66 Hours in Nashville - Direct From RI International Airport

Thursday Afternoon

Door-to-door, GoLocal left Providence at 3 PM, parked, checked in, and was at the gate at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Aiport at 4 PM.

Upon arrival in Nashville, GoLocal headed straight to the 21c Museum Hotel, which bills itself as a “boutique hotel, contemporary art museum & restaurant combined for an award-winning experience.”

After checking into our room, it was a late dinner at the hotel restaurant Gray & Dudley, replete with southern cuisine (think pork belly and catfish) and cocktails — and then it was time to hit the town.

Photo: Allegiant Air 

Thursday Night

Right around the corner from the 21c is Printers Alley — and a rocking and rolling music scene set in a historic district. 

Nashville Downtown writes: 

"Traditionally the center of Nashville’s nightlife, Printers Alley was, in its earlier days, a series of posts where men bound for the courthouse hitched their horses. By the turn of the twentieth century it had become the center of Nashville’s printing industry; in its heyday, circa 1915, thirteen publishers and ten printers were located in the area serviced by the alley. Nashville’s two largest newspapers, 

The Tennessean and the Nashville Banner, had their offices here at one time. The street contained hotels, restaurants, and saloons, many of the latter becoming speakeasies when Prohibition went into effect in 1909. Nightclubs opened here in the 1940s, and the alley became a showcase for the talents of performers such as Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, The Supremes, Hank Williams, Barbara Mandrell, and Jimi Hendrix. Today’s nightclubs are the descendants of the saloons, speakeasies, and clubs which developed into the entertainment district still known as Printers Alley."

PHOTO: Printers Alley/GoLocal

Thursday Night

By 10 PM, the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Printers Alley was rocking.

Friday Morning

After breakfast at the hotel — and a little bit of work (it was Friday, after all), GoLocal made the ten-minute walk to Broadway to start the day in earnest. 

First stop?  The National Museum of African American Music. 

NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. 

The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.

Upcoming events at the museum include a Black Music Summit, the NMAAM Community Day, a Juneteenth Block Party, and more.

Learn more here. 

Friday Afternoon

At this point, it was time to eat - and just a block away from the museum is Jack’s BBQ.

According to the legendary eatery: 

"Right out of high school Jack began working his way up the ladder into management within the Country Club scene in Nashville. First at Richland, then Hillwood and then onto Nashville City Club as GM, then striking out on his own to start Cawthon’s Caterer, Inc. in 1976. 

He quickly became one of Nashville’s favorite Society Caterers, often greeting guests in his tuxedo while serving up beluga caviar or to carve the rare beef tenderloin with béarnaise sauce."

Read more about Jack here. 

Bonus points for Jack’s attention to gluten-free diners!

Friday Afternoon

After GoLocal fueled up on a belly-full of bbq (and some corn, green beans, and coleslaw for good measure), it was time to catch some more live music. 

First stop -- the Whiskey Bent Saloon. 

Friday Night

After a short nap (probably a necessity in Nashville), GoLocal was hungry and ready for dinner — and The Standard at the Smith House was spectacular. 

“The Smith House is the only grand townhouse remaining in downtown Nashville. Built in the late 1840's, it is a magnificent example of ante-bellum Italianate architecture,” states the restaurant on its website — and upon arrival, confirmed the walls are, in fact, the original horsehair plaster. 

After a classic dinner of Caesar salad, sea bass, and rib-eye — and top-notch service — GoLocal was ready to hit the town again. 

Photo: The Smith/Facebook

Friday Night

Tucked away on Church Street behind innocuous signage, Lonnie’s Western Room bills itself as a pizza parlor -- and Nashville's "#1 karaoke bar." 

A man on a stool outside assured GoLocal the $5 cover charge was well worth the price, and that certainly provided true. Granted, it was on the “earlier” side (think 10 PM), but the crowd was lively and diverse, as was the talent.

GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle may — or may not — have sung “Redneck Woman” and made friends with a gal who did a rollicking “9-to-5” by Dolly Parton, but only one person has that video, and it’s never being released. 

Saturday Morning

After a big Friday night, and a late start to the morning, GoLocal meandered over to 417 Union.

Prime rib hash, a farmer's omelet, and an award-winning bacon Bloody Mary got the Saturday morning off in style.

It was time for GoLocal to start the day. 

Photo: GoLocal

Saturday Afternoon

Where didn’t GoLocal go Saturday afternoon? 

Nashville Crossroads. Nudie’s Honky Tonk, and The Wild Beaver Saloon (which had a mechanical bull, but unlike karaoke, Miss Kate did not partake) were all on the tour. 

The music at Crossroads was particularly spectacular. 

Photo: GoLocal

Saturday Night

GoLocal was running on fumes at this point, but it’s Nashville, so we powered on.

And speaking of running, GoLocal was lucky enough to have scored a table at the Black Rabbit for an early dinner — and a prime viewing location for the Kentucky Derby. 

The food and drink were fantastic — GoLocal CEO Josh Fenton highly recommends the slow-cooked chicken, while Kate had both the Brussels sprouts and risotto. 

Photo: Black Rabbit Facebook

Sunday Morning

It was back to 417 Union for an early morning breakfast fare to fuel our trip back home. 

GoLocal decided to walk it off after, and take one last tour around Printers Alley and Broadway before saying goodbye to Nashville. 

Photo: One of the many signs posted around Nashville sharing the city's history.