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TENNESSEE
The
Basics
Tennessee is a landlocked state in the U.S. South. Its capital, centrally located Nashville, is the heart of the country-music scene, with the long-running Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and a legendary stretch of honky-tonks and dance halls. Memphis, in the far southwest, is the home of Elvis Presley’s Graceland, rock-and-roll pioneering Sun Studio and the blues clubs of Beale Street.
Source: Google
What
Drew Me
Initially, country music. Being from NYC, we don't get a lot of that. I still remember when we got our first FM country radio station. The station constantly picked up static because it was on one of the worst frequencies, not that it mattered, though. The majority of the city didn't know it existed in the first place.
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Country isn't all they have to offer, though. What keeps me drawn to Tennessee is the true Southern hospitality, the food, and the simplicity and freedom of it all. People just seem happy down there. It's infectious. Coming from a place like New York, I'll take as much happiness and kindness as I can find. Plus, the accents aren't half bad.
Do I Recommend Visiting?
I've only been to Nashville thus far, so my current recommendation is solely based on Nashville.​
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It's a loud, resounding yes from me! (I actually would love to live in Tennessee someday, but I don't think Jarren's gonna go for that lol). Nashville truly is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. When I think of Nash, my soul lights up. The people are kind, the food is great, the atmosphere is vibrant. If you're a country music junkie like me, there is no better place to be than Nashville, TN.
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If you are looking for an authentic country experience, you will not find it in Nash. The city is mainly catered toward tourists. If you'd like a similar but truly authentic Tennessee experience, I recommend heading over to Chattanooga or Knoxville. If you don't like country music or drinking, Nashville may not be the spot for you. However, outside of Music City, Tennessee boasts the Blue Ridge Mountains, historic Memphis, and quaint towns such as Gaitlinburg and Bristol. There truly is something for everyone in TN, I just haven't found it all yet.
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For a more informed decision, feel free to peruse my visit entries below for more insight on my experience!
Visit Entries
Visit #1
Nashville
April 1-3, 2021
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Visit #2: My Bachelorette Party
Nashville
January 14-16, 2023