I knew Nashville was called The Music City, and half a dozen people have described it to me before, but it certainly is something you need to experience for yourself. While, I am sure there are some great family friendly itineraries, this is not one of them. This is your Parent getaway or Girls Trip itinerary. Though most of the places we visited allow kids before 10pm, we didn't see any.
I met up with my siblings in Nashville a few weekends ago. Not only was Nashville getting an early start on Mardi Gras, but Nashville was hosting the NHL Winter Series between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2021 Stanley Cup Champions.) The Winter Series is a special event, outdoor hockey game. This was the first time two southern cities were participating, and apparently "Smashville" takes its hockey pretty seriously. 69,000 fans attended the game with what appeared to be about an even split of locals and Floridians that traveled in for the game. Hence, aside from the three hour game, a large portion of that 69,000 were filling the Nashville streets the rest of the weekend, not to mention the Nissan stadium is only a short pedestrian bridge away from the downtown area. Therefore, while I am sure Nashville can be very busy in other seasons, I think the collision of Mardi Gras and the Winter Series must have made this particular winter weekend comparable to any other in terms of crowds.
Fun fact: The reason the logo/mascot for the Nashville Predators is a saber-toothed tiger is because in 1971 the remains of a pre-historic saber-toothed tiger were unearthed during construction in downtown Nashville.
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Where to Stay
Check out The Graduate. A funky, yet luxe, four-star property, that looks as if Dolly Parton may have decorated it herself. If you can't stay there, at least visit their rooftop restaurant and bar, or get on stage at their animatronic karaoke bar.
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Where to Park
Parking in Nashville can be expensive, (and that's coming from a Chicagoan.) If you must park downtown, I recommend downloading the SpotHero app.
What to See and Do
There is so much to see and do in Nashville depending on your interests. Here are a few highlights:
1. Honky Tonk Highway: The number one thing to do in Nashville is just absorb all the music. Pretty much every downtown restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and storefront, between Lower Broadway and 2nd Avenue, hosts live music from open to close with little to no breaks, and NO COVER CHARGES. Here you will find the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Acme Feed and Seed, Nudie's Honky Tonk, and dozens of country star namesake establishments. At 10am you can walk outside and hear anything from Jolene to Respect blaring through the streets. There's nothing quite like it.
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And it isn't just country music. In fact, Nashville's musical history is deeply rooted in all different genres, and you can hear them all being played by the most talented local artists. Carl Wockner, for instance, took requests from the crowd for musical mash-ups. I was blown away by his ability to combine Taylor Swift's Trouble, with Eminem's Lose Yourself. The result was nothing less than musical genius.
Traveler Tip: Carry lots of singles to tip musicians and make song requests.
2. Stop by Wildhorse Saloon for free line dancing lessons. Half hour sessions available throughout the day and night, Wednesday through Sunday - no reservations needed.
3. Go off the beaten path. As you can imagine the bars on Honky Tonk Highway can get extremely crowded. Avoid the crowds by visiting Printers Alley between 3rd and 4th Avenues instead. Slip into Alley Taps or Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. I assure you the acts in these places will not disappoint!
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4. Look up and you won't be able to miss the "Batman Building." This skyscraper is widely known as the "Batman Building" as it was completed in 1999 to be an iconic design that happens to resemble the mask of the Dark Knight.
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5. Take a Tour. There are so many tours to choose from, and most can be accessed via the Old Town Trolley Hop On Hop Off Trolley tour.
- Check out The Johnny Cash Museum. Did you know Johnny Cash recorded all the way up to the day he died in 2003?
- The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
- Cooter's Place Museum is free for all you old Dukes of Hazzard fans.
- Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
- Music Row - Music Row is a quaint neighborhood where numerous well renowned music studios are situated. However since local ordinances would not allow changes to the aesthetic of these historic buildings, they look like cute, residential, bungalows that all the greatest music legends, including Elvis and Willie Nelson, just so happened to have recorded in.
6. If you've marathon watched the show Nashville, you know The Bluebird Cafe, and you know it is a must. The Bluebird Cafe is a "listening room" located in an unassuming strip mall just outside the downtown area. What makes The Bluebird special is its intimate, attentive, audience and acoustic performances by songwriters who may be behind some of your favorite hits, as well as up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks are among many to have been discovered here. A show at The Bluebird Cafe may be considered a religious experience as indicated by the church pew seating in the back. Tickets range between $10-$15.
Where to Eat
1. Try the Sweet Potato Pancakes with a side of Candied Bacon at The Pancake Pantry. Add some cinnamon cream syrup to your coffee! You may have to wait on a line to get in, but it'll be worth it.
2. Savor the Cherry-Smoked Wings and the Deep-Fried Brownie Sundae at Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant, with live music accompaniment of course.
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3. Head to the Assembly Food Hall for your choice of more than thirty eateries and bars plus a great rooftop deck and three performance stages.
You'll find Prince's Hot Chicken Shack among the many options. Prince's is the birthplace of the south's hot chicken craze. As legend has it, the original recipe, was concocted by the girlfriend of Thorton Prince as revenge for his infidelity. However, rather than choke, he loved every bite, and his family has been serving it up for generations since. You can choose your spice level between 1 and ten. I chose a level 2, and that was plenty spicy for me!
4. Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint has it all from pulled pork and brisket, to Red Neck Tacos and amazing potato salad. Grab some free moon pies on your way out.
Fun Fact: Goo Goo Clusters, a chocolate covered combination of nuts, caramel, and nougat that you'll find all around Nashville, (and the first combination candy bar ever made in the United States), got their name from the Grand Ole Opry. They make a great souvenir!
Have any other suggestions in Nashville? Let me know. I'll be sure to return soon!
