Curator’s statement
I may be a little biased being a Nashville resident, but it is one of the most traveled cities in the US. Being a city known for its food and rooftop bar scene, this city is a foodie's dream! Of course, Music City brings a ton of talented people throughout the country to perform live music downtown. No matter the time of year, the city is always busy. It's called Middle Tennessee for a reason. You can head East to the Smokies or West to Memphis for some of the best BBQ! Nashville is a vibe. Whether you're into downtown city life, or prefer a small-town feel, Nashville offers the best of both worlds.
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Things to do in Nashville
Neighborhoods of Nashville
Brewery Hopping- Nashville has a TON of breweries! My top 5 are Living Waters, Southern Grist, ENBW, Jackalope, & Tn Brew Works.
Parthenon- an exact replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece. Book a tour or walk around Centennial Park!
Tours/Shows- Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Cash Museum, George Jones Museum, General Jackson Showboat in Hermitage. The Belle Meade location of the historic plantation & winery offers a mansion tour. Catch a show or event at the Brooklyn Bowl
Speak Easy- Nashville has some off-the-grid New Orleans Style Speak Easies- my top 2 choices: Pushing Daisies & the exclusive Red Phone Booth *Member Access Code Required for Entry.
Themed Seasonal/Holiday Bar- Nashville is a food/rooftop bar city! Depending on the time of year, there are a ton of festivals, bar events, & more! Cheekwood is a great location for Fall Pumpkin Patch and Christmas lights! These next two aren't exactly seasonal, but Pinewood Social & Hampton Social are both great places for group hangouts!
Kayaking on the Harpeth or Cumberland! We may not have beaches, but Nashville has some cool waterways for summertime boating & activities! Tims Ford is my absolute favorite lake, but this is a bit further outside of Nashville. The Old Hickory Lake & Percy Priest are the two most well-known lakes closest to Nashville.
Nashville Soccer Club, Nashville Sounds Baseball, or Nashville Predators- always a fun time to catch a sports game while in town!
If you're looking to shop, 5th & Broadway gives a New York vibe with shops & boutiques; my favorite local store, Nash Collection, is a great place for souvenir apparel! 12South is another great selection with more upscale boutiques.
Day Trips
Head out East for White Water Rafting on the Ocoee- this is for the adventure-seekers!
Local from Nashville, Leiper's Fork, located right outside of Franklin, TN, has not only a distillery but a lot of history! This is where the original "Pucketts Grocery", now renamed back to its original name- Fox & Locke venue is located.
Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN- a little bit of a drive, but still doable as a day trip. Of course, TN Whiskey being a staple in TN, this is a fun tour- be sure to include the lunch option at Ms. Mary Bobo's Kitchen!
There are a ton of Waterfalls and hiking options right outside Nashville- Fall Creek Falls, Ruby Falls, Rock Island, & Greeter Falls are a few faves!
Waverly, TN is West of Nashville, which has a secret location view from Kentucky Lake off-the-beaten-path, and can also visit the Natchez Trace State Park out that way!
Places to eat & drink in Nashville
NEIGHBORHOODS of NASHVILLE: Local Scene
The Gulch- the place known for the infamous wings mural!
Biscuit Love- Hands down, one of my favorite brunch spots! The variety of options are endless! Recommend the Bloody Mary- it's spicy, or the Mimosa- fresh squeezed orange juice makes all the difference!
UP, Rooftop Lounge- cannot beat the views of the city without the hustle and bustle of Downtown. This is also, the FIRST Rooftop Bar in Nashville- iconic if you ask me!
12South- More of a local vibe
BarTaco- 11 different taco choices!
Ember's Ski Lodge- Great beer selection & happy hour.
Five Daughter's Bakery- Probably the most well-known place for donuts in Nash!
East Nash- "hipster" & dive bars
5 Points- Best Pizza in town!
Living Waters Brewery- In my top 5 breweries, that says a lot considering how many are in Nashville alone. This place has a cool vibe and the cool thing is they also brew coffee. You can either grab a really bold cup of brew or share a flight of some really good brews!
Rosemary & Beauty Queen- not your average "bar"- it's a house and garage bar, literally.
Wedgewood & Houston- Locals refer to as "We-Ho"
Bastion- BigBar- this is a hole in the wall, but cool aesthetic on the inside. Drinks are phenomenal, and it also becomes a music venue!
Travel Advisor
Courtney Lynn
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Julie Guaderrama’s guide, Nashville Nights: A Bachelorette Bash to Remember.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Nashville.