Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Nashville, Tennessee. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do in Nashville, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you visit Nashville.
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Wear Cowboy Boots
For some reason, people visit Nashville and think it’s time to dust off their cowboy boots. That may not be the best choice. Nashville is a walking city, so you’re going to put some miles on your feet, and you may spend a lot of time standing around waiting to get into various Nashville attractions. Comfortable shoes are the best choice for a Nashville trip. Besides, it’s pretty rare to see actual cowboys in Nashville, so you’re just going to look like a tourist.
Don’t Expect to Meet Many Nashville Natives
Nashville is growing like crazy, but it seems like everyone in Nashville is originally from somewhere else. Nashville is definitely experiencing some growing pains from all the new folks moving in, but we’re not sure where the Nashville natives went. This is one town where it’s good to do some research ahead of time because you won’t have much luck asking for travel advice on the street.
Visit the Official Nashville Tourism site www.visitmusiccity.com
Don’t Expect to Enjoy Driving in Nashville
Because Nashville is growing so quickly, the infrastructure hasn’t caught up, so traffic can be a nightmare. They are trying to keep up with widening lanes and increasing the infrastructure, but you can still expect to spend a lot of time sitting in traffic. As much as we’d love to say you don’t need a car in Nashville, you really do. Public transportation in Nashville is not useful outside of the main downtown area.
The Best & Worst of Visiting Nashville
Don’t Miss Nashville Food!
Nashville is famous for having amazing food, so you won’t go hungry on your Nashville trip. Some of Nashville’s best restaurants are not downtown, so you will have to drive when you visit Nashville. And yes, most places will have a line outside, but the lines move fast, and it’s totally worth it! Some of the famous places to eat in Nashville include:
- Five Daughters Bakery
- Loveless Cafe
- Hattie B’s
- Prince’s Hot Chicken
Simply Jocelyn Shares the Best Food of Nashville
Like Memphis, every local you talk to has their own favorite, so if you ask around for the best hot chicken, be prepared to try several different spots before choosing your own favorite. And watch out for the hot chicken; it’s not super hot at first, but it sneaks up on you! Don’t be afraid of the cafeteria-style joints, either!
Don’t Skip the Tour Bus!
While Nashville is lacking in a public bus system, there are plenty of tour buses in town. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s a Nashville tour for you! There are typical bus tours, comedy bus tours, pedal pubs, and many more! Lots of tours are tailored to bachelor and bachelorette parties, but there are some family-oriented historic tours of Nashville as well.
Don’t Think Broadway is the Only Place to Go Out
Nashville’s Broadway is lined with live music venues, and it’s definitely the hub of Nashville nightlife. That said, there are more places to hear live music than just the bars on Broadway. For true country music, you’ll find that in other parts of town. Printer’s Alley is another popular spot for live music in Nashville.
Get Tickets for the Country Music Hall of Fame & more www.countrymusichalloffame.org
Don’t Worry if You Don’t Love Country Music
Even if you don’t love country music, you’re going to love Nashville. The Country Music Hall of Fame is really cool, and there’s so much to learn about music. I don’t love Country Music, but I still really enjoyed the Hall of Fame. Just try not to get overwhelmed by all of the ticket options you have. There are tons of different options and combo tickets, so it’s probably helpful to do a little research ahead of time.
Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Visit the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry
The Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry are two classic live music venues in Nashville. They draw really big names, but the venues themselves are relatively small and intimate. Seeing a live performance here is quite a treat!
Don’t Miss the Parthenon!
That’s right, there’s a Parthenon in Nashville. It was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Inside, there’s an impressive art gallery and a massive statue of Athena holding Nike. It’s really worth the price of admission, and it’s surrounded by a beautiful park. Vanderbilt University is also nearby, so you can make a day of exploring these two Nashville attractions.
Don’t Miss the Historic Attractions
Many people don’t even realize that Nashville is the capital of Tennessee, so there are lots of historic attractions and museums to explore. One of the best historic things to do in Nashville is to visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. There’s more to Nashville than music and amazing food, so make sure you don’t miss out on some of the lesser-known Nashville attractions.
Don’t Miss Nashville’s Outdoor Adventures
Nashville also has great outdoor adventures as well! There are some fantastic state parks around Nashville; Radnor Lake State Park has some great hiking trails around the lake. Franklin is a great town to explore near Nashville. Even if you don’t have time to leave Nashville, check out Cumberland Park along the river.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to Nashville. It’s such a great city, with culture, history, and amazing people and food! Want more tips for traveling through the Southern US? Check out some of our other blog posts: