downtown

The center of Nashville is alive with music. In the city’s core are a trove of historic buildings that are home to honky tonks and varied music venues. Fine hotels, gourmet restaurants and art galleries—including a First Saturday art crawl—welcome visitors.

When it comes to accommodations, several luxury hotels have recently been added to the city’s repertoire. 2020 saw the arrival of the amenity-filled Grand Hyatt, as well as The Joseph, whose dining room, Yolan, boasts the Italian cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Tony Mantuano. Even more recently, 1 Hotel opened with an emphasis on sustainable luxury, and the Four Seasons Nashville brings its signature elevated approach to hospitality. The Hermitage Hotel, a Nashville icon since 1910, just completed a property-wide renovation and its culinary offerings—including the Drusie & Darr restaurant—are overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Many of the city’s famous landmarks are downtown, including historic Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry and a thriving venue to all genres of music. Other music-oriented destinations in downtown include the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where the 14-time Grammy Award–winning Nashville Symphony perform, and the recently opened National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). The interactive museum showcases the central role African Americans have played in shaping and creating American music.

Opened in 2001, the Frist Art Museum occupies the former main post office, an architectural landmark in white marble, and hosts prestigious rotating exhibitions and includes interactive stations for children and families.