Honky-tonks, Johnny Cash memorials, and countless country music stages: Nashville is the root-down of showdown. Ladies and lads, if you don’t own a pair of western boots for your time out on the town—don’t worry, you’ll most assuredly find the perfect pair here.

The Hood

Nashville is chock-full of character-rich neighborhoods and restaurants. Music Row, an area southwest of Downtown, is the heart of hundreds of businesses connected to country and gospel music. Avenues 16th and 17th are dubbed Music Square East and Music Square West for a reason: you’ll find the door fronts for publishing houses, music licensing firms, recording studios, record labels, video production houses, and radio networks. Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is a great, central option to lay your head after tapping your feet all day. Best Western Plus Music Row is also right in the thick of things, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option.

South Broadway is comparable to country’s southern iteration of the Las Vegas strip: a party haven with fun bars, live music and honkey-tonks. And the zones surrounding Vanderbilt and Beaumont offer a laid-back college vibe. Once you’ve square danced yourself to exhaustion, drag your weary feet over to the Renaissance Nashville Hotel or the Hilton Nashville Downtown - both are only a few minutes’ walk from the South Broadway merriment.

Get Down

In Nashville, you can stroll into an endless number of performance venues and your ears will be met with top-notch theatre and music. The sound will trigger a tap of the toe and shake of the chin. Around town, there are a handful of spots that should not to be missed on a first-timer’s trip.

On the bucket list: soak up a historic night of musical magic with the Grand Ole Opry, which is known around the world. Nearly 100 years ago, the Grand Ole Opry was made famous with a live radio broadcast. The show is recognized as the trigger that made country music famous with the announcement of fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson on a show called “The WSM Barn Dance,” which is still on air and has helped to launch the careers of many more country musicians.

Next on the list, don’t miss a show at the cozy Bluebird Café, an iconic club with up-and-coming artists and experienced songwriters (reservations recommended.)

In general, many bars are open until 3 a.m.—so when your concert is over, the night doesn’t need to end.

Dine Up

First things first, where is the barbecue? It’s amazing pretty much everywhere—but do not overlook this hole-in-the-wall: Peg Leg Porker, where you can enjoy pulled pork, ribs, fried pies and buckets of beer on the patio.

If you’re craving biscuits and fried chicken—or any authentic southern food for that matter—stop into the Loveless Café, which is a landmark known for its quaint country charm.

To enjoy a creative selection of burgers and sausages, dine out at the Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden, which boasts an old-time soda fountain and gorgeous family-style outdoor seating.

All the Play

The fun isn’t all on stage. Nashville also offers green parks, blue water, and hip game halls for play time. Don’t miss a day outdoors with a visit to the Parthenon, located at Centennial Park: a centerpiece with a full-scale re-creation of the 42-foot Athena statue and Parthenon in Greece. The Parthenon serves as Nashville’s art museum with a permanent collection of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists, as well as a gallery space for visiting exhibits (scope out the calendar of events.)

For a nature fix, enjoy a stroll or jog on trails in the Warner Parks. Nine miles from downtown, the Parks includes picnic areas, scenic roadways, overlooks, hiking trails, horse trails, golf courses, and cross-country running courses.

Basically, Nashville has something for everyone. Purchase event tickets here on EvilTickets for the best deals!