Road Trip: Nashville, A Pitch-Perfect Escape

The Music City exudes an irresistible down-home charm, which has been amplified thanks to the hit TV show Nashville. But you don’t have to love country music to fall in love with this town—its appeal is far from one-dimensional.

Miles from Palm Beach: 845

Where to sleep: The exclusive Hermitage Hotel is steeped in Nashville traditions. First opened in 1910, this luxury property is the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond hotel in Tennessee, conveniently located in the heart of the bustling downtown. You don’t even have to leave the hotel to enjoy fine dining at Capitol Grille, which focuses on fresh, local ingredients. The Hermitage grows its own vegetables and sources beef from its own Double H Farms.

Top attractions: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum takes visitors on a captivating journey across two floors of memorabilia, over-the-top costumes, videos, and more. Just steps away, the Ryman Auditorium is a historic landmark and the former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Bring the history full circle with a visit to the current Grand Ole Opry, which will not disappoint. The Bluebird Café has exploded in popularity because of the TV show Nashville and is also worth a visit, but you must book in advance.

Beyond music: Don’t miss a tour of the Belle Meade Plantation, which was a working plantation in the nineteenth century. And just minutes away, visit Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art. The 30,000-square-foot Georgian mansion was once the home of the Cheek family, who made their fortune on Maxwell House coffee, and sits on 55 acres of stunning botanical gardens.

Where to shop: Go on a shopping excursion in the 12South neighborhood, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Nashville. The Label, owned by country music artist Gary Allan, is known for its custom-designed jackets. Imogene + Willie creates custom-tailored jeans in its eclectic locale, retrofitted from an old gas station. Holly Williams, granddaughter of country music legend Hank Williams, puts a spin on the old-time general store with White’s Mercantile, which offers a brilliant curation of niche products. All three are located within a six-block stroll.

For foodies: Take a short walk from the Hermitage Hotel and gear up for a day of sightseeing with a hearty breakfast at The Southern. Try the T for Texas dish, which includes melt-in-your-mouth brisket, eggs, jalapeño-cheddar grits, and deliciously flaky biscuits. Adele’s, in the Gulch area of Nashville, is a blend of French cuisine with California influences from celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman of New York’s Barbuto restaurant. Rolf and Daughters in the Germantown neighborhood, with its 18-foot ceilings and exposed brick surroundings, delivers modern and sophisticated cuisine by chef Philip Krajeck. Since opening in 2012, the restaurant has received accolades for Best New Restaurant from Esquire and Bon Appétit magazines.