Whatcha Might Not Know…Nashville

Whatcha Might Not Know are Wednesday posts that are just that…something quick that you may or may not know about me, my family, my neighborhood, my city, my world, etc.>

Disclosure…on my iPad so still trying to figure out how to blog on here!

Today I am in Nashville for work. And I am sad. Only because I am away from my family not here long enough to do anything but go from work to the hotel and back to work again! I barely realize I’m in Nashville except for the fact that I got to see the ever-so-cool Batman building while driving into town. Whatcha Might Not Know is that from 2001-2003 Andy and I lived in Nashville while he attended Vanderbilt.

My favorite country music event while we lived there was attending a Valentine’s Day concert. It was Martina McBride and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra at the Ryman. FABULOUS.

Here are a few Nashville points of interest should you ever visit:

Everyone that visited wanted to see the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. If you’ve never been to the Opryland hotel it’s worth a site-seeing trip. It’s HUGE and has a river and boat ride in it, etc. Next door was the Opry Mills mall where you used to be able to park and walk over (there’s a path) so you don’t have to pay the hotel parking fee (which was $10 back in ’01). However, there was a flood almost a year ago in Nashville and now the mall is closed until next spring. The Opryland Hotel is neat and quite a site to see, but it is a ZOO during the holidays. To the point that it is not enjoyable. We went one year during December and swore we would NEVER do it again. On the weekends in December it is literally so packed with people that you are walking through it while touching other people around you. There are so many people that you cannot see the decorations.

If I was going back for the weekend, I’d spend all of my time downtown, in the West End, and in Green Hills. Andy and I really like to try local foods/restaurants and not eat at chains. There are tons of great restaurants and shops in those areas. I would try to see if you can get tickets Saturday night to the Opry at Ryman Auditorium downtown – it’s worth every penny. Then go to the Wildhorse Saloon and Tootsie’s.

The West End has some great places as well including great mexican (cheaper) at La Paz. Cafe Nonna is supposed to be great, but we never went – not sure of price. Everyone loves the Elliston Place Soda Shop at 2111 Elliston Place.
There is also a great mall in Green Hills. Near Green Hills is Hillsboro (closer to Vanderbilt). Provence is great for pastries and desserts. And the Pancake Pantry is worth the wait for breakfast…arrive early, there is a line. Around the block. The San Antonio Taco Company is right across from campus and a GREAT CHEAP POPULAR tex-mex, beer-drinking joint. People refer to it as SATCO.

Our absolute favorite in Nashville is Antonio’s but its location isn’t always convenient. It’s out in Bellevue…about 10-15 minutes on the west of town. We never leave Nashville without eating there. It’s also pricey, but AWESOME and VERY ROMANTIC. You’d probably need a reservation.

7097 Old Harding Rd
Nashville, TN 37221-2830
615 646 9166

Demos’ is a great restaurant for families located downtown. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get there, but if you are already downtown, it’s a great reasonable option. Tons of yummy dishes. I remember thinking how cheap it was for everything you got.

The Nashville Zoo – Ok, so we never went, BUT everyone said that the zoo is great. Plus ½ price for being a Cincy zoo member.
If none of the above works out, head south on I-65 for 10-15 minutes. Franklin and Cool Springs are AWESOME areas just south of Nashville. There is a HUGE mall at Cool Springs and every restaurant you could imagine.

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