Most of the SoBros Network team is born and raised in the greater Nashville area. Back in…like….2017…I think….we made a concerted effort to get out in the community and start writing about the things we did, the restaurants we ate at, and some of the weird stuff we encountered. You can check out some of our restaurant reviews by scrolling through the Nashville section of the site. Here, I’ll keep a running doc of some of the things we’ve gone out to do in the Music City. This is our running list of our favorite things to do in Nashville.
Our Favorite Things to Do in Nashville
AmericanaFest – 2021 write-up – “AmericanaFest prides itself on “raw, intimate showcases” in addition to the myriad of panels and seminars that take place each year as apart of the festival. That spirit shines through with each artist that takes the stage. It’s what I love most about this festival – the heart and the soul that are on display no matter where you take in a show.” Stay in the know about when AmericanaFest takes place every year and who’s playing by checking out their website.
The Arcade – full write-up – “I work from home now, and haven’t worked downtown since January of 2018 – but nothing hit like a quick walk to The Arcade to catch your breath and re-center yourself. I can remember stressed-out mornings at EOQ (end of quarter), when the early mornings meant loading up with a breakfast burrito from DeliDave’s, or biscuits from Maggie’s Cafe. I think every work function we held in that building had Manny’s pizza. You can keep all of your trendy pizza spots around town – not saying they aren’t worth a damn, but Manny’s is the gold standard in this city.”
Arrington Vineyards – full write-up – “If you’re in the Nashville area, it’s the perfect way to kill a summer afternoon, and I can’t imagine a better setting to take in a beautiful golden hour.”
The Belcourt Theatre – full write-up – “It felt like traveling back in time – not because the Belcourt was decorated as such, but because what was permeating in the air there was over a hundred years old: a pure love of the game. The filmmaking game, I mean. How something so simple – seeing a favorite film at midnight – could connect so many people blew me away. In taking it in, it made the Belcourt feel like more of a community than a theatre.”
Bell Buckle – full write-up – “Bell Buckle offers a ton of small town charm that makes it the perfect place to drive out for a day. You can visit several antique stores. There’s an art gallery, a couple of little cafes/restaurants, and an ice cream shop. Most of all, it’s just a damn beautiful drive. In my opinion, it is on the Mount Rushmore of leisurely Middle Tennessee drives.”
Canoe and kayak spots – full write-up – “But when the hustle and bustle becomes too much, especially as we approach the southern summer heat, where can you go for a refreshing break and reconnect with nature? Simple: try floating one of the many, beautiful rivers this region has to offer.”
Casa de Montecristo – full write-up – “With a smooth drink and a delicious cigar (Montecristo No. 2 for me and I can still smell it in my hair), I could’ve stayed all night. This place was all about discovery and I’m glad we found you, Casa de Montecristo.” -Brandon Vick.
Cheekwood – full write-up – “It was an absolutely breathtaking way to spend an afternoon in Nashville. There’s so much to take in that it feels impossible to see it all in one evening. But, that’s the beauty of it – it feels like the type of place you could visit over and over again and discover something new every time.” -Stoney | 2021 UPDATE: Steven McCash wrote a kickass piece on Cheekwood and its Lego exhibit here.
CMA Fest – full write-up – “If you think Nashville is already a city that has music percolating out of every corner, just wait ’til you see what happens Thursday. And, for those of you still stuck working office jobs later this week, well…there’s still time to get your PTO request in.”
Corsair Distillery – full write-up – “Honestly, the atmosphere at this business & building is somewhere I’d return to in a heartbeat. This appears to be a very quiet, chill spot to hang out after work downtown. And the products Corsair provide are top notch, trust me, they have the medals to prove it.” -Cadbury
Danger Zone Video – full write-up – “In a sense, the nostalgia that Danger Zone Video stirs within me is akin to time travel. It’s a place where I can disappear from the real world for a few minutes, explore the annals of film history, have a good conversation, and add to my ever growing movie collection. I hope you’ll visit them some time too. Physical media forever.”
East Nashville Beer Works – full write-up – I guess this technically should be a food review, but I didn’t do any ratings or anything like that…but I still want to get this spot into our Nashville catalog somewhere. This feels as good a spot as any, though I admit I’m conflicted about it. Do I have OCD? Anyway, here’s my preview of the full piece: “In total, we spent a couple of hours at that spot, taking in the fresh air and letting the sunshine wash over us, forgetting the worries of the world if only just for a moment. I switched over to the mead from Honeytree Meadery because I’ve never had it, and our friend E always told me that I need to try it. When I’d get a better opportunity, I didn’t know. So, I dove in, and I ended up drinking three of them. Yes, I found out that day that I’m a mead guy. All in all, this place is laid back, easy-going, and serves damn good beer.“
Full Moon Cineplex – full write-up – “…a unique place, but still homey and welcoming for the local lovers of the macabre. I am always checking the website to find out what Full Moon is playing for the upcoming weekend. There is nothing better than sitting down to Fulci’s Zombie with a bag of popcorn after a grueling day at work.” -Brittany Fernandez
The Game Terminal – full write-up – Classic arcade games, lawn games, board games, and cold beer – what more could you ask for? “All in all, a great way to kill time in the company of good friends.”
Ghost Tours at The Hermitage – full write-up – “For a history nerd like me who is also catastrophic when faced with jump scares, it was perfect to get me in the Halloween spirit. I quite enjoyed it, and could easily see myself doing it regularly this time of year.”
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit – full write-up – “The visuals were indeed immersive. Too many people were standing back away from the screens. I shooketh my head. Talk about missing the assignment. I walked my happy ass up to the screen, so close that the exhibit took up my entire periphery. THAT is some immersive ass shit. THAT is what it was all about to me. And, THAT is when I started to feel the stress of everyday life melt away. It was so cool to see Van Gogh’s life’s work presented in such a unique way, and it gave me a new appreciation for his art. It wasn’t just bright colors and special effects – it felt like a moving picture of a man’s life. Very cool.”
Lebanon Town Square – full write-up – “My memories of the Lebanon town square from when I was a kid growing up in Gladeville in the 1990s would induce a groan. I used to hate it when my parents mentioned going – it was nothing but old antique stores! As soon as I was old enough to stay home alone, I wouldn’t think twice about skipping out on those trips. But, it’s funny how things have changed since those days. Now, whenever we have the rare free Saturday or Sunday, heading out to the square for a leisurely morning is how I choose to unwind.”
Music Valley – full write-up – “I like New Nashville. It’s fun to live in a town that friends and family want to come visit and sightsee in. I’m always happy to play tour guide, and I’ve planted roots here as strong as any roots in existence. I love the convenience…the entertainment options…the food scene…it’s all well and good. But, sometimes….fuck, I just miss Old Nashville. Music Valley seems like the one area around town where the gentrification hasn’t touched just yet. In Music Valley, I feel like I can still connect to Old Nashville, and that’s a valuable experience to me…one that I’d recommend everyone try at some point this summer. Music Valley just feels like the good old days.”
Paddywax Candle Bar – full write-up – “Between the fun, bonding experience of a good date night and the quality of the candle itself, I couldn’t recommend Paddywax enough. And, no – it certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s right up the road from the Black Abbey brewery, so you can get yourself a brew or 15 on your way out of town.”
Pilgrimage Music and Culture Festival – 2021 Day 1 and 2021 Day 2 write-ups – “Let’s face it – it’s the music that everyone comes to Pilgrimage for and boy did they deliver. The line-up was stocked full of headlining talent as well as newcomers that are poised to be headlining festivals in the years to come.”
Pins Mechanical Company – full write-up – “Rows of pinball machines and an arcade were available for more gaming activity, but we didn’t hang in that part of the place. It looked like a hell of a place to chill out and watch some football, too. When we were letting our food digest and finishing our last round of drinks, we ventured upstairs and sat in front of about nine screens showing all of the NFL action. It was a blast – the most fun I’ve had trying out a new spot in Nashville in a long time.”
The Pool Club (at Virgin Hotels Nashville) – full write-up – “At times, I took my hat off and just let the wind caress my sweaty-ass hair. As the sun began to set, the true splendor of nature took over. We were having great conversations. The mood was happy and relaxed. The drinks were good. And, the beautiful sunset resonated within all of us – the sky was bursting with a gradient of orange, gold, pink, purple, blue, and white. With our fair city being cast in such a light, it was a breathtaking way to spend an evening. The Pool Club instantly became one of my favorite spots to take in a good golden hour – that and the hilltop at Arrington Vineyards. The stars came out as the night sky took over, and we started to make our way home, as I became too drunk to taste this chicken.”
Pro Wrestling Symphony – “Nashville has been a hotbed of pro wrestling for as long as I can remember in my nearly 39 years on this Earth. I can remember heading to shows at the Municipal Auditorium and at the fabled Nashville Fairgrounds as a kid back in the 90s. Promotions have come and gone throughout the years, offering a wide variety of styles in the Music City. Pro Wrestling Symphony is the latest to pick up the torch and run with it. ” Follow on Twitter for updates on shows.
RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival (Bell Buckle in June) – full write-up – From the parade to the craft fair to the overall charm of Bell Buckle and of course, the Moon Pie pitching contest, this festival checked all the boxes for a wonderful day in small town Tennessee. “All in all, we spent over four hours moseying around the festival. It’s about half the size of the craft fair in October, but it’s much less crowded, which was a fair tradeoff in my opinion. I liked the smaller crowd and the much more manageable navigation. Bell Buckle has a real knack for putting on events like this. I can’t recommend slowing down at one enough.“
Tennessee Performing Arts Center – full write-up – “To me, you can take in Nashville’s excess all you want, but to really appreciate the history of Old Nashville and to take in the arts in a setting that generations of Nashvillians have treasured, you have to get out to TPAC to catch a show while you’re in town.”
Tennessee Renaissance Festival – full write-up – “The Tennessee Renaissance Festival is a Tennessee tradition as old as time itself. As fabled as the great legends of yesteryear. Heroes, knights, lords, and ladies converge upon Arrington, between Franklin and Murfreesboro, for a month-long celebration of mythical proportions.”
Totally Rad Toyhouse – full write-up – “The cool thing about Totally Rad Toyhouse is that while catering to the nostalgia, they literally have something for everyone. Some newer figures as well as a plethora of vintage figures.” -RighteousJesse
Union Hill Trading Post – full write-up – “Located near the Music City Raceway, a drag-racing strip established in 1958, the building now inhabited by Union Hill Trading Post was home to a variety of markets, filling stations, and convenience stores over the decades, but had been vacant in recent years. Under new ownership, the Trading Post has revitalized the old bones of the community-staple while keeping petrol-head vibes. The rejuvenated soul of the area was easily felt during opening weekend, as locals poured in to share their stories and knowledge of the area.” -Ryan
That’s what we have so far! Keep in mind that this list is always growing and changing as we continue to get out and document our experiences in the Music City.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, second on Football & Other F Words, analyst for Stacking The Inbox, 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, the NFL Draft, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
Elsewhere on the SoBros Network: Check out Stacking The Inbox for premium coverage of the Tennessee Titans and NFL Draft. Subscribe to Nashville Movie Dispatch for all of our movie content. We get weird on Phone It In, the history podcast that explores legendary tales, important historical figures, and events.
