Peek Behind the Curtain at the Music City: Your Local Insiders Guide to Nashville

Hi there, I’m Brandie, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for the Nashville, Tennessee area. While I don’t currently reside within the Music City, I used to call this city home, and still have plenty of friends in the area, plus I visit it frequently to stay up-to-date on all the comings and goings.

Today, I am happy to share with you my own personal behind-the-scenes look at my beloved Nashville, also called NashVegas, Smashville, or, Athens of the South. Nashville is a unique conglomerate, offering a big city vibe with excitement and appeal, along with a southern town that welcomes outsiders as family. Of course, from an insider’s perspective, you get a bit more information than you would from a typical tour guide. So, sit back and enjoy this look behind the curtain at Nashville:

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in Nashville

Popular Nashville Neighborhoods

Many of Nashville’s top neighborhoods boast benefits of being walkable, along with having historic and artistic elements. There are many options to choose from, depending on what you value. The following is just a quick synopsis of some of my personal favorites:

The Gulch

When it comes to walkability and trendy vibes, there is probably no better neighborhood to explore than The Gulch. Here, you will find luxurious apartments, urban living, condos, and iconic restaurants.

Franklin

This is where my best friend once resided, and she chose this area primarily for the schools and the family-first atmosphere. Franklin is a bit outside the city proper and is a true suburb, being located to the south of the city. This area is known as a safe, high-end area.

Broadway

When thinking of Nashville, Broadway is the area that you are probably imagining. This is Nashville’s beating heart and most famous street. It is the area that virtually pulses with energy and the city’s electrifying music scene. It is a hub for shopping, dining, and live music, and boasts over 100 music venues along its streets, spanning various genres of music, including the blues, rock, and of course, country. Broadway was also home to the very first honky-tonks of the city and has shaped the growth of country music throughout the years.

Downtown

If Broadway is the main street you think of when picturing Nashville, Downtown is the rest of the city in its entirety. This is the whole downtown area, including the Ryman Auditorium, several businesses, and, of course, the aforementioned Broadway. SoBro (south of downtown) is another neighborhood worth mentioning as it is a modern area located just outside of Broadway. It contains notable destinations like the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Music City Center and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

12 South

Beloved for its tree-lined streets and charming, colorful bungalows, along with an abundance of shopping and dining options is the popular area of 12 South. It is a highly walkable and trendy neighborhood beloved by locals and tourists alike.

The Nations

As one of the hottest and fastest growing areas in the entire city, The Nations is known for being highly walkable, having great restaurants, local boutiques, laid-back bars, and more. It was formally an industrial area off 51st Street and home to abandoned mills and warehouses. Now, The Nations houses art galleries, fast-casual eateries, and craft breweries, all boasting unique architectural features thanks to the area’s origins.

Nashville’s History

Nashville was founded on Christmas Eve in 1779. It first grew as a major shopping hub, but eventually became Tennessee’s capital city in 1843. It has a rich cultural history, holding a distinctive place in the Civil War and then later in civil rights activism, being one of the first southern cities to desegregate public facilities.

Its reputation of being the Music City likely began in the 1800s when performances by the Fisk Jubilee Singers earned it notoriety. This reputation was later solidified when the Grand Ole Opry, which first broadcast on November 28, 1925, as the WSM Barn Dance, which was a radio show that is now the longest running radio broadcast in the nation. The name Grand Ole Opry, that we know today, didn’t come about until 1927.

The city of Nashville is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the Upper South between Atlanta and Texas. This city, situated along the Cumberland River is a crossroads of American culture and boasts a few professional sports teams, impressive medical facilities and some notable college teams as well. It has successfully walked the line (no pun intended, it’s a Johnny Cash reference for those in the know) between being a modern bustling city and one that still remains committed to its roots of southern hospitality and good country music.

Getting Around Nashville

When it comes to Nashville, there are three interstates that go throughout the city, I-65, I-40, and I-24. Driving, by far, is the most popular form of transportation to get in and around the city, and since many people live outside the city boundaries and commute, having a vehicle is practically a requirement. In addition, when visiting the city, many people begin their adventure at the Nashville International Airport (BNA), which is one of the fattest-growing airports in the nation.

Of course, the propensity for personal vehicle ownership by those in the city and beyond doesn’t mean that Nashville is without any other options. The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority is the city’s main public transportation system and operates under the slogan of WeGo Public Transit. The system consists of both train and bus options. Generally, the best way to pay for this service is through the QuickTicket by WeGo app, which is a contactless method of payment for quick boarding. As an aside to those who aren’t familiar with the transit system, many of the buses have a Rosa Parks seat set aside and saved in honor of the legendary woman, which is marked by a sign. Don’t sit here!

Downtown, maybe the best way to get around, since parking can be a bit of an issue, is the Music City Star Train. This system operates on the East Corridor of Nashville and transports people from Lebanon to downtown Nashville, offering six total stops. It is a true commuter train, so it typically runs weekday mornings and afternoons, but there is a later train on Friday evening. Admittedly, the train system doesn't have the widest reach, but locals know how to utilize the train in conjunction with connecting buses to get where they want to go. That is, of course, unless they drive themselves. In addition, there are other ways like ride-sharing and trolleys to get around various areas in the city as well, but this is just highlighting some of the most commonly used methods. Be aware that this city can be bogged down in traffic. That’s why many opt for walking or using various systems over driving when at all possible.

What Nashville is Known For

Of course, you likely know Nashville as the heart of country music, the biggest grouping of honky-tonks and bars and the place where many country music artists found their start. However, modern Nashville, though it still carries that rich heritage, is known for other elements as well. It is a modern city with several Michelin star restaurants, professional sports teams [Tennessee Titans (NFL) Nashville Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS)], colleges, medical facilities, like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is the top ranked hospital in all of Tennessee and Saint Thomas Midtown and West, along with an abundance of business establishments. While music might be what my favorite city is known most widely for, it’s not all it has to offer to be sure.

As I mentioned earlier, another nickname that has gained popularity describing Nashville is the “Athens of the South”. This comes from two different characteristics. One, the city has more than its fair share of higher learning, award-winning institutions, such as Vanderbilt University and Fisk University. The other is the presence of the Nashville Parthenon, which is a permanent replica of the real deal that serves as a monument, recognizing the city’s intellectual acumen. Interestingly enough, inside the Parthenon is a statue of Athena, measuring 42-feet, which is one of the tallest indoor statues in the entire Western Hemisphere!

Fun Facts About Nashville You Probably Don’t Know

The following are some facts you might not know about Nashville that you can really only garner by living here for a bit or knowing someone who does:

• Locals typically avoid Downtown. While the scene is fun, the area is so crowded, loud, and sometimes a bit crazy, so much so that locals can get their fill of it pretty quickly. Also, locals know when you do go Downtown, it’s best not to even try to park there. Instead, opt for a variety of public transportation options or park somewhere free and then ride-share there. While Downtown Nashville is the go-to spot for many a bachelorette’s last hurrah, when you live here, you try to avoid this area!

• To get the feel of the local vibe, meaning what residents are like, not tourists, visit East Nashville or 12 South to get a true feel of the city, outside the commotion of Downtown. Also, take another look at my best Nashville neighborhoods list to see where to go to see where people actually live who call Nashville home.

• Understand that we aren’t all cowboys. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good cowboy look with boots and the whole deal. However, you don’t have to wear a cowboy hat when visiting. This is especially true if it's a brand new one, on Broadway on Friday or Saturday night, as this is a telltale sign you are a tourist. The one caveat to that is if you are visiting the Wild Horse Saloon, and then yes, wear your hat!

• Yes, we are Southern, at least geographically, but no, we are not as country as you think due to our eclectic population of transplants and long-timers. In fact, Nashville has a modern flair with inclusive events all over the city, including the Greek Festival, NAIA Pow Wow, and the African Street Festival. Also, most of the country stars you associate with this city are transplants themselves, from other areas in the south. So, you don’t have to say ya’ll, and be country as cornbread. Instead, just come as you are, and you will be welcomed.

• Last but not least, don’t bother the celebrities. Locals know this and want you to know it too. Nashville is home to many notable celebrities, like Al Gore, Reese Witherspoon, Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, and Nicole Kidman, just to name a few. If you see them out and about, shopping or eating, don’t bother them! They came to Nashville to live a normal life, and that’s part of the wide appeal of the Music City, and we want to continue to offer it up.

Things to do in The Music City

Now that we have looked at the neighborhoods worth exploring, considering the best way to get around the city, and contemplated some facts that only locals would know, I want to share one last tidbit with you, things to do when here, beyond what everyone knows about— namely the honkey tonks, bars and fabulous shopping and dining options:

Murals

The city has an abundance of fabulous murals, which make fun backgrounds for photos. Some of my personal favorites include the “What Lifts You-Wings,” found in the Gulch, and, of course, the famous “I Believe in Nashville” in 12th South. Just about every Nashville neighborhood has its own photo-worthy mural. Finding them can be a fun adventure.

Visit Some Lesser Known Museums

My favorite museums to visit in the area are not as well known to visitors. This includes the Jefferson Sound Museum, which displays various private collections from the stars (drop in on Saturday only, appointments can be made other days), the Gallery of Iconic Guitars (GIG) located in Belmont Library and the Lane Motor Museum, which displays some truly bizarre cars.

Get Outside, Enjoy Nature

Although Nashville is a big city, it has an abundance of options to be closer to nature and get away from the hustle and bustle. Explore Radnor Lake State Park, which is a 1,322-acre park with hiking trails. You might also like Warner Parks, which has hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as Shelby Bottoms Greenway, which consists of 5-miles of paved trails in a naturally wooded area. The Narrows of Harpeth is another good option, which includes a short hike, rock formations, and a waterfall.

So, So, So, Much More Than a Honky Tonk Town

While there is nothing wrong with country music, bar hopping or honky tonks, I hope my behind-the-scenes look at Nashville has helped you realize there is much more to this city. It is culturally and academically advanced, and you could spend years trying all the great restaurants, visiting all the neat attractions, and enjoying all the city has to offer. I welcome you, and let me know when you want to visit. I will go with you!