For generations, Nashville has been a mecca for country music singers and songwriters, talented musicians, and loyal fans who arrive from far and wide to feel the excitement of Music City. In recent years, Nashville has evolved from this original nickname to one more encompassing-- “The It City of the South.”
What does this new title mean? For residents and visitors alike, Nashville has become a bustling, innovative metropolitan area where people and businesses flock, eager to become part of this booming and diverse city. From the famous bars in Nashville’s Lower Broad cranking out live country music to traditional Southern cooking to a thriving arts scene, Nashville is no longer a well-kept secret. It is truly the “It City” of the South. Let’s look at the reasons why Nashville has it all!
The Downtown Music Scene
Nashville has always been synonymous with being the birthplace of country music. Its rich and lengthy history is as evident in the downtown Nashville bars to exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame. While country music will always be the mainstay of the recording and performance industry here, there are numerous other musical genres to enjoy, including rock, blues, jazz, and Americana. And if you are lucky, visitors who check out the best bars in Nashville for live music may even get the opportunity to spot a music legend or the next big star.
Music Festivals
The love for live music performances extends beyond the club scene. Nashville and the surrounding areas host several large-scale music events, including the CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, featuring numerous artists across several genres, and the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival that includes a diverse lineup of musicians and bands. All attract thousands of visitors to Nashville throughout the year.
The Food Scene
Nashville is famous for its traditional yet unique cuisine, including hot chicken, barbeque, and Southern style with all the fixins'. The city also boasts a diverse range of high-end dining and is home to several James Beard Award-winning chefs. From the ubiquitous meat-and-threes to food trucks to trendy bistros, Nashville has a growing food scene that rivals any major city.
Arts and Culture
Nashville's ever-evolving arts and culture scene runs the gamut from a world-class art museum to numerous galleries and theaters. Residents are huge supporters of the arts and culture scene and happily welcome visitors to experience the Frist Art Museum, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Center, the Tennessee State Museum, the National Museum of African American Music, the Parthenon, and Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum.
Professional and College Sports Teams
Nashville embraced professional sports by first supporting the minor league baseball team, the Nashville Sounds. Then the city became home to the NFL Tennessee Titans football team, the NHL Nashville Predators hockey team, and the Nashville Soccer Club. College sports also have numerous fans attending football, basketball, and baseball games at Vanderbilt University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Belmont University. Nashville also hosts two major sporting events—the Country Music Marathon in the spring and the Music City Bowl at the end of the college football season.
Outdoor Activities
Nashville residents and visitors are active and on the move. The city and surrounding area have many outdoor activities and sports opportunities, including walking, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, kayaking, and golf. The city is home to several local and state parks, including Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, Radnor Lake State Park, and several city parks and greenways.
Tourism
Tourism is why Nashville is the "It City," as it began decades ago as the center of country music but expanded exponentially to include attractions that are too numerous to list and do them justice. While taking enormous pride in live country music, Nashville tourists descend on famous venues and attractions like the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Johnny Cash Museum. In addition to the popular music haunts, Nashville tourism thrives because of local historical spots like The Hermitage and Carnton Plantation.
Business Hub
The "It City" is also a thriving business hub with a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, hospitality, technology, and finance. Several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Nashville, including healthcare giant HCA and Bridgestone Americas. The current unemployment rate is less than 3%, making Nashville highly attractive for jobseekers and those relocating to the area.
Growth
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. This is quite evident for those familiar with the changing skyline during the last two decades. The city offers the rapidly expanding population and economy which produces many opportunities for growth and success. Nashville is now well-known for this attractive combination to people and businesses.
Southern Hospitality
Nashville is loved for its friendly and welcoming residents who embrace the city’s charm and hospitality. They extend this warm and friendly atmosphere to the people who visit Nashville every year. Nashvillians know the best bars in Nashville for live music, the hottest hot chicken, and the most likely places to spot a country music star- you just have to ask them!
The "It City of the South" has about anything a local or visitor wants, from famous Nashville bars and honkytonks to world-class dining. For your next evening out or future vacation, spend some time in Nashville, and it will become your "It City."
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