Tastings & Tunes

Bristol & Northeast Tennessee

Bristol is where country music began. Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum which tells the story of the legendary 1927 Bristol Session, a historic event that brought musicians like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers together, and sparked what is known as the “big bang of country music.” These recordings continue to influence and inspire the music of today. If you visit in September, be sure to check out the award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, showcasing the very best of Appalachian roots music and beyond. In the heart of downtown, don’t miss live music at the historic Paramount Center for the Arts. Relax and enjoy the creative vibe at the boutique Sessions Hotel with curated musical pieces and live concerts. Sip cocktails on the rooftop bar and lounge by the fire pit with a scenic view of the city.

Lost State Distilling focuses on crafting small batch spirits using locally sourced ingredients and producing Rum, Gin and Tennessee Whiskey. Lost State Distilling is located on State Street in downtown Bristol Tennessee next to the iconic Bristol TN/VA sign. Stand in the middle of two states at once. State Street, the line between Virginia and Tennessee runs right down the main street of the historic downtown with plenty of shopping, artisans, entertainment and dining, including the Original Burger Bar. Famously known as the last place Hank Williams, Sr. was seen alive, the classic diner has been serving only the freshest, juiciest burgers since 1942. Or check out 620 State, an upscale casual restaurant with 330 whiskeys, bourbons and scotches serving up sushi, steaks, wok dishes and more.

Knoxville, TN

Knoxville is one of the country’s more dynamically musical cities, known for the development of jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll and country music. Take the Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour to learn about Knoxville’s ties to Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Roy Acuff and the Everly Brothers. The tour also highlights artists featured in the Ken Burns’ documentary, Country Music, as well as some of the stops on the Ken Burns’ Country Music Pathway. Along the walk on historic Gay Street downtown, be sure to stop at noon to hear the live performance radio show at WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. It’s free to attend, and visitors can order lunch or bring a sack lunch to the show. Catch stunning live music performances from today’s greatest headliners at The Bijou Theatre and the Tennessee Theatre, a historic grand movie palace. In the spring, add The Big Ears Festival, a unique cultural experience where artists, audiences and the community come together to create.

Savor scratch-made classics for lunch at Ale Rae’s. Spend the afternoon diving for vinyl at the local record store Wild Honey Records. Sample award-winning Old City Heirloom Corn Whiskey at Knox Whiskey Works, Knoxville’ first (legal) distillery, which produces multiple gin varieties, clean crispy vodka, coffee liquor and seasonal releases.

Bring your own instrument, or pick one already tuned and ready to play, or just watch musicians take the stage at Boyd’s Jig & Reel, serving pub fare and more than 600 whiskeys. Enjoy a nightcap at PostModern Spirits. The craft distillery and cocktail bar uses flavors and colors derived from natural botanicals, grains and fruits. Explore Knoxville from South Gay Street at Hyatt Place Downtown, within walking distance to restaurants, live music and the city’s nightlife.

Before you head west, be sure to stop and take a tour given by former guards and inmates at Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, where you’ll find End of the Line Distillery, moonshine distilled and bottled on the grounds of the former maximum security prison.

Nashville

Nashville is at the heart of America’s country music scene, and with everything from intimate open mic nights to the rockin’ honky tonks down on Broadway, the energy here in the Music City is intoxicating.

Start at the Country Music Hall of Fame to see exhibitions including artifacts from legendary performers, then head down the street to the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) which celebrates the music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans. Mix your own song, learn how to be an MC, get a close up look at mementos from the likes of Prince and Whitney Houston, and even have your own dance party in the One Nation Under A Groove gallery. Savor all the southern flavors and rich history of Nashville through food, music and libations at Little Fib.

Secure tickets well ahead of time to catch a show at the iconic Bluebird Cafe which has played host to stars including Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Faith Hill over the years, or show up at The Station Inn which has hosted live bluegrass and roots performances every night of the week for more than four decades. No visit is complete without a visit to the infamous Lower Broadway strip, which is lit up like Las Vegas with neon lights and has a long stretch of bars blasting out live music all day long.

To get your whiskey fix, head to the Marathon Village neighborhood near downtown which hosts a collective of shops, entertainment venues and distilleries. The tasting experience at Nelson’s Green Brier gives a great history of whiskey-making in Tennessee, while the award-winning Corsair Distillery makes everything in-house; be sure to sample their popular Triple Smoke spirit which uses cherrywood from Wisconsin, beechwood from Germany and peat from Scotland.

Take a break from the action with a stroll through 12South which those in-the-know consider to be one of Nashville’s hottest neighborhood thanks to its celeb-owned boutiques, historic homes and street art. A former railroad terminal has been transformed into what is now The Gulch, and the edgy mix of colorful murals, great shopping and popular brunch spots like Biscuit Love and Milk & Honey make this one of Nashville’s must-see spots. It’s also home to The 404 Kitchen which puts a spin on southern-style cooking, and has one of the most extensive collections of whiskey in its ground-floor Gertie’s Bar with more than 650 bottles to choose from.

Clarksville

Historic attractions, a great foodie scene and a picture-perfect downtown are just some of the gems found in this army base town near the Kentucky border.

One of the highlights is Dunbar Cave State Park, which has Mississippian Native American cave art dating back to the 14th century and was once a resort area complete with live music nights in the natural amphitheater.

Drop into the all-American Old Glory Distilling Co, which has ground their own grains, distilled, barrelled and bottled every drop of spirits in-house since opening their doors in 2016. While Tennessee whiskey is the main focus, their vodka, rum and moonshine-inspired spirits are also noteworthy—particularly the fruity Smooth Shine concoctions which are especially popular as a boozy slurpee during the hot summer months.

Head downtown to shop at one of the many boutiques along Franklin Street, see the vibrant street art, and watch a performance at the Roxy Theatre which has been around since the early 1900s. Clarksville is also home to a few sites along the Tennessee Music Pathways and famed guitarist Jimi Hendrix once lived here. Be sure to grab a table at The Mailroom for dinner, which serves comfort food and elevated cocktails in Clarksville’s historic former United States Post Office and Federal Building.

For a unique stay, book the Old Clarksville House which has three bedrooms and its own speakeasy, or its neighbor The Pink House which is like a real life dollhouse and Instagram heaven.

Franklin

With a beautiful historic center and grand century-old homes framed by rolling green hills and picket fences, the city of Franklin just outside Nashville is about as country-cool as it gets. This is also where many of country music’s biggest stars live, so you just never know when a celeb-sighting might happen.

Catch a sunrise from the double arch bridge along Natchez Trace Parkway, a 400-mile roadway that winds through Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama and is easily reached by bike. Visit some of the key American Civil War sites, then head to the lively downtown district which has standout spots like a vintage movie theatre, great shopping and restaurants. Grays on Main was a pharmacy for more than seven decades before transforming into a hip restaurant and live
music venue.

For a taste of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail combined with great live music, head just out of town to Leiper’s Fork. The charming village is home to Leiper’s Fork Distillery which prides itself on using pure limestone filtered water and local ingredients in their high-end spirits, and offers guided tours and tastings. Another option is over at Company Distilling in nearby Thompson’s Station, whose founder is partly responsible for the resurgence of distilleries around the state after getting a bill passed allowing his operation to become the first legal distillery in the county since prohibition.

Time your visit to Leiper’s Fork for one of the famous Thursday night open-mic nights at Fox & Locke which showcases up-and-comers hoping to make it big. You just never know which country superstar might unexpectedly show up: Carrie Underwood and Winona Judd have been known to treat the crowd to a surprise performance!

Great spots to head for a nightcap in Franklin include O Be Joyful which has a selection of more than 100 whiskeys to choose from including a flaming Old Fashioned, and Kimbros Pickin’ Parlour which is like a blast from the past from your college days. Located in a home near Main Street that was converted into a bar, its living room hosts live music nights and there’s a backyard hangout spot which makes it the next best thing to a house party

Memphis

Blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll and the rhythm of the mighty Mississippi River, Memphis has it all. Experience the music live at music venues along Beale Street and tour legendary recording studios, museums and the home of the king of rock ‘n’ roll Elvis Presley’s Memphis at Graceland. Follow in the footsteps of legends with a tour of Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and the Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Get immersed at the true birthplace of soul music at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socioeconomic barriers to create music that shook the world. See rare video performances, interviews, interactive exhibits and memorabilia of some of the greatest musicians of all time at The Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Check in to the Central Station Memphis, located in the historic train station, which welcomes guests with a wall of speakers, music-themed vibe, hidden music room and live music at night. Consider booking as the spring blooms blossom in May for the three-day Beale Street Music Festival. Be sure to snap a selfie in front of famous Memphis murals, like “The Sound of Music.” Stock up on music from jazz to soul to punk at local favorite Goner Records.

Memphis is known for its sacred barbecue, southern hospitality and hip spins on modern cuisine. Head to the Cooper-Young Entertainment District to The Beauty Shop. The original hair dryers of the 1940s beauty salon are part of the decor of this trending restaurant, serving up dishes like grilled peaches with blue cheese and balsamic syrup and cheese grits and succotash. Learn recipes from the experts and the 150-year-old storied history of the grain-to-glass Old Dominick Distillery, led by the innovative female master distiller, Alex Castle. Step next door to experience the unique menu at Gray Canary, where the chefs explore the way cooking techniques can influence flavor, from raw to cooked, acids to smoking, grilling and one pot cooking. Finish up the evening with a specialty cocktail and tapas on the rooftop bar The Tiger & Peacock.

Adventures run on Tennessee Whiskey. Grab your passport and plan your road trip across the state.