Destination focus • October 2017
Nashville: six reasons to visit
With a creative spirit, cool culinary scene and colourful neighbourhoods, there’s more to Nashville than cowboy hats and country music. Music City native Caroline Hallemann shares her recommendations for British Airways’ newest US route, launching in May 2018
Neighbourhood watch
Historic Germantown is fast becoming the city’s hottest neighbourhood with the opening of Germantown Inn, a six-suite boutique hotel set in a former residence dating back to 1865. Nearby, you’ll find several restaurants that have gained cult status: Monell’s, which serves a rotating menu of southern eats (meatloaf is on Saturdays); Henrietta Red (pictured), an airy new oyster bar, and Rolf and Daughters, an industrial-chic spot known for its seasonal menu.
Shop ’til you drop
Nashville has an undeniable creative spirit, which is helping it become a design destination. Pick up a pair of premium selvedge denim jeans at Imogene + Willie or stop in Wilder (pictured), an ever-changing concept shop showcasing emerging brands, run by performance artists Josh and Ivy Elrod.
It’s showtime
A concert at the legendary Ryman Auditorium should be on every music lover’s bucket list. It’s known as the Mother Church of Country, but this autumn, the 2,362-seat theatre with pews instead of chairs will host acts ranging from Harry Styles to Father John Misty. An even more intimate space is the Bluebird Café. Tickets are hard to come by for the 90-seat listening room where songwriters get their start, but the venue saves around 10 seats for walk-ins at early shows. Just be prepared to wait in line.
Rock on
In addition to selling a carefully curated selection of vinyl, band merchandise and other novelties, Jack White’s Third Man Records hosts a refurbished 1947 Voice-o-Graph machine, where you can record your own 6-inch record for just $20. Why not send it back home as a truly one-of-a-kind audio postcard?
Sweet treats
No trip to Nashville would be complete without a Goo Goo Cluster. Stop by Downtown’s Goo Goo Shop and Dessert Bar to sample the local favourite made with peanuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate, or opt for one of the chef’s more indulgent creations, like pecan pie topped with candy and whipped cream.
Bed down in style
Nashville is in the midst of a much-needed hotel boom. The recently opened 21c (pictured) features high-ceilinged rooms with modern decor and an in-house museum with a rotating collection of contemporary works, while the new Thompson Hotel in the historic Gulch district has in-room speakers, walls adorned with local art, and sweeping views of the city at its rooftop bar, the L.A. Jackson.
British Airways will fly to Nashville five times a week from 4 May 2018. Book flights now at ba.com
This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips