Nashville is experiencing a tourism boom, with British visitors flocking to the Tennessee capital in record numbers. In 2025, the airport recorded 143,440 UK passengers, an 11% year-on-year increase, according to the Nashville Tourism Board. British Airways, which operates the only direct flight from London, has even deployed larger A350 planes to meet demand.
But is Nashville for everyone? The city's famous Broadway strip, known as the Honkytonk Highway, is a sensory overload of loud music, bachelorette parties, and free-flowing drinks. It's unhinged, a little terrifying, and great, great fun, according to our lifestyle editor who took the nine-hour trip to experience it firsthand.
The Broadway Experience: Not for the Faint-Hearted
Broadway is Nashville's answer to Dublin's Temple Bar or Las Vegas's Strip. You'll find historic venues like the Ryman Auditorium, A-list owned clubs, and the bars that give the street its name. Music thumps so loudly you can feel it in your chest, and crossing guards work overtime to keep visitors safe from traffic.
Bachelorette parties spill out of bars in cowboy hats and boots, with t-shirts reading 'COWBOY PILLOWS'. One woman was even spotted mistaking free water for vodka, shrieking 'Is this free vodka!?' before downing it. It's chaotic but infectious.
For a less intense experience, visit midweek or during the day, when bars open from mid-morning. But be warned: it's not for the weak.
Top Honky-Tonks: Where to Drink and Dance
Our editor's favorite honky-tonk was Layla's, a female-owned bar on Lower Broadway with vintage license plates covering the ceiling. It felt less touristy than other spots. For celebrity-owned venues, Luke's 32 Bridge from singer Luke Bryan offers a friendly crowd and great music.
For line-dancing, Category 10, Luke Combs' four-floor mega bar, has instructors teaching routines on the dance floor. The more whiskey you have, the better you get, jokes one local.
Beyond Broadway: Music City's Cultural Heart
Nashville's soul lies in the historic Music Row district, where recording studios like RCA Studio B have hosted Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift. Though no longer a working studio, RCA offers tours through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
For undiscovered talent, the Listening Room Cafe hosts The Song Suffragettes on Mondays, an all-female acoustic showcase. Alumni include Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson. Our editor urges readers to check out Zoe Jean Fowler and Molly Lovett on Spotify.
The Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest-running live radio broadcast, has hosted artists since 1925. It's considered a great honor to perform on its famous 'Circle of Wood' stage. Niall Horan played during our editor's visit, and Carrie Underwood was slated for August. But beware: a spirit and mixer at the Opry costs around £26.
Neighborhoods to Explore: Beyond the Tourist Trail
The Gulch is a trendy neighborhood with great breakfast at Milk & Honey (queue out the door, no reservations) and Southern-style brunch like bacon and avo on biscuits. 12South offers buzzy shopping and street art, with Butter Milk Ranch being a popular brunch spot. Germantown is where locals go for dinner at Pelato (try the Radiatori alla Vodka) and late-night drinks at Mother's Ruin.
For a quieter stay, Sylvan Park is a leafy residential area home to top restaurants like Lion's Share and Tantisimo. East Nashville's Kisser has earned a Michelin mention; the creamy bacon udon and tomato sandwich are must-orders.
Foodie Highlights: Hot Chicken and Goo Goo Clusters
Nashville is famous for its hot chicken, with Hattie B's being the place to try it. The dish supposedly originated when a wife discovered her husband's affair and whipped up a spicy chicken using every spice in her kitchen. It turned out delicious and became a local staple.
Don't miss the Goo Goo Cluster, 'America's first combination candy bar,' created in 1912 with milk chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and marshmallow nougat. Elliston Place Soda Shop, Nashville's longest-running restaurant since 1939, serves retro malted milkshakes and Southern comfort dishes.
Our Honest Verdict: Who Should Visit Nashville
Nashville is overwhelming at times, but that comes with the territory of a rich musical history locals are proud of. If you expect a relaxing time listening to country crooners in quiet bars, you'll be disappointed. But if you want to embrace the chaos, saddle up, cowboy.
For those who prefer a slower pace, neighborhoods like Sylvan Park and Germantown offer a more tranquil experience. The city has something for everyone, from music lovers to foodies, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
Getting There and Where to Stay
British Airways operates direct flights from London Heathrow to Nashville five times a week, with return fares in October starting from £726 per person. The Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Midtown offers a polished stay with a rooftop pool, starting at $209 per night. The Sylvan Park Boarding House, a boutique hotel on a quiet street, starts at $255 and offers a more local feel.
