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City Cast Nashville

Life Hacks

Tips and tricks by Nashville locals, for locals.

Margaret Kingsbury

Nashville has officially declared Sept. 25 as 

! In honor of Tennessee’s queen, participating businesses will be celebrating with Dolly-inspired food and drink specials, lighting up their buildings in pink, and featuring Dolly’s music. Here are six ways to celebrate Dolly Day around town.

 that serve issues close to Dolly’s heart by donating to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Music Community Foundation from Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.

Leave a message at Bridgestone Arena about how you plan to carry on Dolly’s kindness. Then head to the 

, which will donate $9.25 from every ticket to the Imagination Library, and to the 

, which will host Dolly events all day, including a free screening of “9 to 5” at 7 p.m. The movie will end just in time to see fireworks at 9:25 p.m.

 is celebrating Dolly Day with discounted admission, story time with the Imagination Library, Dolly-themed eats, face painting, and more.

 is donating 10% of all sales to the Imagination Library. Plus, the children’s indoor playground will have butterfly crafts, cupcake decorating, and Dolly drinks.

 is also raising money for the Imagination Library with tribute performances, a Dolly SINGO, and a best “Jolene” contest. Chapstick will be showing “9 to 5” all day.

 are donating 25% of profits from 2-5 p.m. to the Imagination Library.

🖼️ Dolly Parton Murals in Nashville

From fireworks to ice cream, here are six ways to celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville.

How To Celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville

6 Ways To Celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville

Tips and tricks for living your best Nashville life, by locals, for locals.

Nashville Life Hacks

  Rachel Iacovone

Marie Cecile Anderson

 move to Nashville every single day. While our growth has indubitably led to 

, Nashville has long been a city of transplants (

), who have shaped our history, music, culture, and much more. Have you just moved to Nashville? Here are some tips! And I hope locals find something new on this list, too.

, but if all you know of Nashville is Lower Broadway, then you don’t know us at all. We’ve got so many 

 might give you the perfect excuse to explore the rest of the city.

Our weather can be iffy, at best. One minute it’s hotter than the spiciest chicken; the next, there’s a tornado or an ice storm. The guys behind 

 have saved lives with their minute-by-minute updates during weather emergencies. Make sure to 

🛣️ Learn the Rules for Driving in Nashville

While we’re working on improving public transit, for now Nashville is still a driver’s city. And to be honest, as a whole, we’re not the best drivers. Make sure to listen to our chat about the 

, and try to keep your cool and stay safe!

Whenever people ask me what my favorite part of Nashville is, I say it’s the trees. We have possibly the 

Tune into our local music discovery station, 

, for concerts and events across all genres of music, from punk to classical and so much more. Here’s a list of some of our 

 outside Kurdistan. You can support that community at some of our favorite restaurants, like 

, and also by keeping an eye out for events like the Kurdish New Year and Newroz at 

. Plaza Mariachi is also the hub for a lot of our Latino community. Attend a salsa night or play loteria weekly there, and be sure to get a mangonada at a nearby michoacana.

Many chains and restaurants from other major cities in the U.S. (looking at you, New York) have moved to Nashville recently, but you can find a locally owned eatery from pretty much 

 if you know where to look. Our rec? Start by following local Nashvillians like Anas Saba, who runs 

Many favorite local businesses have recently closed, and one of the best ways to support your new city and get to know it better is by shopping local! Sign up for our 

👋 How to make friends in Nashville

Just moved to Nashville? Here are some tips, from must-follow social accounts to local eateries.

 8 Tips for New Nashvillians

New to Nashville? Here’s Our Advice.

I frequently see people on social media asking how to make friends in Nashville. It used to be so easy as kids! While we Southerners tend to be plenty friendly and talkative in the grocery line, sometimes it’s harder to make real relationships. Whether you’re new to Nashville or have been here a while, here are some tips.

Pick something you feel passionate about — food insecurity, unhoused folk, children, animals, etc. — and find a local organization within that area to volunteer for. 

 is a great place to find volunteer opportunities, and you can sort by issues that interest you. I also frequently post volunteer activities on 

. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and volunteers tend to be pretty darn friendly!

Search for clubs, groups, and classes that interest you. Love arts and crafts? Many library branches have 

! Reader? Join a book club at one of our local 

 at one of our parks. This is going to take a little bit of research on your part, but your people are out there.

Downtown is populated by tourists, and while some of us might occasionally venture there for a show or event, it’s not a great place to make friends. If you enjoy listening to live music, try one of these 

. If you like a drink after work, go to your neighborhood bar instead of Lower Broadway. If you hang out there regularly, you’ll start seeing some familiar faces.

, and that it’s harder to get out and make friends with children in tow. I found many new friends as a mom by attending my local library branch’s children’s storytimes. You might start seeing familiar faces by going to a neighborhood playground instead of one farther away. There are also several local parenting Facebook groups, where parents can ask if anyone wants to hang!

I’m definitely biased here, but we just had our first City Cast Nashville members-only event, and it was so much fun! I made new friends, and I hope everyone else did, too. Becoming a Neighbor costs $10 a month, and we have regular meetups throughout the year.

Tips for Volunteering

Whether you’re new to Nashville or have been here a while, here are five tips for making friends in Music City.

5 Tips for Making Friends in Nashville

How To Make Friends in Nashville

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to spend a hot summer day than in a pool. Here’s your guide to Nashville’s public pools, from community center dips to hotel rooftop destinations.

, both indoor and outdoor. While we used to have more, segregation led to the closure of some public pools, like 

 for open swim hours. While most Metro Parks pools are free, 

 charge $10-$12 for admission. Centennial SportsPlex is running a 

 for June, though keep in mind that their pool is closed on weekends. Many community center pools host children’s swim classes for as low as $4.

Most YMCAs in Middle Tennessee have indoor or outdoor pools, and sometimes both. Use the 

 to find out which facilities have pools. Membership is required, but you can apply for 

 (including veterans and retirees). Both current and prospective members receive a 20% discount through 

The Gordon JCC in Bellevue also has great outdoor and indoor pools, and 

Did you know that many hotels in Nashville offer pool passes for locals? You can book hotel pool passes on 

. Pool passes typically run $20-$75 a day. Some of our favorites include the 

 at the Graduate, and our newest hotel pool, Salt Ranch, which is offering a 

. Wave Country is the cheapest option, and folks can bring their own food and drink. Tickets to Nashville Shores cost $50+ (grab a 

 if you plan to go more than once), and the water park has three different pools in addition to slides and other attractions. SoundWaves no longer offers day passes, but locals 

 by purchasing a party room, Crowd Surfer FlowRider Party, or Sun Deck Group Pass. These will cost you around $60-$100 per person.

🛟 Nashville’s lake beaches

It's pool season. Here's your guide to public pools in Nashville.

Where Are the Public Pools in Nashville?

Your Guide to Nashville’s Public Pools

 because of the U.S. and Israel’s joint attacks on Iran. According to AAA, 

 are $3.698 a gallon on average, up from $2.625 just one month ago. Here are some tips for saving on gas in Nashville.

WeGo is adding new bus routes and improvements regularly thanks to the Choose How You Move transit program. Now just might be the time to investigate 

 to and from your most frequent destinations, if you aren’t a bus rider yet.

 is free and tracks gas prices in your area. Enter your address or route, and it will show you the current gas prices at stations along the way. It’s crowdsourced, and you can enter your receipts to earn points toward rewards, including discounts on gas. You can also play games to earn points.

 gives you points for every dollar you spend on groceries to be spent at Kroger gas stations. Kroger frequently offers 4x bonus fuel points days. If you’re a frequent Kroger shopper, buy some gift cards on those days to rack up more fuel points. 

 also have fuel savings programs for members. If you tend to go to the same gas station, check whether it has 

 keeping tires properly inflated, and making sure to drive the speed limit. As speeds exceed 50 mph on the highway, aerodynamic drag reduces fuel economy. While limiting air conditioner use helps save on gas, that’s often impossible in Nashville. Use a windshield shade to lessen heat buildup inside the car, and remove bulky items — it takes more fuel to accelerate in a heavier car.

Saving Money on Gas

🚗 What are your cost-saving tips?

Gas prices are rising. Here are some tips for saving money on gas in Nashville.

Tips for Saving Money on Gas in Nashville

How To Save Money on Gas in Nashville

Whitney Pastorek

As Nashville continues to feel the impact of Winter Storm Fern, we’re rounding up food and warming shelter information, as well as ways to get and give help. We will continue to update this page with the newest information and resources as we hear about them. 

Winter Storm Fern Resources

Metro Nashville has set up a FAQ with resources at 

If you or someone you know is facing eviction or mortgage foreclosure due to the storm, or missed an eviction court date, please visit 

 or call 833-837-HOME (4663). If you have an upcoming court date, do not skip it. Your chance at getting help from the Eviction Right To Counsel program dramatically increases if you show up — look for the blue table. If you need to check your court date or the status of your case, call the General Sessions Court Clerk at 615-862-5195.

TEMA is encouraging residents to self-report damage to their homes by 

. This will help officials identify potential needs.

Nashville Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) has opened their needs tracker at 

. Fill out the form if you need any form of support, and you will be contacted directly when resources become available.

 hotline at 211 for food, shelter, warming center information, and other local assistance.

The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp has set up a central database of local hotels offering discounts to Nashville residents, as well as their availability. 

 is providing support to country music industry professionals.

Those concerned about eviction can call 833-837-HOME (4663) or visit 

For assistance with damage or debris, call the Crisis Clean Up Hotline at 844-965-1386. They are also seeking 

Trash pickup is resuming where possible on Jan. 30. Here is 

 has posted guidelines to keep pipes safe. If you see a leak or water main break, call them at 615-862-4600.

 has a new resource line for seniors seeking assistance. Call 844-502-6387.

 have posted guidelines on winter storm tree damage, safety, and recovery.

A multi-lingual winter storm resource guide is available at 

Donate to the United Way and Community Foundation 

 listing multiple funds and organizations that need donations in the wake of the storm.

 has opened its volunteer sign-up for February.

 to volunteer for wellness checks on our elderly neighbors in East Nashville

 is in urgent need of food to meet demand.

Sign up to volunteer or bring a meal to the 

 has been seeking volunteers to help with wellness phone banking and food distribution in North Nashville.

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

 is seeking volunteers for wellness phone banking.

 is seeking volunteers for wellness check phone banking.

Donate unused supplies (gloves, hand warmers, diapers, etc.) to the Community Resource Center. 

Second Harvest is requesting volunteers to help sort and pack food via 

multiple opportunities to volunteer across our city

The Southeast Community Center, Bellevue Community Center, and Madison Community Center are serving as warming shelters, and provide food and bedding. Call 615-401-1712 if you need transportation.

All Metro Nashville fire stations and most police precincts are also serving as warming shelters during the day.

Pets are welcome at these Metro Nashville shelters.

Metro Parks and Greenways are still facing significant closures due to storm damage. 

If you receive SNAP benefits and lost power, 

. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 23.

 is also hosting regular food distributions, keep an eye on their Instagram. They are also 

Second Harvest has resumed mobile food distributions. Here is 

is giving away free bagged meals for kids at both locations, no questions asked. They are also accepting donations.

 is giving away free BBQ sandwiches to those who need them until power is restored.

 is open daily at 11 a.m. with warm meals and activities. Their 

 opens every evening when temps are below 40 degrees at 5:30 p.m. for shelter and warm meals.

 offers warm meals and resources. Hours vary.

Dream Streets operates food banks in several locations seven days a week, and 

 may be able to help those who lost food during a power outage, regardless of faith.

 — we are reposting every resource we see!

📧 Email Us With More Tips

As Nashville continues to feel the impact of Winter Storm Fern, we’re rounding up food and warming shelter information.

Resources for Folks Impacted by Winter Storm Fern in Nashville

Winter Storm Fern Resources: Where To Get Help and Give Help in Nashville

We’ve got snow in this weekend’s forecast, folks, which means it could either miss us completely, or shut down the city for a week. Here are some tips for surviving snow in Nashville.

 and social media for forecasts and updates. If you’re new, you might not know how erratic the weather is here. Forecasts change rapidly. But if we get any snow, Nashville shuts down.

Cover porch steps or walkways with tarp or cardboard, so you can clear snow more easily.

Shop responsibly at the grocery store. Yes, it’s smart to stock up on supplies, but leave enough for your neighbors, too.

Get any medications from the pharmacy before Saturday.

Check in on your elderly family members and neighbors to see if they need anything.

Stock up on books, music, and movies from the library.

Schools will likely call out if there’s snow, though MNPS tends to wait until the last minute. Be prepared for kids being home at least a few days.

The best sledding hill is the one you can walk to. Please, don’t try to drive on slippery roads to find a cool hill!

Don’t have a sled? Trash can and organizer bin lids can work in a pinch.

No snow boots? Wrap plastic bags around your socks before putting your shoes on, to prevent your feet from getting wet.

 of your snow creations and snow-day fun, and I’ll feature ‘em in the Hey Nashville newsletter!

Snow Day Pics

Maybe you’ve driven in snow plenty of times. Great. Unfortunately, there will be someone else on the road sliding around like butter in a hot pan. They’re just as likely to hit you as a mailbox. It’s not worth going out until the roads are clear, if you can help it. Many people don’t have snow tires, and our roads just aren’t equipped to handle snow and ice.

Instead, make something yummy, drink hot chocolate, and cozy up on the couch with some books and movies. If you have outdoor pets, bring them inside.

Nashville now has a fleet of 45 snow plows, including 

. That’s much more than in previous years, so there’s hope it won’t take too long for roads to get cleared. Check 

, and stick to primary roads as much as possible.

Clear the snow from the top of your car before heading out.

If you get stuck, check Facebook for local 4x4 emergency groups.

Once the ice and snow begin to melt, beware of potholes.

Stay safe out there, folks! And have fun!

❄️ How To Deice Responsibly

Here are some tips for navigating snow in Nashville, from preparing early to driving safely.

Snow Day Tips in Nashville

Your Guide To Snowy Days in Nashville

Want to join a book club this year? There are many book clubs in Nashville for readers of all kinds. It’s a great way to get out in the community and make new friends while doing something you love. Here’s your guide to finding a book club in Nashville.

: Parnassus offers five monthly book clubs that meet in the store: The Parnassus Book Club, The Parnassus Classics Club, Between the Covers Romance Book Club, Fantasy Readers Guild, and Unrequired Reading: A Teen Book Club. Find details on the Parnassus 

, and by subscribing to the club’s newsletter.

: Between now and the end of February, The Bookshop is hosting 12 book clubs with a variety of themes! I’m eyeing the Unlikeable Females Book Club 👀 The Bookshop announces book clubs and reading material on their website, social media, and newsletter.

: Ordering Novelette’s book club pick from the store is your ticket to attending. In February, they’re reading “

There are many book clubs in Nashville for readers of all kinds. Here's your guide!

Nashville Life Hacks

6 Ways To Celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville

New to Nashville? Here’s Our Advice.

How To Make Friends in Nashville

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