Turn Back Time With a Stay at a Charming Retro Motel and a Meal at this Vintage Diner in Tennessee

When Music City locals often lament they miss the “Old Nashville,” usually they're talking about times as recent as 20 or even just 10 years ago.  Want to get an idea about what they mean? I've put together a few suggestions for a retro Nashville trip that will give you a glimpse into those not-so-distant days when you could find free parking downtown, catch a great show, have a few beers for less than $20, and enjoy a hearty Southern meal for less than that.

Pack your bags, grab your bestie, and let's mosey on down to have an adventure in Nashville, shall we?

Start your adventure by booking a stay at The Dive Motel, a circa-1956 renovated motor inn once known as The Key Motel. While it was a run-down dump by the time I moved to the city in the late 1990s, The Key's first era of glory days included hosting music legends like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams. In 2019, business partners completely renovated and reopened the place as “The Dive Motel,” adding veritable van loads of kitschy retro charm with many modern amenities.  

Each of the 23 themed rooms is decked out in the late-1960s and early 1970s décor—shag carpet touches, wild wallpaper, funky art, groovy colors and outlandish furniture designs. Every room has a signature Party Switch that spins a disco ball to custom music channels. Beds feature Wright mattresses and bedding and complimentary EO bath products are provided.

Every room is more vibrant than the next, and every room has an explosion of color that will have you planning your own interior decorations back home. Embrace the color splash!

The motel has a popular bar and lounge open to the public. Summer months are especially popular when the retro pool is open to outside visitors, too. The hot tub is a comfortable alternative in cooler weather.

If you are traveling with your pup, The Dive Motel has some pet-friendly rooms for an additional fee. See The Dive website for booking details and more.

After you’ve unpacked your bags and indulged in an in-room disco dance party, take the short, four-mile trip to Lower Broadway downtown to enjoy the city’s legendary live music scene. I always recommend Robert’s Western World as a must-do, no matter what other honky-tonks you choose to check out. Robert’s is the O.G., still wowing crowds from throughout the world today with the best in live classic country music. You never know who you may run into there, onstage or in the crowd.

You can easily spend an entire afternoon and evening in downtown Nashville. You may not even want to leave Robert’s. Order a burger at the bar or head over next door for some barbecue at Jack’s. If you return to The Dive in time, enjoy a nightcap at the bar before heading to your cozy bed.

In the morning, head the other direction from the motel, about five miles north on Dickerson Road, to start the day at Jay's with a big, Southern-style breakfast. While Jay’s Family Restaurant has been in business since 1996, the restaurant and décor have an even more vintage vibe.

This family-owned establishment prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere and home-cooked entrees that are hard to beat in flavor and easy on the wallet. For your morning meal, try the fluffy biscuits drenched in white sausage gravy, eggs however you like them, a Western omelet, or a big stack of hotcakes with syrup. They have all your breakfast essentials including these and more, from fried bologna to a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Most of these options are around $10 or less.

If you’d rather sleep in and skip breakfast, try Jay’s meat-and-three menu for lunch instead. The fried chicken is fried to order and a crowd favorite. People also rave about the chicken tenders, pork chops, and classic Southern sides like home-grown fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash casserole. Naturally, you're going to want something to wash it all down with, and sweet tea is a must-try.

Follow the Jay's Family Restaurant page on Facebook for more.

Stay at a retro motel with some Music City history, go honky-tonking, and hit up a longtime Southern cooking spot. That's all you need for a well-rounded Old Nashville experience. I know they were my favorite things to do in the early years living there, which were some of the most fun of my life. It's wonderful people can still enjoy some of that there today.

If you have enough time in Music City, I also recommend a long stroll along the Shelby Bottoms Greenway Trail, another longtime favorite activity enjoyed by generations of Nashvillians.

Have you visited either of these retro Nashville trip destinations before? Share this article with someone you want to plan your next adventure with. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.