Our Readers’ Best Tips on Nashville
This week we received 90 comments full of tips from Nashville . Many commentators agreed: Come on in, but please don’t move here. Watch a Predators hockey game, step out of the crowded Lower Broadway area and visit areplica of the Parthenon in Nashville. (“It’s not for nothing that they call it South Athens,” says Shoy .) We also got more city nicknames. Bucktart heard “Our Vegas”; Kstram likes Smashville. Read all 90 tips or check out some of them below.
Every Monday onHack Your City, we ask readers for the best tips about the city: driving tips, restaurant tips, entertainment, and any other tips for visitors and locals alike. Then, on Thursday, we present the best comments. We work in the USA and around the world.
DrWhiskey in the city subreddit :
We have a very active Reddit community. Several times a week, visitors write, “We’re going to Nashville. What should we do? “Mail. So much so that we have good and fresh responses in the sidebar.
Hamburger Butcher and Toilet :
For the best burger in the history of the universe, head to Fat Mo’s. Anyone who says Rottier is dead to me.
CapnGeech on a good music venue:
Third Man Records is Jack White’s record label and store – located right next to the convention center. There are always new releases, concerts on the site and just a great place to watch.
And this is the burner count on the other:
If possible, watch the show in Ryman. Ryman Auditorium is located in the city center. This is an old church that has been turned into a great concert venue. Great acoustics, but avoid low-level seating behind the pillars that support the balcony.
DattMean on other sites:
If you don’t like who’s playing Ryman, check out shows at The Basement, The Basement East, or anywhere else in Cannery Row.
Icecreammang at a trendy cafe:
Barista Parlor has excellent single coffee, very good biscuits and other sweet breakfast items. The Vibe is pretty damn hipster, but I don’t see it as a minus. A couple of places, I go every time I come.
Buktart shopping:
I’m a fan of Anne Patchett’s Parnassus Books , the gothic Hail Dark Aesthetics and the amazing Hatch Show Print .
Stargazergirl is about serious fans only:
If you are generally ambiguous about country music, do not go to the Hall of Fame. I have been twice, and to be honest, it has been too many times.
Benjamin Dashley argues that recent transplants should be quiet, perhaps even pretend they’ve always been here. (And considering how many commentators said “don’t move here,” we believe him):
For your safety, don’t even mention moving here. Few people here are hated as much as transplants. The “scourge” of transplants is probably mentioned in any conversation with the Mid Tennessee native. Nothing will make you look around faster than saying that you are from somewhere else. And it comes up in most conversations with people you meet.
He also has several food recipes:
The Mafiosza pizza is good. Burger Up is great. Taco Mamacita is fantastic Texan-Mexican, albeit a bit pricey. Skip Pancake Pantry and head to the Biscuit Love store down the street. Or grab something from The Grilled Cheeserie.
“Nashville is not a costume party,” says NervousNelly21 :
Do you know what you call the man in Nashville with a cowboy hat? “Tourist”. Nashvilleans don’t wear cowboy hats.
Nashville loves breakfast. Pancake Pantry and Loveless Cafe are popular with tourists, but it’s hard to beat Biscuit Love (anywhere). Fist-sized cookies.
DMSentinel42 adds:
Be sure to get an order for Chronic Bacon. It’s spicy and sweet bacon, and it’s so smoky it felt like I was eating a fire, but in a good way.
A-Ray on hot chicken joints:
When visiting Nashville, be sure to try Hot Chicken. All these restaurants that are now serving hot (I’m looking at you, KFC and Arby’s) don’t know what they are doing. If you really want to try Nashville Hot Chicken, head to Prince’s on Ewing Drive. Otherwise, there are many other local eateries worth trying: Hattie B’s, 400, Pepperfire, Big Shakes, and Slow Burn.
FuckYoCouchNukka has one very strong recommendation and everyone agrees:
If you miss Monell’s grand meal, you’re just kidding.
BorealWood clarifies:
Heck … if you haven’t eaten real southern food yet, or really crave it, do yourself a favor and head over to Monell. Family style dining, everything you can eat and every single meal that touches the table is phenomenal.
Caroline on gay-friendly bars:
There are great places for the LGBT community to walk (note that these places do not cater to queer people on paper, but usually have a higher proportion of us): Beyond the Edge, 3 Crow and most of the bars / restaurants / shops in the Five Points area … In Franklin and downtown Nashville, we try to be more careful, although of course your mileage may differ. Play (dance club), Tribe (bar, next to Play), and Suzy Wong’s House of Yum (brunch and dinner restaurant adjacent to Tribe – try the aquarium) are gay venues and usually have a lot of fun on weekends.
East of Nashville on local dives:
3 Crow. Dinos. Santa Claus. Show up in a jumpsuit or ball gown. Anyway.
Echo in a cocktail bar without a menu:
Check out Attaboy towards East Nashville – a casual vibe with no menu or delicious cocktails. The bartenders talk to you and do what they think you enjoy.
El Cornholio gives a complete cultural itinerary:
Go to the Parthenon. Visit the Frist Art Museum. Watch a symphony performance – the Schermerhorn – a world-class venue. Do honky tonk (briefly), then walk up the street and understand the Predators game. Go to your local brewery or distillery – Jackalope, Black Abbey, Corsair, Yazoo, etc.
And for heaven’s sake skip the Pancake Pantry. Thoroughly overrated, especially when queuing up.
RevJB also lists a number of locations:
Las Palletas at 12 South for Mexican popsicles. Martin’s and Peg Leg Porker for BBQ. Arnold for meat and three lunches. Listening room cafe for listening to songwriters. Lake Radnor for a walk / hike nearby. Pinewood Social network for fun, trendy food, great food (and bowling!). Little Donkey for tacos (and, surprisingly, fried chicken). Book a table at Husk Restaurant for a gourmet dining experience.
Stig-a-saw-won another cool museum:
The Lane Motor Museum has a collection of weird and wacky cars, including microcars and a huge LARC-LX in the back.
Papa Van Twi adds:
Lane is a great place to go if you are a freaky car fanatic. No Porsches or Ferraris. Lots of quirky cars from Europe and Japan that we’ve never seen here. In fact, there are many stories that you are unlikely to see if you go to a “regular” automobile museum. It was right in my alley.
Allonsey River in a good part of town off Broadway:
I HIGHLY recommend going to East Nashville ($ 5 taxi ride). Fanny’s House of Music is lovely (with some amazing vintage finds) and there are great little artists / galleries / shops along the way.
Or get out of town, says DattMean :
Get out of town and see some cool artwork and eat at Puckett’s original grocery store in Leipers Fork.
Go to Lake Radnor, says Satalak :
Lake Radnor is a hidden gem for travelers. Most locals are aware of this and parking can be fun, but it’s a nice and calm place south of the city center. Spent many days on Boy Scout projects. The lake is a great place to observe nature, and the surrounding trails are great for most hikers.
And great advice, if you rely on intuition:
Any more tips? Leave them in the original post or below. Follow us to France next week.