Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee is the beating heart of Music City, famous for its live honky-tonks, neon-lit bars, and deep country music heritage.
Broadway has anchored downtown Nashville since the mid-1800s, when the street served as a commercial corridor connecting the Cumberland River waterfront to the rest of the city. Over time it became a gathering place for musicians, and by the mid-twentieth century the honky-tonks that define it today had taken root. The strip survived periods of decline and emerged as one of the most visited streets in the American South.
Today, visitors find a continuous run of live-music venues operating from mid-morning until the early hours. Most bars charge no cover, and bands cycle through sets all day. The Ryman Auditorium sits just a block away and offers a more formal concert experience steeped in country music lore. The nearby Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum provides deep historical context for everything you hear on the strip.
Beyond the music, Broadway connects visitors to a walkable downtown packed with restaurants, rooftop bars, and souvenir shops. Guided historical tours of the area weave together the street's commercial past and musical legacy in a way that rewards curious travelers. Broadway remains the essential first stop for anyone arriving in Nashville.
Visit during the afternoon on a weekday to hear live music without the weekend crowds pressing in around you.
Wear comfortable shoes — Broadway is best explored on foot, and the blocks between bars add up quickly.
Step inside Robert's Western World for a taste of old-school honky-tonk atmosphere that has changed little over the decades.
Pick up a pair of boots from one of the western wear shops lining the street before heading out for the night.
Walk one block north to Printers Alley after dark for a quieter but equally storied slice of Nashville nightlife.
Craft a custom cowboy hat and learn line dancing with drinks to kick off your Nashville morning
See Nashville lit up at night with 5 quick hop-off photo stops
Explore Nashville’s landmarks in an open-air vintage-style ride
Cruise Nashville murals in an electric vintage-style cart
Explore Nashville's boutiques and landmarks by vintage-style electric cart