Nashville TN - The Music Capital of the World

Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and a national business, transportation and tourism center. It is also home to Vanderbilt University, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the Grand Ole Opry. Learn more about Genesis Lifestyle Medicine here.

There is a reason that the city of Nashville is nicknamed “Music City.” The roots of this thriving music hub are found in the Native American peoples of the region. These prehistoric people were the first to arrive in the area, living as hunters and settlers.

They inhabited the area for 12,000 years, creating huge earthen mounds, painting impressive pottery and carving elaborate stone sculptures. They eventually gave way to the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Shawnee tribes.

In the early 18th century, French fur trappers and traders settled in the area along the Cumberland River. These early settlers were followed by a number of Native Americans, including the Mississippians who hunted and grew corn.

By the mid-19th century, the state of Tennessee began to expand and grow economically. By the time the Civil War broke out, Nashville had become a significant river trade center and an important manufacturing site for middle Tennessee. Its strategic location on the Cumberland River and newly built railroads made it a key distribution point for supplies and a major center of commerce.

After the Civil War, the city became a focal point of the Civil Rights movement, as African Americans sought to gain equal access to public facilities and the right to vote. A large number of student leaders, including Kelly Miller Smith from the First Baptist Church in Capitol Hill, led well-organized sit-ins that drew national attention to the problem of racial segregation and inequality.

The Nashville School of Medicine was founded in the 1870s and today, as part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, it is one of the largest medical schools in the United States. It is also one of the most popular hospitals in the city, drawing eight million visitors a year to its campus.

A plethora of restaurants makes it easy to find a bite to eat in Nashville. From the classic dining spots that serve up hot chicken and barbecue to chef-driven menus, the choices are endless.

Foodies will want to hit up Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, a restaurant that specializes in Southern comfort foods, including buttermilk biscuits and fried avocado tacos. There’s also the upscale dining spot Bluebird Cafe that features a seasonal dinner menu that is sure to please.

Another option is the cozy, Parisian-inspired Riverside Village cafe where they offer a unique menu centered around natural options. Guests can enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner.

This restaurant is open late, and the Sunday supper menu changes weekly so it’s worth a trip if you’re looking for a new place to dine. In addition to offering great dishes, the restaurant also hosts several first-class bake sales that support local organizations.

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant may seem like an odd place to visit, but it’s actually one of the most popular in town. The blocky 1950s building is full of antiques and knick-knacks that make it fun to spend an hour browsing. The restaurant serves a variety of meals, from burgers and sandwiches to fried fish and sweet potato quinoa tacos.