Destination Guide
Nashville
Nashville's huge appeal lies in its ability to defy expectations.
Destination Guide Nashville
How I See Nashville
Nashville's everything you expect it to be - with great live music, two-steppin' honky tonks, and Western wear abounding. But it's also absolutely different than you'd expect, thanks to its embrace of high culture and art, a modern design scene, and a culinary community that wont stop churning out hit restaurants.
When In Nashville, You Must
EAT
Audrey
809 Meridian Street Nashville, TN 37207
DRINK
Bastion's Big Bar
434 Houston St STE 110, Nashville, TN 37203
SEE
Country Music Hall of Fame
222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
DANCE
Robert's Western World
416 Broadway B, Nashville, TN 37203
Know Before You Go
Nashville has an ever-growing array of great Nashville rooftop bars, because the cocktails taste better, and the music sounds better, with a view! Don't miss W Nashville's rooftop bar, Proof, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Talk Like A Local
Learn the slang from the streets.
Germ
(with a hard g) Noun/verb
As a noun, it's someone who obviously courts relationships with famous folks in order to advance themselves. As a verb, it's the act of doing that.
Did you see him cornering Dierks Bentley when he was standing in line at the bar? What a germ.
Neighborhoods To Explore
1. East Nashville
The Silverlake or Lower East Side of Nashville, in that it's where creative types live and work. Great restaurants and bars.
2. Wedgwood Houston
Some call it WeHo. Long-time heart of the city's gallery scene, it's becoming ground-zero for out-of-town cool.
3. 12South
Twelve years ago, this was a cut-through in a highly-residential neighborhood. The neighbors remain, but retail (Imogene + Willie) and chic restaurants (Locust) have moved in.
4. Belle Meade
Where the money is. And where to go when you want to gawk at wedding cake mansions with flawlessly manicured lawns. It's becoming quite hip, with restaurants like Roze Pony moving in.
Ultimate Access
imogene + Willie
2601 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
The company that put modern Nashville fashion on the map. Come for the superior denim; stay for the ambiance and occasional backyard parties.
Libby Callaway / Insider
The company sells many styles of blue jeans, but the OG are based on the impeccable cut of a 501: the Imogene, for women, and the Willie, for men.
Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish
24 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
Don't be fooled: the best hot chicken in Nashville does not come from a chain. It's being fried inside the cinderblock confines of family-owned businesses like Bolton's, an East Nashville mainstay.
Libby Callaway / Insider
If you're new to the hot chicken game, stick with the medium spicy, Don't say you weren't warned.
National Museum of African American Music
510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Nashville isn't just about country music. The latest addition to downtown Nashville's culture scene, NMAAM honors and profiles musical genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.
Libby Callaway / Insider
After visiting, take a drive down Jefferson Street, the historical nexus of Nashville's Black music scene.
Radnor Lake
1160 Otter Creek Road Nashville, TN 37220
If you feel the need to stretch your legs, do like the locals and take a hike at Radnor Lake, a state park a few minutes south of town. Lower Broadway will seem very far away when you're communing lakeside with owls, deer and other local wildlife.
Libby Callaway / Insider
Mornings are busy times. Hit Radnor in the afternoon for the lightest crowds.
Either/Or
Detox
E + Rose
1201 Demonbreun St. Nashville, TN 37203
Super-fresh and super-tasty juices and take-out prepared food are the name of the game at this local wellness franchise. There's a location less than a block from the W, in the Gulch.
Retox
Mother's Ruin
1239 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Great cocktails - plus, brunch every day of the week!
Packing List
All you need for your Nashville escape.
1. Denim
The unofficial fabric of Nashville, wearable in every situation..
2. Western boots
Even better if they’re vintage. Like denim, they’re worn everywhere.
3. Leather jacket
All-season wear, even in the summer.
4. Bandana
A chic way to cover your face in a pinch – and to signal approval during a Ryman enscore.
W Nashville
Look out over The Gulch from our hotel's 9,700-square-foot WET Deck pool area featuring luxury cabanas, a yoga area and a poolside bar.