Nashville, famously known as "Music City," is where the soul of country music was born and where its influence continues to thrive. With iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and intimate spots like the Bluebird Café, the city's musical heritage is woven into every corner. Beyond the music, Nashville boasts a burgeoning food scene that honors Southern roots while embracing innovation. Exploring this city for the first time was an unforgettable experience, made even more rewarding with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card. The card can allow cardholders to enjoy the vibrant culture while earning points.

From live music to hot chicken, here’s a rundown of the sites, restaurants, and must-see spots I visited during my trip.

My journey began at the Union Station Nashville Yards, a building steeped in rich history and architectural grandeur. Originally opened in 1900, this iconic structure served as a bustling railroad terminal during Nashville’s Gilded Age, connecting the city to the rest of the country. Its Gothic-style architecture, designed by architect Richard Montfort, makes it one of the most striking landmarks in the city. The building features grand Romanesque arches, intricate stone carvings, and a 200-foot clock tower that still stands tall today.

Inside, the hotel preserves many of the station’s historic elements, including the original stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and the grand staircase. Walking through the lobby feels like stepping back in time, with the restored beauty of a bygone era blending seamlessly with modern luxury. The main lobby, once filled with passengers awaiting trains, now hosts guests relaxing and admiring the hotel’s stunning interior details, including the massive crystal chandelier and marble flooring.

Staying at Union Station not only provides a unique glimpse into Nashville's past but also places you right in the heart of the city, with easy access to the vibrant downtown area. The hotel’s transformation from a train station into a boutique luxury hotel reflects the evolving nature of Nashville itself—where history and modernity coexist in harmony. And with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, you can earn 6X points on your stay, making the experience even more rewarding.

After dinner, I took a walk down Broadway, one of Nashville’s most famous streets, known for its live music, neon lights, and endless entertainment options. While today it's a bustling hub of honky-tonks and bars, Broadway’s history is deeply intertwined with the city’s musical and cultural evolution.

Broadway dates back to the late 19th century when it served as a central thoroughfare in Nashville. Initially, it was a key commercial district, home to stores, businesses, and hotels catering to visitors arriving at Union Station by train. By the early 20th century, however, as Nashville began to emerge as a music capital, the street evolved into a breeding ground for the city’s growing music scene. Venues started opening along the strip, with performers bringing country, blues, and bluegrass music to life.

Broadway’s identity as the epicenter of Nashville’s live music culture took root in the 1960s and 70s, when it became known for its honky-tonks—informal bars that featured country music, often with no cover charge, allowing patrons to drift in and out of venues freely. These honky-tonks became a stepping stone for countless musicians, many of whom eventually became country music legends.

Even as Nashville grew and modernized, Broadway held onto its reputation as a haven for live music. Today, the street is lined with neon-lit signs marking famous honky-tonks like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World, and Honky Tonk Central. These venues are part of the Broadway tradition, offering visitors a chance to hear live music from emerging artists and seasoned musicians alike. The tradition of open doors and continuous music lives on, with performances running from morning to the early hours of the night.

No trip to Nashville would be complete without sampling the city’s most famous dish: hot chicken. For my lunch stop, I chose the legendary Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, the birthplace of this fiery culinary tradition. The story of Prince’s Hot Chicken goes back nearly a century, and it’s as much a part of Nashville’s history as the music itself.

The restaurant’s origins date back to the 1930s, when Thornton Prince, a handsome and notorious ladies' man, came home late one night after spending time with another woman. His scorned girlfriend, hoping to teach him a lesson, decided to make him a particularly spicy fried chicken meal the next day. However, instead of being deterred by the heat, Prince loved the dish so much that he started experimenting with the recipe, eventually perfecting it and opening his own chicken shack.

Prince’s became a staple of Nashville’s culinary scene, and over the decades, the restaurant has grown into an iconic institution. The unique blend of spices and the cooking process—where chicken is marinated, fried, and then coated in a peppery paste—has made it a must-try for locals and visitors alike. What started as a humble family-run business has now expanded, with Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack becoming a centerpiece of Nashville’s food culture.

After enjoying my meal at Prince’s, I took a short walk over to the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), a gem in the heart of downtown Nashville. Opened in 2021, the museum is the first and only one dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich contributions of African Americans to the music world, across all genres. From gospel and blues to jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and beyond, this museum provides an immersive journey into the profound impact African American artists have had on shaping the soundscape of America—and the world.

Located on Fifth Avenue, this state-of-the-art museum highlights more than 50 genres and subgenres, tracing their roots back to African musical traditions and the ways in which these sounds influenced American music. Each exhibit is interactive, allowing visitors to dive deep into the history of the music, the pioneers behind it, and the cultural movements that gave birth to it.

The museum’s standout exhibits include "Rivers of Rhythm," which connects historical events to the evolution of music, and "One Nation Under a Groove," which takes visitors through the civil rights era, exploring the intersection of music and social justice. The museum also features a range of artifacts, including instruments, original song lyrics, and stage costumes from iconic performers.

Visiting the National Museum of African American Music was a highlight of my trip, offering not only a celebration of musical artistry but also a profound reminder of the historical struggles and triumphs embedded in African American culture. Plot twist, if you use your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, you can earn 2X points on eligible purchases at this remarkable museum.

For dinner, I visited Etch, a modern, upscale restaurant that has earned a reputation as one of Nashville's top culinary destinations. Located in the heart of downtown, Etch is the brainchild of renowned chef Deb Paquette, one of Nashville’s first female chefs to break into the fine dining scene.

Etch opened in 2012 and has since become known for its innovative, globally-inspired menu that blends Southern flavors with international influences. Paquette’s philosophy of culinary creativity shines through in dishes like roasted cauliflower with truffled pea pesto and unique seafood offerings such as sea bass with coconut jasmine rice. Etch’s menu changes seasonally, highlighting fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and the open kitchen allows guests to watch as these culinary masterpieces come to life.

The restaurant's sleek, contemporary interior adds to the overall experience, making it a perfect spot for an upscale meal after a day of exploring.

No trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to the iconic Bluebird Café, a legendary venue that has been a launching pad for countless songwriters and musicians. Opened in 1982, the Bluebird Café is an intimate 90-seat venue located in a modest strip mall, yet it holds an outsized influence in the country and Americana music scenes.

What makes the Bluebird Café unique is its focus on songwriters rather than performers. The venue hosts a famous "in the round" format, where songwriters sit in a circle, sharing the stories behind their songs and performing acoustically. Many of these songs have gone on to become hits recorded by major artists, but it’s here at the Bluebird where their journey often begins.

The Bluebird has long been a rite of passage for aspiring songwriters, and it was here that legends like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were first discovered. Despite its small size, the café has earned a reputation as one of the most important venues in the country, and its intimate setting allows for an unforgettable, personal connection with the music.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is one of Nashville’s most iconic attractions. Established in 1961, the museum is dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of country music and is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of country music.”

The museum's striking, modern building reflects elements of Southern culture, with the main structure resembling piano keys and the round rotunda representing the timeless nature of music. Inside, the museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia, including stage costumes, instruments, and rare recordings from country music legends like Charlie Pride, Darius Rucker, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn.

Visitors can explore exhibits that cover the evolution of country music, from its Appalachian roots to its status as a mainstream genre. The museum also features rotating exhibits that highlight contemporary artists and their contributions to country music's ever-expanding legacy.

The highlight of my Nashville visit came with an unforgettable VIP experience at the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running live radio show and a cornerstone of country music. Founded in 1925, the Opry began as a humble radio broadcast and has grown into a national institution, showcasing country music’s most legendary performers while also introducing new talent.

The Opry is housed in a purpose-built auditorium on the edge of Nashville, where it moved in 1974 after outgrowing its previous home at the Ryman Auditorium downtown. The Opry’s influence on country music cannot be overstated—it’s the stage where the biggest names in the genre have performed, and becoming an Opry member is considered one of the highest honors a country artist can achieve.

My VIP experience included a backstage tour, where I walked through dressing rooms that have hosted legends like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash. I even had the chance to stand on the famous circle of wood on the Opry stage, a piece of the original Ryman Auditorium stage that was moved to the new venue to honor the tradition and history of the Opry.

After the tour, I settled in for a live show that featured performances from Opry legends and rising stars alike.

Nashville is a city that beautifully balances its rich history with modern culture. From the birthplace of hot chicken to the sacred halls of the Grand Ole Opry, every stop on this trip offered a unique glimpse into what makes this city so special. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a foodie, or a traveler seeking history, Nashville has something to offer everyone, and I’m already planning my next visit!