Often called Music city, Nashville never ceases to amaze its visitors from near or afar. With 288 miles from Indianapolis, it is a nice, funky destination that can be reached within 5 hours by car. Some of the must-see attractions include music row, and Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Capitol Building, and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, and the famous AT&T building.

Finding a good hotel in Nashville that is close to all the prominent sights is challenging. Although most of them are in the city, they are quite far apart and difficult to reach by foot. You could either choose to be close to the Grand Ole Opry or close to downtown and the Honky Tonk Highway.

The city is like most American metropolises characterized by a breathtaking skyline. The largest and most photographed buildings are the AT&T, Bridgestone, and Pinnacle towers. With their large glass facades, they present an impressive view and provide a little bit of shade during hot summer days. Most importantly for music city however, are the many little bars down Fifth and Broadway. They offer live music every day, often till 3am.

Of course, Nashville also doesn’t come short in more family friendly activities. For all music lovers, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum ($25), and the Country Music Hall of Fame ($28) are a special treat, although a bit pricy.

For those who want to experience Nashville on a budget, the gallery of iconic guitars (The Gig) at Belmont ($5), the Music City Walk of Fame (Free), and the Tennessee State Museum (Free) are great opportunities. Printers Alley, mostly recognised for its vibrant night life, was during the 1800s the center of a sedulous newspaper industry and a must see. Like the Nashville Murals, it holds many hidden graffiti gems.

Not only has the city brought forward many famous artists like Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash, but it is also the home of Gibson Guitars. At the Gibson Garage, guitar enthusiasts can book a ticket to see how they are made and purchase a freshly made one to take home as a souvenir.

Additionally, the special architecture of many of the buildings in the city are worth a visit themselves. It seems the architect’s imagination and creativity were set no limits at all. For example, the Country Music Hall of Fame looks like the black and white keys of a piano.

The Tennessee State Capitol and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park offer a more relaxing and educational approach to experiencing the state of Tennessee and its capitol. Most memorable here are various memorials and the tomb of former president James Knox Polk (11th president of the United States, 1845-1849).

Nashville is not only home to country music, but also famous for its hot and spicy fried chicken. A good destination is always the Assembly Food Hall. No matter if it’s fried chicken that one may crave, or anything else. A personal favourite is “Prince’s Hot Chicken”. One thing to remember though, when thy say hot, they mean hot.

Larger food and restaurant chains like Mc Donald’s or Applebee’s are not located downtown near Honky Tonk Highway, which limits one’s options.

If the price tag doesn’t play a big role in making the choice, eating at one of the many rooftop bars is an awesome option. From there you can enjoy the starry night and fantastic live music.