How to Do Nashville Without Doing Broadway

Stoney Keeley maps out a week in Nashville away from the bright lights of Broadway.

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If you’ve been a longtime supporter of SoBros Network, you know we refer to ourselves as “that jaded Nashville show for jaded Nashvillians” on the SoBros Power Hour all the time. Maybe that bleeds through in a way that makes people think that we don’t like our city, but that’s not the case. It’s the same energy as “I can make fun of myself, but you can’t make fun of me.” Personally, I enjoy living near a city that friends and family from all over the country want to visit. I enjoy driving ’em around, seeing the shit show that is Broadway and the labyrinth of honky tonks it houses. My wife and I always roll the windows down and tell ’em to just listen as sounds pour out of every bar in town, hanging in the air like a rhinestone symphony. I guess I always took that for granted – I’m not a country music fan, and now that I’m 37 years old, I’m far removed from my days of tolerating loud music. I just want to get a good meal, have a few cocktails, and sit somewhere quiet for a while these days. But, the energy that Nashville has isn’t prevalent in every city. There’s a spark here that everyone who visits raves about. It’s the same spark that us locals roll our eyes at, but it’s a spark nonetheless.

My frustration with that is a direct result of the uptick in traffic downtown, the costly drink prices, and the loud, crowded nature of Broadway. I’m old enough to remember a time when you could actually move around comfortably down there. That’s just not the case anymore, and it seems like all the tourists want now is the bright lights, glitz, and glamor of the Music City. There’s an undertow of a real city with real people, good food, good beer, and good times that don’t involve cowboy boots or penis straws.

It wasn’t always this way, but nowadays, in its current form, Broadway has a tendency to strip away old Nashville’s authenticity – talk to a local about the 2010 flood and how this city responded to it. Ask an old head about Opryland, Thirsty Thursday at Greer Stadium, or River Stages and what concerts were like before all of this *gestures vaguely*. If you catch the right ear, ask about the mafia’s history in Nashville, or what the Steve and Eddie days of the Titans were like. I could go on and on, but you get my point. So, we’re long overdue for this kind of post. We’ve been talking about doing a “Nashville outside of Broadway” post for awhile, and it’s finally here.

How to Do Nashville Without Doing Broadway

Grand Ole Opry visit website – It’s cheesy, I know. But, the Grand Ole Opry is a big part of Nashville’s entertainment history. Catch a show there, take a tour, spend the evening out in the Music Valley area. It’s one of the last few parts of Nashville that has been largely untouched by all of the gentrification going on. I wouldn’t exactly recommend spending an afternoon at a shopping mall, but that doesn’t stop people from flocking to Opry Mills for what it’s worth. There’s a little more room to breathe out in that part of town. Sneak into the Opryland Hotel and roam around for a bit. You can even hop on the General Jackson for a nice little ride down the Cumberland River.

Cheekwood Estate and Gardensvisit website – Tranquil and serene, a stroll through Cheekwood is the perfect way to spend an afternoon admiring the beauty of nature’s splendor here in Nashville.

Sporting event – See what the experience of being a Nashville sports fan is all about. If you’re down here in the spring or summer, check out a Nashville SC or Nashville Sounds game. Both offer fun experiences for the whole family. If you’re down here in the fall, head to Nissan Stadium to see a Tennessee Titans game before they tear that thing down and build a new stadium in a few years.

Arrington Vineyardsvisit website – It’s a drive, and it’ll probably take up your entire evening if you let it, but that’s not a bad idea if you ask me. My wife and I go every summer, picking up some wine and watching the sunset from the top of the hill out there. Uber and Lyft will take you all the way out there…just be careful getting down that hill after a few bottles of wine.

Printers Alley – There’s plenty of night life around the city that isn’t located on Broadway or 2nd Avenue, but somehow, I’d always find myself back at Printers Alley. Whether it was Fleet Street Pub or Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, it was always a great time to grab a beer. Skulls Rainbow Room is another highlight of the area, and you can’t beat the convenience of having a Daddy’s Dogs location right there in the alley after a night of drinking.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center visit website – T-PAC, as its affectionately known ’round town, is a tremendous theatre experience and a great place to see a production, whether it’s a play, live music, a comedy show, a live podcast tour, or who knows what else? Check out their website for the event schedule.

Nashville Symphonyvisit website – the Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a beautiful venue, and the Nashville Symphony creates a wonderful experience. Check out their website for their event schedule.

The Belcourt Theatrevisit website – Let’s keep this run of viable entertainment options going with a trip to The Belcourt, Nashville’s non-profit film center. It’s a hell of a place to catch a movie, but be sure to get the popcorn! If you’re feeling up for it, you might even luck into a midnight movie or two. I saw Drive there last summer and I’m honestly surprised I was able to stay awake for it in my geriatric millennial age.

The Hermitagevisit website – if you’re up for a short drive east of town, and you’re a history nut like me, venture out to check out the historic home of President Andrew Jackson.

Music City Brew Hop tourvisit website – I know I poke fun at all the party vehicles downtown, but this one’s different, I swear. There’s a good brewery scene here in Nashville that features some heavy hitters in the region. There’s no better way to experience them than by buying a ticket to hop on a trolley and hop off at seven different breweries from the Bearded Iris and Southern Grist staples to the underrated Barrique Brewing.

Game Terminal visit website – Tucked away from all the downtown madness rests an oasis of beer and activities. Whether it’s pinball, arcade games, or giant trash can volleyball beer pong, The Game Terminal has you covered. It’s a place where time does not exist, so be careful…you can burn an entire day there before you know it.

So, we’ve covered some activities. How about we talk dinner? Why not get out and about and see one of the many fun neighborhoods around Nashville?

Dinner Away from Broadway

East Nashville – There’s no doubt about it in my mind. East Nashville rules the Nashville dining scene. There are so many good spots that you could have a month in Nashville and still not have enough time to try them all. My recommendations, which you might have to call ahead and make reservations for, would be Audrey, Butcher & Bee, Lockeland Table, Dino’s (one of the best burgers in town), and The Pharmacy.

West Nashville – West Nashville, like the larger city itself, has developed so much over the last few years. To me, that part of town offers the perfect date night – a nice dinner, a trip to McKay’s bookstore, and then a few beers at the TailGate Brewery out west. Head on into The Nations for some Daddy’s Dogs if you’re so inclined. Or, stay in Sylvan Park and dine at MLRose, Hugh-Baby’s, Smokin’ Thighs, Wendell Smith’s, The Ridge, or my personal pick for crown jewel of the neighborhood, Hathorne.

12 South – My wife loves 12 South, so I’m just going to mention it in this discussion too. My picks would be 12 South Taproom and Grill, Edley’s, bartaco, MAFIAoZA’s, and Burger Up.

Germantown – Germantown is more downtown-adjacent than the other options here, but it’s still much calmer than downtown, and the restaurant scene is bursting at the seams with options. I’m a fan of Emmy Squared, 312 Pizza, Steam Boys, and Von Elrod’s, but I have friends who swear by places such as The Optimist, Germantown Pub, Butchertown Hall, Rolf and Daughters, and Little Hats Market.

And, no matter where you dine, be sure to find the nearest Jeni’s ice cream for dessert. There you go – I just planned a weeklong vacation to Nashville for you that doesn’t involve pedal taverns, bachelorettes, or Broadway.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The SoBros Power Hour on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your shows.

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, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.

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