Nashville is widely known for its rich musical legacy, delectable Southern cuisine and array of cultural experiences. While these well-known attractions certainly add something special to a visit, Nashville also provides unique hidden gems that provide something extra on any visit.
From cozy eateries to beautiful nature spots, these local gems will delight and surprise both locals and visitors alike. Lace up your walking shoes and explore Nashville’s hidden side!
Five Points Alley Shops
Five Points Alley Shops can be found in East Nashville’s trendy Fatherland district and offer boutique clothing, merchandise, and mementos that embody its creative alternative feel. Additionally, these intimate shops are dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs, making them a valuable hidden gem both for locals and visitors.
Shops like Bobbie’s Dairy Dip offer tasty treats in addition to local art and merchandise, while their classic American burgers make them an equally delightful stop. Customers can take pleasure in enjoying vintage ambience as well as delightful food while conversing with the friendly staff members.
Locals love these shops because they provide high-quality products at reasonable prices and boast excellent customer service, always ready to assist customers in finding exactly what they are searching for. City Shirt Co is another favorite, as they specialize in Nashville-themed tees that make great presents for friends and family members.
Radnor Lake State Park provides a beautiful oasis to escape the hectic pace of city living, featuring scenic trails that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. These trails offer great opportunities to discover nature while seeing wildlife up close in its native habitats.
For an informal dining experience, explore the five points area. Here, the tomato is the star attraction; every summer there’s even an outdoor Tomato Arts Festival hosted here! Additionally, its streets are highly walkable making this an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip
As Nashville’s culinary scene expands rapidly, it can be easy to overlook longstanding establishments that have long since existed. Locals know about these hidden gems that remain out of the limelight – yet visitors often overlook them out of fear they will be disappointed. But these hidden nooks and crannies offer visitors something truly unique: experiencing Music City like a local would.
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, one of Nashville’s hidden gems since 1951, remains unchanged at its original Charlotte Avenue location since. From multicolored lightbub hues to the American flag on its pole, the place exudes nostalgia – offering everything from classic burger and fries to hand-dipped soft serve cones; as well as vegetarian offerings on its menu.
This restaurant is beloved among families, young couples and college students. Their service is friendly and their cuisine delicious; making this an enjoyable spot that makes guests feel like family – leading them back again and again.
Nashville offers numerous hidden gems, and one such hidden treasure is Lane Motor Museum. Here, vintage vehicles from history come to life through impressive exhibits that you’ll experience year round at this year-round museum staffed with knowledgeable staff that can answer any of your questions about it all.
Shoppes on Fatherland are known by locals to be an excellent way to find unique and sweet gifts, from freshly baked bread to thrifted fashion – making for a fantastic afternoon activity in Nashville!
Love Circle
Love Circle Park in Nashville is a hidden treasure with breathtaking views of the city. Nestled behind West End, the small park is a favorite spot among locals looking for romantic retreats or those wanting to experience Nashville from a different vantage point. Also known as “Lover’s Lane of Nashville,” its serenity makes it the ideal setting to share time with someone special.
Love Circle offers an unmatched view of the city’s architecture and landscape, from forests and mountains on one side of it all the way across to skyscrapers and bustling business districts on the other. Truly postcard-worthy!
A park is an excellent spot to unwind on a sunny day, offering stunning scenery while providing ample picnicking spots with tables and benches to sit at and linger over lunch or an afternoon picnic with blankets, Frisbees or sandwiches to fully take in its beauty.
Another fun activity in the park’s basement is to view its historic printing press. These vintage presses can be quite enthralling to see, and you may even get lucky enough to purchase prints or postcards as souvenirs of your visit!
Nashville offers plenty of attractions and experiences, from its full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park to 5 Points’ charming shops and restaurants, but some of its greatest hidden gems lie deeper within Music City’s culture and history. Secluded parks or vintage shopping – Nashville has it all, and these special spots will help give visitors a taste of its vibrant personality!
Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Nashville may be known for music and honky tonks, but don’t underestimate its natural beauty! Nashville’s parks and outdoor spaces are lush and serene – ideal for hiking or simply taking a leisurely stroll among the trees. Take time out from city streets to find tranquility at Radnor Lake State Park (hiker’s paradise!) or Shelby Bottoms Greenway with scenic trails that lead through dense forest.
Shelby Park in Nashville offers this amazing gem, complete with nature center, paved trails and stunning views of Cumberland River. Additionally, guided hikes, birdwatching tours and other educational programs take place here regularly – making this an excellent spot for families to spend their days outside soaking up nature!
Visitors to Shelby Bottoms Greenway can stroll, bike, run and skate along its 23 miles of paved trails from dawn until dusk. Bikes should share the trail with runners, walkers and skaters; when passing pedestrians they should stay to the right and give an audible signal with an audible signal when passing them.
At Nashville vacation rentals, guests can take in some fresh air, admire the view, and explore this hidden gem with unique ecosystems. There’s even a spring and grotto for visitors to soak their feet and unwind in.
Nashville offers more than food, shopping and nightlife destinations; it also boasts an exciting culture. Experience whiskey tasting at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery or visit Yazoo Brewing Company to witness their craft beers being made before stopping at Hey Rooster General Store to shop gifts that support local businesses and communities while purchasing handmade essential oils, jewelry clothing and other goods produced by survivors of domestic violence and trafficking – this unique specialty store provides something special!
Printer’s Alley
Printer’s Alley stands as an epicenter for country and honky tonk music in Nashville. Once an important printing hub, this alleyway has since transformed into an exciting hub of nightlife entertainment filled with honky tonk bars and jazz clubs – an alleyway with history!
The area quickly established itself as an incubator for artists like Dottie West, Chet Atkins and Hank Williams as well as celebrities from Elvis Presley to Paul McCartney. Furthermore, many of Nashville’s iconic bars and nightclubs, such as Black Poodle Lounge, Rainbow Room, VooDoo Lounge all opened here first.
Printer’s Alley boasts an infamous history. It was home to various brothels like Climax Saloon where working girls would spend their wages gambling at its tables; working girls would even use its false wall as protection should the police come calling! In addition, this area was notorious for illegal activity like selling liquor for on-premise consumption while revellers filled its streets while local law enforcement looked the other way.
These days, the streets may not be quite so dangerous or sinful; but they still retain plenty of charm and fun. Bars such as Fleet Street Bar, Alley Taps, Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar and Skull’s Rainbow Room all pay homage to the area’s gritty history.
Are you curious to discover Nashville’s hidden treasures? Old Town Trolley Tours offer a convenient hop-on, hop-off service to more than 100 points of interest including Ryman Auditorium. Purchase a ticket and discover this vibrant city on your own or with friends and family!
