Destination: Nashville
A list of things to do and places to eat
Hi friends,
As a transplanted Kentuckian who has visited Nashville for the last twelve years (as a tourist and at an occasional work conference), I thought I’d share a list of things I found worth doing in Nashville.
Also, an FYI, I’m on a social media slow-break, which is a term I altered from Michelle Obama, who, on tour with her inspirational book, The Light We Carry, during an Oprah interview, mentioned she had to “slow-ghost” some folks when she moved into the White House. I’m burned out from the posting, algorithms, and nonstop work that is exhausting and ultimately unrewarding. Plus, socials started to feel addicting, so I’m only checking in on Sundays because halfway through the first week, I miss my community! But my priorities (art and writing) take precedence, and my 2024 art exhibition is only getting closer. So I need time for myself. I intend to spend more time on Substack, though. In addition to Monthly Vibes, Midweek Missives, and occasion issues like this listicle of things to do in Nashville, you’ll find updates about my art in progress in Notes (similar to Twitter without the ads, politics, and toxicity). So, yeah, it’s not a complete break, but I’ll give Substack time to see how this feels.
Okay, let’s go to NASH!
Nashville, Music City, or NASH, is a hot destination. People flock to Nashville for many reasons — country music and honky-tonks, Bridezillas (5,000 busloads each month), festivals, conventions, conferences, and food. Nashville is home to the Tennessee Titans and has a thriving art scene. It’s a river city; the Cumberland River winds through the middle of the town, which lends charm to one of the most entertaining northern Southern cities in the US.
Once upon a time, not too long ago, the central hub of tourism happened in downtown Nashville. Lower Broadway, aka Honky-tonk Row (above image), from 1st Avenue North on the river where Hard Rock Cafe (and the 2020 Nashville Christmas Day bombing) are located to the renowned Legends Corner, from 1st Avenue South with Ryman Auditorium around the corner. As the city expanded, neighborhoods became destinations, too. The Gulch. North Gultch. SoBro. East Nashville. Green Hills. Opryland. The Westside. Melrose. There’s urban sprawl in the tony enclaves of Belle Meade, Hillsboro Village, and Franklin. FYI, you won’t find many cowboy boots and hats in these areas, but you will find great dining, shopping, galleries, and points of interest.
When you travel, you want food you don’t usually cook at home. I call it fancy food. Nashville has over 5,000 restaurants, from Meat & Three’s (a meat dish with three sides) to high-end dining. Hot chicken is a thing in NASH. The flavor is undeniably incredible, but don’t feel as if you need to sweat it out and burn your mouth to enjoy hot chicken. It comes in mild, medium, hot, extra hot, and hot hot hot. I ate a fantastic hot catfish sandwich at Barlines (which also features great live music) at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
If you’re going to NASH, here are a few suggestions (in no specific order) of things to do and places to eat. There is much to do in Nashville, and what I like may not be your thing, but when I travel, I’m interested in food, arts and culture, and music, so Nashville is the perfect destination. I hope you find something worth your time in this list, which could go on and on. I only highlighted some of my best experiences.
Honky-tonk Row, for live country music, is not to be missed. Legends Corner is my all-time favorite bar. Crowds are intense on weekends. Cowboy boots and hats are optional. I wear boots and don’t mind being labeled a tourist.
Music City Rollin Jamboree for live comedy and sightseeing. From its website, “Sticks in the mud, stay in your hotel.” Guaranteed nonstop laughing, sometimes raunchy, and highly entertaining.
Bridgestone Arena is home to the Nashville Predators and is a major concert venue.
Tennessee Performing Arts Center for live theater, dance, comedy, and opera.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Stunning sculptures, outdoor events, and a museum. I highly recommend it.
Chandelier at Cheekwood Bourbon Bar at Bourbon Steak for the wraparound city view from the 34th floor.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (also good garage parking).
Frist Art Museum offers a Thursday night thirty-minute exhibition tour and, on Saturdays, an architecture tour. A block from the museum is The Gibson Garage.
Frist Art Museum Audrey’s, Chef Sean Brock’s fine dining. Reservations are highly recommended ahead.
A fancy fish dish with foam and flowers, Audrey’s Nashville Five Daughters Bakery for Donuts (three locations)
A box of fancy donuts. Champagne is optional but recommended. The Blue Bird Cafe is an iconic club with Southern fare and live country music.
City Winery Nashville for live music, comedy, and wine events.
Assembly Food Hall. Thirty-plus restaurants and three stages.
RH Courtyard Restaurant in the 70,000-square-foot Restoration Hardware Gallery at the Gallery at Green Hills.
The Mall at Green Hills is the premier shopping in NASH.
Reimagining Nashville: Victory Memorial Bridge Park will be a communal green space in the city's heart.
Lastly, here are a few notes about the weather and Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Nashville’s weather is moderate, with four seasons, and sometimes snow flurries in winter. It’s invariably sunny, so bring your sunblock and a hat.
Flying in and out of Nashville can be a seamless process or a cluster. Hah! Yes, it’s true of most airports and travel in general these days, so be prepared for either.
Last year, on a flight out of NASH to New York, I almost missed my flight because I circled both massive Nashville airport parking garages for a space but came up short even though the overheard lights indicated six available spaces and ten available, respectively. I was forced to drive to a short-term lot, where it took an excruciating amount of time to locate a parking space, and then I had to walk to a bus stop and wait for a bus. Lord! After I made it through security, I didn’t mind buying an exorbitantly priced libation.
On another flight home to NASH from Baltimore, en route to pick up my car (while not a total hassle-free option, I’ve learned it’s less expensive to park off-site at a hotel), miles of construction dotted the landscape.
“What’s being built here?” I asked the Uber driver.
“The airport is expanding.”
We drove for another few miles, and the construction continued unabated. “How far out does this go?”
“About 12 miles,” he said.
Folks, that’s a lot of airport-to-be. But despite the traffic issues and congestion, Nashville is a fun destination.
Have you been to Nashville? If you’re going or have a tip or recommendation, let me know below or reply to this letter if you want to keep it private.
Until next time! xo
M
Stay safe. Stay Curious. Make an impact.
I got married at City Winery. Fantastic venue. For more off the beaten path, Calypso Cafe is a must. Pins Mechanical is fun. Adeles has amazing brunch!
Wonderful and really makes me want to go to Nashville!