OT: Nashville in early March?

pgprescott

Headed to the HBPA Show in Nashville and wondering if there are any must do's out there. I am told there is an abundance of entertainment and watering holes. We will be downtown @ Music City Center. Look forward to the suggestions.

GATraveller

I'm a big fan of Hog Heaven BBQ which sits on the corner of Centennial Park.  Just a shack with a few picnic tables but quite good.  The white sauce is different and tasty.

Acn

I was just in Nashville in October, I really enjoyed the Ryman tour and the Country Music Hall of Fame was pretty cool.  The music places along Broadway are great because there is no cover charge - they'll pause to pass a jar for tips, but you can go in to see if you can get seating or if you like the band without needing to pay.

I don't know if you'll have a car, but the Hermitage was really nice - they did something that I wish more places did, on their audio tour they had an adult version and a kid version - made my 7 year-old's day.

We had rented a house, so we didn't eat out too much, but we did go to Husk, which was absolutely fantastic.  When I ate at Qui in Austin last fall, the guys from the kitchen I talked to were really big fans of The Catbird Seat, but I didn't have enough lead time to get reservations.

ads75

I went visited Nashville a couple years ago for work. Just walk around downtown, can't go wrong. Wish I had time to visit Johnny Cash museum, the hours didn't work out. Had a really good meals at The Southern Steak and Oyster and Kanye Prime.

DoubleEgger

Nashville Hot Chicken. Hattie B's or Princes

Mattman3969

If you like Thai Food the Siam Cafe us really good

Smokinpig

Loveless cafe is good it is a bit out of the way.

randerson1126

Took my wife to Nashville late March last year for her birthday and had a great time. Stayed at the Omni right by the arena just a couple blocks from Broadway. Expensive but great location.

Definitely go to the Ryman. I would suggest the backstage tour. A little more expensive but a lot better than going it on your own.

It's hard to get tickets but try to find a way to get to the Bluebird Cafe. Singer-songwriters play in a round and talk about the songs they wrote that hit it big in Nashville. Very cool. Tickets need to be found in advance.

Robert's Western World is a neat honky tonk bar on Broadway.

We enjoyed the Country Music Hall of Fame but you have to be a country music fan to truly appreciate it.

Stop by Hatch Print Shop to see cool old-style concert posters/prints as well.

Good food in Nashville too. Went to The Southern for lunch one day. A short can ride from Broadway is the Gulch and there are many restaurants there. Had a great meal at Kayne Prime steakhouse and believe it or not some good sushi at Virago. Merchants was a neat place on Broadway.

Had a great time and would definitely recommend to others!

pgprescott

Thanks to all of you for the tips. Love good Thai, sushi and of course steaks. Might have my hands full deciding, but at least I have some recommendations now, thanks to you.

Pete

DieselkW

Can't miss the Grand Ol' Opry while you're there. They have backstage tours and the obligatory gift shop if you want a Minnie Pearle hat.

It's right behind the Gaylord Hotel.

 


and while you're in that neighborhood, Cooter's place is nearby, you'll see it:

THEBuckeye

Eat

Arnold's Country Kitchen - Tyler's favorite meat and three. Open for lunch weekdays only.

Bella Napoli Pizzeria - Authentic Italian pizza and pasta.

Bongo Java - Fun coffee and quick breakfast. 

Burger Up - Delicious burgers and cocktails. Make sure to try the truffle fries. No reservations.

Calypso Cafe - Alexandra's favorite casual Caribbean. New location at 3307 Charlotte Avenue. 

Chuy's - Tex-Mex. Can accommodate large groups, go early to avoid long wait.

City House - Modern Italian Nashville staple. Reservations must be made far in advance.

Dose Coffee - The perfect latte and quiet place to relax. Breakfast and lunch options.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - Best ice cream hands down and started in Columbus, Ohio.

Holland House - Favorite place to bring out-of-town friends. Reservations recommended.

McDougal's Chicken - Vanderbilt staple. Great chicken fingers with a ton of sauce choices.

Monell's - Family style Southern meals in Historic Germantown. First come first served.

Noshville - NY style Deli with famous Matzah Ball Soup. Good breakfast and brunch. 

Pancake Pantry - Favorite breakfast spot, worth the wait in line. 

South Street - Nashville landmark with open-air seating, food & drinks.

Star Bagel - Best bagels for a quick breakfast or lunch.

Taco Mamacita - Good for groups and great margaritas. 

Whiskey Kitchen - One of our favorites for festive food & drinks. Open air and good for groups. No reservations.

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Drink 

The Big Bang - Dueling piano bar on Broadway.

Dan McGuinness - Irish pub and one of our favorite college hangouts.

Flying Saucer - Hundreds of draught beers. 

Paradise Park - Great live music and Nashville staple on Broadway.

Patterson House - Best cocktails in the city. Located at 1171 Division St. 

Rippy's - Good barbeque and great live music on Broadway. Check out the upstairs patio.

The Stage - More great live music on Broadway.

Tin Roof - Another favorite college hangout on Demonbreun.

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge - Historic country music saloon on Broadway.

 

THEBuckeye

Sorry about the format. This is from our daughter's wedding website. She and Fiance are both Vandy grads and they're getting married in Nashville in May. 

pgprescott

Thanks again guys. I've visited some of the sites and now I have some really tough decisions to make. Great ideas.

TN_Sister_State

I lived in downtown Nashville for 5 years. Just recently moved to the burbs. What are you looking for exactly? One of the better BBQ joints around downtown is Peg Leg Porker in the gulch. Not a far walk from the center of dt and a short cab rib. Bacon and Cavier in the nashville farmers market has some great brisket and excellent grits. Any of the honkey tonks on Broadway are cool if you like country music. If there are other genres you would enjoy let me know and I can point you in the right direction. Im a food and drink guy mostly so can definitely guide you there. And someone mentioned the Catbird seat. You will need connections to get in there now since they only take reservations 30 days out and you have to wake up early early on that 30th day to book it. My favorite bar downtown is the beer Celler since not may people know about it and its not very inviting since its literally a celler beneath hooters. Great beer selection there as well as Broadway Brewhouse. If you want a taproom for craft beers Hops and Crafts taproom is pretty good in the gulch or if you have a car make your way to East Nasty(East Nashville), its a local endearing term, for great beer, food, and music. Feel free to PM me for any other specific info. Glad all of yall enjoy our great city. 

TN_Sister_State

Just for a reference point I have lived in Middle Tn the past 25 years. If you are here the weekend of the 14th you might want to check this out. It will be epic. The wife and I are having a staycation downtown for it.

http://www.nuitbelge.com/

TN_Sister_State

Thanks to all of you for the tips. Love good Thai, sushi and of course steaks. Might have my hands full deciding, but at least I have some recommendations now, thanks to you.

Pete

For Thai there are two really good options. Thai Essane and Thai Phooket and there is always dependable Virago for great sushi. 

Holepuncher

Highly recommend the ribs at Peg Leg Porker.

pgprescott

Thanks again for all the great options. I'm really looking forward to the short visit.