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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.

As a country music fan, it’s no secret that Nashville is one of my favorite places to visit. Just taking one stroll down Broadway and hearing all of the live music makes my heart happy.

It’s also become one of the most popular places to have a weekend getaway, especially to celebrate events like 21st birthdays and bachelorette parties. Of course, it’s a perfect place to catch a country concert and slap on some cowboy boots, but I’m a firm believer that the city of Nashville has something for everyone. 

Food

First and foremost, Nashville is known for its hot chicken. As someone who loves spicy foods, this is something I have to order at least once during my visits to the city. However, if spicy isn’t your thing, you’ll still find some of the best chicken dishes. Chicken and waffles are a staple here, and you can’t go wrong ordering it at just about any restaurant anywhere in the city. One of my favorite places to eat is called Milk & Honey which is located in the Gulch. They have delicious coffee and the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had!

history

There is so much history to explore while in Nashville. While going to museums isn’t always everyone’s favorite activity, there are really cool tours of some iconic spots that I think everyone should check out. The Country Music Hall of Fame is such a cool museum to walk through, especially since the museum features exhibits that feature past and present musicians. Even if you’re not a country music fan, it’s super interesting to look through. My personal favorite was seeing some of Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves’ iconic outfits. The tour of the Grand Ole Opry is also equally as exciting, and it’s so cool to see the behind-the-scenes action of how stars get ready to produce such an iconic radio show. 

entertainment

There’s always live music at every bar and hotel at all times of the day. Music lovers, in general, will enjoy discovering new acts, and you may even get lucky enough to catch a show from some of the biggest stars in music. There are venues everywhere, and if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to catch a show at the famous Bluebird Café or at the Ryman Auditorium. 

You’ll also see plenty of people on pedal bikes throughout the city blasting music, and of course, the honky tonks are a popular spot to hang out and have a good time. 

the people

Finally, even though it’s a stereotype that Southerners are nice and have a certain charm about them, after visiting Nashville, I’ve come to realize that’s definitely true. The people you interact with are so kind and very helpful if you’re trying to find your way around or want suggestions on what to do. Even security guards at events have been super friendly to me! When visiting the Parthenon, a security guard talked to me and my family about the cool parts of the exhibits and what other spots we should check out during our trip.

Overall, there are so many popular and hidden parts of Nashville. It’s truly such a unique place to visit, even if it’s just for a weekend getaway. Even though it’s considered the birthplace of country music, you don’t have to be a huge fan in order to have a great time. It’s become one of my favorite cities, and I know I’m not alone in that feeling. 

Caitlin Eichhorn

Illinois State '23

Caitlin is a senior at Illinois State University studying Public Relations and Spanish. She is a member of Theta Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma and loves being a writer for Her Campus. When she's not studying or writing her novel, she is watching 80s films or hockey highlights.