to DO to STAY
There is nothing more quintessentially Nashville than the Grand
Ole Opry. What began as a one-hour radio “barn dance” in 1925
has evolved into the mecca of country music. Having hosted music
legends such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash, the
Opry now welcomes members like Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley,
Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Inside its custom-built home in
Opryland, there are live shows most nights, or visitors can go behind
the scenes for a daytime or post-show tour. CLASSIC: Marriot’s Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
is a popular pick for families, as it is in the heart of Nashville and
within easy walk of Madame Tussauds, the Grand Ole Opry, and
General Jackson Steamboat. Kids might not want to leave the resort
property, however, which is home to SoundWaves — an upscale water
experience featuring four acres of combined indoor and outdoor water
attractions surrounded by lush gardens and waterfalls.
The Ryman Auditorium is considered by many to be hallowed ground,
as it was where Johnny Cash met the future June Carter Cash before
before the Opry changed venues. Following a period of neglect, the
Ryman was renovated in the 1990s into one of the most coveted
performance halls in the world. Ever dreamed of being a singer? The
Ryman Recording Studio lets you record a classic song or an original
compilation that you can then take home on a CD, thanks to the help
of a professional sound engineer.
For those wanting to learn more about “The Man in Black,” the Johnny
Cash Museum goes behind his music with the largest collection of
Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including stage costumes,
instruments, personal letters, artwork and handwritten lyrics.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum allows aspiring young
musicians to tap into their talent with interactive workshops such
as fiddle lessons, Willie Nelson-style guitar workshops, and creative
classes for costume design. The Taylor Swift Education Center creates
an exciting learning environment for all ages with three classrooms,
a video conference lab and an interactive gallery. Exhibits in the main
museum rotate seasonally, with schedule highlights focusing on home-
grown music legends.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Nashville on a Monday night, be sure
to catch the Time Jumpers in their weekly show at 3rd and Lindsley.
The Grammy-nominated 10-member group made up of A-list session
musicians epitomizes the Western swing genre and makes every
Monday night feel like a Saturday night party on Music Row.
The recently-renamed Frist Art Museum opened the renovated Martin
ArtQuest Gallery last May, where families can explore art in a hands-
on way. Housed in Nashville’s former main post office built in 1933,
the new space features art-making stations allowing kids to explore
moving images through a large zoetrope, a shadow theater, and
stop-motion animation; transform into shapes and colors via full-body-
animated digital painting; or contribute to a collaborative textile-
weaving installation.
Beyond its music and arts scene, Nashville is bursting with outdoor
activities especially in spring time. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
has long been a hit with families especially since the opening of the
Animal Health Center and Andean Bear Exhibit, and expansion of the
Sumatran tiger area. Guests can experience close-up animal encounters
at the amphitheater shows, Kangaroo Kickabout, Wilderness Express
Train and the exhilarating Soaring Eagle zipline.
On the western edge of Nashville, the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
is a 55-acre estate surrounding a majestic Georgian mansion. It is home
to 12 distinct gardens, world-class art exhibits and an outdoor sculpture
trail. The TRAINS! exhibit is an enchanted woodland with fairies,
bridges, tunnels and waterfalls for children to explore. Special events
for junior guests include Tuesdays for Tots, summer camps and various
community programs.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 46 SPRING 2019
MODERN: Offering a truly artistic experience, the 21c Museum
Hotel downtown is located in the former home of the historic Gray &
Dudley Company (which is now the name of the hotel’s restaurant).
The rooms and suites at 21c also follow the museum theme featuring
pieces of unique art and sculptures. Book the Terrace Suite and you’ll
get a rooftop view of the city, or the Yung Jake Artistic Suite has
custom digital wallpaper by the L.A.-based artist.
Combining both old and new, hip boutique hotel Noelle is a reinvention
of a former 1930s-era hotel between Printer’s Alley and Broadway.
Noelle joined the rooftop bar scene with the March 2018 opening of
Rare Bird cocktail lounge above the 12th floor, offering views of the
Nashville skyline, or hunt down their inhouse speakeasy the Hidden
Bar. The rooms are sleek and stylish, while fitness-minded guests will
also appreciate the interactive Peloton bikes in the second floor gym.
to EAT
CLASSIC: It’s a crime to leave Nashville without experiencing
authentic “hot chicken,” which is breaded, coated with spices (heavy
on the cayenne), and served with white bread and pickles. A favorite
spot among locals is Hattie B’s, which has three locations that all offer
sandwiches, chicken plates, southern sides and spice levels ranging from
“Southern” to insanely spicy “Damn Hot” and “Shut the Cluck Up.”
MODERN: East Nashville is an eclectic neighborhood with a
blossoming culinary scene that’s been compared to New York City’s
East Village. Butcher & Bee began with the vision of making the perfect
sandwich and now serves unique dishes made from locally-sourced
ingredients (the whipped feta with fermented honey, cracked pepper
and pita is a brunch must-have).
Mop/Broom Mess Hall is a trendy addition to Germantown partly due
to its “Tuesday Night Special” supper series featuring rotating guest
chefs collaborating with their resident one, Tandy Wilson. The everyday
menu features creative twists on pork chops, lemongrass stew, and
Vietnamese sausage, with frosted banana bread for dessert. The craft
cocktails selection is just as interesting, with the Nebraska Wedding
and Tiny Tim topping the list.
The sister duo behind popular East Nashville bar No. 308 opened the
Flamingo Cocktail Club and Falcon Coffee Bar last summer in the up
and coming WeHo neighborhood. Creating cool alcoholic concoctions
such as The Gauntlet (mezcal, hot peppers, and lemon) by night,
and lattes and empanadas by day — the FCC Group aims to bring
together the community.
getting THERE
Getting to Nashville from IAD and DCA is a pretty easy trip. Fly
nonstop from IAD to BNA on United Airlines or from DCA to BNA
on American and Southwest Airlines. All airlines offer multiple daily
nonstop flights. Upon landing, it is a 20 minute drive to downtown
via taxi (~$25), Uber, Lyft, or rental car. The Nashville MTA bus service
also goes from the airport into the city.