If You Plan on Visiting Nashville, Here's 10 Things You Should Know!

Broadway in Nashville, TennesseeMegan Moves/YouTube

If you’re a fan of country music, good food, and live entertainment, Nashville is the place for you! But with lots to see and do in the Music City, it’s important to have an idea of what you’d like to experience while visiting. In this article, I will be sharing with you ten things to know before visiting Nashville. Let’s get right into the list!

1) Distance of airport to Nashville city center. The closest airport to Nashville is the Nashville (BNA) airport. Depending on traffic, the airport is about 12 minutes and a little under 10 miles from the Nashville city center. Before getting to Nashville, plan your transportation accordingly. If you don’t plan to rent a car, there is a wide variety of transportation means available. Of course, there is the typical taxi, Uber, or Lyft options. But, depending on where you’re going, there may be public transportation, such as buses, available, or your hotel may have shuttles running.

2) How to get around Nashville. Nashville is a great city where lots of the city’s highlights are in walking distance. It is a very walkable city. However, if you aren’t wanting to walk or are crunched on time, there are lots of ways to get around. In the city, there are both bikes and scooters available to rent. When touring the immediate area, the bikes and scooters are a great way to see the city! Some things to see and do in Nashville may be outside the city limits. In that case, taxis, Lyfts, and Ubers are a more realistic option.

3) Popular murals in the area. If you are interested in art, Nashville is a great city that is decorated by murals. A great area to see some of these Nashville murals is at The Gultch. There you can find the well-known and social media famous “Nashville Gives You Wings” mural.

4) Come hungry to meals. When thinking of Nashville, good food is something that comes to mind! No matter where you go, there’s something for everyone. With that being said, this good food comes with large portions! Of the places, I visited while in Nashville, I definitely never left hungry! Make sure you plan accordingly to get your fill of Nashville cuisine.

5) Visit Jack’s BBQ and The Stillery. With amazing food options available, it’s always helpful to have recommendations to make the decision easier, right? When visiting Nashville, Jack’s BBQ and The Stillery are both options you can’t go wrong with. Jack’s BBQ offers a variety of BBQ options, large portion sizes, and a great dining view of Broadway. At The Stillery, their slogan is “Fine Shine & Good Eats.” There you can find hot chicken, rustic pies (pizza), and two-handed sandwiches.

6) Save space in your suitcase. Did you even truly visit a place if you don’t bring back a souvenir? When visiting Nashville, I guarantee there’s something you’ll want to bring home to remember the trip by. Whether is a new pair of cowboy boots, a hat, or a poster from Hatch Show Print, you’ll want to make sure there’s room for the new item!

7) Rich nightlife. When visiting Nashville, especially while on Broadway, there’s always something happening. During the day you can expect to find lots of people enjoying the city. Whether they are grabbing a bite to eat, visiting a museum, or seeing Broadway for the first time, there will always be someone around. The vibe of Nashville begins to change as the sun goes down and live music starts to come out! Majority of downtowns bars and restaurants will have their own live music playing, which makes for a lively atmosphere! Expect Broadway to become even busier in the evenings and prepare yourself, things can get crazy!

8) Lots of paid experiences. Besides experiencing Nashville dining and nightlife, check out some of the museums and attractions in the area. Great places to visit are the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, and The Frist Art Museum!

9) Historical places to visit. One thing I wish I had taken advantage of while in Nashville was to visit some of the historical places in the area. A couple of places that come to mind are Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, the Belle Meade Plantation, and President Jackson’s Hermitage.

10) If city life isn’t for you, there are lots of nature options! Just outside the city limits, you can find a couple of parks to explore! Down the street from Broadway, you can find a pedestrian-only walking bridge called John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is also located right outside of Nashville and is a great place to walk around. If you have a means of transportation, Radnor lake state park is a 20-minute drive outside of Nashville. This park is a great place to experience the Tennessee wilderness.

So there you go! There’s a list of 10 things to know before visiting Nashville. Let me know in the comments if you are planning a trip to Nashville and what it is you plan to do!