Nashville Honeymoons

If you don’t know much about a Nashville honeymoon, you’ll be singing its praises with a Southern drawl soon enough. Nashville, the capital of the state of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University is renowned for its hospitality and music scene. Many travelers flock here to visit the impressive and legendary country music venues, including the Grand Ole Opry House, which is home of the famous ‘Grand Ole Opry’ stage and radio show. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and historic Ryman Auditorium are Downtown, as is the District, featuring honky-tonks with live music and the Johnny Cash Museum, celebrating the singer's life.

For laid-back couples, a Nashville honeymoon means plenty of live jams and deep-fried grub, paired nicely with local craft beer.

How Long to Stay in Nashville

Perfect for the couple without ample vacation time, you can get away with a three to five-day honeymoon in Nashville (or even a shorter mini-moon, if you'd like). Thanks to an international airport that services most domestic hubs across the country, if you book flights in advance, you’ll find reasonable prices. Similar to other larger cities, you can tailor the experience to the time you have, which means it’s up to you if you want to spend your days inside a museum or out exploring the streets of downtown. We recommend at least a Thursday through a Monday to get the most out of your #justmarried vacay.

What to Do on Your Nashville Honeymoon

Nashville isn’t just about boot scootin’ down Music Row (It’s still a great option, though!). Get the quintessential Music City experience by checking out a show at the Grand Ole Opry or putting your tourist hat on at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Especially if you and your partner are history buffs, these landmarks will mesmerize you with the humble beginnings of this influential genre of music. Once you get your country jams fix, take the road less traveled by visiting Cheekwood Estates & Gardens. In addition to the breathtaking Georgian mansion, the massive 1930s estate offers 55 acres of gardens and greenery, which makes it ideal for taking a walk, having a picnic — or snapping your first few pictures as newlyweds after your whirlwind wedding.

You still have time to explore, and luckily, there are many ways to pack your Nashville honeymoon itinerary. Keep the romance — and the music — coming: Spend a night at the Nashville Symphony to get a sampling of the most memorable songs in history. Or if you’re looking to take a break from the city scene, take a thirty-minute drive to Arrington Vineyards where you can wine and dine as much as you please. (Or better yet, splurge on an Uber or car service so you can be tipsy in love!) Fun fact: since everything in Nashville is about the music, the vineyard lets you get the best of both worlds at Music in the Vines every Saturday and Sunday from April to October. Win-win!

Where to Eat on Your Nashville Honeymoon

On your honeymoon, every night is date night. If you have a more traditional palette, Oak Steakhouse will give you a classic steak and wine dinner. But if your heart is really set on a big glass of wine — we relate! — Barcelona Wine Bar is a must visit. Start off with a well-dressed cheese board before using your composing skills (tough, we know) while eating Spanish-inspired tapas — and of course, washing it down with a glass of rich Merlot.

Since dinner and dessert are the ultimate power duo, it’s only fair that you cap off your night with a stop at Tempered. Satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their made-from-scratch treats (Chocolate Covered Joe-Joes are a crowd favorite!) and a chocolate drinks. (Don’t worry, you can get a boozy version, too.)

If you really wanted to hop abroad to Europe for your honeymoon but your finances didn’t allow, you can pretend you’re across the Atlantic by having dinner in Germantown. As the name suggests, you can have authentic fare here, including bratwurst and sausages, as well as sauerkraut and of course, all the beer you can handle. For a specific hot spot to hit up, consider Butchertown Hall, which is famous with local Nashvillians.

Where to Stay on Your Nashville Honeymoon

Of all the parts of your Nasvhille honeymoon that’s fun to book, where you lay your newlywed heads is a super-fun one. When it comes to booking a place to stay in Nashville, there’s two different ways you can go: a subdued, romantic getaway or a modern hotel in the heart of the city. The Hermitage Hotel, one of the city’s most famous and historic spots, is by far the most romantic pick. The charm that Johnny Cash and John F. Kennedy once loved is still intact today with 122 lavish rooms, a top-of-the-line spa, and a Four-Diamond restaurant and bar. If you’re looking for something equally as romantic but more intimate, consider staying in one of the six guest rooms at The Inn at Fontanel. It’s basically Southern Living magazine come to life: In addition to the shared great room and adjoining winery and distillery, each room offers a beautiful view of the courtyard, gardens, and Porter’s Pond.

For something with a little more character (that’s polite for “quirky and eccentric”), book a stay at Hotel Preston, a boutique hotel in the downtown area. Described as “a delightfully uncommon Nashville hotel,” this trendy spot lets you rent a guitar for the day to live out our country music dreams or let loose with their massive collection of board games. Plus, if you swing by The Pink Slip, the hotel’s bar, you can jam out to Music City’s top local artists every. single. night.

Article by Lindsay Tigar