So after Memphis the real part of the road trip began.
Next stop Nashville.
211 miles and about 3.5 hours later the highway curved around to bring into view the iconic skyline that Nashville is known for. Most recognisable is the AT&T building also known as the Batman Building.
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| The view of Nashville from the Cumberland Bridge |
The trusty voucher book (you can pick one up at any gas station) that had become a staple part of the road trip gave discount codes for a range of hotels in Nashville, but after a friend visited here a few years ago I knew I wanted to stay in the hotel with the guitar shaped pool. The Ramada Downton Nashville is cheap but not so cheerful however the pool was pretty great. It is also almost on the car park of the Tennessee Titans stadium and right by the Cumberland Bridge which helps you to cross the river straight into the heart of the city.
The first night out in Nashville (perhaps due to the long drive) resulted in a great deal of beer being drunk. Broadway Downtown is the place to be, where every night you can listen to live music, smell the leather from the cowboy boot shops and drink good old Tennessee whiskey in the saloon bars. The strip is alive with neon signs drawing you into the bars and so after working our way up Broadway we ended up in Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.
Now this place came recommended in my Lonely Planet book and was buzzing with atmosphere. The beer is cheap and the music is loud.
Perfect combination.
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| Broadway Baby |
So on Day 2 armed with a hangover, the first stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame. Complete with Audio tour this place is a must visit even if you are not the biggest fan of Country Music. It takes about 3 hours to do the whole tour. The museum is great and you get to hear how Country Music got its roots and the costume section of the tour was my absolute favourite.
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| Dolly Parton's Outfit on show at the CMHOF |
After the CMHOF I walked further up Broadway towards the Ryman Auditorium. This place is probably best known as the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry and definitely worth a visit. The building itself is one of a kind.
The next stop was to hop back in the car and head out of town to the famous listening rooms - The Bluebird Cafe. This small and intimate 90 seat venue has played host to Faith Hill, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, and is covered in fairy lights.
Now if you want to visit the Bluebird make sure you book in advance and don't do what I did and take your chances queuing up early for the 20 places they offer without booking. Despite getting there early we made it right to the front of the queue before we were told the venue was full. Gutted...... However they did let us stick our heads in to see inside and it was magical. Being a massive fan of the TV show Nashville this place was the one venue I really wanted to go and see some live music. I guess it just wasn't meant to be, but that didn't stop me from getting my picture taken underneath the iconic canopy.
My final recommendation in Nashville is the Hatch Show Print Shop on Broadway. If you follow music, art, and culture of the American South, sooner or later you will run into the iconic look, typography and imagery of Hatch Show Prints.
One of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America, Hatch Show Print posters have featured a hot of music performers, including Neil Young, BB King and Johnny Cash. The shop itself is also home to an adorable fat ginger cat that can be found snoring in a basket tucked behind some of the print boxes.
I just couldn't leave this place without buying a print for myself. A little something to remind me of the amazing time I had in Nashville. This print is now framed and hangs in my kitchen.
I would recommend Nashville to anyone and cant wait to go back for longer next time
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