This article is part of 52Cities, a column where we share editor-curated and community-loved recommendations for visiting our favorite places.
Nashville has it all: live music, great food, and an easy way of life that’s delightful to dip into for a weekend (or longer). While many tourists come here for the tunes and honky-tonks that make up so much of the local economy, the so-called Music City has also become a destination for incredible food over the last decade. While you could easily spend a week here eating nothing but hot chicken and barbecue, you can also find innovative, local-leaning restaurants, world-class bakeries, and thrilling cocktail bars. Balance all of that with thoughtfully curated home goods shops and a bookstore run by an award-winning novelist, and you have one of the country’s most exciting travel destinations, whether you’re bringing your family or heading out for a solo trip.