Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is home to country music and is a place where many musicians have gotten their start. As with any travel destination, there are many surprises in store for Nashville visitors. If you’re thinking about planning a Nashville vacation, don’t be surprised at these “shocks.”
Bachelorette Parties
If you visit Nashville on the weekend, you will see more bachelor and bachelorette parties than you’ve ever seen before. Some weekends it’s a sea of pink cowboy hats, as a country-themed bachelorette party is a Nashville staple.
Party Buses
Along with all of the bachelor and bachelorette parties, Nashville is full of party buses. Half of the weekend traffic on Broadway seems to be party buses. You’ll see some crazy ones, too, with hot tubs, open decks, loud music, and even the pedal pubs which are mobile bars powered by bicycle pedals. The transportation industry has certainly gotten creative in Nashville!
Live Music
This is one of the best shocks of visiting Nashville. You can find live music, of any kind, at any hour, in Nashville. Broadway is an easy place to find live music, but there are performances all over Nashville, not just on Broadway. Closing time in Nashville is typically 3 am, so you really can find live music in Nashville in the middle of the night.
While Nashville is known for country music, you can actually find all kinds of music in Nashville. If you’re not a country music fan, don’t let that stop you from visiting Nashville because you’ll definitely be able to find some music you like. (Whether you like country music or not, don’t miss the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum!)
Nashville Hot Chicken Burn
Hot chicken is a Nashville specialty, and if you’re looking for regional cuisine, you have to try Nashville hot chicken. Hattie B’s, Princes, and the Scoreboard are some of the most popular spots to try hot chicken in Nashville. The shock, though, is how the heat builds. At first, it doesn’t taste too hot or spicy, but the more you dig in, the hotter it gets. Be prepared for the heat!
Popularity of Nashville
In the last few years, Nashville has become a hot spot for hipsters and millennials. A lot of people, including families with young kids, have been moving to Nashville recently. This influx of young families and professionals has really changed the scene in Nashville. There are now fun places and neighborhoods to hang out in that are not on Broadway and there’s a wide variety of places to see in Nashville besides going to the bars and listening to music.
While this new vibe is fun, it has made Nashville much more expensive (and congested) than it used to be. If you visited Nashville more than ten years ago, it may be a shock to you when you return because a lot has changed.
Nashville Traffic & Roads
Because of the recent influx of new residents, Nashville traffic has gotten pretty bad. The infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with the growing population, and the result is a lot of gridlock. The roads aren’t great either; they have some pretty bad potholes. In fact, the city has funds set aside for drivers who have car damage from potholes. If you can, avoid commuting hours at all costs.
The Best & Worst of Visiting Nashville
Spring Allergies
The pollen and other allergens seem to settle in a bowl around Nashville, making it difficult for people with allergies. Even people who don’t think they have allergies tend to have allergies when visiting Nashville in the spring.
Nashville Tourist Attractions
Most people think of music when they think of Nashville, and of course, the music scene is amazing! But there are lots of historic and cultural Nashville tourist attractions too.
- There’s actually a replica of the Parthenon in Nashville! Inside, you’ll find a huge gold statue of the goddess Athena.
- Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, so you can visit the campus and its museums.
- One of the best historic things to do in Nashville is to visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
- Radnor Lake State Park has some great hiking trails around the lake.
- Franklin is a great town to explore near Nashville.
Nashville also happens to be the capital of Tennessee, so there are state buildings and state museums you can visit. Start planning your trip at Visit Music City!
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Don’t let these surprises keep you from planning a trip to Nashville. It’s such a great city, with live music, culture, history, and amazing people and food! Want more tips for traveling through the Southern US? Check out some of our other blog posts: