our one-week trip, we spent 6 of the seven nights exploring Broadway and bar hopping. Though that may seem excessive, the span of Broadway offers a variety of music, food, and experiences, and we never ran out of places to visit.
Recommendations for Visiting the Honky Tonks
For these up-and-coming singers and songwriters, their performance tips are their source of income. Bring lots of $1.00. bills with you, as they will come around with a jar between performances. Also, requesting a song comes at a cost. Depending on what music you feel like hearing, they will set a price point for hearing that song. If you feel like hearing some “Devil went down to Georgia,” you better dig deep into your pockets, it is the most expensive song request in music city. But trust me when I say these performances are worth every penny.
Taking the Redneck Bus Tour
Hanging out with the redneck himself
The Redneck Bus Tour was such a wicked experience. The amount of laughter that filled the bus during this tour is indescribable. These comedians offered both an education and a fun-filled adventure in Nashville. This redneck sightseeing tour explores some of Nashville’s most famous and historic sites – popular landmarks, perhaps a country star, and some cowboy wannabes.
Redneck Bus Tour Recommendations
Use the bathroom before the tour, as there is not a bathroom on board. Think school bus, turned redneck. You are also welcomed to bring your own alcohol onboard but don’t pack too much, as they make a stop at the number 1 rated margarita joint, located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Exploring Lynchburg, Tennessee
As we began our journey to Lynchburg, the landscape started to change. To our surprise, we were greeted by rolling hills and tunnels of trees. It was as if we had stepped back in time, as the Victorian style houses hosted wrap around decks, and wooden rocking chairs, where I would imagine a cowboy sitting, watching his cattle rummage the field.
Lynchburg is located just 1.5 hours from Nashville in the south-central region of the United States, within Moore County. Lynchburg offers a historic vibe, with unique shops, restaurants, and restored buildings. To this day, Lynchburg is a dry county, and there are no liquor stores to be found, although you can buy Jack Daniels Whiskey from the distillery.
For this excursion, we chose to rent a car to explore Lynchburg and do the Jack Daniels Distillery tour on our own time.
Lynchburg was a quaint little town, where shop owners and locals greeted you with open arms.
Visiting Jack Daniels Distillery
“Our buddy, Jack. He’s iconic, delicious, and deserves your full attention. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey or just interested in a focused distillery tour, Jack n’ Back offers a unique inside look at the Old No. 7 brands. Join us for a day in historic Lynchburg and the full story of how the best-selling American whiskey in the world grew from one of the smallest counties in Tennessee. Our bus tours from Nashville to Jack Daniel’s and historic Lynchburg, Tennessee, run seven days per week.”
– Jack Daniels Distillery
Mural at Jack Daniels Distillery
If anything, make this trip a priority. It was by far my favourite of all the outings we did. Perhaps you aren’t a whiskey drinker, I’m not, but the history behind the process is intriguing. Plus, the story of Jack Daniel is something else. I don’t want to spoil the experience, but now I understand why Lynchburg remains a dry county!
Nashville Eats
The rumors are true, hot chicken and biscuits are the fan favorite, and all I have to say is, don’t expect to leave Nashville the same weight as you were before.
Although we spent most of the week eating different chicken variations, we also found a fan favorite smokehouse that we visited on a couple of occasions. But yes, if you want a salad or tacos, they have that too.
Some of our absolute favorite restaurants we visited during our stay included:
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- Hot chicken sandwich
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- Hot chicken tacos
- Old Smokies
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- Hot chicken tacos
- Moscow mule in a bucket
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- Pulled pork
- Smoked Brisket
Food, food, and more food
Food Recommendations
The food in Nashville is not exactly what I would classify as nutritious, but it sure is tasty.
- I found that anything more than mild spice is too spicy. I can usually handle the heat, but even I found medium spice to be quite extreme.
- If you feel hungry, and are considering multiple courses, just know that the portion sizes are gigantic. There wasn’t a meal I was able to finish.
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Thank you Nashville
We chose to do a full week in Nashville, and while some said that might be too long, we were able to do everything that was recommended. Each day was full of new experiences as we explored different areas of Nashville.
Visiting the famous Wing Mural in the Gulch
I could go on forever, as we did so many things on this trip. Ultimately, I chose to talk about my favorite Nashville experiences, but we also did many other things:
- Visiting the Grand Ole Opry
- Taking in a musical performance on the General Jackson Showboat
- Visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Visiting the Gulch (the location of the famous Angel Wing mural)
I would recommend exploring these options as well, as they were just as good as all our other experiences. If you plan to go to the Grand Ole Opry, it is worth your while to take in the backstage tour after. It is very educational, and there is a chance you will see the country singers who performed that night.
This trip was once in a lifetime, and I invite you to use my feedback to plan your next vacation to Nashville. When restrictions are lifted and travel opens up again, there will be a whole new meaning to taking flight. The things we once took for granted will be appreciated, and traveling to new places will be so much more memorable.
