Last week, The Huffington Post featured the piece, “22 Reasons You Should Visit Nashville Right Now.” The list included some of the commonly loved features and spots in Nashville, such as the Ryman Auditorium, County Music Hall of Fame, and the Parthenon. It also mentioned some of the newer local favorites like Hattie B’s, Pinewood Social, and Parnassus Books.
We at DeSelms Real Estate thought the list was a fairly good representation of what to do as a visitor in Nashville. However, we thought there were just a few more things that could be added: places that make it great not only to visit Nashville, but also to live here. So, here are 5 more reasons to visit Nashville.
Loveless Cafe
Loveless has been around since 1951, serving up incredible Southern style biscuits and fried chicken to both tourists and locals. The food is undeniably good and the portions are large, so bring a big appetite.
Another reason to visit though is The Loveless Barn. The barn was built five years ago and now hosts various music events, fundraisers and a radio broadcasted music series held every Wednesday.
Live On The Green
Certainly Nashville has a reputation for its Country Music roots, but the music scene has grown beyond any one genre. Thanks to the very supportive residents in the Nashville area, all musicians can find a place here. This is a city that believes in music of all kinds.
Live On The Green is one event that celebrates this commitment by hosting regularly scheduled free concerts in downtown Nashville during the summer months. A huge variety of bands are highlighted at these shows. With vendors lining the surrounding streets, concertgoers can also get a taste of the awesome food trucks in the Nashville area. Live On The Green is definitely a local favorite worth checking out. And you can’t beat free entertainment, right?
Main Street Festival
There is a countdown for locals right now: the Franklin Main Street Festival. This three-day annual event includes more than 200 artisans and crafters. There are three stages for music, two carnivals and a wide variety of food options. This is a much-loved event that brings out a huge crowd to enjoy the beauty and charm of downtown Franklin.
Main Street Festival is also free and is a great option for families. Many families will show up with dogs in tow, which the children love. Be sure to stop into some of the unique, locally owned shops along Main St. The small business owners in downtown Franklin welcome the visitors and a chance to show their expertise and hospitality.
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
We were surprised that Cheekwood was not on the Huff Post list, as it has been a Nashville mainstay for years. This 55-acre property offers an art museum and botanical gardens with wonderful displays, plus the incredible special events held throughout the year. This is a hugely popular place for families too, thanks to Cheekwood’s large number of kid-specific activities intertwined with each season. Of course, right now the countdown is on until spring, which is when the gardens will literally come to life.
Arrington Vineyards
Finally, rounding out our list of reasons to visit Nashville is Arrington Vineyards. Granted, it’s not exactly in Nashville, but a quick 25-minute drive south will take you to the gorgeous, rolling hills of Arrington.
Tucked into the countryside, Arrington Vineyards is great for all ages. There is plenty of running room for wee ones to roam and picnic space available for large parties. The free wine tastings are worth the line (the line is only there in summer months). The vineyard also has live music on Thursday – Sunday, making it the perfect destination for a night out. This lovely hangout was actually started by a fellow local, country music star Kix Brooks, and many have been served wine by Mr. Brooks himself!
Well, that rounds out our favorite additional reasons to come visit Nashville. We may have very well overlooked something…so find us Facebook and let us know what you would add to our list.