Curator’s statement
Nashville is a special pace where the love of music and fun brings people together. Music is embedded in the fabric of the city. You can hear not only country, but all kinds of music every night of the week. One of my favorite parts of growing up in Nashville is the Southern charm and hospitality. The people are the heart and soul of the city. It is not unusual for strangers to strike up conversations just about anywhere! Nashville has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. In this guide, I'm highlighting places that have been around much longer and are well-loved by native Nashvillians.
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Things to do in Nashville
Zanie's Comedy Club showcases local acts and famous comedians.
Music venues
3rd and Lindsley: A chill music venue with table seating where you can discover fantastic music and enjoy a great dinner at the same time.
Exit/In: Hosting both renowned music artists as well as local up-and-coming artists, the Exit/In is a Nashville staple for great music in a lively atmosphere.
Robert's Western World: The true Nashville honky-tonk rooted deep in Nashville's history. The place to go to soak up the world of country music.
Comedy clubs
Zanies: The original comedy club in Nashville where they serve up good laughs, drinks and food showcasing both local and national acts.
Third Coast Comedy Club: An improv, sketch and variety comedy club.
Movie theatres
The Belcourt: Nashville's treasured independent theatre that has been around since 1925. Renovated in 2016, you can catch amazing movies here that you can't see anywhere else.
Nature walks & hikes
Greenways: Nearly 100 miles of paved paths in natural landscapes around Nashville where you can walk, run, bike, skate or stroll.
Radnor Lake: A popular place for Nashvillians to walk or hike. There is an easy two-mile path around the lake, plus several moderate hiking trails. My favorite is the Ganier Ridge trail where you can hike to a peaceful plateau with many benches to rest and enjoy the views.
Day trips from Nashville
Sewanee: See my guide, "Why I love Sewanee & why you will too."
Granville: Known as "Tennessee's Mayberry Town," a visit to Granville is like stepping back in time to a quaint small town with Southern charm.
Places to eat & drink in Nashville
Caffe Nonna is the oldest Italian restaurant in Nashville.
Coffee Shops
Bongo Java: Nashville's oldest – and best – coffee shop. The original is on Belmont Boulevard across the street from Belmont University, but there are several locations now across Nashville.
Fido: A hip coffee shop in Hillsboro Village – and sister cafe to Bongo Java – where the food is just as amazing as the coffee.
Restaurants
Caffé Nonna: The oldest Italian restaurant in Nashville. Located in Nashville's Sylvan Park neighborhood, Caffé Nonna has been serving heavenly homemade Italian food for over 20 years.
Midtown Cafe: This is a wonderful restaurant in a cozy cottage where the food is just as mouth-wateringly delicious today as it was when it first opened over 30 years ago.
City House: Delectable pizza and much more in a beautiful rustic house in the Germantown neighborhood.
Lockeland Table: A hip neighborhood gem in East Nashville where the food is amazing and the drinks are, too. Catch their community hour if you can.
Travel Advisor
Lesli Hall
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Why I Love Sewanee (& Why You Will, Too).
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Nashville.