This question is typically raised only by those who have never set foot on Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway. Of all the infamous bar strips on this planet, none can quite match the energy of Broadway. Unique, iconic bars that stretch as far as the eye can see, all of them blaring some of the best live music in the world, every day of the year. Nashville’s beautiful but ever-changing skyline serves as a backdrop to Broadway, with the iconic “Batman Building” watching over bargoers below. Stunning views of downtown, The Tennessee Titan’s stadium and the Cumberland River can all be had from one of the city’s many rooftop bars, the majority of which are free and open to the public. Cover charges are almost unheard of in downtown Nashville, making it easy for visitors to walk in and out of bars starting as early as 9 a.m. Good food is always just a few steps away as well, with an endless list of restaurants sprinkled throughout every street. There is also a premier multi-story food court and entertainment complex located at the corner of 5th and Broadway that’s filled with tons of dining options!
Those wanting a break from Broadway can explore the numerous side streets and alleyways near Lower Broadway, each filled with a collection of great bars, shops, restaurants, museums and entertainment! Visitors can also pop into one of Nashville’s listening rooms to see songwriters perform hit songs and share backstories behind iconic radio hits! The downtown core is very walkable, so tourists and visitors can afford to be serendipitous, and attractions like The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ryman Auditorium, National Museum of African American Music, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Frist Art Museum and the Johnny Cash Museum are all located within just a few blocks of one another! The city ranks highly for cleanliness and safety too.
One of the many things that makes Nashville particularly enjoyable is that plans and reservations are not necessary in order to have a good time. Though lively, Nashville is a city of contradictions, typically operating at a more casual pace compared to other cities of similar size. A paradox can be seen among tourists and visitors at almost any venue as well, who range in both age and appearance. Folks that normally wouldn’t rub shoulders with one another are all having a wonderful time under the same roof! The eclectic collection of boroughs in and around Nashville are as diverse as the city’s visitors. Germantown, located directly north of downtown, is home to some of the best restaurants and breweries in the area, as well as the Nashville Sounds, the Nashville Farmer’s Market and the Tennessee State Museum, which is free to the public! Directly west of downtown is the epicenter for writing, producing and publishing music: Music Row. Here, tourists can visit the recording studios, record labels and publishers that serve as the backbone of the country music industry. Just a few streets over sits Vanderbilt University, Hillsboro Village, Demonbreun Hill and The Parthenon. The Adventure Science Center, Geodis Park, Nashville’s WeHo district and the bustling 12th South neighborhood are just south of the city and Nashville’s hip art district is located in the Five Points area further to the east!
Nashville has also catapulted into one of the top conference destinations in the country, thanks in large part to the Music City Center located in the heart of downtown Nashville. Whether you come to work or play, you’ll discover the “why” behind Music City.