This is Part 2 of sharing our honeymoon road trip to Tennessee. Please find Part 1 HERE.
Nashville, TN
We stayed at a cute little AirBnB in Nashville. After we dropped our bags off at the cottage, we headed to Opry Mills where we hoped to find somewhere to eat. This giant mall rests beside the Grand Ole Opry which we had tickets to attend that evening. So we ate dinner inside the mall, wandered a bit, and then headed over to the Opry with our tickets in-hand.
Come to find out, we had the wrong night! Our tickets were for the next evening. After shrugging our shoulders, we decided to instead head to the famous Honky Tonk Highway in Downtown Nashville. For those who don’t know, a honky tonk is an establishment that contains at least one stage, cold beverages, and a never-ending party. Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway offers live music from 10am to 3am every. single. day. And the music is free! Either go into the one of many bars and enjoy a single band, or stand on the streets and listen to the musicians’ chords crashing into one another from the open windows. It is truly a thing to behold!
G and I meandered through a few of the bars: Rippy’s Smokin’ Bar and Grill, Bootleggers Inn, and Tin Roof Broadway. We were blown away by the talent of all the bands we watched throughout the night, and had a blast sipping cheap beers while swaying to the music. As the night progressed, the crowds around us become rowdier and rowdier though, and we realized our age. (Yikes…) So we called an Uber and called it a night.
Our second day in Nashville was much more laid back. We visited The Parthenon in Centennial Park, and stopped by Fork’s Drum Closet to the pure joy of my husband. Then, finally, that evening we attended the Grand Ole Opry.
Now, nothing quite says “Nashville” like a night at the Grand Ole Opry. What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today an entertainment phenomenon showcasing a mix of country music greats– new stars, superstars, and legends. The tickets are ridiculously inexpensive and guests are promised at least 10 musicians and/or bands each performance. G and I were lucky enough to see John Conlee, Mark Wills, Mike Snider, Jeannie Seely, Tenille Townes, The Steel Woods, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Chonda Pierce, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, and Collin Raye. I’m a huge country music fan, and though I didn’t know the majority of these artists, the energy and history of the Opry can be felt deep into your bones.
G and I both expressed a wish to have stayed in Gatlinburg a few days longer, but attending the Opry made our trip to Nashville worth it.
All in all, our honeymoon was the thing dreams are made of. I could not have imagined a better vacation with my favorite person, nor would I change a single aspect of the trip. We were able to explore a new area, experience new adventures, and spend quality time alone. And the best part, every memory was made together.
This is something I will treasure in my memories forever.
Until our next adventure…
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