Taylor Swift started her career in Nashville when she was in her early teens. The talented teen worked very hard at mastering her singing and songwriting skills in the city. Also, she visited record labels and gave them her demos in hopes of signing a record deal. Her hard work paid off, and her success is now history. She has broken hundreds of records with her achievements as a singer-songwriter-storyteller extraordinaire.

Swift still has strong ties to Music City, and she is believed to visit there quite often. After all, it is home to the Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Nashville is one of the best cities for Swifties hoping to see a part of Swift’s history because they can find pieces of it all over the city. From murals to cafes to museums, Swifties could spend a week in the city and not run out of interesting things to do.

Here are some of the most fun Taylor Swift spots to visit on your next visit to Nashville. You might want to bring along some friendship bracelets to trade with other Swifties you are likely to meet along the way.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Every Swiftie who comes to Nashville should stop by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Not only is it home to the Taylor Swift Education Center, but the museum itself displays a lot of memorabilia from her illustrious career. The museum has fascinating displays and interactive exhibits that cover many aspects of country music history. You’ll probably want to linger for at least a few hours to take in everything.

The Bluebird Café

Taylor Swift’s connection to The Bluebird Café is legendary. When she was already an accomplished songwriter trying to get discovered in 2004 at the age of 14, Swift performed at The Bluebird Café.

There she met Scott Borchetta, and he later signed her to Big Machine Records where she released her first six album. Their long-time partnership ended when Borchetta sold Taylor Swift’s master recordings instead of giving her a chance to buy them herself. In a blog post on Tumblr, Swift explained the depths of betrayal and pain she felt after that happened.

Swift has since been triumphant in the release of her Taylor’s Version re-recordings of those albums. They have been extremely well-received and have broken records, and she has left that pain in her past. The Bluebird Café remains an iconic part of the star’s history.

Taylor Swift returned to The Bluebird Café for a surprise visit in 2018. At that time, she performed her hits “Shake It Off”, “Love Story”, and “Better Man”. Her show was filmed as part of the documentary Bluebird.

Tickets to see a show at The Bluebird Café can be hard to obtain, so be sure to plan your visit in advance and book tickets on The Bluebird Café website.

The Reading Bench in Centennial Park

During Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Nashville, she learned that a bench had been placed in the city’s beloved Centennial Park in honor of her song lyrics. In “Invisible String” from the Folklore album, Swift sings, “Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park.” She was so honored by this gesture that she added “Invisible String” back into her set list during the second night of The Eras Tour in Nashville. It had previously been on her set list before she switched it out for fan favorite song “The 1”.

The plaque on the city’s bench read, “For Taylor Swift, a bench for you to read on at Centennial Park.” The text concluded with, “Welcome home, Nashville”.

It still stands in the park for fans to visit. It’s a popular spot for Swifties to hang out and take selfies when they visit Music City. Bring along a book to enjoy the full experience.

Kelsey Montague’s Murals and AirBnB

Kelsey Montague is an artist Taylor Swift has celebrated for years. The singer first posed with a mural of wings Montague had drawn on a wall in New York City. Later, Swift commissioned Montague to create a butterfly mural to announce her single “ME!” from her Lover album.

That mural was always meant to be temporary, but Montague has several other murals in the city now. The most famous is probably her butterfly wings in The Gulch. The “What Lifts You Wings” can be found at 230 11^th Avenue South in Nashville.

You can also book an AirBnB full of whimsy and Kelsey Montague art. There are artistic renderings of Taylor and art that will remind you of her at the beautiful multi-story home. The Gulch Wings Home by Kelsey Montague Art is a three-story home with a rooftop balcony that’s unlike any other place to stay in Nashville.

Ryman Auditorium

Not only has Taylor Swift performed many concerts at Ryman Auditorium, but she also told Nashville Lifestyles Magazine that she loves to go watch concerts there. You can visit the historical auditorium for a show, and they also offer a variety of fun tours. You can feel like Taylor Swift herself with their guided backstage tour which lets you walk in the foosteps of stars who have performed there.

Shopping Hot Spots

Taylor Swift has expressed her love of shopping in Nashville. She revealed to Nashville Lifestyles Magazine that she loves to visit the shops in Franklin, and she also said she loves going to Target in Nashville.

Music lovers are sure to enjoy a visit to Fanny’s House of Music, which Swift praised for its instruments, lessons, sweet staff, and vintage items. Taylor also recommended shops like Gilchrist and Gilchrist for those who like shabby chic styles. She likes Fire Finch and Pangaea in Hillsboro Village, and she also praised the Hill Center area shops H.Audrey and Anthropologie.

Nashville International Airport and Bus Stop

If you’re flying into Nashville for your visit, you won’t have to go far to see a location from a Taylor Swift video. Parts of her endearing music video “Ours” were filmed at the airport and bus stop. A Taste of Country revealed a behind-the-scenes video so you can make sure you hit the exact spots before leaving the airport for further Nashville adventures.

Grand Ole Opry

Any country music enthusiast should stop by the Grand Ole Opry while in Nashville. Taylor Swift made her debut on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry back in 2006, reported The Tennessean. You can do a backstage your of the Grand Ole Opry for a glimpse into what it might have been like when Taylor graced its stage. Look for a photo of Taylor and a quote from her appearance at the Grand Ole Opry posted backstage.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Tommy Baker announced the launch of the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Program. This initiative aims to recognize Tennessee businesses that demonstrate exceptional commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining service  members,Veterans, and their families.  

“The Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program reinforces our state’s commitment  to being the best place in the nation for Veterans to live, work, and raise a family,” said Gov. Bill  Lee. “This initiative not only honors their service, but connects Tennessee employers with highly  skilled individuals, driving economic opportunity across the Volunteer state.” 

The program will utilize a three-tier system – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – to recognize  businesses based on their level of commitment and support to the Veteran community. 

“I am filled with immense pride as we introduce the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business  Recognition Program. The program’s primary focus is to recognize Tennessee businesses that go  above and beyond in their efforts to Recruit, Hire, and Retain service members, Veterans, and  their families,” said Commissioner Tommy Baker. 

Participating businesses will benefit from: 

• Public recognition of your commitment 
• Recognition on the Department of Veterans Services website 
• Enhanced recruitment opportunities 
• Demonstrated community engagement 
• Access to a skilled workforce with proven leadership experience 

The program also offers public recognition through official certificates, window decals, and  digital badges, with additional benefits based on the achieved recognition tier. 

Applications for the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program will be  accepted from July 01, 2024, through October 01, 2024. Interested businesses can apply by  visiting www.tn.gov/veteran/VRBP.

Tennessee Department of Veterans Services • WRS Tennessee Tower 13th Floor •312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. • Nashville, TN 37243 Tel: 615-253-0638 • tn.gov/veteran 

For more information, businesses, community organizations, and chambers of commerce  are encouraged to email the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services at  tdvs.doso@tn.gov. 

About the Department 

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services is dedicated to serving Veterans and their  families with dignity and compassion as an entrusted advocate. The department strives to  ensure that Tennessee’s Veterans receive the care, support, and recognition they have  earned in service to our nation. For more information about the Tennessee Department of  Veterans Services, please visit www.tn.gov/veteran. 

For more Tennessee news, click here.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee’s “Smart Heart Act” is now in effect after it was signed by Governor Bill Lee in May. The legislation requires automatic defibrillators in schools and also establishes protocols for medical emergencies related to cardiac issues.

As of July 1, each public and non-public school where students attend grades 9 through 12 must maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) thanks to the Smart Heart Act. The law also requires that the AED be made accessible during the regular school day and athletic events.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Smart Heart Act, sponsored by Cepicky and Hensley, in April 2024.

“Nothing is more important than keeping our students healthy and safe, and the Smart Heart Act ensures schools will be ready to respond in the event of a cardiac-related emergency,” Gov. Bill Lee stated in May upon signing the legislation into law. “I commend the General Assembly for their commitment to Tennessee students in passing this legislation.”

The Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which was launched in 2023, comprises major sports leagues and leading health advocacy groups seeking to drive the adoption of policies that could help prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest among high school students. Among the priorities include clearly marked AEDs at or within minutes of each high school athletic venue, an emergency action plan specific to each athletic venue that is posted and regularly rehearsed, plus education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with AED use, for coaches and school personnel.