What to do in Nashville
Getting There Took Longer Than Expected...
I got the chance to visit Nashville this summer! I had this image in my head of what it would be like, and it was bigger than I expected!
I flew to Nashville for a TPT Forward Conference. If you haven't heard of TPT, it stands for, “Teachers Pay Teachers” it's an online marketplace for teachers to sell or give away resources they've created for classrooms. As a teacher I've downloaded a ton of things, now I sell stuff there. The conference was to help us in our selling endeavors. I go more into depth on what I learned here link if you want to learn more.
The trip to get to Nashville came with flight delays and re-routing through Louisville. We were told to get off the plane because it would be a whole, we were called back a few minutes later, then told “actually go ahead and go grab something to eat it will be at least a few hours” and then a few minutes later “come back we're boarding now”.
It wouldn't have been so annoying if I wasn't starving, I went to get in line at Smash burger twice and both times was called back before I could order. 😅 A flight that was supposed to take a couple hours took most of the day. At one point they even said “if you're planning on renting a car and driving, let us know”. Lol 🤣
Funnily / poetically enough, the book I was listening to all day had this very applicable quote:
“If patience wasn't so easily tested, then it would hardly be a virtue.”
-A Gentleman in Moscow
At the airport while in line one of the times to get a burger, I met a man who lived in Tennessee (that's a Christmas song reference) and he was heading for … home. in Nashville. He was just visiting Utah for the 4th of July which is the way to live your life. There's no place like home for the holidays. 😉 He told me that he and his family missed their first flight because they didn't have a birth certificate for their baby? Apparently that's a new policy on some airlines now?
I noticed his BYU shirt and asked if he was from Provo and that's how we got to talking. I've said it before and I'll say it again, wearing BYU merch is the best way to find people to talk to about home when you're traveling abroad. I've been meaning to buy some and wear it when I travel even though I'm not an alumni. I guy I went to Israel with had some BYU merch and he seemed to be stopped all the time!
Anyway, I chatted with that guy about things to do in Nashville and then I met another lady in line who is a 4th grade teacher. She's the one who told me all the bars on Broadway open their doors / windows so you can hear the musicians.
I'm growing out of my ‘cheap’ travel ways, when I was in my 20s I would stay in hostels and cart my luggage through the subways… those days are behind me. But as I don't teach fulltime anymore, I'm in the ‘watching what I spend’ stage of life again. That being said, I wanted to stay in a nice place, but I didn't want to pay downtown Nashville prices.
I also got some great recommendations while I was waiting in line at the bathroom. I guess there are blessings that come from those long lines for the women's room. 😅
Where to Stay
After landing I Uber’d from the airport to where I was staying. I met a man from Turkey. He said he has lived in Nashville for a few years but doesn't love the culture of life being all about work. Same, man. Same.
I stayed in a little neighborhood outside of downtown called Hillsborough. It was a cute area within walking distance to some cute breakfast brunch places like Biscuit Love, The Pancake Pantry, and Ruby Sunshine.
The place I stayed was ‘Sonder21’ it’s run by Marriott and they just sent me all the info for self check in so that was super easy. I had my own kitchen in my room and was right next to the pool. I put my bags away and then ordered pizza from the restaurant downstairs, Pizza Perfect. I'd recommend it.
If you want to stay downtown in the action you'll want something much closer to Broadway, which is the main street people go to see in Nashville. It's near the Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame, and dozens of bars that open their doors so you can walk down and hear musicians playing while you walk down the street. I liked exploring that for an afternoon, but I preferred staying in my quieter neighborhood. Plus it was much cheaper than downtown. 😉
Getting Around Nashville: What to Know About Transportation
I had planned to explore Nashville a little the day I arrived, but it's smart to not make concrete plans the day you arrive, because flights be UNRELIABLE. If I use incorrect grammar you'll know ChatGPT didn't write this. Lol.
Anyway I ended up having plenty of time to see things the rest of the week. The first day, I rented an e-bike from right outside my hotel and biked 20 mins to downtown. It was a lovely ride. I learned that if you're hankering to explore downtown, most of the stuff you want is east of 10th avenue. So if you're like me and you like just wandering, that's where you might want to start exploring.
E-bike cost: $1 + .45 per minute (22 min ride was $12ish)
I went back and forth from my place to downtown every day I was there, so for most of the rest of the week, I took the bus. It was a little longer than an Uber / Lyft but not by much. And, you guessed it, a lot cheaper. If you're not against taking public transportation, I’d recommend it! It's cheap and you get to feel like a local. One of my Uber drivers told me public transportation in Nashville is sketchy. That wasn't my experience. Maybe it's because I've been on some sketchy public transportation in my day, or maybe it's because I went back to my place before 7pm every night, or maybe she said that because she wanted me to keep taking Ubers. 😅 The same Uber driver also said the news I show my students is fake news so I didn't put too much stock in her warning.
Uber / Lyft, depending on time of day, $4 to $12 for an 8 min drive. I usually check both apps and go for the cheaper option.
$4 for day bus pass. 20 min ride from Hillsborough to downtown.
It doesn't hurt to do your research on the transportation system before you travel. Know your options.
Places to Eat & Things to Do in Nashville
(Under $40)
Someone at the conference I was attending put together a list of restaurants to try around where we were, so I looked into the options and picked the ones that fit my budget and had food that sounded good. One of the perks of traveling alone is you can always choose restaurants where you know you'll like the food. Though I also enjoy being pushed outside my comfort zone and trying new food.
The first day, I ate at Puckett's. Southern cooking. I had chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a corn cake, and Mac n’ cheese. It was good. I probably liked the Mac n' cheese the best, it was good as a leftover the next day too.
I walked by the farmers market, and was disappointed. It was open, but there was barely anyone there. They probably have hours where more sellers come in, but it wasn't easy to find info online :/
I did take a stroll down Broadway and I popped in a few shops (said that with a British accent). I also bought myself some ice cream. I don't know why one of my absolute favorite things is to buy myself ice cream and sit on the street somewhere and watch people.
My travel style has evolved a little over the years, but it's less downtown more nature, museums, and strolls. Looking at architecture. Eating ice cream and people watching fits nicely into that.
This might sound obvious, but you'll have more fun on your trips if you are thoughtful about your travel style and what you want to see and do rather than a list someone wrote of ‘things you have to see’.
For lunch the next day I tried a place called The Finch. It's right next to the fine arts museum and it was pretty good food. The sandwich I had for lunch was better than I expected.
Because I was in a conference most of the day, and because I'm not really into night life when I'm by myself I usually headed back to my place before dark. It was nice to watch a movie and eat leftovers for dinner. That's another part of traveling I like. ;) I watched the new Captain America movie and another night I watched a Walk to Remember, but didn't get to the sad part.
The last day I was in Nashville I tried Biscuit Love for a breakfast biscuit, and then I went to 1Kitchen for lunch. Some of the ladies I met at the conference said the vibe at 1Kitchen was really cool, but I ended up getting a hash to go and eating it at a table at the event center across the street.
I also went to the Country Music Museum and took notes. 😅 Yes, friend I take notes about things I learn from tours and in museums. I didn't plan too, I just wanted to remember all the stuff I was learning.
Other Things on My Nashville To-Do List
Well that's all I have to report on Nashville! I took a flight from Nashville to Lisbon for a Mediterranean / Moroccan cruise next. There were a few things I thought about checking out but didn't get to them:
Dollywood (kinda far from town)
Belmont Mansion
Live music in The Station Inn or Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
See a concert / show in the Ryman Auditorium (the teacher from Tennessee recommended I do this, or at least take a tour of the building) it was the Grand Old Opry’s home for 3 decades and still hosts some of their shows
Grand Ole Opry (didn't know a lot about this until I visited the museum), now most of the shows are about 30 mins outside of town at Opryland
About the Author
Hi, I'm Tara-
I want to be a different kind of travel advisor.
One who shares information and education and empowers you, rather than one who is motivated to make money off of you.
I want to share what I've learned. What I believe makes the best trip, how to get deals, travel on a budget, I would definitely consider myself an expert in that department.
You can read a lot of my tips and tricks for free online through my blog. If you want to consult with me about a trip, I'll charge a fee to help you plan, but I'll leave the actual booking up to you. That way you know the advice I give is not motivated by commission.
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