Nuthin' but Nashville - Walking Lower Broadway

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Known as Music City, Nashville is not only the country music capital of the world but also a growing tourist destination for architecture, restaurants, shopping, and more. Of course, Nashville may always be known best for great music, hot chicken, and extraordinary whiskey. Sometimes called a drinking town with a music problem, the city has access to some of the best music in the world.

Customs House

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

The Honk Tonks

More than thirty honky tonk bars line either side of Lower Broadway. Musicians schedule their performances from 10 am to 2 am. Known as shifts, players are on stage starting at 10 am and go every two hours throughout the day, and with such a brisk convention business, the bars and rooftops are frequently booked for private parties. The music goes on till the wee hours. You won’t be bored or disappointed.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Hot Chicken is a Nashville Tradition

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its hot chicken, and is credited with popularizing the dish and inspiring restaurants with similar offerings.

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack

The roots of Hot Chicken, as the story goes, are tied to the overindulgent drinker, the night-shift worker, and those rolling out of jazz clubs in the wee hours.

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The Prince's legend has it that Hot Chicken was originated by a vengeful wife who heavily peppered her husband’s chicken to punish him for his carousing. The wife’s strategy backfired as the husband loved the recipe and asked her to make it again.

Hot Chicken comes in many forms these days. Your order of a chicken breast or thigh/leg quarter is served with a slice of white bread, pickle chips, and fries on the side.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Hattie B’s

Hattie B’s is the best publicized and most well-known purveyor of the hot bird. You’ll see the line out front. Their beloved mac & cheese is memorable and saves some room for the banana pudding. If you find yourself in a time crunch, there is an app to order to-go.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

The Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry got its start at the Ryman Auditorium. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Opry is home to live music and the Grand Ole Opry shows we have watched for decades. Musicians dream of stepping into the squared circle.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Opryland is linked to different venues across Nashville, including the Opry Mills shopping mall, the Gaylord Opryland Resort, and the General Jackson Showboat. Weekly performances have happened in these locations for nearly 100 years.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The CMHoF has 2.5 million artifacts, including historical musical instruments, rare recordings, and stage duds worn by country music stars. See why it’s called the Smithsonian of country music. It’s a must-see location for country music fans.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Music Row

The landmark RCA Studio B is credited as the birthplace of the Nashville sound. Souvenirs, memorabilia shops, and country music museums blend in with the surroundings. Music Row is the perfect Nashville spot for sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Smashville

Yes, NHL hockey is the current king among Nashville spectator sports. The action is non-stop, and the fans. The fans are loud and rowdy and are there to cheer the Preds from the confines of Smashville. You don’t have to like hockey to have fun at games. After the game, thousands of Smashville denizens empty onto Broadway to celebrate a win or recover from a loss.

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Jack Daniel Distillery

This JD distillery is located in the historic city of Lynchburg, 90 miles from Nashville. Jack Daniel’s Whiskey is known the world over. Make a day of it with a tasting tour.

Ryman AuditoriumPhoto byDouglas Pilarski

Ryman Auditorium

Ryman Auditorium is a historic 2,362-seat live-performance venue. The Ryman was home to the Grand Ole Opry for over 30 years, from 1943 to 1974. The Grand Ole Opry moved to the Opry House in 1974 because it was determined the show needed its own permanent home.

Miranda Lambert’sDaniel’s on Lower Broadway

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Blake Shelton’sLambert’s Ole Red

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

Lower Broadway

Photo byDouglas Pilarski

You’ve been there. Share your stories in the comments section.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, magazine features, and millionaire travel.

Share your thoughts and stories at dp1@sawyertms.com.