tenchired: Travel articles and stories from the south and beyond

The vibe in the state of Tennessee is music. From blues and rock ‘n roll in Memphis to blue grass and country in Nashville , music is everywhere. When it comes to live entertainment, there is no place like Nashville. The downtown is lined with bars, clubs and restaurants, most of them with live entertainment. Every June, country music’s biggest stars descend on Nashville for the four-day annual CMA Music Festival . The  country singers perform all day and night at various stages set up throughout downtown Nashville. Fans can get up close and personal with their favorite artists. With so many bars and clubs available, choosing one is not easy. Here are the top 3 bars that I highly recommend. Legend’s Corner Around the corner from  Ryman’s Auditorium ,  Legend’s Corner  is the perfect place to stop for a drink. Country’s biggest stars have been known to hang out here after performing at the Ryman, so you never know who you are going to run into. You can always find a grea

The Blue Angels, Jax Sea and Sky Spectacular on Jacksonville Beach Remember Janet Jackson’s infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ when she performed with Justin Timberlake during the 2005 Super Bowl halftime show? Jacksonville was put on the map when it hosted that year’s Super Bowl. Located on the St John’s River in the northernmost tip of the Florida peninsula, Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida,and with much to offer. But if you're looking for day trips outside of the city, here are some exciting destinations, all less than an hour’s drive away. Lightner Museum Castillo de San Marcos St Augustine, Florida Any history buff will be thrilled to visit St Augustine ! A forty-five minutes drive from Jacksonville bring you to St Augustine, the oldest European settlement in America. The preservation of the city’s history is impressive, with restored buildings dating back as far was the early 1600s. You can see this fascinating city on board a trolley or horse-dr

Until we cruised up the inland waterway from Alabama and onto the Tennessee River, I had never even heard of  Chattanooga . Little did I know that this cute waterfront city would charm me enough to stay three summers and counting. Traveling up and down the eastern seaboard, and now inland through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee has given me lots of opportunities to explore many small towns and cities. From my observation, Chattanooga is the most successful in redeveloping its downtown and riverfront, transforming the city from an industrial manufacturing town to a beautiful waterfront city that now competes with Nashville, Memphis and Gatlinburg as a tourist destination. Located in southeastern Tennessee, this little gem is an easy two hours drive from most major cities in the area - Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta, Georgia, and Huntsville, Alabama; a tad longer to Birmingham, Alabama and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From the mountains to the river, Chattanooga has much to offer

If you can’t do Paris this spring, try   Philadelphia . These two cities could not be more different, but they have many parallels. Culture and food lovers are equally at home in both. Some even subscribe to W.C. Fields’ admonition “All things considered, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.” Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia Museum of Art The   Philadelphia Museum of Art   is no Louvre, but it is one of the finest museums in the U.S., with an impressive set of collections. Currently on exhibit is “Van Gogh Up Close,” a stunning visual treat with over 40 pieces of the brilliant artist’s masterpieces borrowed from museums and collectors around the world. Enter a time warp and see Paris and the south of France from the eyes of Van Gogh, where he created his greatest works of art when he lived there from 1886 until his death in 1890. “Van Gogh Up Close” runs through May 6. Looking towards City Hall from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Just like the   Champs-Élysées