Thinking about visiting Nashville? A recent traveler shared her unfiltered experience from a five-day trip to Music City. From where she stayed to what she ate, what she loved (and didn’t), and what she’d do differently, this is her full review.
🏨 Where She Stayed
Hampton Inn Capitol View – “Would stay there again. It was nice. About a mile from Broadway.”
A solid location for those who want walkability without the chaos of staying directly downtown.
🚶 How She Got Around
No rental car needed! Instead, she walked everywhere except for:
✅ The airport transfer
✅ Getting to and from the Grand Ole Opry
In total? 30 miles in 5 days! Not only did it save money, but she got to see a lot of the city on foot.
When needed, Lyft was the go-to, costing under $100 for all four rides.
Safety at Night? When asked if she felt safe walking back to her hotel after 10 PM, she said:
“Absolutely! It was after 10 probably 3 of the 4 nights! Felt completely safe. Lots of traffic still moving at that time.”
🍽️ Food & Drink
The overall takeaway? Good, but not mind-blowing.
Best meal?
🥞 “Brunch at 417 Union was probably the best we had.”
She also highly recommends the bars by the Opry, calling out Music City Bar & Grill as a great place for older country music and slightly cheaper prices compared to Broadway.
🎶 What She Did & Loved
💡 Ryman Auditorium Tour – “Very cool. Would recommend.”
🎤 Seeing Cory Farley at Second Fiddle – “Loved his show so much we went twice!”
🎸 Exploring Broadway – “We were in probably 3/4 of the bars—even just to check them out. Some were crazy loud. But definitely an experience we wanted to do!”
💰 Skipped Paying for Some Attractions – She walked around the Opry and the Gaylord Opryland Hotel but didn’t pay for any tours.
🤔 The Downsides
😵💫 Crowds – “Missed a few places we wanted to check out due to the crowds but will hit them next time.”
🤢 Street Cleanliness – “Not so much a fan of the vomit on the streets and the strong odor of weed at all times of the day.”
Final Verdict?
👍 Would return, but not for a few years.
😂 “We tend to like to relax more on vacations!”
💬 What Other Travelers Had to Say:
🛑 Self-Guided vs. VIP Ryman Tour?
Some travelers loved the self-guided tour, which includes a photo on stage, while others recommended splurging on the VIP experience for special souvenirs.
🚖 Budget-Friendly Transportation?
- Walking was key for saving money.
- Lyft was the best affordable and reliable option.
- Some travelers also recommended Nash Vegas Rides ($5 per person) as a budget-friendly alternative.
🎶 Best Tip?
✔️ “Arrive a few days before the weekend to beat the Broadway crowds. Weekends are crazy packed.”
