Margaret Littman - Moon Nashville

the Grand Ole Opry.

When it comes to creative energy, nowhere compares to Music City. People come here with big dreams, big talent, and big ideas. Even before Johnny Cash picked up a guitar or Elvis first entered RCA Studio B, this was a city that attracted mavericks and iconoclasts. And whether you have a banjo in the overhead bin or you cant tell a harmony from a melody, it doesnt matter. Because Nashville isnt just about the music. People here are willing to try new things and do things differently. Youll get to experience it even on a short visit.

Creativity of all kinds flows in the veins of folks who call this place home. Nashville is filled with hyphenates like chef-singer-songwriter and artist-poet-hula-hoop-maker. It fosters an entrepreneurial energy that results in funky music clubs for dancing, quirky boutiques for shopping, and one-of-a-kind roadside eateries for well, eating.

And the anything can happen attitude isnt limited just to residents. You dont have to be here more than a day or two to encounter truly talented musicians singing on the curb on Lower Broadway or taste the creative genius emerging from the kitchens of the citys restaurantsboth upscale and down home. Whether youre in town for the weekend or for good, take advantage of that optimism, offered with a dash of Southern hospitality. Move to the quirky, and always interesting, Nashville beat.

Downtown is Nashvilles economic and tourism hub, not to mention the geographic center of the city. This is the heart of Music Citys beat. Lower Broad is lined with honky-tonks with Western swing music playing almost any hour of the day. In addition to some of the citys biggest attractions, downtown is home to hotels, restaurants, and a great view of the Cumberland River. Nearby, The Gulch is populated by high-rises filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.

Historic Germantown is chock-full of boutiques, chef-driven restaurants, and bars locals love to frequent. The adjacent Buchanan Street is in a burgeoning district of restaurants, artists studios, galleries, and shops. North of downtown, Capitol Hill is home to the Tennessee State Capitol.

Midtown is where the work gets done: Its home to Vanderbilt University and Music Row, where record deals are signed. The 12 South neighborhood is abuzz with activity: It boasts well-curated boutique shopping, compelling restaurants, and an active nightlife, from live music venues to comedy clubs. The area lends itself to leisurely strolls down neighborhood streets. The Belmont University