Hotty Toddy Meets Honky-Tonk in Nashville

Explore Music City, host to two Ole Miss football games this season.

Written by Amy Conry Davis  |  Photos by Joe Worthem

As football season kicks off, it’s the perfect time to reshape the way you travel — by following your favorite team on the road. Instead of seeing an away game as just another date on the schedule, use it as an invitation to explore somewhere different and experience a place you might not have chosen otherwise. Let tailgates and team spirit guide the weekend but make extra time for good meals, local attractions and unhurried strolls at each destination. Ole Miss opens the season with a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Nissan Stadium in Music City — Nashville, Tennessee — a fitting first stop for what could become a new travel tradition.

Just four hours north of Oxford, this makes for an easy road trip for Rebels fans. If you’d rather fly, daily nonstop service connects Tupelo Regional Airport to Nashville International Airport in about an hour.

With nearly 200 hotels to choose from across the city, there are lodging options for every budget and taste. Blocks from Broadway and Printers Alley, Hotel Noelle offers historic charm and fantastic views from its rooftop bar, Rare Bird. Dolly Parton’s stylish hotel, the SongTeller, has its own museum as well as live music venues. Over in the Gulch, the attention to detail at the W Nashville makes for a luxurious stay. When it comes to getting around, rideshares are readily available but don’t overlook the city-wide WeGo public transportation system, bike rentals or Hop on-Hop off trolleys and open-air buses. 

Nashville’s most iconic culinary staples may start with hot chicken and Southern comfort food but they certainly don’t end there. One of the best ways to get a feel for its eclectic food scene, especially for first-time visitors, is by sampling the local favorites at Assembly Food Hall. For watch parties and alumni events, Odie’s Bar is a regular hangout for the Music City Rebels and known for beer, burgers, and a vibrant happy hour. Peg Leg Porker serves Memphis Style dry ribs with a side of Kool-Aid pickles or you can settle in for a more refined farm-to-table dinner at Husk Nashville. Bad Idea won the Michelin American South Sommelier Award and the Catbird Seat is not-to-be-missed for its Michelin Star meals.

Balance out stadium time with tours of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, or the National Museum of African American Music. If you’re traveling with children, the Martin ArtQuest area of the Frist Art Museum is an excellent interactive play space for young artists. Hear from songwriters and musicians in intimate settings like the Bluebird Cafe or the Listening Room. Before you leave town, be sure to include visits to Nashville’s independent shops. Pick up a box of Goo Goo Clusters, a poster from Hatch Show Print, or browse the intentionally curated goods at ABLE, Imogen + Willie, or White’s Mercantile.

On the Road Again

Missed the first game? There’s another chance for a Tennessee road trip when Ole Miss returns Oct. 10 to play against the Vanderbilt Commodores. The game will be held at FirstBank Stadium on the grounds of Vandy’s gorgeous, tree-lined campus. Make a day of it and explore the Hillsboro Village/Belmont neighborhoods close to the university. Eat brunch at Pancake Pantry or Biscuit Love, then follow it with artful pauses at the various street murals in the area. Lastly, head over to Centennial Park for walking paths, a life-size replica of the Parthenon and a gold statue of the goddess Athena.