Here we are…one of the worst Tuesdays of the year, the day after Memorial Day. Hope you guys all had a wonderful and restful weekend – while none of us are eager to get back to the daily routine this morning, with the Memorial day weekend comes the official unofficial kickoff to summer. It’s time to look ahead at the months to come and get that social calendar in order. If you’re used to the heat, or just plain don’t care, summer time is a blast here in Nashville, with a plethora of options available that don’t involve obnoxious honky tonks and people swinging their colostomy bags around. So, let’s get to it.
Things to Do in Nashville This Summer (2021)
Arrington Vineyards – full review – The peace and quiet, the wine, watching the sunset atop the hill – the scenery at Arrington Vineyards makes for the perfect atmosphere on a summer evening. Keep an ear to the ground for special events, cigar nights, and food trucks. This is one spot the fiancé and I make sure to get out to at the beginning of every summer.
Canoe the Harpeth – Google search – There are several options to head out and hop in a boat and coast on down the Harpeth River. Personally, I can vouch for Foggy Bottom Canoe and Kayak Rental – spent many a lazy Saturday thanks to the fine folks that run that operations. But, there are so many spots to drop a boat in the river that it all depends on your location.
Game Terminal – website – So, I just discovered this one thanks to our Lead Music Columnist Steven McCash, who found this hidden gem just outside the downtown area in the middle of what appears to be warehouse wasteland. Tucked away from all the madness of Broadway, Game Terminal feels like an oasis for us locals, the unicorns, the jaded Nashvillians. You just can’t beat a great bar, classic arcade games, board games, and lawn games alike – it’s the perfect place to kill an afternoon drinking and playing Frogger, Clue, cornhole, and giant beer pong.
Nashville Zoo – website – I’m not typically a zoo guy, but it’s a veritable summer staple in this city, and a nice way to spend an afternoon. Also, I’ll say this with a sense of urgency – Brew at the Zoo is back THIS FRIDAY (6/4) – live music, food trucks, over 80 craft beers on tap. Don’t miss that one, y’all.
Nashville Sounds – schedule – There may be no better summer time tradition than a night at the ball park with a few (dozen) cold bois and a hot dog. If you haven’t had to call an Uber or Lyft home from a Sounds game, you haven’t lived. Cheap beer and baseball – that’s the American way. First Horizon Park is an oasis on a swampy summer evening.
Cheekwood – full review – So often, we associate Nashville with bright lights and loud ass noises, but there are some beautiful spots around town to take in a serene and peaceful afternoon. Chief among them is Cheekwood. It’s the type of place that will put a little easiness into your soul.
Grand Old Golf – website – I don’t care how old I get – there are fewer things more inherently “summer” than a good old-fashioned putt-putt course. While everyone may be flocking to Top Golf downtown these days, I’d suggest taking a nice little trip out to the ol’ Opryland part of town, where things are a little bit quieter, and enjoying a nice old school game of mini-golf at Grand Old Golf. It’s in a touristy area, but not the Broadway type of touristy…no, this is like going back in time a bit to the there’s-a-theme-park-across-the-street-named-Opryland type of touristy. Of course, no trip to Grand Old Golf is complete without a sno-cone.
Jeni’s Ice Cream – website – If you’re not standing in line with strangers to get some Jeni’s in the summer time, are you even a Nashvillian? With nine area locations, it’s easy to track one down. Personally, East Nashville is our go-to spot. Might I also recommend the frosé sorbet? That’s money.
Nashville Symphony – website – I’ll tell ya – some of you uncultured swine out there like me could use a crash course in sophistication. That’s what one night at the Nashville Symphony can do for you – like it did for me. Real talk – there are few things that feel as nice, classy, and luxurious as a nice dinner and a night at the Nashville Symphony. They recently announced that they were BACK, running live shows, in person, again for the first time since the pandemic forced everything to close down. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a beautiful venue and a welcomed break from all of the honky tonks that litter Nashville’s streets. Trust me – this is a home run date spot.
Important Dates
6/3-6/24 (every Thursday): Movies in the Park – full write-up – Food trucks and games start at 5PM, the movies start at sundown in Elmington Park – Movies in the Park is a charming throwback to yesteryear. Throw down a blanket, enjoy some popcorn, and watch one of the classics.
6/22/21: Nimesh Patel @ Zanies – tickets – I stumbled upon Nimesh Patel on Tik Tok, and have become a big fan ever since. The dude has quite the resumé, with writing gigs for The Academy Awards in 2016, SNL, and more on it. If you share a sense of humor with some of us here on SoBros Network, I think Patel’s sarcastic style will hit you the same way it hit me. This one should be a hidden gem on your summer calendar.
7/4/21: 4th of July in Nashville – website – It’s back, baby. One of the nation’s biggest Independence Day celebrations will return after taking a year off thanks to covid. If you guys are into sweaty crowds and fireworks, by all means, go for it. I’ll chill out here in the suburbs.
8/13: Yacht Rock Revue @ Marathon Music Works – tickets – It’s time to stop sleeping on the dulcet tones and vintage style of Yacht Rock Revue. When life gives you bad tequila, you make a good margarita.
8/12-8/21: Wilson County Fair – website – The Wilson County Fair should be on any Tennesseean’s to-do list this summer. In a way, this is usually the event that signifies that summer’s end is approaching. Nonetheless, it’s one of the longest-running and biggest attractions in the area.
8/13-8/14: Tomato Art Fest – website – It is simply a can’t-miss event for me at this point. The Tomato Art Fest is the perfect blend of East Nashville vibes, arts, crafts, and of course, the food trucks.
8/16/21: James Taylor @ Bridgestone – tickets – Go ahead. I’ll give you time to change your underwear before you come back to finish this post. Get ready for some wet ass panties. That’s right – James Taylor is finally playing the Bridgestone after covid postponed his original date. LFG.
9/2-9/5: Bonnaroo – website – I just feel this weird sense of obligation to let y’all know that Bonnaroo is happening this year, and it’s happening on 9/2-9/5. That’s a young man’s game, so I’m going to peace out of this one.
MORE NASHVILLE RANKINGS
- My Nashville Dining Mount Rushmore
- Nashville Food Truck Power Rankings
- Nashville Hot Chicken Rankings
- Our Favorite Things to Do In Nashville
- Our Running List Of The Best Restaurants In Nashville
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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