Non-Country Nashville: A Guide for the "Anything But Country" Person
Nashville is known as Music City, not JUST the country music city. If you're the person who always answers "anything but country," or the person who cringes at a "yee-haw," this is the guide for you!
21 Places • ago
Free

Nashville is so much more than its stereotypes, including its reputation as a country music wonderland. The Music City has a little bit of everything for everyone, even for those who would rather not be stuck on Broadway. This is the guide for the person who wants to get to know the real Nashville after pulling back the country curtains.

A relaxing morning

Start the day off with a hearty, delicious breakfast. Head over to the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village for a classic breakfast of large, fluffy pancakes. Enjoy a large selection of pancake combinations and specialty syrups. 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ While there's a paid parking lot right behind Pancake Pantry, there's free street parking along Acklen Ave and 20th Ave, as well as a free parking garage behind Double Dogs.

eat
eat
The Pancake Pantry - Hillsboro Village
Details

Cut through Vanderbilt University's beautiful campus or take a short drive over to Centennial Park on West End. Take a leisurely walk around the Lake to walk off breakfast. Enjoy the beautiful greenery along the path -- you're in luck if the cherry blossoms are in bloom! Take a moment to snap some pictures on the swing benches, public art pieces, or statues. For the Swifties out there: make sure to stop by the newly installed Taylor Swift Bench on the West side of the lake!

do
do
Centennial Park
Details
do
do
Taylor Swift Bench
Details

Wrap up your walk at the Parthenon in the center of the park. This replica of the Greek Parthenon features a museum that showcases some Nashville history and an art gallery. The main hall houses a replica Athena statue. 

do
do
The Parthenon
Details

A too-cute afternoon

Starting to feel like lunchtime? One of Nashville's best BBQ spots is just across the street from the park. Make your way to Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint to enjoy a platter of your favorite smoked meats and two delicious sides. 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ Ask for a cup of spicy sauce and grab a complimentary Moon Pie from the self-serve counter. Get hushpuppies and mac-and-cheese as sides. P.S., the "hoecake" is basically a pancake. 

eat
eat
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Details

We'll spend the rest of the afternoon in the 12 South area, just a short drive away. This picturesque neighborhood is home to Nashville's cutest boutiques and photo opportunities! 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ In the warmer months, many boutiques offer a large selection of discounted items through parking lot racks and sidewalk sales. Don't be afraid of the price tag for these boutiques; there are so many affordable finds for the savvy shopper!

do
do
12 South
Details
do
do
Draper James
This cute boutique on 12 South is owned by Nashvillian Reese Witherspoon, which probably explains why it's so darn cute. Stop in to check out the wares, but definitely make sure to admire the exterior! The blue-and-white striped walls are an iconic photo op in Nashville and the cover child of the 12 South neighborhood.
Details
shop
shop
Finnleys - 12 South
Details
shop
shop
Stoney Clover Lane
Details

Not into shopping? No problem! Many of Nashville's most instagrammable murals can be found at 12 South. Here are a few:

do
do
I Believe In Nashville Mural
The "I Believe in Nashville" mural series began to honor the city's resilience. There are multiple iterations of the mural all over the city. The first one I've listed here is the 12 South location, which is the more popular location. There might be a line, but it's also conveniently located within walking distance of many of the other popular murals around town.
Details
do
do
Looking Pretty Music City Mural Art
This is my personal favorite mural in Nashville. I love the color scheme and the art style, and it basically does all the work to give you the cutest photos! This mural is also in the 12 South neighborhood.
Details

Top off your visit with a little sweet treat! Whether your dessert of choice is cookies, donuts, or ice cream, there's something delicious waiting for you.

eat
eat
Christie Cookie Co
Details
eat
eat
Five Daughters Bakery | 12th South
Details
do
do
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Details

An evening in Music City

Just because Nashville is the country music capital doesn't mean its reputation as Music City is restricted to country music. Check out who's playing in town on your travel dates. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch some of your favorite music at one of Nashville's historic or state-of-the-art music venues. Here are a few of my favorites:

do
do
Ryman Auditorium
Details
do
do
Ascend Amphitheater
Details
do
do
Marathon Music Works
Details
do
do
EXIT/IN
Details

After the show, grab a late dinner with a view. Rooftop restaurants in Nashville will always give you a stunning view of city.

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ When you make a reservation, politely ask for a table with a view in the comment box! The restaurant will usually honor your request if there's availability. 

drink
drink
Sixty Vines
Details
eat
eat
The Hampton Social - Nashville
Details
drink
drink
L.A. Jackson
Details

Cheers to a great day in Nashville!

You did it, you spent a whole day exploring Nashville without a single country music activity. You've taken in a gorgeous park, consumed some Nashville culture, shopped like a true Nashvillian, and sampled the tastes of Music City. I hope you've enjoyed your day in the 615!

Send A Tip
Send Jacqueline Oiga some gratitude.
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Non-Country Nashville: A Guide for the "Anything But Country" Person
Nashville is known as Music City, not JUST the country music city. If you're the person who always answers "anything but country," or the person who cringes at a "yee-haw," this is the guide for you!
21 Places • ago
Free

Nashville is so much more than its stereotypes, including its reputation as a country music wonderland. The Music City has a little bit of everything for everyone, even for those who would rather not be stuck on Broadway. This is the guide for the person who wants to get to know the real Nashville after pulling back the country curtains.

A relaxing morning

Start the day off with a hearty, delicious breakfast. Head over to the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village for a classic breakfast of large, fluffy pancakes. Enjoy a large selection of pancake combinations and specialty syrups. 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ While there's a paid parking lot right behind Pancake Pantry, there's free street parking along Acklen Ave and 20th Ave, as well as a free parking garage behind Double Dogs.

eat
eat
The Pancake Pantry - Hillsboro Village
Details

Cut through Vanderbilt University's beautiful campus or take a short drive over to Centennial Park on West End. Take a leisurely walk around the Lake to walk off breakfast. Enjoy the beautiful greenery along the path -- you're in luck if the cherry blossoms are in bloom! Take a moment to snap some pictures on the swing benches, public art pieces, or statues. For the Swifties out there: make sure to stop by the newly installed Taylor Swift Bench on the West side of the lake!

do
do
Centennial Park
Details
do
do
Taylor Swift Bench
Details

Wrap up your walk at the Parthenon in the center of the park. This replica of the Greek Parthenon features a museum that showcases some Nashville history and an art gallery. The main hall houses a replica Athena statue. 

do
do
The Parthenon
Details

A too-cute afternoon

Starting to feel like lunchtime? One of Nashville's best BBQ spots is just across the street from the park. Make your way to Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint to enjoy a platter of your favorite smoked meats and two delicious sides. 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ Ask for a cup of spicy sauce and grab a complimentary Moon Pie from the self-serve counter. Get hushpuppies and mac-and-cheese as sides. P.S., the "hoecake" is basically a pancake. 

eat
eat
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Details

We'll spend the rest of the afternoon in the 12 South area, just a short drive away. This picturesque neighborhood is home to Nashville's cutest boutiques and photo opportunities! 

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ In the warmer months, many boutiques offer a large selection of discounted items through parking lot racks and sidewalk sales. Don't be afraid of the price tag for these boutiques; there are so many affordable finds for the savvy shopper!

do
do
12 South
Details
do
do
Draper James
This cute boutique on 12 South is owned by Nashvillian Reese Witherspoon, which probably explains why it's so darn cute. Stop in to check out the wares, but definitely make sure to admire the exterior! The blue-and-white striped walls are an iconic photo op in Nashville and the cover child of the 12 South neighborhood.
Details
shop
shop
Finnleys - 12 South
Details
shop
shop
Stoney Clover Lane
Details

Not into shopping? No problem! Many of Nashville's most instagrammable murals can be found at 12 South. Here are a few:

do
do
I Believe In Nashville Mural
The "I Believe in Nashville" mural series began to honor the city's resilience. There are multiple iterations of the mural all over the city. The first one I've listed here is the 12 South location, which is the more popular location. There might be a line, but it's also conveniently located within walking distance of many of the other popular murals around town.
Details
do
do
Looking Pretty Music City Mural Art
This is my personal favorite mural in Nashville. I love the color scheme and the art style, and it basically does all the work to give you the cutest photos! This mural is also in the 12 South neighborhood.
Details

Top off your visit with a little sweet treat! Whether your dessert of choice is cookies, donuts, or ice cream, there's something delicious waiting for you.

eat
eat
Christie Cookie Co
Details
eat
eat
Five Daughters Bakery | 12th South
Details
do
do
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Details

An evening in Music City

Just because Nashville is the country music capital doesn't mean its reputation as Music City is restricted to country music. Check out who's playing in town on your travel dates. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch some of your favorite music at one of Nashville's historic or state-of-the-art music venues. Here are a few of my favorites:

do
do
Ryman Auditorium
Details
do
do
Ascend Amphitheater
Details
do
do
Marathon Music Works
Details
do
do
EXIT/IN
Details

After the show, grab a late dinner with a view. Rooftop restaurants in Nashville will always give you a stunning view of city.

❗️LOCAL TIP❗️ When you make a reservation, politely ask for a table with a view in the comment box! The restaurant will usually honor your request if there's availability. 

drink
drink
Sixty Vines
Details
eat
eat
The Hampton Social - Nashville
Details
drink
drink
L.A. Jackson
Details

Cheers to a great day in Nashville!

You did it, you spent a whole day exploring Nashville without a single country music activity. You've taken in a gorgeous park, consumed some Nashville culture, shopped like a true Nashvillian, and sampled the tastes of Music City. I hope you've enjoyed your day in the 615!

Send A Tip
Send Jacqueline Oiga some gratitude.
Select your tip amount
$3
$5
$10
$20
Or type in other amount
$