Honky-tonking along Broadway
Most visitors to ‘Music City, USA’ come for the lively atmosphere of country music venues that have made Nashville famous. Better known as ‘honky-tonks’, these saloons are mostly concentrated along Broadway. For the quintessential Nashville experience, don some cowboy boots, pull up a bar stool at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge or B.B. King’s Blues Club, and enjoy the tunes.
Bar-hopping is a breeze with a full range of downtown accommodation within walking distance of ‘Honky-Tonk Row’. The more budget-conscious may choose the simple, yet comfortable rooms of the Best Western Downtown Convention Centre or Comfort Inn, while those not willing to sacrifice luxury amenities may prefer to make the Hilton Downtown Nashville their base for the night.
A lap of luxury
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement that is Nashville, but your stay doesn’t have to be all boot-scootin’ and barbecue joints. The city also lays claim to some pretty magnificent hotels and you can take your pick from an impressive selection of these world-class properties.
Next to the Grand Ole Opry, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Centre boasts its own indoor river, which you can navigate on a Delta flatboat, while the Renaissance Nashville is within an easy stroll from the Country Music Hall of Fame. Those looking for something extra special may want to consider a stay at The Hermitage, a historic plantation rated among the most luxurious hotels in America. A fun fact: The interiors of the restaurant’s male restrooms have been touted as one of the finest examples of Art Deco in the world.
Affordable options during the CMA Music Festival
Each year in June, thousands of country music lovers descend on Nashville to partake in the festivities of the CMA Music Festival. The event is a four-day extravaganza of live concerts, celebrity meet and greets, and sporting events.
While downtown hotels will see significant hikes in room rates, if you venture a little further out to Vanderbilt/West End, you can score yourself an affordable base, but still be within a short shuttle ride of the events. Budget-friendly options include Embassy Suites Vanderbilt, Holiday Inn Vanderbilt and Hampton Inn & Suites Vanderbilt Elliston Place.
