I always love chatting with people visiting Nashville.

I always ask: “Have you been to Nashville before? What are you doing in town? What are y’alls plans?”

Out of context, these questions may make me sound like a stalker but I promise I’m just curious! I love my city and I want to make sure others love it too.

I usually stop to give directions to lost, sun-stroked tourists  (“You’re going Where for lunch? No, no, you should try This Place. It’s right down the street and its got great margaritas!”) and I have no issue approaching a bachelorette party to offer to snap their photo in front of the I Believe in Nashville wall.

That’s just who I am. I constantly go out to discover hidden gems, experience the latest hotspots, and revisit my favorite Nashville places. So, I’m thrilled to put together this insider’s look at Nashville!

Since I cannot ask you my usual questions, I can only offer you some helpful tips that I think might come in handy whether you’re visiting Nashville for the first time or coming back to experience it again.

Don’t Stay in Just One Neighborhood

One of the first things I always ask people planning a trip to Nashville is: What vibe are you going for?

If you prefer laid back and casual, hang out in East Nashville or the Nations. Book-ending the city on either end, these two neighborhoods have no shortage of restaurants, bars, and unique shops.

If you’re looking for something more trendy, 12th South and the Gulch has plenty of opportunities to see and be seen.

And of course, if you’re looking for a night out that you may or may not remember, Printer’s Alley and Midtown should do the trick nicely.

Whether you found an Instagram worthy Airbnb in Germantown or a great deal at the newest boutique hotel Downtown, don’t forget to explore outside that area! Made up of different neighborhoods, each as unique and different as the people who live there, Nashville offers something for everyone.

And each neighborhood has its own signature mural, perfect for the next few weeks of #tbt. Mix and match depending on your mood!

Moral of the story, don’t be afraid to call a Lyft and go all the way across town!

Pro Tip: Scooters can be helpful to get from one part of a neighborhood to another but not for long distances. Unless you’re going under .5 miles- skip the Lime/Byrd/Lyft Scooter.

Reservations, Reservations, Reservations

Make reservations in advance to avoid regretting what you said when you were hangry. Open Table and Resy are your best friends when visiting Nashville on the weekends. Going out to eat and drink is a large part of our culture. So, on the weekends, if you don’t plan it right, you can face a long wait when you’re starving.

True, not all restaurants let you make reservations. So, if you have your heart set on such a place, you might want to go early or risk waiting for over an hour.

This is especially true for brunch. Nashville loves a good brunch! You could wait anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours… Don’t. There’s too much to see to stand around all day!

It’s a good rule of thumb to plan out your day in Music City to avoid any FOMO. The day can go fast and a lot of Nashville institutions close earlier than you might expect. And if you get off track, who cares? It’s better to lose track of time having a blast rather than standing around, trying to figure out where to go next.

Check out Nashville influencers such as Nashville On the Rocks for the latest bars and restaurants. You can check them out before even some locals hear about them!

It’s Called Music City for a Reason

Any given night you can find live music from superstars, up and comers, cover bands- you name it, we got it.

If you don’t have travel days scheduled yet, try planning your trip around a show you’ve been wanting to catch. See who is playing at the Mother Church (The Ryman) to experience music as you’ve never have before. This old church is the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry; it features some of the best acoustics in the country.

If you are coming in the warmer months, Ascend Amphitheater offers lawn tickets right along the river. With large screens, you don’t miss a thing no matter how far back you are; lie back to gaze at the stars and the downtown skyline while being serenaded. There are no bad seats in the house just bring a picnic blanket!

And if you’re in town on Tuesday and want an authentic Nashville experience, you must check out Honky Tonk Tuesdays. Located at the American Legion Post 82 over in East Nashville, this is the only real honky-tonk left in Nashville. Any given Tuesday you can catch people in their country best two-stepping. (It doesn’t hurt the drinks are cheap and the veterans are front row every Tuesday to enjoy the party. Pay your respects to the Commander.)

Off the Beaten Path

When it’s a beautiful day, Nashville is outside. (Usually on a patio, day drinking.) But if you’re looking for something a little more outdoorsy, Nashville’s Shelby Park is just over in East Nashville. Rent a bike and take the trail all the way to the Cumberland River.

Pro Tip: Watch for signposts to discover Cornelia Fort Airpark. This old airport is part of the park and a favorite for bikers and Instagramers for good reason.

Or head over to Cheekwood to stroll through the gardens. Cheekwood always has an art exhibit going on alongside seasonal blooms. If you’re visiting in the autumn months, Cheekwood has a pumpkin patch and a beer garden. For the holidays, they string up lights and serve hot adult beverages alongside Christmas activities for the whole family.

In the summer months, you can rent a kayak and head over to Percy Priest Lake. Pack a picnic and go over to Luau Island to swim for the day.

Local Treasures

After a great time, it’s time to head back home- but you forgot to pick up something to remember your trip by. No one wants a last minute souvenir at the airport.

Nashvillians are proud to represent our city. There’s plenty of locally made things to pick up to impress anyone back home. Check out White’s Mercantile in 12th South for handcrafted local treasures (and the best cards for any occasion). Or Project 615 in East Nashville for t-shirts and tanks. Hatch Print Show is famous for its designs and their posters are perfect for anyone on your list.

If you’re in town the third weekend, Nashville Flea Market is a must see. Stalls offer everything from handmade crafts to vintage treasures to candy by the bulk. Bring $5 for parking and plan to eat lunch before or after as there aren’t always food trucks.

Most importantly…

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask someone! Nashville is a growing city and everyone is proud to live here. The newcomer who just moved here last weekend probably already knows the best bar in the area. And your Lyft driver could be a Nashville Native (or unicorns as we like to call them) who can point you to the best place to get BBQ in the city.

We’re excited to have you! We love it here, and we know you will too.

Want to know more about Nashville neighborhoods? Or hidden treasures even some locals don’t know about? Leave a comment letting us know below!