Known as “Music City” for a reason, Nashville’s history is deeply intertwined with tunes, education, and social change. Founded in 1779 near ancient earthen mounds built by Indigenous societies over generations, Nashville became the capital of Tennessee in 1843. After playing a critical role in the American Civil War, Nashville was the first Confederate state capital to fall under Union control in 1862. Not long after, Nashville began taking its first steps towards becoming a staple in the American music scene. The establishment of venues like the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry allowed jazz, blues, rock, and gospel performers to get their musical talents in front of new audiences and, eventually, record agents. Along with its music, Nashville became a celebrated culinary destination, particularly in regards to its internationally renowned hot chicken dishes. To round out its cultural milieu, Nashville embraced higher education – including Vanderbilt University and Belmont University – to the extent of it being dubbed the “Athens of the South.” Plan travel with Gray Line Worldwide and get ready to fall in love with Tennessee’s beloved city!
Tour Expert, Gray Line Nashville
In the heart of Nashville sits arguably one of music’s most famous landmarks: the Country Music Hall of Fame. Established by the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1961, the Hall of Fame’s initial inductees included Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Fred Rose. With an expensive enhancement in 2001, the Country Music Hall of Fame now features a variety of exhibits, including a permanent display titled “Sing Me Back Home.” Telling a comprehensive narrative of the genre’s history through myriad artifacts, photographs, original recordings and interactive media, the institution offers a holistic glimpse into country music’s impact on Tennessee and American culture more broadly.
Broadway is a major thoroughfare that cuts down Nashville and is lined by several famous entertainment venues and nightlife establishments. Popular for live performances, the portion of the area known as Lower Broadway is particularly famous for its honky-tonk and country music bars, which have gained international attention for its early performances of bands and solo artists. Beginning in the 1930s, Jimmie Rodgers – a famous country music singer and pioneer in the genre – performed regularly in what would become termed “Honky Tonk Highway” for its association with shows and alcoholic beverages. Along with being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, Broadway’s bars do not tend to charge cover fees for entry, which means that audiences can enjoy famous and up-and-coming artists for free. Must-visit places to explore include Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, and Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge.
Originating as the WSM Barn Dance in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry took on the name that would make it famous in 1927 after a comment by the institution's first announcer, George D. Hay, linked the show to grand opera performances. Today, the Grand Ole Opry is recognized as the longest-running radio show in the United States. After moving multiple times during its early decades of operation, the Opry eventually settled in the historic setting of Ryman Auditorium in 1943, where it found a home until 1974. Nowadays, the Grand Ole Opry draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Nashville annually while millions listen via radio and internet broadcasts. Legendary country artists like Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash have regularly graced the Opry’s stage, and its inclusion on NBC Radio starting in 1939 garnered the location increased national attention. On October 30, 2021, the Opry celebrated its 5,000th Saturday night show – a vast accomplishment for such a storied venue.
Originally built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle by Captain Thomas G. Ryman, the Ryman Auditorium received its current name once its founder passed away in 1904. With a seating capacity of 2,362, the Ryman Auditorium is popularly referred to as the “Mother Church of Country Music” because of its pivotal role in the genre’s history. From the early 1940s to 1974, the Ryman served as the official home of the Grand Ole Opry and birthplace of bluegrass with a seminal performance by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys in 1945. Today, guests can sign up for formally guided and self-guided tours of the building that include access to its many behind-the-scenes areas. Visitors can walk in the steps of country music legends, including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, and B.B. King (among many others).
Officially opening its doors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only institution worldwide to remain solely dedicated to preserving African American traditions and contributions to music. With a 56,000 square-foot facility, NMAAM hosts multiple exhibits and collections on a regular basis and focuses on more than 50 musical genres, including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip-hop. The museum features a creative layout that follows the theme of Rivers of Rhythm, a metaphor for how American history links with the country’s musical past. Touch panels and immersive displays guide visitors through a detailed array of artists, songs, and styles while each gallery narrates how music and critical social movements connect through U.S. history. Notable items include instruments used by Elvis Presely and B.B. King among many other founders and staples of rock and roll.
About two miles west of downtown Nashville, Centennial Park spans 132 acres and serves as the city’s largest urban park. Established in 1903, the park features the Parthenon as its centerpiece, a full-scale replica of the original structure in Athens, Greece. The creation does double duty as a major tourist attraction and art museum for inquisitive visitors and residents alike. In alignment with the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897, the park served to commemorate the state’s 100 years of statehood as was Lake Watauga, a man-made body of water available for watersports, boating excursions, and relaxing lake days. Several military monuments grace the park’s borders, including the “Gunboat Tennessee Monument,” a concrete structure home to a bronze figurehead from the USS Tennessee.
Opening in 2013, the Johnny Cash Museum is a rich tribute to the life and legacy of the iconic American singer-songwriter. Officially sanctioned by the Cash family, the museum is seen as an authentic experience for visitors exploring its exhibitions. Along with being named an official state attraction by Governor Bill Haslam, the Johnny Cash Museum also houses the largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia in the world. The museum features a detailed timeline of Cash’s life that includes significant events from his early years and his rise from humble beginnings to international stardom. Interactive exhibits also showcase Cash’s military service and major career milestones in an easily digestible way. The institution also features a gift shop where visitors can purchase collectibles, books, and memorabilia related to Johnny Cash. Before being destroyed by a fire in 2007, the original House of Cash Museum was located in Hendersonville, Tennessee, but experienced rebirth with a $7 million investment made by founder Bill Miller, an ardent Cash fan.
Renowned for its horse breeding and rich history, the Belle Meade Plantation offers a unique glimpse into the South’s antebellum past and historical agricultural practices. Established in 1807, Belle Meade was founded by John Harding, who originally built a log cabin on 250 acres of land. The name “Belle Meade” translates from French as “beautiful meadow” and reflects the land’s suitability for farming. At its peak, the plantation encompassed over 5,400 acres and became one of the largest and most prosperous entities in the region. Belle Meade was particularly known for its thoroughbred horse breeding operations and became recognized for breeding champions like Bonnie Scotland and Iroquois, the latter being the first American-bred horse to win the Epsom Derby in England. In 1953, the plantation was deeded to the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, which ensured its continued survival as a historically significant location.
Spanning 200 acres and situated just six miles southeast of downtown Nashville, the Nashville Zoo is home to over 3,700 animals representing more than 375 species. Established in 1991, the zoo moved to its current location in 1997 and is now an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo welcomes over one million visitors each year, which also makes it one of Middle Tennessee’s top tourist attractions. Notable exhibits include the Komodo dragon habitat, where resident dragon named Lil Sebastian lives, and the endangered species exhibit for clouded leopards.
A legendary venue that holds a special place in the hearts of country fans worldwide, the Bluebird Cafe hosts a modest capacity of just 90 seats, which makes it an intimate (and highly coveted) setting for live performances. Opening in June 1982, the Bluebird Cafe was founded by Amy Kurland, who initially intended the space to be a cafe. Numerous iconic artists – like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift – played at the Bluebird early in their careers, and the club is famous for its “writers’ nights,” a time when songwriters can showcase their latest work to a listening audience. Another unique form of performance – “In the Round” – lets songwriters perform in the center of the room facing one another and was pioneered at the Bluebird. The Bluebird also serves as a hub for local songwriters and allows them to connect, support, and build a community amongst each other.
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