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City Cast Nashville

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Margaret Kingsbury

Dolly Parton fans looking for a fun fall vacation should consider heading to the queen’s hometown — Sevierville, TN. Not only is fall the best time of year to visit the Smoky Mountains, but the town has lots of ways to remember her legacy. Here’s our guide!

 because each room has a full kitchen and there are heaps of kid activities, like an onsite daily fall festival and indoor and outdoor waterparks. However, 

 looks amazing (apparently it’s the world’s first!), and 

Your first stop should be Dolly’s iconic statue in downtown Sevierville. Plus, this month the town is launching a Dolly-themed free, 

, which includes a stop at the former theater where Dolly played her first paying gig.

The Smoky Mountains is also celebrating its annual 

 with themed displays at participating businesses, seasonal treats, and a 

, take pics of all the cool fall decor, and give 

If this sounds like too much walking, take a scenic 

 to enjoy the Smoky’s fall colors. There are eight driving tour options, and many have opportunities to get out and stretch your legs. On the 

Celebrate 50 years of the Apple Barn at its annual 

 on Oct. 9-11. Don’t forget to grab some apple ice cream and fried apple pies! Celebrate Halloween at downtown Sevierville’s 

 festival on Oct. 22. Get your chocolate on at the 

 race to earn money for local nonprofits on Oct. 31. Here’s a list of 

🎢 And don’t forget to go to Dollywood!

Dolly Parton fans looking for a fun fall vacation should consider heading to the queen’s hometown — Sevierville, TN.

Fall Trip Idea: Celebrate Dolly Parton in Sevierville, TN

Take a Fall Trip to Dolly Parton’s Hometown of Sevierville, TN

Everything to know about Nashville neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Nashville Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

  Rachel Iacovone

 building can still be found in Wedgewood-Houston, it feels like every time I blink there’s a new hot spot opening. Here’s your guide to spending a day in Wedgewood-Houston. (And listen, respectfully, I refuse to call it WeHo.)

, where the breakfast burrito will easily give you enough fuel to last you until lunch. Or head over to 

 for a Palestinian-inspired menu with lattes, matchas, and sweet and savory bites, like sabah toast and a Dubai chocolate croissant.

Now that you’re sufficiently caffeinated, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop. 

 is one of Nashville’s newest independent bookstores, and has a wonderful selection of recent hits and classics, with a staff more than willing to chat about their favorites. 

 is a recently opened grab-and-go market, where you can stock up on snacks, produce, and other goodies. Their patio is a great place to hang out (and maybe read a book from Bell Bird).

Grab a portable meal for your journey at 

. Their Italian deli sandwiches get bonus points for having so many veg-friendly and gluten-free options. Or, if you’ve got some time, sit down and split a pie at 

. The patio is especially nice this time of year.

After lunch, take yourself on a neighborhood art tour. While you’ll see plenty of murals and art installations (like The Finery’s 

) walking around, Wedgewood-Houston has perhaps the highest concentration of galleries in Nashville, like the 

. Make sure to check hours before stopping by. On the first Saturday of every month, there’s a 

The ultimate Wedgewood-Houston dinner is at 

, but if you forgot to make that reservation several weeks in advance, 

 serves the restaurant’s fan-favorite (and surprisingly filling) nachos — offered with smoked pork or vegetarian chorizo. If you want a sit-down meal at a locally owned joint, try 

After relocating in 2025, 20-year-old gay bar 

 now calls the neighborhood home, and it’s always packed at night. If you’d prefer a calmer way to end the night, coffeeshop-by-day 

 will serve you a coffee cocktail on a velvet couch. Or support one of Nashville’s last-standing craft breweries, 

, across the street. (In the fall, keep an eye out for a chai version of their beloved Bear Walker maple brown ale!)

A local’s guide to 12 South

Wedgewood-Houston is one of Nashville's fastest-changing and hippest neighborhoods. Here's your guide.

Your Neighborhood Guide to Wedgewood-Houston

How To Spend a Day in Wedgewood-Houston

Whitney Pastorek

 between DB Todd and 9th Avenue N in North Nashville — pronounced Buh-kanan, if you please — is a microcosm of what some might call our city’s growing pains: New businesses stand next to abandoned buildings, on a street sandwiched by tall n’ skinnies, in a historically Black neighborhood desperate to retain its character and affordability. Happily, it’s also full of local restaurants and community spaces that make it worth a visit for anyone who thrives on supporting small businesses and eclectic charm.

Start at the pizza parlor that launched an empire: 

 oblong pies and cinnamon rolls are now available in three states, but the OG location is still the best. Save room for bebidas and Mexican munchies (torta de chilaquiles? yes pls) at 

 taqueria across the street. And if you want to venture slightly deeper into North, definitely hit up the 50-year-old neighborhood institution 

 — they relocated to Buchanan after the recent passing of their founder. New event space 

 brunch on the 1st and 4th Sunday of each month that looks genuinely insane. For something more fast-casual, you can’t go wrong at 

, a food truck that went brick and mortar.

 serves up ice cream, warm beverages, and cute kitties; even better, it anchors the incredible 

, where young people overcoming trauma can obtain housing, grooming training, and employment opportunities. On the other side of the street, both 

 will immerse you in local art and community while you sip.

Wanna do more than feed your stomach? Visit a local art show at 

, where even non-players can learn about the genre. And finally, 

 has been a stalwart safe space in the neighborhood for years — if you can, donate to their 

 to get back up and running after a recent vandalism.

Neighborhood Guide Suggestion

What neighborhood should we visit next?

With everything from great soul food to bagels — and even a cat cafe! — the art-filled and always-changing Buchanan Street in North Nashville is worth a visit.

Your Guide to North Nashville’s Buchanan Street

Get To Know Buchanan Street

Daniel Sumstine

 is just far enough from the beaten path to retain its old-school charm, despite some significant transitions in the last half-decade. If you’re looking for a chill destination on a beautiful day and some quirky places to eat, this neighborhood has you covered!

At the center of the community sits Charlotte Park, which is a surprisingly serene slice of nature with disc golf, basketball courts, and peaceful walking paths. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stretching out in my hammock with a book at this park became a real sanctuary for my mental health. Nowadays, you’ll see families picnicking, locals running their morning routes, and the sounds of adult softball leagues. It’s a reminder that even in a fast-growing city, pockets of calm still exist.

If you’ve ever wanted to slide a 40-pound granite stone across ice while your friends frantically sweep in front of it, 

 is your spot. Tee Line has become one of the neighborhood’s signature hangouts, offering curling leagues, casual drop-in sessions, bowling, and plenty of food and drinks. It’s part social club, part sports bar, part “did I just discover a new hobby?” It’s the kind of place that embodies Charlotte Park’s evolving vibe.

Small, unpretentious, and beloved, Robertson Avenue Market is one of those neighborhood fixtures that quietly defines a community. Whether you’re grabbing snacks, last-minute groceries, or some craft beers, it embodies the friendliness and familiarity of a true local market.

Down by Rock Harbor Marina, Blue Moon Waterfront Grille feels like the kind of spot Jimmy Buffet would write a song about. With tables perched right over the water, this restaurant is the place for breezy evenings with cocktails, seafood baskets, and boats docking for dinner. They also have live music drifting across the marina, and a laid-back vibe that feels unlike anywhere else in Nashville.

Charlotte Pike rivals Nolensville Road when it comes to some of the best international cuisine in Nashville, and VN Pho is one of its true standouts. The owners are warm, generous, and deeply committed to honoring their Vietnamese heritage. Stop in for some of the best pho you’ll find in Nashville!

Looking for more international restaurants? Here’s our guide to Nolensville Road.

Here’s our guide to spending a day in West Nashville’s Charlotte Park neighborhood.

Spend a Day in Charlotte Park

Get to Know Charlotte Park

, the nation’s largest lantern festival and my favorite winter holiday event, is back at the Nashville Zoo. My family attends every year, and it’s truly a magical experience. Here’s your guide.

 Nightly from 5-9 p.m. through Jan. 4, then Thursday through Sunday from Jan. 8 to Feb. 8.

 $25 for adults and teens, $21 for kids 2-12. If you have a membership, tickets are $5 off. Platinum Pass tickets — $39 for adults and teens and $29 for kids — get you unlimited visits.

 Parking is free for members and Platinum Pass ticket holders. Otherwise, it’s $10.

Zoolumination debuted at the Nashville Zoo in 2019. Zigong Lantern Group provides more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns set up across the zoo, featuring dragons, the Chinese zodiac, animal scenes, and holiday displays. It’s so magical to walk the familiar zoo paths at night, illuminated by the beautiful lanterns. Many are absolutely giant!

Visit the North Pole Village and take photos with Santa from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24. This is over by the Grassmere historic home. You'll also find a Polar Express train, though it isn't functional.

Check out special performers at the Ajax Turner Amphitheater by the reptile house nightly at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Last year they had Chinese acrobatic dancers, and they were amazing!

 tickets separately for $12. The ice rink closes if temperatures reach 50 degrees or warmer, but the zoo will refund you if that happens.

The carousel is up and running, but not the zipline.

While most of the animals are asleep, the Sumatran tigers, flamingos, and Andean bears will be up and awake. The Unseen New World reptile and insect house will be open most nights, too.

Don’t sleep on the hot chocolate! It’s delicious. Adults can get it spiked, and it comes in reusable Zoolumination cups.

Quills Café & Grill and Screaming Gibbon Pizza Kitchen will be open with seasonal meals and pizza. There are gluten-free options.

Check the temperatures before you leave and bundle up if it’s cold.

While advance tickets are encouraged, I recommend waiting until the last minute to buy your tickets. There are no refunds, so if someone gets sick or it starts hailing and you decide not to go, you’re out of luck.

Zoolumination is open on all the winter holidays. We went on Christmas Eve one year, and it was a really neat way to spend the night.

🎄 Gaylord Opryland's Christmas Festivities

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo is the nation's largest lantern festival. Here's your guide!

Why You Should Visit Zoolumination in Nashville

Your Guide to Nashville’s Zoolumination

 celebrates with elaborate decorations and Christmas-themed events. This year’s holiday extravaganza opens Nov. 7 and runs through Jan. 3. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to check out the decorations and go to the activities! Here’s my guide.

Park for free at Opry Mills Mall, at the very end of the Regal Cinemas parking lot. Then cross the street and walk over. It’s a bit of a hike, but not too bad. I’ve done it with a toddler in tow!

See the holiday decorations for free on these dates: Nov. 7-20, 23, and 30; Dec. 1-4, 7-11, and 14-18; Jan. 1-3. Activities still require a ticket.

On all other dates you can arrive before 3 p.m. to see the holiday lights for free, and can stick around until evening for the outdoor lights.

You only need to buy a ticket to one activity to come any other time.

 at any Nashville Public Library branch, read five books, and turn it in by Jan. 2 for a free child’s ticket to ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and discounted adult tickets. Good for Sunday-Friday from Nov. 7-Dec. 31, then daily Jan. 1-3.

Use the code MERRYDEALS25 now through Nov. 16 for 25% off tickets to 

ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

ICE! is kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but they provide parkas for all sizes up to 4XL. Wear close-toed shoes and pants, and a hat and gloves. It takes 20-40 minutes to go through.

Make a day of it by dining at one of the 

 inside, though they can get pricey. Several restaurants are also nearby at the mall.

If you’re going with kids, set expectations before you leave about which activities they can participate in. In the past, favorites have been the gingerbread decorating corner and bumper cars. There are plenty of places to get free pictures with Santa, so skip that. ICE! is a bit steep for the amount of time it takes to walk through, but worth doing at least once.

This year Gaylord Opryland also has a Build-a-Bear Workshop.

🌲 Where To Buy Christmas Trees

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Gaylord Opryland's iconic Christmas display in Nashville, including how to go for free!

What To Do at Gaylord Opryland's Country Christmas & ICE! Events

Your Guide to Gaylord Opryland’s Christmas Festivities

, aka Andrea Giordano, told us that out of the 39 countries she’s visited, Iceland was her favorite, I knew I had to go! So I took a direct flight from BNA to its capital, Reykjavík, but I only had 24 hours to visit. Could I do it on a budget? Absolutely. Here are my tips for making the most of your time in Iceland while spending the least amount of money.

The funny thing about flying direct from Nashville to Reykjavík is that you actually land in 

, which is about 30 miles from the city center and a 45-minute bus ride away. Everyone told me to rent a car and chase waterfalls for the day, but I went with the cheaper option: 

. For $42 (ticket purchased on arrival), it took me straight into town.

🥐 Budget Friendly Meals & Accommodations

The food there was outstanding — the prices, not so much. Still, I managed to find a few spots that were fairly affordable and oh so delicious.

 was the perfect cozy first stop in Iceland. The servers promptly brought me coffee and a glorious traditional cardamom bun with caramelized sugar edges.

 lived up to the hype. This local hot dog stand has been all over my social media as a must-try, and it absolutely was.

 was happily serving late. On my server’s recommendation, I tried the Iceland salmon roll with creamy dill sauce and pumpernickel on top, paired with a local beer.

 came highly recommended by City Cast Nashville contributor Amelia Edelman. As a solo female traveler, feeling safe and comfortable is my top priority, and this hotel delivered on both. I even saved money by booking with credit card points.

, but after seeing those price tags, I decided to go where the locals go. For just $18, I spent the afternoon at 

, Reykjavík’s beloved neighborhood pool, and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

To respect the locals, I followed every rule to the letter. If you go, 

 don’t tell them I sent you. Be quiet, be polite, and for the love of Iceland: Wash your entire naked body with soap before putting on your swimsuit and 

For $200, I could have booked a Northern Lights tour to escape Reykjavík’s city lights and increase my chances of seeing them. But luck was on my side: I spotted the green lights dancing across the night sky while walking back to my hotel from the local geothermal pool. I cried. It was magical, and made my 24 hours in Iceland completely worth it.

More Getaways

Take a direct flight from BNA to Iceland to explore its capital in just 24 hours without breaking the bank!

From Nashville to Iceland: How To Spend 24 Hours on a Budget

From Nashville to Iceland: 24 Hours on a Budget

National Museum of African American Music

 is the only museum solely devoted to Black musical traditions and genres in the U.S. It opened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021. I recently visited for the first time, and really enjoyed it. Here’s why you should venture into downtown Nashville to check it out, too.

 There’s a Metropolis garage directly beneath the building that partners with the museum for $22 parking. There’s also a designated Lyft pickup spot in front, which is what I used.

🎵 Learn More About African American Music

After purchasing tickets at the front desk, the museum’s first stop is the Root Theater to watch a short film exploring the history of Black music, from its African roots to the creation of jazz and rock and roll. The theater leads out into the “Rivers of Rhythm” gallery, which provides a broad overview of four centuries of Black music and features interactive stations where visitors can listen to music from different time periods, and read more. This is the central room for all the museum galleries. It’s very easy to follow along in a circle, visiting each gallery chronologically.

Galleries explore religious music, the origin of the blues, the evolution of jazz, contemporary music, and so much more. Lining the walls are numerous photographs and quotes, and there are also exhibits centering Nashville’s music history.

I loved all the museum’s interactive elements. A wristband you receive upon entry allows visitors to create their own playlists at numerous touch tables with thousands of songs. I had trouble getting the wristband to work at all stations, though, and sometimes had to move to a new one, or jot down the name of the artist I wanted to listen to more of instead.

Visitors can also sing along with a virtual recording of a choir, create their own songs, dance along to a music video, and record music. I was pretty impressed with how interactive the museum is — more so than 

There’s no separate children’s area, so if you have younger kids, you might want to wait to visit until they’re a bit older and can enjoy the interactive elements. While tickets are a bit steep, every first Wednesday of the month is free. It’s smaller than the 

, and with less memorabilia, but I really enjoyed the diversity of music and history at NMAAM, and will definitely visit again.

 is right by the museum, with a plethora of eating options. After exploring the museum, I went to 

, which has a fantastic view of the Ryman. There’s also Desano, Honeyfire Barbecue, PokeNash, Prince’s, and lots more.

🏙️ More things to do downtown

Here's your guide to visiting the National Museum of African American Music, a one-of-a-kind museum right here in Nashville.

Why You Should Visit the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville

Your Guide to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville

Let’s face it: The main drag of 12 South has become a mall. While it’s frustrating to see charming cottages replaced by national brands like Lululemon and Rag & Bone, there are still quite a few truly local shops and dining spots worth visiting (on weekdays only, unless you hate yourself). Check out 

; or Food & Wine’s 2022 restaurant of the year, 

Need a gift? Our fave local boutiques include 

 (owned by Holly Williams, daughter of Hank Jr.), one-stop everything shop 

 is also hard to resist, because it’s so dang cute.

You can seriously treat yo-self in a few spots, whether you’re grabbing fancy jeans from 

 or Reese Witherspoon’s latest line at 

. We also love the contemporary fashions at 

. Please do not open a shop here if you do not have at least two names.

When in Rome, ya know? Might as well indulge in a time-honored Nashville tourist extracurricular: Taking selfies in front of murals. 12 South has 

! The original “I Believe in Nashville” mural is here, as is the terrific message of “Make Music, Not War.” Don’t forget to look for 

We recommend popping in for an adult beverage and a nosh at 

 — they claim the largest whiskey selection in Nashville. And if you need a growler for the road, the 

 is one of our city’s original beer bars, with 24 rotating taps.

🛍️ A Walk Down 21st Avenue South

You can still find local gems in the booming shopping district of 12 South, from gift boutiques to great bars and restaurants.

Your Guide to Nashville’s 12 South

Where To Shop & Eat Local on 12 South

Madison is one of my favorite Nashville neighborhoods. It’s where my grandparents chose to live, where my parents grew up, and where I spent many of my childhood summers. However, lots of my fave Madison places have closed (so long, 

 below come from current resident and local musician Ellen Angelico.

 is such a warm and inviting hangout spot, whether you’re visiting with friends or working remotely. They frequently play live music, and their baked goods are amazing.

, with great food, and where folks can add “open seat” placards to their tables to make new friends.

Grab groceries and some amazing tacos at 

Get excellent Japanese and Korean food at 

Have a pint and a Grillshack burger with Cumberland River views on 

Here's your guide to spending a day in Madison, one of Nashville's most underrated neighborhoods.