Nashville April 2023 for UK (copy)

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Nashville

Germantown, East Nashville & Music Valley

hen it comes to U.S. cities, Nashville is one of the most recognisable names, thanks to its unmistakable sound. The Tennessee capital has been known as “Music City” since the 1800s due to its role in music publishing and the way music threads its way through the community. This is a place where music spills into every neighbourhood, from intimate venues, honky-tonk joints, and recording studios, to festivals and events throughout the year. Getting there is easy, too—British Airways will increase its direct flights this summer from five per week to daily. The 9-hour flight delivers you to Nashville International Airport, which is about a 15-minute ride from downtown in a taxi or ride-share; there's a 40-minute bus journey if you prefer public transport. Get over there this year and you might see the next big thing before everyone else does.

Two Nashville restaurants made The New York Times 2022 Restaurant List—the 50 places across America the publication is "most excited about right now". One of them, Audrey, is a highlight of East Nashville. Named after chef Sean Brock's maternal grandmother and inspired by his Appalachian roots, the restaurant is a celebration of both regional ingredients and the power of possibility in the kitchen. Another standout is Germantown's Rolf and Daughters, where Phillip Krajeck became a 2022 James Beard finalist nominee for Best Chef: Southeast for such stunners as his campanelle with lobster mushrooms and Pernod and trout with brown butter, cucamelon, and ginger.

A true aficionado's experience, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum immerses you in the untold stories and little-known histories of some of the nation's favourite recordings. Among the mind-blowing memorabilia is a famed studio where both Elvis and Neil Diamond recorded; a Stratocaster that belonged to Jimi Hendrix (along with a Nashville stage he performed on); and various other instruments played by Johnny Cash, Elton John, and many more. If country music is your passion, make a beeline for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to learn more about the cultural importance of this American genre.

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See

You can't come to Nashville without catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry—a night that will go from iconic to epic when you book the VIP Experience. The special touches include (but aren't limited to) a golf cart escort to the Opry House artist entrance; a pre-show private tour of the Opry backstage area; access to the Family Room just offstage, where you're immersed in the excitement of the Opry before showtime; access to a backstage dressing room that's stocked with hors d'oeuvres and champagne; a visit to the artists' dressing room, where you'll be welcomed by whomever you're about to see on stage—and premium lounge access to the circle room for yet more hors d'oeuvres and beverages until the end of intermission. Oh, and naturally, there are professional keepsake photos.

Downtown

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Wedgewood-Houston, Gulch & surrounds

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12South, West Nashville & Green Hills

At the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, you can catch performances by not only the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony, but also visiting Latin, chamber, jazz and genre-bending musicians. The upcoming season includes everything from classical works by Mozart and Brahms to a pop-inspired series that includes Patti LaBelle, the Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, and Joss Stone. Then there are the cinematically-inspired series: Black Panther, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Home Alone, and Hocus Pocus In Concert (for anyone travelling with kids in tow).

See

With its singular mission to preserve and celebrate every musical genre that's been created, influenced, or inspired by African-Americans, the recently opened National Museum of African American Music is a must. Exploring 50+ genres and styles—including spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B and hip hop—the six onsite galleries are packed with commemorative clothing, instruments, and other memorabilia, as well as cutting-edge technology to help provide context for what you're seeing.

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Having appeared everywhere from CNN to Condé Nast Traveler, chef Deb Paquette has been a beloved Nashville fixture for decades. At her downtown eatery Etch, she serves up her favourite flavours from around the globe—and the American South is no exception. Expect fried cornmeal catfish, sweet potato beignets, and charred broccolini with za’atar spiced chickpea ragout and creamy tahini lemon drizzle. A newer celebrity chef addition to the neighbourhood is the stunning Drusie & Darr by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, which opened in 2021 at The Hermitage Hotel. The oven-fired pizzas and craft cocktails here are legendary. Rounding off the Hermitage's Jean-Georges offerings was the 2022 addition of a café called Pink Hermit, where the craft cocktail theme continues, but the locally roasted coffee and house-made baked treats are just as much of a draw.

With Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Saint Laurent in the house, The Mall at Green Hills could easily occupy the better part of a fashionista's day—particularly if you factor in some accessorising at the resident Tiffany & Co. Once you've shopped to your heart's content, you can go for a leisurely, chandelier-lit lunch at the RH Courtyard Restaurant, an extension of Restoration Hardware's Nashville outpost. If you prefer to rifle through indie boutiques, head to 12South for the likes of Judith Bright's locally-crafted artisanal jewelery, imogene + willie's Nashville-made denim offerings; and Emerson Grace for a beautifully curated collection of women's clothing and jewelery.

Locust | photo courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee

See

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens was originally built in 1929 as a private home, and three decades later, was converted into a museum and botanic garden. In this lush, 55-acre estate, you can be at peace in the Blevins Japanese Garden or admire the hues at the Bradford Robertson Color Garden. Stop to look at a fascinating array of exhibits, from the permanant collection of paintings and sculptures to the current show, The Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Ruralism and Regionalism in American Art (until 14 May). Linger and lounge in the garden during the Under the Stars Concert Series (21 July - 8 September).

Eat

Another notable eatery that made 2022's The New York Times Restaurant List and Food & Wine's Restaurant of the Year is the intimately scaled Locust. NOMA alumnus Trevor Moran defies convention and expectations here, with an ever-shifting menu that focuses on classical cooking. If pairings are your thing, consider Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery's Chef-Inspired Food & Wine Pairing, which includes four small plates of seasonal specialties—flat breads, mini steaks, and chocolate desserts tend to feature prominently—each paired with a renowned house wine.

An assuming stone building among towering new developments, Station Inn should not be missed. A longstanding icon of the bluegrass, Americana, and roots music scene, this stage hosts local and global legends alike, and any given night here is guaranteed to be electric. For exhilaration of a different kind, catch a Major League Soccer game at the newly opened GEODIS Park, the state-of-the-art home to Nashville SC and the largest soccer-specific stadium in the US (remember, "football" is something completely different over there).

Smoked beet salad at Dutch | photo courtesy of Noah Fecks

See

At the Frist Art Museum, the widely varied exhibits range from Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature (until 17 September) to Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art (26 May - 13 August). Even the lifts currently feature stunning artwork now, thanks to the museum's first micro-exhibit, Elise Kendrick: Salon Noir, an homage to the beauty of African American women, their hair, and the Black salon experience. If you're in town on the first Saturday of the month, you can join the WeHo Art Crawl—though you can also explore the neighborhood's famed art scene at your own pace.

Eat

For elevated new interpretations of beloved classics, head to chef Matt Bolus's celebrated 404 Kitchen. Here, you'll find the likes of pork belly with farro verde, cashew and garam vinaigrette, and catfish bites with black garlic gribiche. For particularly thoughtful drink pairings, check out a spot that prides itself on them (as well as its ever-changing six-course dinners). At Bastion, you're as likely to find Chrysanthemum Tears ginjo with your raw scallop and huckleberry as you are a Höpler Grüner Veltliner with your halibut, apple and urfa. You'll also find Chef Josh Habiger here, Nashville's only finalist for a 2023 James Beard Award.

Events calendar

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Nashville Symphony

Audrey

Etch

Audrey

Rolf and Daughters

Drusie & Darr

Pink Hermit

Locust | photo courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

Carne Mare

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Day Four

For much of the year, Nashville’s temperatures are in the 16-30°C range, making it glorious weather for being outdoors and exploring the city. Click through to learn about the various events that can sweeten your visit and start planning your trip today.

The Americans do love their fireworks, so if you find yourself in Nashville in July, head downtown for “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th.” Country superstar Brad Paisley will be the headliner this year and this free event is also a chance to see some pyrotechnics paired with a performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony. Another chance to celebrate with the locals is at Jack Daniel's New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash for another free event with live music, fireworks and the signature midnight Music Note Drop.

Plan for a February trip to Nashville if you’re a foodie who loves Southern cuisine. Dine Nashville: The Music City Way is a month-long celebration that includes a restaurant week (when there are reduced or discounted menus) and collaborative chef experiences. You may want to pack a tracksuit along so you can eat accordingly.

Give Glastonbury a pass next year and try Bonnaroo instead. Held each June on a 700-acre farm in nearby Manchester, this 4-day music and arts festival offers an incredible lineup of artists each year. This year’s headliners include the Foo Fighters and Kendrick Lamar. Tickets go on sale each January. For more intimate shows, snag admission to the Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival each spring where hundreds of performers take the stage at 10 venues for four days. For a free concert series, check out Musicians Corner. Inspired by Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park, this space was created in Nashville’s Centennial Park to showcase artists every May, June and September.

You can cheer for musicians all you like in Nashville, but at certain times of the year, you can also cheer for cars. About 100,000 people descend for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, a 3-day extravaganza full of concerts, food and of course, racing. Tickets are still on sale for this year’s event, which takes place 4-6 August.

Nashville

How to hit the high notes in

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Where to Stay