Nashville, United States travel guide

Music City USA: honky-tonks, hot chicken, Southern soul and the home of country music.

Best time to visit: April-May and September-October
Average daily budget: $140 to $260 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 days

Nashville is Music City: a place where live music spills out of every honky-tonk on Broadway, where songwriting is a craft and a religion, and where the soundtrack runs from country and bluegrass to soul, rock and Americana. Beyond the neon of Lower Broadway lie historic studios, the Country Music Hall of Fame, leafy neighbourhoods, hot chicken joints and a buzzing food and craft scene. Joy Plus times the live music, the food and the music history so you feel the city's pulse without just bar-crawling Broadway.

Nashville itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Country Music Hall of Fame. The definitive museum of the genre's history, from Hank Williams to Taylor Swift.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Lower Broadway, The neon strip of honky-tonks, live music from morning to night, touristy but essential.

Evening: Honky-tonk crawl on Lower Broadway. Free live music in bars stacked three floors high, tip the bands and bar-hop the strip.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Tour RCA Studio B on Music Row. Where Elvis and Dolly recorded, the most famous studio in country music.

Afternoon: Explore The Gulch, Trendy, walkable district of murals, rooftop bars, boutiques and buzzy restaurants.

Evening: Eat Nashville hot chicken. The fiery local specialty, try Hattie B's or a classic like Prince's, choose your heat wisely.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Catch a songwriter round at the Bluebird Café. Intimate, in-the-round performances where hit songs are born, reserve well ahead.

Afternoon: Explore East Nashville, Hip, artsy and local, vintage shops, dive bars, coffee and the city's best indie food.

Evening: Live bluegrass and Americana at the Station Inn, a no-frills local legend.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Downtown & Lower Broadway: The neon strip of honky-tonks, live music from morning to night, touristy but essential.
The Gulch: Trendy, walkable district of murals, rooftop bars, boutiques and buzzy restaurants.
East Nashville: Hip, artsy and local, vintage shops, dive bars, coffee and the city's best indie food.
Music Row: The historic heart of the recording industry, with RCA Studio B and label offices.
12 South: A leafy, photogenic strip of cafés, boutiques and murals beloved for brunch and people-watching.

Must-do experiences

Honky-tonk crawl on Lower Broadway: Free live music in bars stacked three floors high, tip the bands and bar-hop the strip.
Country Music Hall of Fame: The definitive museum of the genre's history, from Hank Williams to Taylor Swift.
Tour RCA Studio B on Music Row: Where Elvis and Dolly recorded, the most famous studio in country music.
Eat Nashville hot chicken: The fiery local specialty, try Hattie B's or a classic like Prince's, choose your heat wisely.
Catch a songwriter round at the Bluebird Café: Intimate, in-the-round performances where hit songs are born, reserve well ahead.

Hidden gems

Live bluegrass and Americana at the Station Inn, a no-frills local legend.
The murals and vintage shops of East Nashville.
Sunset over the river and skyline from the pedestrian bridge.
A tour and tasting on the nearby Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

Daily budget

$140 to $260 USD per day.

What to eat

Nashville hot chicken
Slow-smoked Southern barbecue
Biscuits and shrimp & grits for brunch
Meat-and-three Southern home cooking

Getting around

Downtown, the Gulch and Music Row are walkable, and rideshare is the go-to for getting between neighbourhoods like East Nashville and 12 South, especially at night. Public transit is limited, so most visitors rely on Uber/Lyft or a car, though downtown parking is pricey and unnecessary if you stay central. Avoid driving after enjoying the honky-tonks.

Safety

Nashville's tourist areas are generally safe and lively, but Lower Broadway gets rowdy at night with heavy drinking and party crowds, so keep your wits and belongings close. Use rideshare rather than walking long distances after dark, and apply normal big-city caution in areas outside the main entertainment and neighbourhood districts.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Nashville?

Three to four days is ideal. That covers the Lower Broadway honky-tonks, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Music Row, a hot-chicken and barbecue tour, a Bluebird Café songwriter round, and time to explore East Nashville, the Gulch and 12 South.

Is Nashville safe for solo travellers?

Yes, the main tourist and neighbourhood areas are generally safe. Lower Broadway gets very rowdy at night with party crowds, so keep your belongings secure and stay aware. Use rideshare after dark rather than walking far, and apply normal caution outside the central districts.

When is the best time to visit Nashville?

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) bring mild, pleasant weather ideal for walking and patios. Summers are hot, humid and busy with festivals like CMA Fest, while winters are quieter and cooler, with the live music carrying on year-round.

Do you need a car in Nashville?

Not if you stay central. Downtown, the Gulch and Music Row are walkable, and rideshare easily connects neighbourhoods like East Nashville and 12 South. Public transit is limited, so most visitors use Uber/Lyft; a car is only worth it for day trips out of the city.

Is the music on Broadway really free?

Yes. The honky-tonks along Lower Broadway have live music all day and night with no cover charge, the bands play for tips, so it's customary to tip generously. You can bar-hop freely, though drinks are the main expense and weekends get extremely crowded.

What is Nashville hot chicken?

Nashville hot chicken is the city's signature dish, fried chicken coated in a fiery, cayenne-based paste and served on white bread with pickles. It ranges from mild to dangerously hot. Try institutions like Prince's (the originator) or the popular Hattie B's.

Is Nashville expensive?

It's moderately priced and cheaper than coastal big cities, though downtown hotels and weekend rates have risen with its popularity. Save by enjoying the free Broadway music, eating meat-and-threes and hot-chicken joints, staying slightly outside downtown, and visiting midweek.

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