How to spend a weekend in Nashville (off Broadway)
Nashville is definitely a party town, and while a lively honky tonk can be fun, it’s probably not something most people want to do every day. There’s plenty to see and do around Nashville outside of the downtown/Broadway corridor.
What to do
Visit the Grand Ole Opry
When in Nashville be sure to check out a show at the Grand Ole Opry! This is truly such a uniquely Nashville experience that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.
Even if you aren’t a big country music fan there’s something for everyone from country to folk to bluegrass and more. The show is more of a variety show format with 8 different acts each playing 3 songs while also sharing stories with the audience, allowing the show to move quickly.
What’s also unique about the show is that it is broadcast live on the radio, and has been running since 1925 making it a part of music history.
There is truly no bad seat in the venue. Even purchasing last minute tickets in the upper level on the side of the stage had clear views of the performers.
Tips:
The Opry is about 20-30 minutes northeast of downtown Nashville, so plan your travel into your schedule.
The show starts promptly at 7pm and runs until 930pm. Arrive early to get any photos inside or outside of the venue and find your seat.The bar line is LOONG but the grab and go with canned beverages (beer, wine, cocktails) is much faster.
There are plenty of cars and vans available via Uber and Lyft after the show, but there is no designated Uber/Lyft pick up zone, so finding your ride is a bit of a nightmare.
Visit the Parthenon
This was initially built in the late 1800s to celebrate Tennessee's 100th year of statehood. In the 1920s a more permanent structure was created. The impressive statue of Athena was not added until 1990.
If I'm being totally honest I was confused when I heard there was a to-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon built in Nashville, and wasn’t sure what to expect. The existing Parthenon in Greece being thousands of years old has deteriorated over time and lost many of the features from the original temple. This attraction was actually surprisingly interesting because it explains how they were able to piece together information on what the original looked like and the process of working with different local sculptors to create the new version.
The first floor features a small permanent art collection as well as two rotating exhibitions.
Tickets were $10 per person and you can plan to spend about 45 minutes exploring the space.
Go to Drag Brunch
The show featured 3 drag queens that each performed 2 different songs. There is a lot of crowd interaction and participation as well which adds to the fun.
Chocolate factory tour
Day trips
If you’re looking to escape the city you can drive 90 minutes north into Kentucky to visit the Mammoth Cave National Park.
This is the largest known cave system in the world, and is also a UNESCO heritage site.
The park is free to enter, but the cave tours and other activities have associated fees.
This is a dry cave, so don’t expect to see many stalactites or stalagmites, but you will be awed by the size and scale of the caves.
The caves have a consistent humidity and temperature of approximately 54-56 degrees fahrenheit year round. Make sure to bring layers as it can be a little cool when you’re in the less active part of the tour.
Where to Stay
East Nashville is the perfect area to stay because it has a lot of great food and drink options within a short drive or walk, and tons of cute local shops to explore.
This is also only about 10-15 minutes into downtown or 15-20 minutes to the Gulch or Music Row.
Where to Eat & Drink
I cannot recommend this strongly enough. Do not leave Nashville without going to Monell’s! This was hands down the best food and the best fried chicken I had while in Nashville. Every single thing they serve is delicious.
Seating and food are community style. Their motto is “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends.” This means you will be at a table with other groups. The food also comes out family style, so you take what you want and always “pass to the left”. If you run out of food, just ask the server and they’ll bring another plate for the table.
They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are cutoff times for each seating as the food changes with each course. Our group went for breakfast, and were in the last group seated before the 11am cutoff.
This East Nashville Restaurant had outstanding food, fantastic servers and an expansive outside patio area.
They also make their own in house sodas for your choice of custom phosphate drinks (with or without alcohol).
If you're not in the East Nashville area they also have a location at the assembly food hall downtown and at the airport so you can stop in before flying home.
Located in a gas station parking lot in the 5-points area of East Nashville, this lives up to its name as a great cheap spot to grab food. The tacos are $2 each and the larger items (nachos, burritos, quesadillas) are mostly $10 and under.
You’ll find this small neighborhood cafe in East Nashville near East Park.
Recommended by locals
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