Tips for Music Fans Traveling to Nashville, TN
What to Plan for and Plan Around When Visiting Nashville
Sep 15, 2009
People visit Nashville for different reasons, but if good music, good food, and exploration of the nightlife are on the menu, there are some things every traveler should remember.
Broadway/ Music Row in Nashville
The main attraction for out-of-town music fans is Music Row, located on Broadway. Music Row is home to such famous bars as Tootsies and Second Fiddle, among others. Generally there is a wait to get in to Tootsies, which is located in a purple building, as it is one of the most well known bars in the Southeast, so visitors should factor this in to their plans.
One of the most popular desinations for Music City visitors is the Country Music Hall of Fame. Located just off Broadway, it's easy to find and well worth the time to see first-hand some of Nashville and country music's history.
Flying Saucer is a bar attached to Union Station Hotel, an old train station and historic Nashville site. Flying Saucer is housed in the old baggage area of the station, and is now a popular bar down Broadway from Music Row. This bar considers itself to be a beer joint, and with over 200 types of beer, it’s no wonder most people visit for that very reason. They do advertise they have liquor available “if you really, really want it,” but the main attraction undeniably is beer.
There are several public parking lots right off Broadway and Music Row, and there is parking at the convention center, so parking on an average night is not much of an issue.
But often Nashville hosts big name country music and pop music stars, and their concerts are held right on Music Row. Visitors should make sure to be informed of any concerts happening when they’re in town, because on nights like these, parking and traffic are difficult. In those cases, the city’s cabs are a great alternative to driving.
In addition, some hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttle services. Most stop running around 11 P.M, but plenty of cabs are available for the return trip.
In addition to the nightlife, be sure to check out Nashville’s many boot shops on Broadway. Buying a good pair of cowboy boots in Nashville is a must. There is a pair for everyone, from the true southern guy to the very girly girl.
Some Nashville Visitors’ Favorite Restaurants
One can’t miss restaurant for either breakfast or lunch is Pancake Pantry, located just off Vanderbilt’s campus. It’s a favorite of students, locals, visitors, and even celebrities. They offer everything from chocolate chip to peach pancakes, and traditional side items like eggs and bacon. For those not fans of pancakes, the restaurant also offers omelets and breakfast sandwiches. When planning to eat at Pancake Pantry, be prepared for at least an hour’s wait. Sometimes the wait is shorter, and on occasion longer, but there is always a line. A sign in the restaurant reads “Rain, snow or shine, there’s always a line.”
Broadway offers a wide variety of lunch and dinner restaurants, serving the tastes of anyone looking for food in the area. The Blackstone Brewery, which brews its own beers in-house, has chicken, burgers, fish and pasta. There are several chain restaurants like TGIFriday’s, White Castle, P.F Chang’s, and Hard Rock Café, for those looking for a well known place to eat.
For ice cream fans, Mike’s Ice Cream Fountain is the place to go. Located on Music Row and boasting visitors like Jimmy Fallon and Julianne Hough, Mike’s offers the usual choices of ice cream in waffle cones, sugar cones or cups. Mike’s is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
Visitors to Nashville’s Music Row will find everything from bars to food on Broadway. A well-planned visit will make for a more fun visit.
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