It has been a few years since I travelled to Nashville and Memphis with my youngest daughter, Madeleine. Music has always been something we share, and for Madeleine it even became her profession. So it didn’t take long to decide where our next city trip in the United States would be. Come with us for a music lover’s road trip to Memphis and Nashville.
Although Nashville and Memphis are about a three-hour drive apart, they each have their own unique character. Nashville is vibrant and full of live music from morning until late at night, while Memphis takes you back to the roots of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. Together they make the perfect destination for anyone who loves music history and authentic Southern hospitality.
In this guide I’ll share how we travelled between the cities, where we stayed, the places that impressed us most, and a few bonus tips to help you make the most of your own musical adventure.
Transportation
By car
This music tour was part of a road trip from South Carolina to Chicago, so we travelled by rental car. Both Memphis and Nashville are located at the intersection of major interstate highways, making them easy to reach from almost anywhere in the eastern and central United States.
The drive between Memphis and Nashville takes about three hours (around 340 km / 210 miles) via Interstate 40. This route I-40 is often referred to as the Music Highway, connecting two of America’s greatest music cities.
By plane
Both cities have their own international airport, making them easy destinations for a weekend getaway.
Nashville: Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Please note: Nashville International Airport is undergoing a major expansion project until the end of 2027. The airport remains fully operational, so you can fly to Nashville as usual.
Memphis: Memphis International Airport
Once you land, you can easily reach downtown by Uber, Lyft, taxi, or public bus.
By bus
Greyhound offers connections to both Memphis and Nashville.
By train
Memphis is served by Amtrak, while Nashville currently does not have an Amtrak station. The former train station is now a hotel.
Where to stay
Both Memphis and Nashville offer accommodation for every budget, from boutique hotels and well-known hotel chains to charming Airbnb apartments. During our trip, we alternated between hotels and Airbnb, which gave us the best of both worlds. If you’re planning a music-filled weekend, I recommend staying close to downtown—near Broadway in Nashville or Beale Street in Memphis—so you can easily walk to many of the live music venues, restaurants, and attractions.
What to Do in Memphis
Explore Downtown Memphis
Coming from Atlanta, Memphis was our first stop on this music-inspired road trip. It immediately felt like we had arrived in one of the birthplaces of American music.
Take some time to wander through downtown Memphis. You’ll come across tributes to music legends everywhere—from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to the famous Gibson guitars. Along the Mississippi River, you can watch the historic riverboats passing by, adding even more Southern charm to the city. What struck me most was how proudly Memphis celebrates its musical heritage; wherever you look, music is part of the streetscape.
Music & Food
On our first evening, we asked our Airbnb host where we could find good food and live music. She smiled and told us that in Memphis, you hardly have to look, many restaurants and bars feature live performances every night, even just outside the downtown area.
We ended up at Lafayette’s Music Room, where we enjoyed great food, excellent live music, and a wonderful atmosphere. One tip: always bring your passport or another valid photo ID. Even though I was in my sixties at the time, I still had to show identification before I could order a glass of wine. They really do check everyone!
Graceland
The next day, it was time for the Elvis experience: Graceland. For me, visiting Elvis Presley’s home was one of the highlights of the trip.
As you walk through the mansion, you’re guided by an iPad tour that shows historic photos and stories about Elvis and his family in each room. It makes the house feel surprisingly personal. I couldn’t help but feel a little melancholic. To me, Elvis wasn’t just an extraordinary performer; he also came across as a warm and generous person. It’s heartbreaking to think that he passed away at only 42 years old after years of prescription drug abuse.
What also impressed me was the dedication of his fans. The memorial garden and the messages left around the estate show that, decades after his death, Elvis continues to inspire people from all over the world.
There are several ticket options available, and I honestly don’t remember which one we chose. We were mainly interested in touring the mansion and visiting the exhibitions, while the collection of cars and airplanes wasn’t a priority for us. One thing I do remember well is the retro-style diner, which perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 1950s and rock ‘n’ roll era.
Leaving Memphis behind, we followed the Music Highway to Nashville. While Memphis is the birthplace of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, Nashville welcomed us with the unmistakable sound of country music and the energy of its famous honky-tonks.
What to Do in Nashville
Honky-Tonks
In Nashville, a honky-tonk is a casual bar or live music venue, many of them located along the famous Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway. Several venues have multiple floors, each with its own live band, and the best part is that you don’t need to buy a ticket to enjoy the music.
Whether it’s noon or midnight, you’ll find people singing, dancing, and simply enjoying the atmosphere. And if you’re in the mood for shopping, Lower Broadway is also the place to find authentic cowboy boots, vintage treasures, and plenty of Western-inspired clothing.
My advice? Don’t settle on the first bar you see. Wander in and out of a few venues, you’ll discover different bands, different styles, and a different atmosphere in each one.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was the perfect introduction to Nashville. Before our visit, I didn’t know much about country music. What surprised me most was how closely connected it is to other musical genres, including folk, rock, jazz, and gospel.
One exhibit that particularly caught my attention was about Bob Dylan. While he’s best known as a folk and rock icon, his decision to record in Nashville helped transform the city’s music scene. By working with the legendary “Nashville Cats” studio musicians, Dylan demonstrated that Nashville was about much more than traditional country music. His influence inspired artists such as The Byrds, Paul McCartney, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young to record in Nashville, helping create what became known as country rock.
There is so much to see in this museum—fascinating stories, memorable exhibits, and beautiful photographs. We easily spent several hours there and thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
After exploring the museum, we joined a guided tour of RCA Studio B.
RCA Studio B
Founded in 1957, RCA Studio B is one of the most famous recording studios in the world. This is where artists such as Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, and thousands of others recorded some of their greatest hits.
Accompanied by the music recorded there, our guide shared wonderful stories about the artists and the studio’s rich history. One of the highlights for us was seeing the famous piano used during countless recording sessions. Madeleine was even allowed to sit behind it. She wasn’t allowed to play, of course, but we were able to take a photo—a special memory for both of us.
The Bluebird Cafe
Before our trip, I had read about the Bluebird Cafe and knew I wanted to visit. Getting tickets felt almost as challenging as buying tickets for a Coldplay concert! Because the venue is so small, only a limited number of people can attend each performance, and only a handful of walk-in tickets are available on the night itself.
Fortunately, I managed to book tickets in advance. When I told Madeleine, she was beyond excited. What I didn’t realize was the Bluebird Cafe’s iconic status. She knew it from the TV series Nashville, where the venue plays an important role.
The evening exceeded all our expectations. Walking past the long line of hopeful visitors waiting outside already made it feel like a special occasion. We had seats close to the center stage, the food was excellent, and every artist performed only original songs—no covers.
On the evening we attended, two songwriting families performed. One of the songs performed was “When You Say Nothing at All,” which became a worldwide hit for Ronan Keating and was featured on the Notting Hill soundtrack.
After the show, we had the opportunity to speak with one of the performers. To our surprise, it was songwriter Paul Overstreet himself, who co-wrote the song with Don Schlitz. Hearing such an iconic song performed by one of its original writers made the evening even more unforgettable.
The next morning, we packed our bags and continued our road trip north to Chicago. Nashville and Memphis had given us unforgettable memories, plenty of music, and a deeper appreciation for the artists and stories that shaped American music. Before you plan your own trip, here are a few bonus tips that may come in handy.
Bonus tips
- Watch Bertolf in Bluegrass. If you’re interested in the Nashville music scene, I highly recommend this Dutch documentary. It follows singer-songwriter Bertolf Lentink as he pursues his dream of recording a bluegrass album with top musicians in Nashville. It’s a wonderful introduction to the city’s rich musical culture.
- Visit the Gibson Garage. Guitar lovers shouldn’t miss the Gibson Garage, the flagship experience located in downtown Nashville. It’s part showroom, part museum, and part live music venue, where you can explore Gibson’s legendary guitars and learn more about one of America’s most iconic brands.
- Taste the local cuisine. No trip to Tennessee is complete without trying some Southern comfort food. Whether it’s spicy Nashville Hot Chicken or slow-smoked Memphis barbecue (sorry, vegetarians 😉), the local food is part of the experience.
Enjoy Your Music Road Trip!
Whether you’re a lifelong country fan, an Elvis admirer, or simply someone who loves discovering the stories behind great music, Memphis and Nashville make a fantastic combination for a long weekend or as part of a larger American road trip.
Have you visited either city, or are they on your travel wish list? I’d love to hear about your favorite music destinations or any tips you would add in the comments below!
