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Your Guide to the Country Music Awards: Stay, Play, and Celebrate in Nashville

It’s amazing how Nashville just transforms this time of year. When boots are shined and those big belt buckles come out of the closet—it’s CMA Awards time! If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Music City for the festivities, you’ll need a good home base. And you can’t beat Motif on Music Row for soaking up that Country Music Awards energy.

We’re right in the heart of it all, with comfy suites that give you space to breathe (because ain’t nobody wants to be squeezed into a tiny hotel room after a night out!). We’ve also got everything you need to feel right at home.

Thinking about where to eat, what to see, how to get around? This blog’s got the inside scoop on making the most of your CMA week. So pull up a chair, grab your drink of choice, and get ready to plan a trip you won’t forget!

Why Choose Motif on Music Row for Your CMA Stay

You might be thinking, “Okay, why’s this Motif place so special for the CMAs?”

First off, we’re right in the thick of Music Row. Seriously, you can practically stumble out of our door and land on a recording studio doorstep. Not to mention all the honky-tonks and music history around here. Imagine strolling over to the awards show and then wandering back to your suite without getting stuck in traffic forever. Sounds pretty good, right?

And speaking of suites, forget those cramped hotel rooms. Whether you’re flying solo, with your honey, or bringing the whole gang, we’ve got a place for you. Choose from cozy studios to sprawling three-bedroom suites—you’ll feel like country music royalty with all that space to relax after a long day of exploring Nashville.

At Motif, we want you to feel at home. Take a dip in our rooftop pool (the view is amazing!), hit the fitness center, or cook up a meal in your own kitchen. Yeah, you heard that right – skip the expensive restaurants and have a fun dinner in your PJs.

Image is of two young women dancing at a bar with friends, concept of guide to Country Music Awards

Getting Ready for the CMAs

So you’ve booked your stay at Motif, now it’s time to get you prepped for the biggest night in country music! Here’s the rundown on how to get ready for the CMAs, Nashville style:

Pack Your Bags

First things first, you got to pack right. November in Nashville can be a bit unpredictable, so bring layers—a light jacket or sweater for those chilly evenings and maybe even a raincoat just in case.

For the main event, you’d want to look your best! Think “country glam”—a sparkly dress, a sharp suit, or maybe some boots with a bit of bling. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes, because you know you’ll be tappin’ your toes all night long! *Hint* Pinterest is a great place to start getting ideas!

CMA Day Prep

The big day has arrived! Start your morning off right with a hearty breakfast in your suite’s kitchen. Then head down to our fitness center to get your blood pumpin’ and those endorphins flowin’. You’ll need the energy for all the excitement that awaits!

Getting There

Now, how to get to the CMA Awards from Motif? Well, that’s the beauty of our location—you’ve got options! If you’re feeling like a leisurely stroll, it’s just a short walk to the venue. Want to arrive in style? Grab a rideshare or hop in a taxi. Or, if you’re looking to save a few bucks, Nashville’s public transportation system can get you there too.

Pre-CMA Festivities and Events Near Motif

The CMA Awards ain’t just about that one night in Nashville. The whole city’s buzzing with pre-CMA excitement, and you’d seriously regret missing it.

Think spontaneous meet-and-greets with your favorite singers, insider talks with music industry bigwigs, and surprise acoustic sets in cozy bars. It’s the perfect way to get hyped for the main event, and you might even snag a selfie with a country music legend.

All that running around and CMA excitement is sure to make you hungry. Lucky for you, Music Row’s got everything from classic Southern cooking to those rooftop bars where you can sip cocktails and pretend you’re a big-time music exec.

Lots of places also have special CMA menus and deals, so you can treat yourself without breaking the bank.

Here are a few places you should definitely check out:

  • The Row Kitchen & Pub: Comfort food, good vibes, and always a lively crowd.
  • The Bluebird Cafe: You can’t come to Nashville and NOT experience the Bluebird. It’s a legendary listening room where you can catch some seriously talented singer-songwriters.
  • Saint Añejo: Amazing Mexican food and margaritas? There’s no other place to be.

Experiencing the Country Music Awards

Imagine the lights are going down, the crowd’s going wild, and those country music superstars are taking the stage. You’re right there in the middle of it all, watching your favorite artists, those killer performances, and those acceptance speeches that make you want to whoop and holler.

If you snagged tickets to the live show, remember to:

  • Get there early to catch the red carpet action and soak in the atmosphere.
  • Dress to impress! This is your chance to shine.
  • And get ready to sing your heart out!

No ticket? No worries!

Plenty of bars and restaurants around Music Row will be throwing watch parties. Or order food from one of the many great restaurants nearby to enjoy in your room at Motif, put on your comfy PJs, and watch the show from your own private haven.

The party doesn’t stop when the awards show ends! Nashville comes alive with after-parties and celebrations. Many are just a short walk or ride from Motif, so you can keep the good times rolling. Who knows, you might even stumble into a pop-up show or an impromptu jam session with some of country music’s biggest names.

Post-CMA Activities and Exploring Nashville

Before you head back home, indulge yourself by exploring a bit more of Nashville. You’ve barely scratched the surface after the awards show.

  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Museums might not excite you, but this place is way cooler than you think. You’ll learn all kinds of crazy stuff about country music history, see handwritten song lyrics, and iconic stage costumes. And who knows, you might even bump into a current country star checking out the exhibits!
  • Ryman Auditorium: This place will give you chills the moment you walk in. Many people view it as a temple of sorts of country music. So many legends have played on that stage. Take a tour, or even better, see a show. It’ll blow your mind.
  • Lower Broadway aka Honky Tonk Highway: Honky-tonk bars as far as the eye can see, live music pouring out of every doorway—this is the Broadway experience you won’t forget. Just be prepared to sing your heart out (and maybe have a few too many drinks!).

Once you’ve done it all–the awards, the parties, the honky-tonks–it’s time to head back to Motif and find your happy place.

That rooftop pool is calling your name. Seriously, there’s nothing like floating in the water with the sun on your face and that amazing city view. It’s the perfect way to unwind and let all those CMA memories sink in.

Image is of a busy Lower Broadway, or Honky Tonk Highway, in Nashville Tn, concept of guide to Country Music Awards

Ready to Make Some Country Music Awards Magic?

It’s easy to see why staying at Motif on Music Row just makes sense for the CMAs. You’re right in the middle of everything, the rooms are super comfy, and you’ll feel right at home. And there’s no beating that Southern hospitality!

Dust off those cowboy boots and get ready for an epic Nashville adventure by booking your stay at Motif on Music Row today by calling (615) 612-0102 or Reserve Now online.

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