I made it to Nashville! 10 hours later and I finally made it. Thanks to Airbnb I was able to get a great deal last minute right in Music Row. It’s no frills but you can’t beat the location or price.  There is so much just in walking distance and only a 5 minute Uber ride to downtown. Unfortunately, my time here was overcast and some light rain passed by. But, that didn’t stop me from having jam packed days!

Day 1:  I could not have been more excited to be in Nashville and wanted to cross everything off of my list. That was unrealistic but I did do a lot and crashed as soon as I got back to my room. Thanks to some really great friends (big shout out to Renée!), I had compiled a list of “Must Do’s in Nashville” including the best food, must see neighborhoods, and tours of iconic places.

I started my day strong and visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. The building itself is

Country Music Hall of Fame

beautiful with two floors dedicated to exhibits. This museum caters to everyone regardless if you’re a fan of country music or not. It dives straight into the roots of country music and how it has shaped so many other genres and American culture over time. I am a big country fan so this was right up my alley. Some of my favorites ranged from Elvis Presley’s “Solid Gold” Cadillac and the Dylan/Cash exhibit to Blake Shelton and his red chair from The Voice (still can’t get over him and Miranda).

Grand Ole Opry Dressing Room #1

Next stop…the Grand Ole Opry. I am still kicking myself over my terrible planning and not being able to make any shows. I went on a back stage tour of the newest location of the Opry. We were able to see a few of the 18 (or was it 16?) differently themed dressing rooms- I was so tempted to sit on one couches and make myself at home. My favorite had to be the Women of Country dressing room where Carrie Underwood has stayed.

6 foot circle of wood removed from the Ryman stage

We proceeded to the Opry’s green room, Sudio A, and set foot on the stage. Did I mention that I got to stand on the stage where so many artists have stood? What made it even more amazing was that a 6 foot circle of wood was removed from the stage of the its previous location, the Ryman Auditorium, also known as “The Mother Church of Country Music.”

I finished up my day scoping out some boot shops, snagging some hot fried chicken from Hattie B’s- so good! get the red skin potato salad if you can,  and ducking into some honky tonks for a drink and live music. Music here is so accessible it’s insane.

Day one complete and still so much more to do.