Honky Tonks, Hot Chicken & Hiking: A Guide to Nashville & Beyond
Arrival & Getting Around: We flew via Heathrow with British Airways, which was comfortable and convenient. Of course, the new direct flight from Dublin with Aer Lingus, launching next month, will be an absolute game-changer for anyone wanting to pop over for a few days. Once in Nashville, we found it to be a very walkable city, but we also used Uber for longer distances. One budget-friendly tip—there’s a local bus from the main station that takes you to the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills for just a couple of dollars, but I wouldn’t hang around the station late at night.
Where We Stayed: We stayed at the Fairlane Hotel, a quirky boutique hotel in a converted old bank. It’s in a great location near Printer’s Alley and just a short walk to Broadway. It was a good stay but there are lots of great alternatives that I can recommend too.
Nashville Highlights & Insider Tips:
-Live Music on Broadway – Broadway is everything you’ve heard about and more! Every bar has incredible live music, and the bands work entirely on tips, so bring plenty of small dollar bills. My personal favourite was Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge—a Nashville institution that’s rough around the edges but packed with atmosphere and seriously talented musicians. Keep an eye out for The Huffer Brothers—hilarious and brilliant entertainers, though not for the faint-hearted!
-Breakfast Spot: Another Broken Egg Café – Great portions, quality food, fantastic coffee, and friendly service. Definitely worth a visit.
-Disappointing Experience: Hard Rock Café – Compared to others around the world, I found it a little underwhelming, although the staff were lovely.
-Bus Tour: Gray Line Open-Top Bus Tour – A fantastic way to get your bearings and see the city’s highlights.
-Food: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Nashville is famous for its hot chicken, and this is the place to get it. Forget the cholesterol and just enjoy!
-Follow: RSVP Nashville & The Nashville Guide on Instagram – Great for up-to-date recommendations on pop-up events, rooftop bars, and restaurant suggestions.
The Grand Ole Opry & Opry Mills: Visiting the Grand Ole Opry was an absolute highlight, and I highly recommend booking tickets in advance. The show is fantastic, featuring a mix of country legends and up-and-coming artists, and it’s a family-friendly experience too. Next door, Opry Mills Outlet is worth a visit.. The strong dollar means we don’t get the deals we once did, but brands like Coach, Kate Spade, and Nike still offer decent discounts. If you’re looking for cowboy boots, you’ll find much better prices here than in downtown Nashville—many stores offer ‘Buy 2, Get 1 Free’ deals.
A Quick Trip to The Great Smoky Mountains: We wanted to see more than just Nashville, so we rented a car and took a short road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. We drove just under four hours east to Gatlinburg, one of the main gateways to the national park. On arrival, we took the Yellow Chairlift up to Gatlinburg SkyPark, where we walked the SkyBridge—the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America! I didn’t actually realise this at the time, but it was an incredible experience, especially at sunset. We were so lucky with the weather—clear skies and mild temperatures, around 18°C during the day, cooling down in the evenings. A Magical Sunrise at Clingmans Dome: The next morning, we woke before dawn to hike up to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies. Standing there, watching the sunrise over the misty mountains, was truly one of the most breathtaking moments of my life. Fun fact—when you’re at the top, one side of you is in Tennessee, and the other is in North Carolina! We had only one night in Gatlinburg, so we stayed centrally in a simple inn, which was perfect for our short visit. If you prefer something more secluded, there are lovely cabin rentals just outside the busy towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Final Stops – Chattanooga & Back to Nashville After our unforgettable morning in the Smokies, we grabbed breakfast, hit the road, and made a quick stop in Chattanooga before returning our car and flying home.
Other Nashville Experiences: -Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum – A must for music lovers. -Ryman Auditorium – The original home of the Grand Ole Opry and full of history. -Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum – Less well-known but very interactive and enjoyable. -Ghost Tour – To be honest, not my favourite. It was a good orientation of the city, but I’ve had better ghost tour experiences elsewhere.
Final Thoughts: I absolutely loved Nashville—it’s a vibrant, unique and friendly city with amazing live music, great food, and a brilliant atmosphere. It makes for a fantastic city break, and if you have a little extra time, adding in the Great Smoky Mountains or even other nearby destinations is a great idea. And of course, that’s where I come in—if you’re thinking of visiting, I’d be delighted to help you plan the perfect trip!
Would I go again? 100%!!
