After living in Nashville for six years, I have a pro tip or two for what you should do on your next trip to Nash! So, if you want to know more of the local/less touristy spots, this is the list for you.

Now, I know a lot of people already know about the honky tonks down on Broadway, but I wanted to provide a lot of other options in case that wasn’t your thing. (okay, okay, I’ll include a couple of those suggestions, too — but that is almost a separate post in and of itself!)

Also — it should be known — I LOVE the little city of Franklin, TN. It’s about 25 minutes outside of the city, and feels like a little Hallmark town. So I’ll do a separate post including all of my favorite places in Franklin.

But for now, we’ll start with the city of Nashville recommendations.

Let’s go down a little memory lane with some of these photos 🤣

Neighborhood: 12 South

I do recommend staying here if you aren’t staying in downtown in a hotel. It provides more of a ‘local’ feel — and is still pretty accessible to anywhere you’ll be going.

• Frothy Monkey for coffee

• Taqueria Del Sol for white queso (you may run into a celebrity or two here!)

• Draper James to shop (Reese Witherspoon’s line)

• BarTaco for a cocktail!

• There are a ton of cute shops walking up and down the main strip of 12 south, along with a couple mural walls

• Edley’s BBQ for lunch

Germantown:

This area isn’t quite as walkable from spot to spot like 12 South, but is such a cute area. It’s very Chicago vibes with a lot of brick houses and streets.

Look at those beautiful streets!

• Geist – for an elevated/upscale type of dinner

• Optimist – for the memorable bread and oysters 🙂 and also celebrity sightings!

The Optimist has an outdoor bar connected called Jacqueline!

• Mother’s Ruin (can get a little rowdy at night, but so fun – sort of Chicago vibes)

• Von El Rods (outside beer garden near the baseball stadium!)

West Nashville:

White Limozeen – Dolly Parton’s bar! Just look at these pics!

Honestly, that’s about it over in West, but it’s really close (if you have a car) to the next spot, The Gulch!

The Gulch/Downtown:

Thompson Rooftop bar for a cool view (but I wouldn’t stay late on a weekend) 

Look at that view at night!

• Liberty Common (for brunch, be sure to make a reservation)

• Pinewood Social (it sounds basic, but the burger is great) – people will be bowling in the back! There is also pool – but enter at your own risk

• Party Fowl (hot take: But I like this for hot chicken. And a bushwacker)

• SuperRica (great for Mexican food!)

• Uncommon James for Jewelry (Kristin Cavalari’s line)

• E. allen – Elizabeth owns this is and is amazing! Great for jewelry and clothes

• Lucchese store – Obviously for the boots!

• DO THIS!! Listening Room – this is where you can see what is called Writer’s Round! This is where 3-4 songwriters will play 3-4 of the songs that you most likely hear on the radio! Country Music Artists don’t usually write their songs on their own (if at all), so it’s fun to hear the songwriter’s point of view and backstory of the song

Honky Tonks/Broadway:

Okay, I promised I’d give a few faves here. BUT also, there is a nicer area next to Broadway now called 5th and Broad- which does have good restaurants and shopping. I’ll include those here, too!

• 60 Vines (a wine bar!)

• Blanco (my favorite queso)

• Ryman (obviously for a show!)

• The Stage Honky Tonk (for dancing! Third floor overlooks the city)
• Tootsies Honky Tonk (it’s iconic)
• Roberts Honky Tonk (known for their fried bologna sandwiches, don’t ask questions)
• Nudies Honky Tonk (don’t let the name scare you, I don’t know why it’s called that. And they usually have a little more rocker songs for some reason)

I don’t know how I convinced my mom to go to the honky tonks on this trip!

Misc:

• Grand Ole Opry (if there is an artist there you love!) – each artist plays about 3 songs, it’s not a full concert – I made that mistake when I first went!

• You can sign up as an ‘extra’ for the CMT music video countdown. This is very touristy, but I did it my first month in Nashville (by myself mind you!), and it was kind of fun 🙂 I went on a day Reba was there!

Next up, we’ll round up the Franklin area! Just look at how cute it is!!