Inside the Basement East, there’s a local feel to the establishment, where Nashvillians gather to listen to music from artists trying to make it big. The venue has only enough standing room creating an intimate connection  between the audience and the artist. As singer-songwriter Jamie Wyatt takes the stage, the room hungrily awaits the first note performed by the talented songstress. Her style of country-rock offers a new twist to the country music scene; a breath of fresh air amongst the traditions. Elsewhere in Nashville, visitors can walk down Broadway Street and find themselves entranced all types of music. Beau Monde Traveler has created a destination guide to Nashville, one that showcases the heart and soul of this country music mecca.

Nashville’s Music Scene

As you walk down the famous Broadway street, you’re met with neon signs and rows of celebrity bars. Live music is a treat in most cities however, it thrives in Nashville. You’ll find an endless offering of three-story honky-tonk bars complete with singers belting their hearts out every night of the week. The sound of music reverberates across the city, filling the streets with energy and excitement.  Each bar along Broadway street provides a new look at today’s music scene. One bar will have a band with a tradtional old country sound, with songs from Johnny Cash and Hank Willaims while others will showcase the new voice of country music, echoing songs from Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. That’s what makes Nashville a hotspot for country music. Each bar offers visitors a new rendition of the decades long genre as well as the future taste of Americana.

Nashville is also home to the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry, famous music venues where artists dream of performing at. Thomas Rhyman built the Ryman to serve as a religious venue known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. After Thomas passed away, his longtime friend Reverend Sam Jones took over and, renamed the amphitheater the Ryman. After its rebranding, the Ryman served as a stage for concerts where legendary performers such as Johnny Cash performed. The Ryman also served as the original location for the Grand Ole Opry but due to damages from floods, the Opry moved into its current location. Today, the Ryman serves as a historical landmark with concerts still performed on it’s legendary stage. As for the Grand Ole Opry, this venue is known as a spot  for modern country artists to perform concerts as well as the location where the People’s Choice Country Awards is held.

Nashville’s Culinary Scene

Intertwined with Nashville’s music is there culinary scene where visitors can experience homestyle southern dishes as well as fine dining options which together are pushing Nashville to becoming renown as destination for top notch gastronomy. Starting with breakfast, the famous Buttermilk Ranch restaurant is a popular upscale Southern spot that under the guidance of Chef Alyssa Gangeri, offers pastries and unique dishes such as their Cube Benny . The Cube Benny is a cube croissant with a choice of meat, hollandaise, or gravy, and a side of fresh seasonal fruit or salad. The cubed croissant is both pleasing to the eye and incredibly flaky which pairs perfectly with the savory elements of the smoked bacon and mushroom gravy. With the addition of the richness of the poached egg and the earthiness of the herb oil, the entire dish comes together as a symphony of flavors. While there, guest will also see their meats that are cured on-site and can be seen hanging from a glass display room within the dining area. For pastry lovers, they currently offer a seasonal charcoal and mixed berry jam croissant which is both striking in color and flavor.

For a sophisticated fine dining experience can one must head to Folk, a top-rated Nashville restaurant that focuses on seasonal dining. Inside, the interior design combines exposed brick with brushed wooden walls and rich velvet blue seating. The tasting menu is molded by chef Philip Karjeck to reflect the community’s local and fresh flavors. The menu itself contains five categories labeled respectfully Snacks, Vegetables+Fruit, Pizzas, Big Plates  + Sides, and Dessert. Highlights from the main portion of the tasting menu include their littleneck clam pizza and their dry-aged ribeye. The littleneck clam pizza offers a slightly sweet and briny component that balances the acidity of the fresh lemon and the crispiness of the crust. As for the dry-aged ribeye, a black garlic and fennel pollen crust creates a rich flavor that pairs well with the fatinness of the steak.

Nashville’s Wellness Scene

As important as music and cusine is for the culture of Nashville, their wellness side through luxury spa experiences is also worth noting. Located on the 21st floor of The Joseph Hotel, the Rose Spa focuses on creating an upscale atmosphere for guests to relax. Patrons are first guided after checking in at the copper welcome desk to a room that contains oversized lockers and various “experience showers” such as their steam room and ice fountain. After locking one’s belongings into a locker and changing into their complimentary plush robes and slippers, patrons can choose to rinse off, enjoy a steam shower, and utilize the ice fountain which contains properties to strengthen one’s immune system. This room also contains a blowout area where patrons can style their hair with complimentary blowdryers and brushes in front of sleek rounded gold mirrors.

The next stop after changing and enjoying the various sensory showers, patrons will wait in the relaxation lounge. The relaxation room contains an aesthetic of warm and natural tones which adds to the ambiance. A table containing various tea blends, cups, and a hot water dispenser allows one to sip on a cup of tea and escape to a state of relaxation before their treatment. A water dispenser containing “beauty gem water” is also available which is water infused with rose quartz, aventurine quartz, and amethyst. Each crystal is chosen specifically for its holistic properties, nourishing one’s body holistically.

Patrons will be picked up by their therapist during their time slot and guided to their treatment rooms. A special seasonal experience is their Autumn Buff & Glow. This treatment features a combination of lemon balm and rose oil which is first applied to the body for hydration and is followed up by a full body scrub of crushed rose and chamomile petals. The delightful smell of lemon balm and rose oil creates a sensory experience and leaves one’s skin feeling soft and rejuvenated. For a truly luxurious experience, one can follow up their treatment with a holistic massage which can help release toxins and tension in one’s body.

Nashville’s Cocktail Scene

Scattered across Broadway are celebirty bars owned by music artists such as Miranda Lambert’s bar named Casa Rosa, Twelve Thirty Club owned by Justin Timberlake and numerous others. One can literally walk into their favorite music artist’s bar and enjoy a night out with drinks and live music. For those who want a more elevated speakeasy experience for a night out, the Fox Bar & Cocktail Club is easy to recommend. An unassuming wooden door is the entrance which adds to the mystery of the establishment. As for the menu, a wide variety of signature cocktails are displayed with ratings on a scale from refreshing to spirituous and comforting to adventurous. One drink in particular named the Suburban Cowboy is recommended for those who crave a refreshing yet fruity cockatail. This drink features Strawberry Plantation 3 Stars Rum, Palo Cortado Sherry, lime stock, mint gomme, coconut cream, and Angostura bitters.

Hotel Accommodation

An ideal place to stay within walking distance of Broadway is the Renaissance Hotel. The hotel provides the convenience of being located in downtown Nashville as well as an upscale experience for patrons to enjoy. The hotel features numerous dining options which include Little Fib, Bridge Bar, and Five Chords Mercantile allowing patrons to enjoy libations, music, and Southern cuisine. As for rooms, the King City View guest room and the Executive Suite offer incredible views of downtown Nashville. One can lie in bed and watch the sunrise over the sleepy city or come back from a night out and see the liveliness of bustling Nashville at night. The Executive suite is a top-tier option featuring a grey upholstered king bed, a sofa, a writing desk, and a marble room. This spacious interior provides enough room to relax and unwind while the stylish décor creates an upscale ambiance.

Nashville has a lively reputation, attracting visitors from across the nation and abroad to experience the vibrancy of the city. During the daytime, visitors can indulge in a gastronomy scene that’s changing the definition of Southern dining as well as experience luxury in the form of a spa package. As the sun begins to set, the neon lights of Broadway Street turn on, allowing visitors to experience Nashville’s social scene, packed full of cocktail bars and live music. Nashville is a completely unique city with a type of energy that can only be explored in person to understand. For more information on how to arrange your holiday in Nashville, check out http://www.tnvacation.com and http://www.ttmworld.co.uk. A special thank you to Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp for the use of their video showcasing the city of Nashville.