Welcome to the town that lights up like a Christmas tree every day of the week! The city that makes dreams come true! You put on your coolest country garb (is Rhinestone Cowboy still a thing?) and hit the town! It really doesn’t matter where you go on Broadway, it seems that every place is packed with people having fun. Music is coming out of every nook and cranny and every place feels like it’s flirting with you to come on in! But, is there more to this than meets the eye? Let’s break down Nashville’s iconic Broadway strip.
Broadway is the well–known strip in downtown Nashville. The entertainment district that is known far and wide for its live country music and honky tonk bars. But it also has some pretty cool history, retail shops and restaurants that you won’t want to miss!
Wikipedia gives us a bit of its history stating, “Originally named Broad Street, the eastern end of Broadway ended at the shipping docks on the Cumberland River. It was one of the first roads to run east-west in Nashville, and the first public high school in the city was built on the road in 1875. It eventually became a street lined with hardware stores, feed stores, and various other businesses and had a section known as “Auto Row” at the beginning of the 20th century due to large numbers of car dealers and tire and auto shops. A new post office – now the First Center for the Visual Performing Arts – was built next to Union Station on Broadway by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression.”
Broadway has quite the history and, in fact, if that is something that interests you, you may want to check out Christ Church, established in 1949. Its gothic architecture is worth a peak! Another must see stop is the Union Station Hotel which began as a train station back in the 19th century. The lobby has beautiful 100-year-old stained glass and vaulted ceilings reaching 65ft high. The interior is decorated with original art honoring Nashville’s music history. Gorgeous art deco that you won’t want to miss!
Ready to hit some fun stops? Check out Nashville Underground! “Boasting the highest and largest double deck rooftop on Broadway. Nashville Underground delivers an intimate authentic Nashville experience where you can Drink, Taste, and Hear Nashville.” This place is crazy big! 40,000-square-ft of honky tonk and just up from the beautiful Cumberland River. They have four floors filled with bars, food, live music and even a mechanical bull to try your luck on! In fact, “Management claims the rooftop bar is the highest in the city.” Oh, they also claim to have the coldest beer on tap in Nashville at 29 degrees. (Gotta try that!)
Looking to try some “Moonshine” on your visit? Then Bootleggers Inn is where you want to go at 207 Broadway. They are said to be the only bar in Nashville to still serve it! They also have some incredible live music and two floors of nonstop fun.
One of Broadways newest honky tonks is Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar at 307 Broadway. I’m sure y’all know who Jason is, but you really need to check out his new venue which just opened in 2018. The main restaurant is one of a kind, featuring a large bar with a 1961 4020 John Deere Tractor as a tribute to his number one song “My Big Green Tractor.” The food is what one would expect, a great mix of his Southern favorites including some of his mommas own peach cobbler to tickle your taste buds! They have the largest rooftop patio and the party never stops! (I’m sure that’s no surprise!) If you’re a Jason Aldean fan, then get on over there and grab yourself some merchandise, a signature cocktail and dance the night away to the panoramic views of Broadway! Oh, and get a selfie while your there!
Lastly, if you’re a sports fan, you may want to head on over to Bridgestone Arena, home of The Nashville Predators. The arena hosts everything from sporting events, to the CMA’s Awards to incredible concerts. It’s also home to The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Broadway is and always has been an icon of ‘The Music City.’ I hope this gives you a few tidbits that maybe you wouldn’t have been privy to while sightseeing on your own. The point is, there is not a boring spot along this strip. So, pull up your cowboy boots, tip your hat and enjoy a good ‘ole southern time!
Y’all come back now, ya’hear!
Tami