🎸 Exploring Nashville: More Than Just Music City 🎶

June 2, 2024

A Journey Through History, Culture & Hidden Gems

Last time, we took you on a scenic journey through the breathtaking Smoky Mountains 🌄, Pigeon Forge 🎡, and Gatlinburg 🏞️ — some of Tennessee’s most beloved destinations. This week, we’re venturing deeper into the heart of the Volunteer State to explore Nashville, affectionately known as Music City 🎤.

While Nashville is famous for country music, honky tonks, and nightlife 🍻, we quickly discovered that it’s so much more. From historic treasures and unique architecture 🏛️ to a thriving arts scene 🎨 and foodie finds 🍽️, there’s something here for every kind of traveler.

🛖 Starting Our Nashville Adventure: A Cozy Stay at South 40 Farm

We kicked off our trip just south of Nashville in Franklin, where we stayed at South 40 Farm 🌾, a Harvest Host location and scenic photo venue 📸. With peaceful surroundings and incredibly welcoming hosts 🤗, it was the perfect base to start exploring Music City.

🏛️ West End: Centennial Park & the Parthenon Replica 🇬🇷

Our first Nashville stop? Centennial Park 🌳, a 132-acre oasis that once hosted the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition 🎉.

🎭 The star attraction is the full-scale replica of the Parthenon, complete with art exhibits and a towering statue of Athena

🗿. It’s like walking into ancient Greece — right in the middle of Tennessee!

🏙️ Midtown: Marathon Village, Farmers Market & Hot Chicken 🌶️

Next up: Midtown’s Marathon Village 🚗, home to historic buildings that once housed Marathon Motor Works — the first U.S. company to build automobiles entirely in-house 🚘.

🛍️ Now a trendy shopping destination, it includes:

• 🏎️ A free vintage car museum

• 🧼 Unique boutiques

• 🎨 Art and souvenirs galore

Then it was time for food! 😋 We headed to the Nashville Farmers Market 🥕, buzzing with fresh produce, local vendors, and ready-to-eat Southern bites. The Hubs dared to try Nashville hot chicken 🔥 at full spice level. His review? “Yeah, it was hot.”

🌳 Nearby, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park offers Tennessee history in a beautiful, walkable setting — with 95 musical bells ringing out tunes 🎶 on the hour.

🕰️ Dive Into History: Tennessee State Museum & Capitol

We dove deeper into local history at the Tennessee State Museum 🏛️, packed with interactive exhibits from prehistoric times to today. Best part? It’s free! 🙌

Just a short walk away stands the Tennessee State Capitol, a stunning Greek Revival building without a dome — one of only 12 like it in the country. President James K. Polk’s grave ⚰️ is also located on the Capitol grounds.

🏨 Grand Architecture: Union Station & Pedestrian Bridge

Next stop: Union Station Hotel 🚉, once a major train hub and now a luxurious hotel. Its soaring ceilings, stained glass, and stonework feel straight out of the Gilded Age ✨.

For unbeatable views of downtown, we crossed the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge 🌉, a historic landmark that offers skyline and river views 🌇 — perfect for golden hour photos!

🍫 Sweet History: Goo Goo Cluster Candy Factory

Ready for dessert? We made our way to the Goo Goo Cluster Factory 🍬, where Nashville’s famous candy bar — created in 1912 — still delights taste buds.

Make your own custom cluster 🤩, learn about its sweet history, and snack on delicious local chocolate. A must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth!

🎶 Honky Tonks: The Heartbeat of Nashville

Even if honky tonks aren't your scene, a walk down Broadway 🎸 is a Nashville rite of passage. By 1 PM, music was already pouring into the streets, people dancing 💃, and bars rocking — and it only gets wilder after dark 🌃.

🌺 Music Valley & Gaylord Opryland Resort

Need a break from the bustle? Head to Music Valley and explore the Gaylord Opryland Resort 🌿 — nine acres of lush, indoor gardens with waterfalls 💦, winding paths, and serene vibes.

🛍️ With shops, cafes, and tropical beauty, it’s the perfect place to unwind.

📺 Pop Culture Fun: Cooter’s Museum & Nashville Palace

For fans of The Dukes of Hazzard 🚗💨, a stop at Cooter’s Museum is a quirky blast from the past — with real props, memorabilia, and the General Lee itself on display.

🎶 Right next door, we caught live music at the Nashville Palace, a legendary venue where country stars sometimes show up for surprise sets. Authentic, unpretentious, and fun!

🏰 South Nashville: Fort Negley, Belmont Mansion & Iconic Guitars

Down in South Nashville, we visited:

• 🏰 Fort Negley: A Civil War–era stone fort with sweeping city views and somber historical significance.

• 🏛️ Belmont Mansion: A beautifully preserved 19th-century estate on Belmont University’s campus.

• 🎸 The Gallery of Iconic Guitars: Just $5 to see legendary instruments, including rare mandolins and guitars once played by music greats.

🚘 Lane Motor Museum: A Car Lover’s Dream

Not a gearhead? Doesn’t matter — the Lane Motor Museum is still a blast. With 150+ quirky, rare, and vintage European cars, it’s a colorful tribute to creative engineering 🔧 and retro design 🚗.

🏙️ The Gulch: Urban Charm & Great Eats

We wrapped our Nashville journey in The Gulch, a trendy neighborhood with:

• 🖼️ Street murals

• 🛍️ Boutique shops

• 🥗 Fantastic eateries

It’s a perfect blend of modern style, food, and flair.

💬 Final Thoughts: Nashville Is So Much More Than You Think

Between the historic landmarks 🏛️, buzzing neighborhoods 🌆, lush parks 🌿, and creative energy 💡, Nashville blew us away.

🎼 Whether you’re a music lover, foodie, architecture geek, or history buff — Nashville has something just for you.

➡️ What’s Next?

We're heading across Missouri 🌽, easing into a slower RV travel rhythm 🚐 and soaking in the journey as much as the destinations.

📌 Love Nashville? Been there too? Share your favorite spots below!📣 Don’t forget to share this post and follow for more hidden gems across the USA 🇺🇸.

🎒 Until next time — safe travels and full tanks! ⛽✨