Nashville, TN Road Trips

Nashville was founded in 1779 and it grew rapidly because of its excellent location on the Cumberland River. It was incorporated in 1806 and became the county seat of Davidson County. Nashville was named the capital of Tennessee in 1843. Like many Southern cities, Nashville was not immune to the economic woes of the post-Civil War South but it quickly rebounded. It only took a few years for the city to reclaim its important shipping and trading position and to develop a solid manufacturing base. The post-Civil War years of the late 19th century brought a new-found prosperity to Nashville. These healthy economic times left the city with a legacy of grand classical-style buildings, which can still be seen around the downtown area. Since the 1970s, the city has experienced tremendous growth, particularly during the economic boom of the 1990s under the leadership of Mayor (former Tennessee Governor) Phil Bredesen, who made urban renewal a priority, and fostered the construction or renovation of several city landmarks, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Public Library downtown, Bridgestone Arena, and Nissan Stadium. 1 Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, 150 Fourth Avenue North, ☏ +1 615-259-4730. (updated May 2017) Nashville sits in the middle of a geographic region known as the Nashville Basin. It is surrounded by the Cumberland Highlands and is bordered by the Cumberland Plateau to the east. The Nashville Basin is characterized by rich, fertile farm country and high natural wildlife diversity.

Nashville is a very historic town and as such, many of its attractions are restorations or museums. Most attractions of interest to tourists are in the Downtown, Midtown, and Music Valley neighborhoods. 1 AT&T Building. An instantly recognizable downtown Nashville landmark, the AT&T Building, built in 1994 at 333 Commerce Street, is the tallest building in the state of Tennessee and can be seen from quite some distance if the hills aren't in your way. Its two tall spires on the building have earned it the nickname, "The Batman Building." 2 John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Built between 1907 and 1909, the bridge was used for automobile traffic between East Nashville and Downtown. The bridge has been converted to a pedestrian bridge, and offers a spectacular view of the riverfront and downtown skyline. It is a very popular and convenient route to the Titans' football stadium. 3 Nashville's Second Avenue. Provides entertainment for many different styles of people. The street includes bars such as Hooters and the famous Wildhorse Saloon, dining destinations including the Old Spaghetti Factory, the Melting Pot and B.B. King's Restaurant and Blues Club, and locations for family-friendly fun such as Laser Quest. 4 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave S, toll-free: +1-800-852-6437. Sa-Th 9AM–5PM, F 9AM-6PM (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Regularly changing exhibits and live performances make this Nashville landmark someplace to visit often. The Hall of Fame moved here in 2000.

1 Adventure Science Center (Formerly the Cumberland Science Museum), 800 Fort Negley Blvd, ☏ +1 615-862-5160, fax: +1 615 862-5178. 9AM-5PM except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. It has been remodeled. Interesting exhibits which change every few weeks. Adult: $18, Youth (2-12) $14. (updated Mar 2020) 2 Yazoo Brewery, 910 Division St, ☏ +1 615-891-4649. W Th 5PM, 6PM; F 5PM, 6PM, 7PM; Sa noon-7PM. Yazoo Brewing Company is brewed and bottled in downtown Nashville. The Brewery offers tours only on Saturdays, when they're not brewing. You'll get to walk through all parts of the brewery and learn how the beers are made. With your admission you'll also receive a Yazoo pint glass and samples of beers during the tour. $10. (updated Feb 2021) 3 The Escape Game - Berry Hill, 162 3rd Ave. North (also at 510 East Iris Drive and 523 Opry Mills Drive), ☏ +1 615-647-8229, [email protected]. 10AM-Midnight. The Escape Game offers nine rooms in three locations with the same main objective - to escape within an hour! - but each game has a unique, immersive theme with different surprise elements and game components. Note that games are not private unless the maximum number of players are purchased by your group. $32.99-37.99. (updated Mar 2020) 4 Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave N, ☏ +1 615-889-3060. 9AM-4PM daily for tours. Closed 1 Jan, Thanksgiving, 24-25 Dec. Completed in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle as commissioned by riverboat Captain Thomas Green Ryman, a newly converted southern evangelist.

The dominant local grocery chains in Nashville are Kroger, Publix, and Aldi. The city is also dotted with dozens of ethnic groceries, especially Hispanic, Kurdish, Indian and Vietnamese, around Nolensville Pike. For organic and/or specialty grocery stores, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, and Fresh Market also have locations throughout the city. Downtown 1 The Arcade. An open-air 2-level arcade that runs between 4th Avenue North and 5th Avenue North. The Arcade primarily caters to the local downtown workers during the work week, but many great lunch restaurants can be found here. There are also several hairstylists, jewelers, florists, and other businesses. Be sure to visit the historic Peanut Shop. 2 Monell's, 1235 6th Ave N, ☏ +1 615 248-4747. M-F 10:30AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 5PM-8:30PM; Country Breakfast Sa 8:30AM-1PM, Su 8:30AM-11AM; Sunday Meal 11AM-4PM. Located in historic Germantown, Monell's is a Nashville tradition. They serve different meals every day and the good ol' home cookin' is sure not to disappoint! Seating and serving are done family style, 13-14 per table. More than likely you will sit with people you don't know. First come, first serve. No reservations and no cell phones allowed. 3 Swagruha, 900 Rosa L Parks Ave (just north of the Capital Building in the Farmers' Market), ☏ +1 615-736-7001. Same hours as Farmers' Market. They have a basic menu that would satisfy almost any Indian food craving and at $7.50 for a plate full of food, you won't go wrong. (updated Jul 2017) Midtown Las Palmas Mexican Restaurante.

1 Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea, 1886 Eastland Ave, ☏ +1 615-915-0675. A locally-owned coffee house residing in historic East Nashville, Ugly Mugs brews the local roast Drew's Brews and displays artwork by local artists as well as live music on Saturday nights. Known for serving coffee in a vast collection of quirky and non-cosmetic coffee mugs. Toys available for children. Wifi friendly. 2 Barista Parlor, 519 Gallatin Ave, ☏ +1 615-712-9766. The first in a chain of serious-minded coffee shops, the original is based in East Nashville, Barista Parlor is already a staple for local coffee lovers and has attained a reputation of style and quality. 3 CREMA, 15 Hermitage Ave, ☏ +1 615-824-3855. Popular coffee shop about a mile south of downtown. Known for its hand-crafted coffee creations and their selection of baked goods. Wifi friendly. 4 Bongo Java, 2007 Belmont Blvd and 107 S 11th St, ☏ +1 615-385-JAVA (5282), +1 615-777-EAST (3278). The first and most relaxed in a very successful local mini-chain of quirky coffeehouses, Bongo Java is a meeting place for the young, the arty, and the students at Belmont University just across the street. Linger for hours on the huge porch over several cups of their incredibly strong, flavorful coffee, and take advantage of the free computer, Wi-Fi, and chess set use. 5 Fido, 1812 21st Avenue South (across from The Belcourt Theatre), ☏ +1 615-777-FIDO (3436). A sister-cafe to Bongo Java, Fido offers the same brew as the other Bongo Java locations while also offering an array of breakfast/brunch options.

1 Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1008 19th Ave S, ☏ +1 615-340-7500. Bath is shared with one other room. Locks off. Near Vanderbilt and Music Row. Private bed/room at $50. 2 Alexis Inn & Suites Nashville Airport-Opryland, 600 Ermac Dr, ☏ +1 615-889-4466. Free hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet, airport shuttle. All non-smoking hotel. $50-109. 3 Best Western Plus Music Row, 1407 Division St, ☏ +1 615-242-1631. Located in the heart of "Music Row." Pet friendly, free breakfast. $60-79. 4 Club-Hotel Nashville Inn & Suites, 2435 Atrium Way, ☏ +1 615-883-0500. Hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet, airport shuttle, fitness center, great outdoor pool and evening manager's cocktail reception. Meeting rooms available for meetings and training. Fully smoke-free hotel and facility. $50-109. 5 Holiday Inn Express Nashville Airport, 1111 Airport Center Dr, ☏ +1 615-883-1366. Great amenities, including an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, free 24-hour shuttle service to the BNA Airport. You can start the day with the free, hot Express Start Breakfast Bar. From $107 nightly. 6 Days Inn - Opryland, 3312 Dickerson Rd, ☏ +1 615-228-3421. $58-65. 7 Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown - Stadium by IHG, 211 N 1st St, ☏ +1 615-254-1551. 8 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Nashville, TN, 210 Rudy Circle, ☏ +1 615-316-9944, [email protected]. Clean and quiet hotel across the road from Percy Priest lake. Free breakfast, pool, fitness center. Approx $80. 9 Courtyard by Marriott - Airport, 2508 Elm Hill Pike, ☏ +1 615-883-9500. $139.

1 Nashville International Airport (BNA IATA) (About 5 mi (8.0 km) from downtown), ☏ +1 615-275-1675. The most inexpensive way to travel between Nashville International Airport and downtown Nashville is to ride the Nashville MTA's Route 18 Airport/Elm Hill bus, which serves the airport and downtown on an hourly basis, from about 7AM to about 10PM, seven days a week. Schedules are located at the Welcome Center located on the baggage claim level of the airport. Nashville International Airport was the first major US airport to authorize ridesharing services with dedicated pickup and drop off areas. Passengers using these services may wait in a designated area on Level 1 outside of the main terminal. Nashville International Airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines. There are nonstop flights to numerous domestic destinations, as well as international service to six Canadian cities, four Latin American, Dublin, Reykjavik, and London–Heathrow. (updated Nov 2018) 2 John C. Tune Airport, 110 Tune Airport Dr, ☏ +1 615 350-5000. General aviation airport, 8 miles from downtown Nashville. (updated Nov 2021) 3 Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport, 278 Doug Warpoole Rd, Smyrna, ☏ +1 615-459-2651. A general aviation reliever airport for BNA, 12 nautical miles (22 km) south of it. Nashville is a nexus of several interstate highways, including I-65 (north-south), I-40 (east-west), and I-24 (northwest-southeast). The various highways sometimes merge and split without the typical exit-offramp design, so travellers should consult maps before attempting to navigate the area.

Nashville MTA (WeGo Public Transit), ☏ +1 615-862-5969. Operates routes throughout downtown and the surrounding area. $2 for an adult 2-hour pass. An all-day pass for an adult is $4. Nashville's bus system is designed around a central station. The schedule accommodates a 9AM-5PM schedule with limited late night service. Route maps and schedules are subject to change but are available from the Nashville MTA website. (updated Sep 2022) WeGo Star (formerly Music City Star), ☏ +1 615-862-8833. Commuter train runs Monday - Friday. The train runs from Lebanon to Downtown's 5 Riverfront Station. One-Way tickets purchased at the platform are $5 each. There are two shuttle services that transport people for no extra charge, passengers use their Music City Star ticket to board. Shuttle 93 goes up Broadway, West End, and around the Vanderbilt area. Shuttle 94 loops through Downtown. If you wish to go to any other place in the city, you can catch the Downtown Shuttle at the Riverfront Station and exit at the downtown bus mall then catch the bus that is going to your destination. (updated Mar 2015) The primary mode of transportation is by private car in Nashville. The average speed on highways ranges from 55-70 mph, but are usually much slower due to traffic congestion. City streets are generally 25-45 mph unless otherwise posted. I-40, I-65, and I-24 are the major interstate highways that run through Nashville. All major national car rental agencies operate in Nashville. Taxis are also very prevalent in Nashville, especially Downtown.

Avoid walking in North Nashville, especially the Bordeaux and MetroCenter districts, and use caution when driving through the district at night. Use caution when walking around Downtown Nashville at night, especially along the avenues south of Broadway. Use designated parking and avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle. Panhandlers do exist around these areas as well.