Guidebook for Nashville

Carolyn
Guidebook for Nashville

Food Scene

This little restaurant has seen some transition in the last couple of years, but it has recently returned to its old menu, which is excellent. If you haven't ever had Indian food, I highly recommend the chana masala, the baghain bartha and the cheese dosa to start out with. A mango lassi doesn't hurt either, but be careful because it is very filling. These folks are booming right now, so you have to plan accordingly. Call in advance to find out about the wait. This goes for take out too. So worth it, however.
46 localnici recomandă
Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
3415 West End Ave
46 localnici recomandă
This little restaurant has seen some transition in the last couple of years, but it has recently returned to its old menu, which is excellent. If you haven't ever had Indian food, I highly recommend the chana masala, the baghain bartha and the cheese dosa to start out with. A mango lassi doesn't hurt either, but be careful because it is very filling. These folks are booming right now, so you have to plan accordingly. Call in advance to find out about the wait. This goes for take out too. So worth it, however.
If you want to see a version of the West Side of Nashville, hit this place for breakfast. They have a variety of bagel sandwiches, but a simple everything bagel toasted with scallion cream cheese is amazing. Their coffee is great, and they also have a juicery in shop. Saturday mornings you will encounter a long line of people, often with small children. Be prepared to wait for a table after ordering. They have outside seating too. Instead of eating there you could get your food to go and head over to the greenway just across the street. And if you have kids, take them to the playground at the McCabe Community Center directly across the street.
125 localnici recomandă
Star Bagel Cafe
4504 Murphy Rd
125 localnici recomandă
If you want to see a version of the West Side of Nashville, hit this place for breakfast. They have a variety of bagel sandwiches, but a simple everything bagel toasted with scallion cream cheese is amazing. Their coffee is great, and they also have a juicery in shop. Saturday mornings you will encounter a long line of people, often with small children. Be prepared to wait for a table after ordering. They have outside seating too. Instead of eating there you could get your food to go and head over to the greenway just across the street. And if you have kids, take them to the playground at the McCabe Community Center directly across the street.
I'll go ahead and offer you some "indoor" things to do given the weather. Although, again, sometimes rain makes things better, so I'll offer Cheekwood as an outdoor thing to do. While a tad pricey, Cheekwood is the local botanical garden and they have a Fall display up right now. Their museum in the Cheek mansion is also not bad. I'd say it's worth it, especially if you have lunch or a snack in the Pineapple Room. That's a feel of the old Nashville in there. Indoor stuff: Frist Museum of Art and environs. Frist Museum is great in any case--they often have youth art or local history exhibits in the entrance hall which are typically phenomenal. Not sure what is there right now. While at the First, it's worth Walking around inside the grand hotel right next door. It used to be the passenger train station. Beautiful old building. There is a pub located on the "platform" as well--it's called The Flying Saucer. Good food, lots of beverage choices. And you can cross the street to walk through Christ Church Cathedral, a beautiful nave with a funky green paint job that makes an odd twist on English gothic. Honky Tonk District--honestly? With PRIDE today, I would stay away from Broadway unless you really, really want to see it. It will be a sea of people, even in the rain. The street smells like stale liquor and the bars themselves have an unfortunate attitude about masking and vaccinations in general. PRIDE--you can find some good festivities up at the courthouse lawn and side streets. Except for a few heckling anti-gay folks, I've always loved PRIDE in Nashville. Super feel good day. Black Culture: Nashville is the site of sit-ins that began a wave of desegregating lunch counters in the country. You can go to the original Woolworth's where it took place, see the exhibit outside the courthouse of the march from TSU/Fisk to City Hall after the Z Alexander Looby house bombing, and other things. I highly recommend taking a walk around the Fisk campus. It's gorgeous and very historical first off. Second, the area around Fisk will give you a feel for the injustices still at play in Nashville's development plans. The very historical neighborhood is changing because of systemic racism related to developers, voting districting, education and general investment in that area. There are several old houses still standing that used to be black music venues. And if you are lucky, The Kingdom Cafe will be open. In my opinion, it's the best "meat & 3" in town. Cafeteria style, you can get some damn good southern cooking there and the owners are incredibly nice. Eats for my little corner of town Burgers: ML Rose has the best burgers in town. Their wings and salads aren't bad either. While I prefer the original ML Rose on 8th Avenue because it has the old school vibe there, the one on Charlotte isn't too bad. I'm not a fan of the new sportsy theme redesign they have recently done, but they have plenty of covered outdoor seating and a little mini-golf course. Their outdoor fire pit and swing situation is great to take advantage of at dusk in the spring and fall. A note regarding competing burger places: Farm Burger--I don't like it. Not terribly tasty despite the organic hype and they are not local. Southeastern region of US, but not local. Two Dogs--if you want an insanely loud atmosphere with super greasy food and basic beers, this is your place. I've been here once. That was enough.
123 localnici recomandă
M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers - Sylvan Park
4408 Charlotte Ave
123 localnici recomandă
I'll go ahead and offer you some "indoor" things to do given the weather. Although, again, sometimes rain makes things better, so I'll offer Cheekwood as an outdoor thing to do. While a tad pricey, Cheekwood is the local botanical garden and they have a Fall display up right now. Their museum in the Cheek mansion is also not bad. I'd say it's worth it, especially if you have lunch or a snack in the Pineapple Room. That's a feel of the old Nashville in there. Indoor stuff: Frist Museum of Art and environs. Frist Museum is great in any case--they often have youth art or local history exhibits in the entrance hall which are typically phenomenal. Not sure what is there right now. While at the First, it's worth Walking around inside the grand hotel right next door. It used to be the passenger train station. Beautiful old building. There is a pub located on the "platform" as well--it's called The Flying Saucer. Good food, lots of beverage choices. And you can cross the street to walk through Christ Church Cathedral, a beautiful nave with a funky green paint job that makes an odd twist on English gothic. Honky Tonk District--honestly? With PRIDE today, I would stay away from Broadway unless you really, really want to see it. It will be a sea of people, even in the rain. The street smells like stale liquor and the bars themselves have an unfortunate attitude about masking and vaccinations in general. PRIDE--you can find some good festivities up at the courthouse lawn and side streets. Except for a few heckling anti-gay folks, I've always loved PRIDE in Nashville. Super feel good day. Black Culture: Nashville is the site of sit-ins that began a wave of desegregating lunch counters in the country. You can go to the original Woolworth's where it took place, see the exhibit outside the courthouse of the march from TSU/Fisk to City Hall after the Z Alexander Looby house bombing, and other things. I highly recommend taking a walk around the Fisk campus. It's gorgeous and very historical first off. Second, the area around Fisk will give you a feel for the injustices still at play in Nashville's development plans. The very historical neighborhood is changing because of systemic racism related to developers, voting districting, education and general investment in that area. There are several old houses still standing that used to be black music venues. And if you are lucky, The Kingdom Cafe will be open. In my opinion, it's the best "meat & 3" in town. Cafeteria style, you can get some damn good southern cooking there and the owners are incredibly nice. Eats for my little corner of town Burgers: ML Rose has the best burgers in town. Their wings and salads aren't bad either. While I prefer the original ML Rose on 8th Avenue because it has the old school vibe there, the one on Charlotte isn't too bad. I'm not a fan of the new sportsy theme redesign they have recently done, but they have plenty of covered outdoor seating and a little mini-golf course. Their outdoor fire pit and swing situation is great to take advantage of at dusk in the spring and fall. A note regarding competing burger places: Farm Burger--I don't like it. Not terribly tasty despite the organic hype and they are not local. Southeastern region of US, but not local. Two Dogs--if you want an insanely loud atmosphere with super greasy food and basic beers, this is your place. I've been here once. That was enough.
Family Taco has amazing tacos and is run by a super sweet little family. I try to support them as much as I can. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, though it is loud outside. Get the guacamole. I'm a guac snob, but this is the best guac I've had in a restaurant. Everything they do is homemade. If you're lucky, they will let you sample something they are trying. I once got to try some kind of pork soup that nearly burned my tongue up, but it was so delicious.
Family Tacos
4304 Charlotte Avenue
Family Taco has amazing tacos and is run by a super sweet little family. I try to support them as much as I can. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, though it is loud outside. Get the guacamole. I'm a guac snob, but this is the best guac I've had in a restaurant. Everything they do is homemade. If you're lucky, they will let you sample something they are trying. I once got to try some kind of pork soup that nearly burned my tongue up, but it was so delicious.
The L&L Market is a cool collection of upscale eateries and shops. Worth window shopping. The donut shop is dangerous. You've been warned. I remember shopping for used restaurant supplies in this place when it was a leaky, rusted out warehouse. They have done amazing things with it. (But I miss my supply source for cool culinary gadgets....)
31 localnici recomandă
L & L Market
3820 Charlotte Ave
31 localnici recomandă
The L&L Market is a cool collection of upscale eateries and shops. Worth window shopping. The donut shop is dangerous. You've been warned. I remember shopping for used restaurant supplies in this place when it was a leaky, rusted out warehouse. They have done amazing things with it. (But I miss my supply source for cool culinary gadgets....)
Delicious local pizza. Worth the wait for take out. The original is in East Nashville at the "five points" area. Sadly, this place does not yet serve gluten free foods.
53 localnici recomandă
Five Points Pizza West
4100 Charlotte Avenue
53 localnici recomandă
Delicious local pizza. Worth the wait for take out. The original is in East Nashville at the "five points" area. Sadly, this place does not yet serve gluten free foods.
Otto's is a hip bar and restaurant built in an old garage. It's a great place to go if you're looking for the "mixologist" to recommend weird flavors. Otto's has a Millennial crowd scene, but also other ages too, and an affordable alternative to the super schwank scenes downtown, such as The Pinewood Social.
15 localnici recomandă
Otto's Bar
4210 Charlotte Avenue
15 localnici recomandă
Otto's is a hip bar and restaurant built in an old garage. It's a great place to go if you're looking for the "mixologist" to recommend weird flavors. Otto's has a Millennial crowd scene, but also other ages too, and an affordable alternative to the super schwank scenes downtown, such as The Pinewood Social.
In my opinion, the best "meat & 3" in town. Served cafeteria style, the food here is the epitome of Southern cooking. The people are incredibly nice and the pricing is very fair for all you get. If you need to plan a party, they have a large venue for it.
Kingdom Café & Grill
2610 Jefferson St
In my opinion, the best "meat & 3" in town. Served cafeteria style, the food here is the epitome of Southern cooking. The people are incredibly nice and the pricing is very fair for all you get. If you need to plan a party, they have a large venue for it.

Sightseeing

Cheekwood is one of those Nashville classic destinations. Lots of history of Nashville's aristocracy in the midst of a beautiful botanical landscape and an awesome sculpture walk. You might need to pick and choose for your visit. It's a big place. While a tad pricey, Cheekwood has seasonal displays that rarely fail to disappoint. Their museum in the Cheek mansion is also not bad. I'd say it's worth it, especially if you have lunch or a snack in the Pineapple Room. That's a feel of the old Nashville in there.
593 localnici recomandă
Cheekwood Estate și Grădinile
1200 Forrest Park Dr
593 localnici recomandă
Cheekwood is one of those Nashville classic destinations. Lots of history of Nashville's aristocracy in the midst of a beautiful botanical landscape and an awesome sculpture walk. You might need to pick and choose for your visit. It's a big place. While a tad pricey, Cheekwood has seasonal displays that rarely fail to disappoint. Their museum in the Cheek mansion is also not bad. I'd say it's worth it, especially if you have lunch or a snack in the Pineapple Room. That's a feel of the old Nashville in there.
I remember driving on Otter Creek Road through Radnor Park when I was kid. Now the drive is crumbling into the lake as nature takes over in this truly beautiful natural area. This is work a walk around, especially in the fall and spring. There are entire hillsides covered in wild delphinium and the turkeys light up the forest with their mating calls. No running, dogs, or strollers allowed on the trails, Radnor Lake is a brilliant place to find relative silence and solitude, especially midweek. On the weekends you'll have trouble finding parking at the both ends of Otter Creek, the two entrances to the park. My advice? Park in the Forest Hills neighborhood and walk the extra .10 mile to the entrance. Don't forget to stop into the dear little visitor center. You'll get the history of the place as the steam train reservoir and an overview of the creatures who find refuge here.
435 localnici recomandă
Parcul de Stat Radnor Lake
1160 Otter Creek Rd
435 localnici recomandă
I remember driving on Otter Creek Road through Radnor Park when I was kid. Now the drive is crumbling into the lake as nature takes over in this truly beautiful natural area. This is work a walk around, especially in the fall and spring. There are entire hillsides covered in wild delphinium and the turkeys light up the forest with their mating calls. No running, dogs, or strollers allowed on the trails, Radnor Lake is a brilliant place to find relative silence and solitude, especially midweek. On the weekends you'll have trouble finding parking at the both ends of Otter Creek, the two entrances to the park. My advice? Park in the Forest Hills neighborhood and walk the extra .10 mile to the entrance. Don't forget to stop into the dear little visitor center. You'll get the history of the place as the steam train reservoir and an overview of the creatures who find refuge here.
Outside of the Honky Tonks, Centennial Park is one of the best known places in Nashville. I agree. Historically, the Parthenon has its legacy attached to Nashville's moniker "The Athens of the South" because of all our colleges and universities. Walking around the 1 mile loop of the park's trail you'll learn about the original site of this park and how it was built to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Nashville. However, you'll also learn a ton about Nashville's women's suffrage movement, Black history, and our train-system legacy. Weird, right? But cool. There is always a great exhibit in the basement of the Parthenon--worth the admission price--in addition to the general Roman culture exhibit upstairs. There you'll find a massive statue of Athena. It's impressive, really. You may also find musicians or photo shoots working on the streets of the Parthenon. I once stopped and heard a 45 minute "concert" by a bass saxist that was absolutely phenomenal. The park also hosts an enormous variety of trees, most of them native. Some trees in this park are so old you can see what time has done with them. Beautiful creatures. The park is dotted with swinging benches and a places to spread a picnic blanket or hang a hammock. Be mindful that part of the park also borders one of the city's public housing apartment buildings. For a variety of reasons, this has attracted a street culture that often hangs out in the pavilion at the southwest corner of the park. You might also find people sleeping on benches on the Charlotte Ave. side of the park. I have never had an issue with any of these folks, though I have been asked for money. Usually, they just say hello. Because of this scene and some of the exchanges that occur between them, I recommend that you avoid Centennial Park at night.
788 localnici recomandă
Parcul Centennial
2500 West End Ave
788 localnici recomandă
Outside of the Honky Tonks, Centennial Park is one of the best known places in Nashville. I agree. Historically, the Parthenon has its legacy attached to Nashville's moniker "The Athens of the South" because of all our colleges and universities. Walking around the 1 mile loop of the park's trail you'll learn about the original site of this park and how it was built to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Nashville. However, you'll also learn a ton about Nashville's women's suffrage movement, Black history, and our train-system legacy. Weird, right? But cool. There is always a great exhibit in the basement of the Parthenon--worth the admission price--in addition to the general Roman culture exhibit upstairs. There you'll find a massive statue of Athena. It's impressive, really. You may also find musicians or photo shoots working on the streets of the Parthenon. I once stopped and heard a 45 minute "concert" by a bass saxist that was absolutely phenomenal. The park also hosts an enormous variety of trees, most of them native. Some trees in this park are so old you can see what time has done with them. Beautiful creatures. The park is dotted with swinging benches and a places to spread a picnic blanket or hang a hammock. Be mindful that part of the park also borders one of the city's public housing apartment buildings. For a variety of reasons, this has attracted a street culture that often hangs out in the pavilion at the southwest corner of the park. You might also find people sleeping on benches on the Charlotte Ave. side of the park. I have never had an issue with any of these folks, though I have been asked for money. Usually, they just say hello. Because of this scene and some of the exchanges that occur between them, I recommend that you avoid Centennial Park at night.
Midtown holds three major areas: Music Row, Vanderbilt/Belmont Universities (with Fisk and TSU closeby), and Centennial Park. Music Row: Everybody always wants to go to the music capital of the world, but there is not much to see other than house after renovated house that are music studios, label houses, and intellectual property lawyers. Seriously, there are blocks and blocks of these. It's an interesting thing just to drive down and around the Edgehill area (just to the southeast of Vanderbilt) and see the variety of companies that run this world-famous business. Seriously, people are flying from all over the world to record here. To drive this area, take any street between Wedgewood Avenue and Edgehill Avenue. Here are some examples: 17th Ave. S, 16th Ave. S, Villa Place and 15th Ave. S. Universities: There are no less that 31 colleges and universities in Nashville. We are sometimes called "The Athens of the South" because of this. The notable universities are Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb, Fisk, Tennessee State, and American Bible College. The midtown area is home to Vandy and Belmont. Both sport pretty campuses, but Vanderbilt has that ivy league feel to it with its gothic buildings. It's a massive campus with a variety of different things to see, so if you have keen interest in something that is there, I would research how to get there. I can also help point you in the right direction if need be. Centennial Park: Like New York City's Central Park, Centennial Park is a central gathering place for all kinds of people. Weddings, craft markets, culture festivals, kite flying, photo shoots, kids playing on the playground, people running, ultimate frisbee, strollers--it's possible to see all these things going on in an afternoon just about any day of the week there. It's a large area and a great picnic spot. I often go there to write in a hammock. Be sure to at least walk around the Parthenon, the only full scale replica in the world. It replaced a wooden full scale replica that burned down in the last century. Built as part of the world's fair in 1987, the Parthenon houses a massive statue of Athena in addition to educational displays of the carvings that adorn the outside. There is always a stellar art exhibit in the basement too. Access costs some money, but it's not exorbitant. However, the park is entirely free to walk around in.
Midtown
Midtown holds three major areas: Music Row, Vanderbilt/Belmont Universities (with Fisk and TSU closeby), and Centennial Park. Music Row: Everybody always wants to go to the music capital of the world, but there is not much to see other than house after renovated house that are music studios, label houses, and intellectual property lawyers. Seriously, there are blocks and blocks of these. It's an interesting thing just to drive down and around the Edgehill area (just to the southeast of Vanderbilt) and see the variety of companies that run this world-famous business. Seriously, people are flying from all over the world to record here. To drive this area, take any street between Wedgewood Avenue and Edgehill Avenue. Here are some examples: 17th Ave. S, 16th Ave. S, Villa Place and 15th Ave. S. Universities: There are no less that 31 colleges and universities in Nashville. We are sometimes called "The Athens of the South" because of this. The notable universities are Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb, Fisk, Tennessee State, and American Bible College. The midtown area is home to Vandy and Belmont. Both sport pretty campuses, but Vanderbilt has that ivy league feel to it with its gothic buildings. It's a massive campus with a variety of different things to see, so if you have keen interest in something that is there, I would research how to get there. I can also help point you in the right direction if need be. Centennial Park: Like New York City's Central Park, Centennial Park is a central gathering place for all kinds of people. Weddings, craft markets, culture festivals, kite flying, photo shoots, kids playing on the playground, people running, ultimate frisbee, strollers--it's possible to see all these things going on in an afternoon just about any day of the week there. It's a large area and a great picnic spot. I often go there to write in a hammock. Be sure to at least walk around the Parthenon, the only full scale replica in the world. It replaced a wooden full scale replica that burned down in the last century. Built as part of the world's fair in 1987, the Parthenon houses a massive statue of Athena in addition to educational displays of the carvings that adorn the outside. There is always a stellar art exhibit in the basement too. Access costs some money, but it's not exorbitant. However, the park is entirely free to walk around in.

Neighborhoods

Otherwise known as the "Honky Tonk District," lower Broadway is home to umpteen bars, cowboy boot shops and overcrowded restaurants. Most people who come to Nashville visit this area. I'm not a fan of the Honky Tonk Scene as you may already discern. (A positive review follows the scathing one here....) Just about any night of the week you won't be able to avoid the smells of stale liquor and vomit, waiting for the party buses/tractors/barges and peddle taverns to amble by, the scantily-clad brides and their ladies in waiting, and the addicts hoping to score loose change and used cigarettes. It's loud, expensive, smelly, a tourist trap of the highest order, and sometimes downright dangerous. However.... you can see great music just about any hour of the day. And not all of it is country. Honky Tonk Central, for example, as three different floors with radically different music going on each floor. Acme Feed and Seed makes special effort to host Black musicians and may spark a renaissance of Black music in Nashville. Most historic bars, like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge have historical photos on the walls. If you want a truly local feel that is free and that features a wealth of local musicians, plan your stay around going to the Station Inn's Sunday Night Bluegrass Jam. Get there early so you can get a good seat. You're there on a good night when the pizza wench comes out to play the bass. She's amazing. While you're at the Station Inn look also for the "Doyle and Debbie Show." Now that is a fine piece of Nashville artistry! (wink, wink) Broadway is also very close to some super cool museums related to the country music scene: The Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame (of course) and the National Museum of African American Music. You could also peruse the odd Americana scene of the Barbershop Harmony Society. All of these I highly recommend. Furthermore, you could blow your mind by walking the four block new Nashville Conventional Center. They have a cool environmental program that recycles rainwater and grows a cover crop on the roof to help cool the massive space. Finally, you're also close to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which is worth walking through because of its beauty. Walking across the Shelby Street Bridge (from lower Broadway to the Titans stadium) is a treat. You get an excellent view of the city and you land in the sweetest little inner city park in the world: Cumberland Park where kids (and adults!) can cool off in a fountained patio, look at local flora, or just walk along the river. The bridge railings also tell the history of Nashville in ironworks. I could and have spent all afternoon sitting on this bridge and people watching.
575 localnici recomandă
Broadway
Broadway
575 localnici recomandă
Otherwise known as the "Honky Tonk District," lower Broadway is home to umpteen bars, cowboy boot shops and overcrowded restaurants. Most people who come to Nashville visit this area. I'm not a fan of the Honky Tonk Scene as you may already discern. (A positive review follows the scathing one here....) Just about any night of the week you won't be able to avoid the smells of stale liquor and vomit, waiting for the party buses/tractors/barges and peddle taverns to amble by, the scantily-clad brides and their ladies in waiting, and the addicts hoping to score loose change and used cigarettes. It's loud, expensive, smelly, a tourist trap of the highest order, and sometimes downright dangerous. However.... you can see great music just about any hour of the day. And not all of it is country. Honky Tonk Central, for example, as three different floors with radically different music going on each floor. Acme Feed and Seed makes special effort to host Black musicians and may spark a renaissance of Black music in Nashville. Most historic bars, like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge have historical photos on the walls. If you want a truly local feel that is free and that features a wealth of local musicians, plan your stay around going to the Station Inn's Sunday Night Bluegrass Jam. Get there early so you can get a good seat. You're there on a good night when the pizza wench comes out to play the bass. She's amazing. While you're at the Station Inn look also for the "Doyle and Debbie Show." Now that is a fine piece of Nashville artistry! (wink, wink) Broadway is also very close to some super cool museums related to the country music scene: The Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame (of course) and the National Museum of African American Music. You could also peruse the odd Americana scene of the Barbershop Harmony Society. All of these I highly recommend. Furthermore, you could blow your mind by walking the four block new Nashville Conventional Center. They have a cool environmental program that recycles rainwater and grows a cover crop on the roof to help cool the massive space. Finally, you're also close to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which is worth walking through because of its beauty. Walking across the Shelby Street Bridge (from lower Broadway to the Titans stadium) is a treat. You get an excellent view of the city and you land in the sweetest little inner city park in the world: Cumberland Park where kids (and adults!) can cool off in a fountained patio, look at local flora, or just walk along the river. The bridge railings also tell the history of Nashville in ironworks. I could and have spent all afternoon sitting on this bridge and people watching.
Nashville had and continues to have a vibrant African American population and cultural scene, despite systemic efforts to fragment and divest the Black community of this history. Nashville is the site of sit-ins that began a wave of desegregating lunch counters in the country. You can go to the original Woolworth's where it took place (though they don't reflect this culture), see the exhibit outside the courthouse of the march from TSU/Fisk to City Hall after the Z Alexander Looby house bombing, and other sites. I highly recommend taking a walk around the Fisk campus. It's gorgeous and very historical first off. Second, the area around Fisk will give you a feel for the injustices still at play in Nashville's development plans. The very historical neighborhood is changing because of systemic racism related to developers, voter and taxation districting, education and general investment in that area. There are several old houses still standing that used to be black music venues. And if you are lucky, The Kingdom Cafe will be open. In my opinion, it's the best "meat & 3" in town. Cafeteria style, you can get some damn good southern cooking there and the owners are incredibly nice. If you do nothing else in Nashville, driving from Tennessee State University (home to an award winning marching band) to the Bicentennial Mall down Jefferson Street is worth it. Deeply historical and important area the advancement of racial equality in our country. Sadly (because of a variety of reasons), it is also a place you can see just how far we have to go still. It's a contradiction. A final word--More than the site of anti-racist history, this area of town harbors an enormous amount of community, love, and future-forward thinking about its residents and especially its children. You'd have to go to a church service or a community event to see it. The heavy lifting of care and planning quietly takes place in homes, restaurants, churches and meeting rooms. To drive through here is to see the "real Nashville."
North Nashville
Nashville had and continues to have a vibrant African American population and cultural scene, despite systemic efforts to fragment and divest the Black community of this history. Nashville is the site of sit-ins that began a wave of desegregating lunch counters in the country. You can go to the original Woolworth's where it took place (though they don't reflect this culture), see the exhibit outside the courthouse of the march from TSU/Fisk to City Hall after the Z Alexander Looby house bombing, and other sites. I highly recommend taking a walk around the Fisk campus. It's gorgeous and very historical first off. Second, the area around Fisk will give you a feel for the injustices still at play in Nashville's development plans. The very historical neighborhood is changing because of systemic racism related to developers, voter and taxation districting, education and general investment in that area. There are several old houses still standing that used to be black music venues. And if you are lucky, The Kingdom Cafe will be open. In my opinion, it's the best "meat & 3" in town. Cafeteria style, you can get some damn good southern cooking there and the owners are incredibly nice. If you do nothing else in Nashville, driving from Tennessee State University (home to an award winning marching band) to the Bicentennial Mall down Jefferson Street is worth it. Deeply historical and important area the advancement of racial equality in our country. Sadly (because of a variety of reasons), it is also a place you can see just how far we have to go still. It's a contradiction. A final word--More than the site of anti-racist history, this area of town harbors an enormous amount of community, love, and future-forward thinking about its residents and especially its children. You'd have to go to a church service or a community event to see it. The heavy lifting of care and planning quietly takes place in homes, restaurants, churches and meeting rooms. To drive through here is to see the "real Nashville."
This "Downtown" recommendation is really for the Frist Museum of Art and environs. Frist Museum is great in any case--they often have youth art or local history exhibits in the entrance hall which are typically phenomenal. While at the First, it's worth walking around inside the grand hotel right next door. It used to be the passenger train station. Beautiful old building. There is a pub located on the "platform" as well--it's called The Flying Saucer. Good food, lots of beverage choices. And then you can cross the street to walk through Christ Church Cathedra (Episcopal), a beautiful nave with a funky green paint job that makes an odd twist on English gothic.
204 localnici recomandă
Downtown
204 localnici recomandă
This "Downtown" recommendation is really for the Frist Museum of Art and environs. Frist Museum is great in any case--they often have youth art or local history exhibits in the entrance hall which are typically phenomenal. While at the First, it's worth walking around inside the grand hotel right next door. It used to be the passenger train station. Beautiful old building. There is a pub located on the "platform" as well--it's called The Flying Saucer. Good food, lots of beverage choices. And then you can cross the street to walk through Christ Church Cathedra (Episcopal), a beautiful nave with a funky green paint job that makes an odd twist on English gothic.