https://goo.gl/maps/vP7RaU78a7WwAVCA8
What must one say to convince somebody to make a trip to Nashville TN. Often the very words “Johnny Cash” evoke a feeling of starting your car and driving down the interstate to Nashville while listening to country tunes. The air here exudes not just the music but the struggles of making it big , the competitive spirit to succeed and defy the odds and last but not the least , enthralling the audience. There is a certain air about Nashville , blowing from the past , yet somehow relevant in today’s modern standards of living and breathing city.
Reaching Nashville
We chose to drive down to Nashville , TN from Chicago , IL , our trip starting and ending point. This decision was purely personal choice for us as we hadn’t circled in on a date we wanted to visit Nashville ,and hence the flights became too expensive for a last minute booking. We rented a car from National and embarked on a 8-9 hour road trip that involved driving through four states and countless memories. I was very excited to also try out some famous Punjabi( what most of the US knows as “Indian” food) in Indianapolis , at a very authentic Dhaba (Indian term for truck stop). Definitely check out if you are in this area and/or craving for some real good homely food.
Pro Tip #1:
If you do decide to drive down from Chicago , just be cognizant of the road construction on I-65 , in and around Indianapolis. The traffic is usually backed up and ensure that you have planned for a detour. This information is up to date as of November 2019.
But fret not , there are so many options for food , local and chain , along this road , as some of America’s culturally rich cities lie on this path. Indianapolis, Elizabethtown , Louiville and Bowling Green are some of the cities that you will notice on the green boards on your way to Nashville and are definitely must visits for food and places.
Where to Stay
We decided to splurge ourselves and stay at The Westin in Nashville (not sponsored) , right in the heart of things. Nashville , like most American cities of this size, has a wide range of accommodation options available including Regular hotels(Marriotts , Westins, Hyatts etc ) and Airbnbs. My suggestion is to be in and around the below areas , as I found them safe , just by driving around. Please do research in detail .
- The Gulch
- Hillsboro
- Area around Vanderbilt University
- In and around Belmont University
- The Arts district or downtown Nashville is a hit or miss , depending on the amount of noise levels you are fine with, but some of the big hotels should be more than fine.
Drink , Food and Photos
Parthenon
Also Nashville’s Art Museum , The Parthenon is a 1:1 replica of the one found in Greece. This monument was erected as a dedication to the classical architecture of Greece and you will notice many a tourists awe struck and clicking photographs with it. The Museum located below the Parthenon is equally intriguing and worth a visit. I spent about about 2 hours in all at this magnificent location.
Pro tip #2 :
If you want to get photos of The Parthenon without a lot of people and/or disturbance , I suggest reaching here before 9 AM. That will also allow you to find a good parking spot near by.
https://goo.gl/maps/phCizsQ2tthDKvfw7
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Spanning over 3000 ft , amazingly this is one of the longest pedestrian bridge in the country. Besides that , you get amazing views of the city on the west and revered Toyota Titan Stadium on the east. At least one stroll in the morning , when there is no Titans game, is a must-do.
Murals
You have probably guessed it by now , but there a plenty of pretty murals spread across various neighborhoods in Nashville. I would highly recommend murals by Kelsey Montague , a renowned artist , when you are out here. I am a huge fan of street art and if you are too, Nashville wont disappoint you.
This particular mural is so different compared to others that I have visited , in the sense that it allows you to physically interact with it. There are a myriad angles to satisfy every photographer’s curiosity and I would go so far as to say this is one of my favorite murals across the country. Definitely a must see and do in Nashville.
Food
Obviously we can’t begin the discussion on food without addressing “the elephant in the room” , or more accurately “the hot chicken in the room” . Many years ago and countless stories recalled, Prince’s hot chicken invented the now famous Nashville Hot Chicken. Now there are countless restaurants in Nashville serving this fast-food delicacy to tourists and locals alike and it is a must try. We had an appetite for just one hot chicken , since we wanted to try everything that Nashville has to offer in a very short trip.
We chose to eat at Hattie B’s(https://hattieb.com/) , and they conveniently have multiple locations across Nashville. If you are a first timer , try the hot or Medium spicy Hot Chicken Sandwich and believe you me , when they say hot , its really hot, so please take that into consideration while ordering.
Butcher & Bee 
Barista Parlor x Germantown 
Cafe Roze
Some of Nashville’s best coffee is served at Three Brothers coffee , a truly coffee connoisseur’s paradise. I ventured here in search for some morning latte pick up and i got exactly what i wanted and some more , in terms of the mural that comes along with this coffee shop. If you are around The Parthenon , do check them out.
Bonus Beverage time , we ran into a fair at The Parthenon and we checked out the Masala Chai at Chai Wallah. Although we didn’t go to their store , I would highly suggest to visit them if you like Chai(Indian Tea).
Parting Thoughts
Overall Nashville is a great visit , and for me personally , a place I would like to visit again in the future because there is just so much to do. Since we were only there for a couple of days , we couldn’t get the complete Nashville night life soaked in that short span. Broadway (or should we call it , Honky Tonk Highway) is the place you want to be , if you want to get some drinks in you and a lot of country music. Tell us about your Nashville experience and what we should try , the next time we are there. Please leave us a comment !
Travel Stories by Nia 