Nashville, TN — Beyond Broadway: Where Locals Actually Eat and Explore

Broadway's honky-tonks are fun, but ask anyone who lives here and they'll tell you the real Nashville is in the neighborhoods: East Nashville, Germantown, Wedgewood-Houston, and the quiet green spaces tucked between them.

Where to Eat in Nashville

Start with hot chicken, the city's signature dish. Prince's Hot Chicken is widely credited as the originator, while Hattie B's and Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish each have die-hard fans. Pro tip: order one level milder than you think you can handle.

For a true taste of Southern home cooking, Arnold's Country Kitchen is a legendary meat-and-three, recognized by the James Beard Foundation as an "America's Classic." Get there early; the line forms fast at lunch.

Barbecue fans should hit Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint for whole-hog, West Tennessee-style smoked pork.

In East Nashville, Noko is an Asian-inspired, wood-fired restaurant where Executive Chef Dung "Junior" Vo blends new and old wood-fire techniques. Over in Wedgewood-Houston, Sally's Stay Awhile is an all-day restaurant led by Chef Andy Little, offering a fresh take on classic American cooking. opentableopentable

Germantown is a dining destination in its own right, with Rolf and Daughters serving handmade pastas in a historic brick building.

Things to Do in Nashville

See a show at the Grand Ole Opry or the Ryman Auditorium. Even non-country fans get chills in the "Mother Church of Country Music."

Visit Centennial Park and the Parthenon. Nashville's full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon houses an art museum and a 42-foot statue of Athena.

Explore the Nashville Farmers' Market. Next to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, it's packed with local produce, food stalls, and international eats.

Hidden Gems in Nashville

Hike Radnor Lake State Park. Just 20 minutes from downtown, this wildlife refuge has lakeside trails where you can spot deer, turtles, and herons. It feels like the countryside, but you're still inside city limits.

Catch bluegrass at The Station Inn. This unassuming venue has hosted some of the best bluegrass pickers in the world for decades.

Explore Fort Negley. The ruins of this Civil War fort sit on a hill south of downtown with free admission and great skyline views.

Wander Printers Alley. This narrow, historic lane downtown was once home to the city's publishing industry and later its speakeasies. Today it's lined with intimate music bars.

Cycle Shelby Bottoms Greenway. East Nashville's riverside trail system is flat, shady, and far quieter than the city center.

Final tip: Book the Bluebird Cafe early. This tiny songwriter venue is famous for "in the round" shows where hit songwriters play the songs they wrote for superstars. Reservations go fast.