Nashville, Tennessee, is a compulsory stop in a United States trip for music junkies. Here’s what to do in America’s Music City.
Nashville’s main musical attractions are all in the city centre, which is extremely walkable. Start early with a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame on 5th Avenue South: it closes as early as 5PM and it needs plenty to be visited. Tickets to get in are expensive – from $20 – but they’re good value for money. Seeing Elvis Presley’s car as well as many other memorabilia is priceless.
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If you buy the $39.99 platinum package you get access to the museum, an audio guide and a tour of the historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley recorded “Are you lonesome tonight” and most of his hits, together with artists such as Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison. The studio is about half an hour walking from the museum, so the staff takes you there and back with a bus. Totally worth it!
Another must-see attraction in Nashville is the Johnny Cash museum on 3rd Avenue South. The uniform The Man In Black’s service in Germany during World War II, the original lyrics from “Folsom Prison Blues” and the original track list from his “Live At Folsom Prison” are only a few of the marvellous memorabilia you will see there. The museum costs $15.
Forget eating healthy in Nashville: burger joints and diner food are the city’s favourites – and they’re really cheap compared to the other cities I’ve visited. Head down to 12th Avenue South for loads of cute little cafés and have breakfast with waffles and two sides at the Frothy Monkey for just $8. For late-night feasts, go to Paradise Park Food Shack and enjoy burgers and fried chicken for less.
Nashville is the USA’s music city for a reason: during the day, radios all around town, in bars or simply on the pavement, pump up really good country music. During the night, it becomes “Nash-Vegas”. Head down to Broadway and try each bar: it’s free of charge and you’ll be able to hear local artists trying to make their big break. ACME with its beautiful rooftop and The Stage are my favourite picks.
Although a bit touristy, Broadway is an experience you have to have. While Music Row near Studio B and mid-town are where the locals like to go, Printers’ Alley closer to the centre has more characteristic venues.
If you’re up for sightseeing, Nashville has its own Parthenon – a perfect replica of the one in Athens built for 1897’s expo.
Nashville is a spot you can’t miss – whether you like country or not. It’s fun, cheap and warm from Spring to Autumn. Check it out!
Pictures: Carolina Are
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Nashville é il posto perfetto per gli appassionati di musica. Ecco cosa fare a Music City.
Le attrazioni principali di Nashville sono in centro, dove tutto si puó raggiungere camminando. Andate alla Country Music Hall of Fame in apertura: é grande e ci vuole un po’ per visitarla. I biglietti sono cari – da 20 dollari in su – ma vedere cimeli come la Cadillac di Elvis Presley non ha prezzo.
Per 39.99 dollari potrete vedere la Hall of Fame, ricevere un’audioguida e andare al tour dello Studio B di RCA records, dove Elvis ha registrato “Are You Lonesome Tonight” e tante altre delle sue hit insieme a cantanti come Dolly Parton e Roy Orbison. Lo studio é lontano dal museo, quindi lo staff vi ci porterà con un autobus.
Un altro museo da non perdere è quello dedicato a Johnny Cash su 3rd Avenue Sud. Ha cimeli come la sua uniforme durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, i testi e la scaletta originale di “Live at Folsom Prison” insieme a pezzi della casa che condivideva con la moglie June Carter.
Se vi piace la storia, passate per il Partenone di Nashville, replica accuratissima di quello di Atene costruita per una mostra artistica nel 1897.
A Nashville potete scordarvi di mangiar sano: diner e pollo fritto dominano la scelta di ristoranti, e hanno prezzi stracciati. Passate per i carinissimi café di 12th Avenue sud e fate colazione con waffles e due contorni per soli 8 dollari alla Frothy Monkey Coffee House, o andate alla Paradise Park Food Shack di Broadway per pollo fritto e hamburger come snack di mezzanotte.
Mentre gli abitanti di Nashville di solito escono intorno a Midtown, Broadway e Downtown sono le aree piú turistiche che non potete mancare. Di notte, Nashville diventa Nashvegas: bar con entrata gratis ed insegne al neon ospitano concerti di giovani talenti locali, mentre Printers’ Alley offre una serie di pub e bar con musica dal vivo e karaoke.
Nashville è davvero music city: basta passeggiare per strada per sentire musica dal vivo venire dai bar o da radio sul marciapiede. Una cittá indimenticabile!
Foto : Carolina Are
