I like to get away in the run up to Christmas – it has become a bit of a tradition in recent years but I don’t really remember why I chose Nashville. It was a bit of a whim and after a week here I’m not entirely sure it was a successful roll of the dice or not.

I’ve had fun for sure – maybe a little too much on a couple of occasions – but also found it hard to settle (and sleep) and at times I’ve felt pretty overwhelmed rather than relaxed. The hotel was nice and comfortable but also not really my vibe and basically there is a limited amount to do outside of the bars. It is basically Vegas switching music for gambling but it has worse shopping…and like Vegas it was probably best experienced in a long weekend – not a long week.

Anyway all that said there were plenty of highlights;

The Santa Rampage, Amy Grant/Vince Gill Christmas concert, the Christmas themed pop up bars (and cocktails) and general festive fun were all amazing and really gave a boost of Christmas cheer.

The Country Music Hall of Fame, Museum of African-American Music, Musicians Hall of Fame and Tennessee State Museum were all really, really great. The Johnny Cash and Frist Art Museums were just okay though and the Ryman tour was pretty minimal though the intro video was fantastic. Given I know so little about Country Music (or Tennessee history) it was all unexpectedly fascinating and I really enjoyed my time at all these institutions – time well spent.

I found Broadway entirely overwhelming on the Saturday evening – and not much easier on Monday afternoon! It is an assault on the senses with the music coming from all corners, the blinking neon, the crowds and the constant honking of horns from the traffic. There is live music everywhere, all the time, and while the quality was consistently impressive it was also a bit exhausting. Printers Alley which runs directly behind my hotel is a mini version of Broadway – for good and bad – but it does have a Brit themed pub which made for a refuge a couple of times!

I never got to East Nashville where most of the street art is apparently – I could not make head nor tails of the buses here – but I did find a lot of art Downtown and in the nearly Gulch neighbourhood.

Oh and I have to say the food was a bit meh. The Hattie B’s Hot Chicken sandwich was great but I had BBQ in a couple of recommended spots and it was disappointing if I’m honest. Nothing was bad but nothing worth raving about – probably the best meal of the week was the fish and chips at that Brit pub!

So that is that. My flight isn’t for seven hours but I’ve tapped out and got a day room at the airport Hilton and am genuinely looking forward to getting home.

Chrimbo is calling.