Located in the lobby of the building that houses the Country Music Hall of Fame, I highly recommend that any visitor to Nashville takes The Hatch Show Print Tour. Even if you haven’t heard of Hatch, you will recognize their work when you see it. The artisans at Hatch are still doing what they did 140 years ago, and the history of this letterpress shop is a walk through American art and history. 

The golden age of Hatch Show Print began in the 1920’s when the shop moved to 4th Avenue, just behind the Ryman Auditorium where the Grand Ole Opry was bustling with the top performers of the day. Hatch designed and printed all the posters for the Ryman shows and also for the acts that played there like Minnie Pearl, Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, and countless others… Today, Hatch operates their busy shop in the building shared with the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Anyone can shop in the gift shop, but on the Hatch Show Print Tour, you get a look into Music City History as all the country music greats built their brands on this iconic letterpress style. You’ll learn how the Hatch employees use the letterpress to roll ink on hand-set wood and metal type and hand carved imagery. The pressure of the press then transfers the ink from the blocks to the paper, one color at a time, one piece of paper at a time. You’ll even get to operate the letterpress and take a commemorative print home with you. 

The Hatch Show Print gift shop sells prints, cards, and other items with the iconic Hatch Show Print designs. I’ve bought several posters in the bargain bin as you never know what you’ll discover in there. If you’re on the hunt for other Hatch Show Prints, you can also find a great selection at the Ryman Auditorium gift shop and the Grand Ole Opry gift shop.  www.HatchShowPrint.com 

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The bars on Lower Broadway are the top attraction in Nashville for good reason. Walk down Broadway between the Bridgestone Arena and the River, and you’ll see that Music City lives up to its name with an incredible level of musicianship spilling out of the windows of the Nashville Broadway bars.

Don’t expect to hear just country music. Classic rock is also very popular down there along with some excellent blues and occasional jazz. The musical acts do sets from 10am-2pm, 2pm-6pm, 6pm-10pm, and 10pm-2am. Yep, there is music on lower Broadway  almost ALL DAY. The early sets are usually more acoustic and the late night sets get wild and loud with inebriated patrons (and lots of bachelorettes) dancing into the wee hours.

There are no cover charges but BRING CASH to fill the tip buckets for the hard working musicians who are going to entertain you all night long. Give them some love! If you tip them a $20 they’ll play just about any song you want (within reason).

FAMILY TIP – Most of the Nashville honky tonks allow all ages before 6pm so it’s fine to bring the kids to hear some music. After 6pm, most of them are 21 and over.

Nashville Broadway Bars

Everyone has their favorite honky tonk spots on Lower Broadway and you can’t go wrong with any of them, but I’ll share my top picks.

Robert’s Western World –  For legit country music, Robert’s Western World is my favorite. It started out as a boot store and eventually added a jukebox and then live music. They still sell apparel and boots as well, but this small venue is some of the best country music you’ll find in Nashville, if you ask me. Find a seat and be sure to tip the band when the jar passes around. If you’re on a budget for food, try the Recession Special which is a Fried Bologna Sandwich, chips, and a PBR for just $6.

Tootsies Orchid Lounge –  Tootsie Bess bought the place in 1960, and since then, Tootsies has been the gold standard for Lower Broadway honky tonks. Toosie’s back door is across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium stage door, and many legends would duck into Tootsies after their show. Famous early customers were Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Walon Jennings , Patsy Cline, and many more. It’s said that Willie got his first songwriting job after singing at Tootsies. Today, many of the top up-and-comer singer/songwriters play here. If you want your shot, they have an open mic every Saturday from 12-5. Just get there early to sign up and you can say you performed at Tootsies!

The Stage – Because Tootsie’s and Robert’s are so famous and so small, they are sometimes WAY too crowded for you to really have fun. If that’s the case, there are many other venues on lower Broadway to check out. Next door, you find The Stage. I like to grab a table up on the balcony which overlooks the stage and dance floor. The dancefloor is big and crowded, so it’s a fun place to dance and socialize. Fun Fact: The Stage is where Hank Williams, Jr. filmed his video for “Why Don’t We All Just Get a Longneck.”

Legends Corner – Right on the corner of Broadway and 5th, Legends is another solid option for live country music. It’s not as throwback as Toostie’s or Robert’s, but it’s a good place for contemporary country music.

Nudie’s is a newer music venue, but SO GOOD. Nudie Cohn was a legendary clothing designer who outfitted bedazzled looks for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Sr., Bob Dylan, and Elton John. Nudie’s 1976 Cadillac El Dorado is hanging on the wall in the bar and all three floors of this 12,000 square foot venue feature displays with vintage suits and country music artifacts. Nudie’s also boasts the longest bar on Broadway at over 100 ft. in length. And the music? It’s fabulous, of course. We’re talking about Nashville after all.

ACME Feed & Seed – Located at Broadway and 1st overlooking the river, this beautiful, historic building was built in 1893 and housed a number of different business including a grocery store, flour company, buggy shop, and a feed store. Today, all three floors are beautifully renovated with wonderful food and top-notch music that’s a lot more than just country with great Jazz, Gospel, Americana, Folk, R&B, and Rock. ACME has a passion for giving voice to local musicians who are not in the mainstream. I recommend you also check out their radio station (Acme Radio). When you’re at ACME, don’t forget to head up to the 4th floor rooftop bar for a great view of the river.

Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar – If you want to hear some blues, head a couple of blocks over to Printer’s Alley and you’ll be transported to my home state of Louisiana. Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar not only has excellent cajun inspired bar food, the music will get you dancing all night long. The weekends are a blast and the blues jam on Monday nights is a great time to show your stuff or just watch talented players in the Nashville Blues Scene. I like to sit upstairs for a great view from the balcony seats. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Honky Tonk Disneyland

The newcomers to Lower Broadway are the branded honky tonks owned by big country stars. Some say these bars are remaking Nashville into a “country music Disneyland” and I agree with them in some ways. They don’t have the history or charm of the original honky-tonks and from what I’ve sampled, the food is more mass-produced, chain restaurant style than you find at Merchants or Jack’s BBQ. The upside of these bars is that they are beautifully designed and spacious for larger groups.
Ole Red – owned by Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar
Redneck Riviera – owned by John Rich
AJ’s Good Time Bar – owned by Alan Jackson
FGL House – Florida Georgia Line
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse

Eating on Lower Broadway

Jack’s BBQ – This popular Nashville BBQ joint, is right next to Tootsies and Robert’s Western World and you’ll often see lines out the door as it’s very popular with tourists and hungry bar-hoppers. The pulled pork is excellent.

Merchant’s is my favorite sit down meal in the lower Broadway area.  The fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese are amazing.

Woolworths on 5th was the site of the first lunch counter sit-ins in the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. It’s recently been beautifully renovated and is now a restaurant with fantastic food. The sweet potato pancakes are crave-worthy.  Be sure to read the back of the menu for more info on the history and walk upstairs to see some photos from the sit ins.

ACME Feed and Seed (mentioned earlier for their music)  has fabulous food as well. ACME is owned by the same group who owns The Loveless Cafe, Woolworths on 5th, and The Southern, so good food is something they know a lot about.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant – Puckett’s is 2 blocks from Broadway on the corner of 5th and Church, and I have a special place in my heart for their Fried Green Beans with BBQ chipotle ranch. They also have lots of other great food choices like the BBQ platter, Smoked Meatloaf, Shrimp and Grits, Fried Chicken, and good burgers. If you’re looking for a break from the cover bands of Lower Broadway, Puckett’s has top-notch music in the evenings.

Parking on Lower Broadway

When you go downtown, I recommend you Uber or Lyft. Besides the fact that drinking and driving is NEVER ok,  the parking can be quite expensive and traffic is sometimes bad. If you have a designated driver or are a non-drinker, and want to drive down, a clean, dependable parking garage is located at the Nashville Public Library at 6^th between Church and Commerce. Watch out for the parking lots that are outdoors. They are often $30-50 to park and you won’t know that until you park and walk to pay at the machine! The best kept secret for parking (I can’t believe I’m telling you this) is a parking garage that is located on 3^rd between Broadway and Commerce and it’s often only $15. That’s the one I use when I go to the Symphony, The Ryman, Bridgestone, or any of the venues on Lower Broadway. It’s not fancy (kinda looks like a cave inside) but the price is right and its steps from all the action.

Fun for Families and Large Groups

Bar hopping on Lower Broadway can be tough for groups since many of the spaces are small and crowded. If you’re looking for a great spot for a large group or a family with kids of all ages, get a FREE Country line dance class at The Wildhorse Saloon.

The Wildhorse Saloon is thought of as one of the more touristy music destinations in the lower Broadway area because, in the 90’s,  it was the site of the Wildhorse Saloon Dance Show on The Nashville Network. It’s the Nashville home of country line dancing, an artform that is not as trendy as it used to be in Billy Rae Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart” days. Still, the Wildhorse is a lot of fun, especially if you have kids or big group. Go early, before they start charging a cover. Have dinner (the BBQ is quite good), do the line dance lesson, and then, when the band starts, you’re ready to dance the night away. All ages are welcome until 10pm. While you’re there, don’t forget to explore all three floors of this beautiful 66,000 square foot venue. There are pool and foosball tables upstairs, and throughout the building, look for the horse sculptures for fun photo ops!

The Wildhorse Saloon is located at 120 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 902-8200

Most of you know I love walking around this town and Radnor Lake is my FAVORITE hiking spot in Nashville! The video below takes you on a walk with me at the 1,332-acre Radnor Lake Nature Preserve.  Located just 15-20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Nashville, Radnor feels like you’re a world away. The Lake Trail hike is quite easy with a wood chip path for most of the trail. Dogs and jogging are not allowed in this section and that’s why you’ll find SO much wildlife.

For a more advanced hike, the Ganier Ridge trail will add 1.65 miles and give you a great workout. If you want to bring your dog or take a run, Otter Creek Road which runs along the south side of the lake does allow jogging and dogs, and it’s beautiful as well.

For parking, I recommend that you park in the West Parking Lot off Granny White Pike on Otter Creek Road. There, you’ll find the Walter Criley Visitors Center with an introductory video, a display of information and artifacts from the area, nice bathrooms, and vending machines. There is also an information desk where you can get trail maps and ask questions.

My video tour below has some cute animals including my little squirrel friend eating a nut at 2:02, a blue heron at 2:30, an owl at 4:00, and also a snake, chipmunk, turtles, flying geese, and more. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading and watching. If you would like to learn more about Nashville real estate just steps from Radnor Lake, let me know! The neighborhood of Oak Hill has some incredible properties that are so close to Radnor, you’ll feel like it’s your own backyard. Call me at (615) 500-9513.

All the best,
Sarah Jane

Nashville is HOT, and I don’t just mean the real estate market! If you need to cool off from these record high temps, Nashville has some great swimming options, from the Nashville lakes to some splashy man-made options as well. This article will walk you through the 5 Best Places to Swim in Nashville. Enjoy!

Percy Priest Beach, Anderson Road Recreation Area

Sometimes you wanna put your feet in the sand. If a drive down to the Gulf Coast (aka The Redneck Riviera) isn’t possible, head over to the Day Use Area at Percy Priest Lake. Percy Priest is my favorite all all the Nashville lakes and this little beach is a great way to enjoy a day at the beach without leaving town. It’s costs $5 for each car to enter, and once you’re in, there are grills, picnic tables, and a sandy swimming beach. The 4 ft depth enclosure helps to wrangle less-than-confident swimmers, and others can venture past that point.

You can get plenty of beachy sun, but there is also a ton of nice shade as well. It gets busy on the weekends with lots of families and kids, so get there early on Saturday or Sunday if you want a table and/or grill. During the week you’ll have plenty of space. Sooooo nice.

Anderson Road Recreation Area is located at 4010 Anderson Rd, Nashville, TN 37217.

Nashville Shores Water Park

While we’re talking about Percy Priest Lake, I have to mention Nashville Shores. Now, I know that some people don’t like water parks. If you are one of those, skip on to the next entry and take your hot self over to Pinewood Social, but if you enjoy screaming down a waterslide or surfing in a wave pool, you’ll be impressed with Nashville Shores. This water park has something for everyone with steep, fast slides, a lazy river, expansive water play area for the little ones, large inner tube slides, and a great wave pool. My kids and I grab a spot by the wave pool and play in there for hours.

You can’t bring in your own food, but they do allow one unopened water bottle per person. I’m always surprised that the food they sell at the snack bar is pretty good (although a little expensive) with excellent fries and tasty salads. The quirky thing about Nashville Shores is the price. If you are thinking of going more than once, it’s more logical to buy a season pass which also includes free parking. Strollers and lockers are available for rental and life jackets and inner tubes are free. Check the website for pricing. 

One more thing worth mentioning is that the Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort includes 84 RV sites, including beautiful waterfront accommodations available on 14,000-acre Percy Priest lake, incredible fishing, 24 lakeside cabins, hilltop cabins, jet-ski rentals, pontoon boat rentals and much more. Lodging guests also receive exclusive discounts on the Waterpark and Treetop Adventure Park.

Nashville Shores is located at 4001 Bell Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076.

Pinewood Social

If you want to hang with the cool kids, Pinewood Social is the best place to swim in Nashville. This is one of my favorite hangouts for food, drink, and bowling, but they also have a spectacular outdoor area with two pools. Keep in mind, these pools are small and only 4′ deep so you won’t be training for the Olympics here, but if you want to lounge with the beautiful people while drinking a fantastic cocktail, this is the place to take a swim in the heart of downtown Nashville .

The pool patio is perched above the Cumberland River and also has Bocce Ball, a 30 foot Airstream Food truck with it’s own food and beverage menu, and plenty of outdoor seating. Pools are open daily from 11am-11pm during warm summer months, but hours can vary, so check the Pinewood Social website for an updated schedule.

Pinewood Social is located at 33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210 in the downtown Nashville area, and when you drive in, the free parking is on your left. If that’s full, there is a pay lot on the right.

Tip: When there is a concert at Ascend Amphitheater across the street from Pinewood, you can hear (and often see) the shows from the parking lot area. Bonus!

Maryland Farms YMCA

There  are many great YMCA pools in the Nashville area, but if you are looking for a pool that especially fun for kids, the Maryland Farms YMCA in Brentwood is extra special! The property used to be the Maryland Farms Country Club, and a recent renovation of the pool is really spectacular.

A “zero-depth entry” pool provides a gentle slope, and it’s the perfect hang out for toddlers and babies. School aged children and adults will love the WATERSLIDES, and everyone gets a kick out of the Big Bucket Dumper. The entire pool area has sprayers and fountains that shoot water, so be ready to get wet when you’re walking around.

For a family swim in Nashville, you can’t beat this YMCA. Check the Maryland Farm YMCA website for details and hours. Maryland Farms YMCA is located at 5101 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027.

Old Hickory Lake

Last but certainly not least, let’s take a trip to another great place to swim in Nashville is Old Hickory Lake. As you drive to Old Hickory Beach, you may wonder where the heck I’ve sent you. The road winds you past a very industrial area which is where Dupont created the Rayon boom between 1925-1961.

Once you pass the factories, you’ll come to a lovely little spot that overlooks Old Hickory Lake, a 22,500-acre reservoir created by the Old Hickory Dam on the Cumberland River.  This area offers picnic tables and grills with a large picnic shelter that is perfect for big gatherings of up to 100 guests if you get there early enough to snag it. There is a nice playground for the kiddos and a sandy beach that makes it a great spot for wading, swimming, and sunning.

Like all of our local beaches, summer weekends bring bigger crowds, so get there early or go on a weekday if you want lakeside serenity. If hiking is your thing, try the Old Hickory Lake Nature Trail. The cost to enter is $5 per vehicle, and Old Hickory Beach is located at 876 Burnett Rd, Old Hickory, TN.

I hope you enjoyed the 5 Best Places to Swim in Nashville!

It was a lot of fun researching this post and photographing these lovely Nashville swimming spots. Although, I must mention that my FAVORITE place to swim in Nashville, is my backyard! My new house in East Nashville has a pool, and my kiddos and I have been having so much fun this summer.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling in Nashville, I’d be happy to help you find a home with a pool of your very own… Click here to hear what my happy customers are saying and let me know if you’d like to learn more. Until then, happy swimming!

🙂 Sarah Jane

Sip coffee on the porch of this serene 5+ acre getaway just off Concord Rd!

The long, private driveway leads you to a stunning log home…

• 3 bedrooms / 2 full baths
• massive master suite upstairs
• office/bonus room with separate enterance
• beautiful front porch and back deck
• in-ground pool
• mature trees and plants surrounding the property
• new hardwood floors and carpet
• 2 car detached garage with upstairs loft
• storage shed
• RV hookups beside house
• desirable Williamson Country Schools

Contact Sarah Jane Nelson at (615) 500-9513 for more info!