Who said that you have to go to Seychelles, Mauritius, or another remote island to enjoy an amazing honeymoon? There are some other great options way closer than you think and one of them is undoubtedly Nashville. With its rich musical and cultural history, the Music City has become a popular destination for good reason.
Where to stay
Nashville is a popular destination and has a wide range of hotels to fit every traveler. Here are some places that offer the best value for money for your honeymoon.
Grand Hyatt Nashville
During our recent visit to Nashville, we were hosted by the Grand Hyatt Nashville. It is located downtown lon Broadway at Nashville Yards and is within walking distance of many tourist attractions and popular areas like The Gulch and Midtown. Besides the location, you can expect luxury accommodations, several eateries, a spa, and our favorite part, the pool on the 5th floor that provided a great view of the city.
Things to do
When you come to Nashville, there is plenty to do with attractions for music lovers, foodies, history buffs and for anyone who wants to party.
Try The Food With a Food Tour
If you have not been on a food tour before, you should give it a try in Nashville. A food tour is a great way to try a lot of food, learn some history, and get some tips and recommendations from a local. We went on a food tour with A Little Local Flavor. This food tour had more included in it than any other food tour we have been on. We stopped at 5 different food stops, trying local favorites like smoked ribs, deviled eggs, chicken wings, ice cream, and Nashville hot chicken as well as 2 cocktails and a local beer.
We also walked around downtown to see some of the sites and learn some history. If you can, make this part of your first day in Nashville since you can go back to your favorite restaurants and take the recommendations of your guide.
Visit the Music Sites
Nashville is a perfect honeymoon destination for music lovers. With attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame that goes through the history of country music, dedicated museums to Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and other famous singers, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Music City Walk of Fame, it’s not a mystery why it’s known as the Music City.
Other great places to visit are the Grand Ole Opry radio show that hosts top country performers, the Ryman Auditorium which features concerts and shows, and the Music Row area where you can find plenty of shops, museums, and memorials dedicated to music and musicians.
Historical Sites
But Nashville has a lot more to offer than just music. You should make time to see the Parthenon -a full-scale replica of the structure in Athens-, the Hermitage where former president Andrew Jackson lived, the Tennessee State Capitol building, and the Belle Meade Plantation -a mansion that witnessed a battle between Union and Confederate forces in 1864.
For those who like the outdoors, Nashville has more than 100 parks to choose from. Some of the best ones are Centennial Park, Radnor Lake State Park, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, and the Warner Parks nearly 10 miles outside town. For stunning views over the Cumberland River, stroll across the John Seigenthaler Bridge which spans 3,150 feet and is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.
Nearby destinations
Located in the north of the state of Tennessee, Nashville is an excellent jumping-off point to explore other places. Below we mention some of the best:
Knoxville
Knoxville is the third-largest city of the state of Tennessee and it’s located between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River, 180 miles east of Nashville. This city features a beautiful Market Square, a riverfront, and many places for those who like the outdoors such as the World’s Fair Park, the 300-acre Ijams Nature Center where you can enjoy ziplining or the Mead’s Quarry Lake. Additionally, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only 40 miles away.
Asheville
Nested between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east, the Nantahala National Forest on the west and the Great Smoky Mountains on the north, Asheville is a must see. It’s located in western North Carolina 300 miles east of Nashville and it’s a popular travel destination for outdoor lovers.
Apart from its beautiful downtown, you can visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, hike part of the Appalachian Trail, visit Pisgah National Forest or Nantahala National Forest.
Pigeon Forge
Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park nearly 215 miles east of Nashville and only 27 miles from Knoxville, Pigeon Forge is a popular mountain town. You have your choice of amusement parks here between Dollywood, The Island in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park. Additionally you can visit the Titanic Museum, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the Hollywood Wax Museum where you can see replicas of famous actors and actresses and the Elvis Presley Museum, among others.
Natchez Trace Parkway
It’s a 444-mile recreational road that takes you through scenic landscapes and runs from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. The parkway is full of beautiful spots such as the Leiper’s Fork town, Baker Bluff and Jackson Falls, the city of Jackson, Fall Hollow, the impressive Cypress Swamp, or Tupelo, the city where Elvis Presley was born in 1935.
All in all, Nashville has a lot to offer and it’s an ideal destination not only for music lovers but also for every type of traveler. If you have the chance, try adding at least a week of time to your holiday and enjoy the beautiful neighboring cities and national parks. I can guarantee you that you won’t regret it!
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.