Nasvhille recommendations?

[walterfredo]

I'll be in Nashville from 2/25 through 3/3.  I'll be in Franklin for work mon-fri, but don't really want to stay out in the 'burbs, I'd like to be downtown.  I rolled through Nashville during the summer of 98 and absolutely loved the place, looking forward to seeing a bit more of it this time.  Any recommendations?  Hotels? Restaurants? Beer joints?  Must see attractions?  Thanks in advance.

[Swedgin]

Jack White's Third Man Records is located in Nashville. It's a really cool place to visit. Also be sure to stop in Grimey's Record Shop.

Hatch Show Prints on Broadway if screen printed posters are your thing.

Not sure if there are any games scheduled, but the Nashville Predators hockey game is an option.

There are tours of the Ryman Auditorium, and there's the Country Music Hall of Fame which is quite nice even if country music isn't quite your thing.

I usually stay at Hilton hotels near the airport, it's one of the cheaper areas. Downtown hotels will be expensive. Airport hotels are nowhere near Franklin, TN though.

[walterfredo]

Thanks!  Hatch Show prints is a definite stop for me.

is it stupid to think I can stay somewhere cool downtown if I have to be in Franklin at 8 am mon-fri?

[Tracy 2112]

Thanks!  Hatch Show prints is a definite stop for me.

is it stupid to think I can stay somewhere cool downtown if I have to be in Franklin at 8 am mon-fri?

You can stay somewhere cool downtown and be in Franklin by 8. You will be going against major traffic until you reach the Franklin exit, so I'd give yourself 45 minutes to be safe (probably really need only 30).

What Swedgin sez, plus:

Find your way to Martins for BBQ in Nolensville, which is pretty close to Franklin:

http://www.martinsbbqjoint.com/nolensville

Check out Rotiers for French bread cheeseburger near Vanderbilt:

A Nashville Treasure: Rotier's Restaurant

which is near Exit In:

http://www.exitin.com/

Station Inn for real country/blue grass:

http://www.stationinn.com/

Hot Chicken at Prince's (made more famous by hot chicken nods from Yo La Tengo, but not in a "great" part of town):

WhereTheLocalsEat.com: Prince's Hot Chicken

Nash Trash Tours seems lame but is pretty cool:

http://www.nashtrash.com/

[Fully]

I love to go to Roberts Western World down on Lower Broadway for an authentic honkytonk experience. I like to eat at PM close to Belmont University. Since you are going to be in Franklin, you might like to go to Puckett's Grocery or Meridee's. Dotson's is a great meat and three and the pie there is a sight to be seen. All of them are in about the same vicinity.

If you have time, the drive to Lynchburg to the Jack Daniels Distillery is a pretty good day trip.

[Swedgin]

oh yeah, I forgot all about Prince's Hot Chicken!

Arnold's. Pancake Pantry, and Loveless Cafe are also really good! But expect a long line at any of the three.

[ALady]

Mas Tacos. :)

Also, second the Grimey's and Hatch Show Print suggestions.  I think you'll really dig those.

There's a lot of interesting stuff going on in East Nasty these days.  Let me know if you want coffeeshop or bar recommendations.

[walterfredo]

thanks for the recs. 

Apparently my work is in Brentwood not Franklin, so it's even closer to downtown Nashville than I had thought. 

What area do you guys think I should look for a hotel in if I want to be close to downtown fun spots, restaurants, bars, etc?  Also thinking about going to the Vanderbilt vs. Florida basketball game. 

[Fully]

The Doubletree is pretty close to things that are downtown. You can walk to lower Broad. If you want to be in the Vanderbilt area, the Vanderbilt Plaza is pretty close. There's an old Best Western on Demonbreun that is right at Music Row and there are a couple of good bars across the street from it. However, it is kind of a crappy hotel. While in Brentwood, eat breakfast at the Puffy Muffin one morning.

[walterfredo]

thanks fully, I'll probably do a priceline thing for hotels in the downtown/vanderbilt area and see what I can get for a 3.5-4 star hotel. 

[subinai]

second martin's bbq and prince's hot chicken.

have a fancy drink at the patterson house.

get coffee at crema (saw tommy there once.. very random)

[walterfredo]

Just got a ticket to see Lewis Black at the Ryman on 2/25, so pscyhed! 

[walterfredo]

I'll be staying the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt.  Excited to re-check out Nashville.  Always open to more food/bar rec's if anyone has some that haven't already been listed.  I will definitely be hitting up Martin's BBQ and Prince's chicken. 

[Fully]

Go get a beer at Roberts Western World. You'll hear one of the best bands in town. Dos Perros is a local beer.

[walterfredo]

Go get a beer at Roberts Western World. You'll hear one of the best bands in town. Dos Perros is a local beer.

will do. 

My only other time in nashville was in 98 passing through on phish summer tour, went downtown and saw some amazing country/honkey tonk band, bartender who looked like howdy doody took us down to this crazy basement below the bar where we shared some of cali's finest with him.   Such a fun night.  At that time the football stadium was half built, and the visit marked my first and only time going to a Hooters.  Excited to spend a week there.    

[Shug]

Sorry, late to this thread, walter.  I can recommend the food at the Capitol Grille @ Hermitage Hotel.  We were there last Oct to see Wilco at the Ryman.
http://www.capitolgrillenashville.com/food.aspx

The chef is doing the heirloom food sourcing old time Southern comfort food turned into fine dining thing and is doing it pretty well, I'd say.  Their succotash was wonderful and I hate lima beans.  You might consider going to the Oak Bar there for happy hour if you don't want to spend the $ for the fancy dining room.

We stayed at Hotel Indigo downtown and found it pretty good.  Old school building revamped in modern decor, very convenient location for walking to Lower Broadway and all that.

We didn't make it there, but City House seems to be the unanimous favorite of foodies in Nashville for all around best food at least with the regulars on Chowhound.com .  http://cityhousenashville.com/

[crazylove]

My recommendations on  some great place to eat that are frequented by locals and off the beaten path:  Coco's Italian Market, 51st and I40, go hungry!  Noshville(NYC style deli) close to where you are staying at 1918 Broadway, My favorite meat and 3(barbecue) is Carl's perfect Pig,( its a drive out there) on highway 70 in White Bluff and they have crazy hours, but sooooo worth it!  If you're really adventurous(not food, but neighborhood) there is Swetts,2725 Clifton Ave. Omg, really good home cooked Southern food! 

Great history tours are: The Hermitage(Andrew Jackson's home), Belle Meade Mansion, and if the weathers decent, The Parthenon in Centennial Park.  I'm also a big fan of Cheekwood, botanical garden.

Shopping: The Hills Center, Green Hills.  Unique shops, Whole Foods(always see celebrities) and PeiWei, fast food version of P.F. Changs.

Have a great time, its a great city! :)

[walterfredo]

music options on 3/2...

Lotus at Marathon Music Works or North Miss. Allstars at Cannery Ballroom.

How do these venues compare?   it's been a few years since I've seen either band, but I'll check one of the out that Friday night. 

[oistheone]

Robert's Western World is such a blast. I make a point to have a few beers there every time I'm in Nashville. Don't know if he still plays there, but JD Simo (the guitarist of the Don Kelley Band) is one of the most unreal guitarists I've ever seen.

As for food, check out Arnold's Country Kitchen! Simply an amazing place for some meat and three. And cheap too!

[Fully]

music options on 3/2...

Lotus at Marathon Music Works or North Miss. Allstars at Cannery Ballroom.

How do these venues compare?   it's been a few years since I've seen either band, but I'll check one of the out that Friday night.

If I had to choose, I'd go to the Cannery.