Anyone who’s traveled through the southern states knows how magical they are: the food is delicious, the people are friendly, and there is lots of fun to be had! Not to mention, the weather is generally temperate, even in the winter months. These are just a few of the reasons why so many people visit the southern states every year.
Out of all the major southern cities, few seem to have the same appealing draw that Nashville has. This southern gem is known for its lengthy history of blues and rock music, but that’s not the only reason why it’s an enormous tourist attraction.
People travel from far and wide to try out these fantastic activities in Nashville:
Trolley Tour
If you’ve walked through Nashville’s downtown core, then you’ve most likely spotted tourists riding around the city in colorful trolleys.
In the late-1800s, Nashville was one of the first North American cities to have its own electric streetcar system. For the time, the streetcar system was extraordinarily innovative and allowed people to travel around the city more efficiently.
Nowadays, most people in Nashville generally use a car or other forms of public transportation to get around. Thankfully, the historic trolley cars didn’t go to waste — many of them were saved and are now used for sightseeing tours.
Trolley tours are an excellent way to learn more about Nashville; you slowly chug through the city, soaking in everything that it has to offer. This slow pace makes trolley rides perfect for people who want to see Nashville from a unique perspective.
Not to mention, these excursions are hosted by a trained tour guide. These knowledgeable guides know the city of Nashville like the back of their hand and will captivate you with their exciting, historic stories.
Although some of these tours allow guests to purchase tickets on-site, it’s always a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time. This will ensure that you and your entire party will be able to get in on the fun.
Axe Throwing
If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or special event, then you should consider going out for an evening of axe throwing at BATL. The BATL (an acronym for Backyard Axe Throwing League) team was the first group to offer professional-quality urbanized indoor axe throwing, and it shows.
A night of axe throwing is the ideal way for you to enjoy delectable snacks and socialize with your friends (while having fun, of course).
This bar sport has been growing in popularity for the past several years. Axe throwing leagues, which originated in Canada, are now commonplace in most large cities and towns in North America.
For those that don’t know, axe throwing is somewhat similar to sports like darts and knife throwing. But, there are a handful of different rules, and it’s played on a much larger scale. This makes for some exciting moments, especially if you and your friends are competitive.
If you’ve never gone axe throwing before, you may want to book a private session with a trainer. By booking a closed session, the trainer can help you and your friends work on your axe throwing technique — you also get to enjoy some additional playtime!
Aside from being a blast, axe throwing is also beneficial for your physical health. The sport is quite physically demanding, and rigorously works the following parts of your upper body:
- Upper and lower arms (biceps and triceps)
- Shoulders
- Chest
Best of all, most axe throwing leagues allow walk-in sessions; this means that you and your friends can get a last-minute round of axe throwing in whenever you want. However, if you’re traveling with a large group, you may want to book a session ahead of time. This will give the staff time to prepare the space for your group and arrange any specific preferences that you may have.
Try Some Authentic Nashville Hot Chicken
Over the past few years, a handful of fast-food chains and restaurants have been serving their renditions of “Nashville Hot Chicken”. Although it may be tasty, it’s nowhere near as flavorful as authentic Nashville Hot Chicken. This spicy delight has been a local staple since the 1930s!
There’s an interesting (and humorous) story behind this fiery dish — according to local legend, a woman wanted to get payback on her husband after returning home too late.
To get her revenge, she smothered a piece of chicken with cayenne pepper powder, thinking that it would burn his mouth to a crisp. Instead, her husband loved it — the rest, as they say, is history.
The next time you visit Nashville, you need to take a trip to one of the city’s many hot chicken shacks. Each shack has its own unique take on the dish; however, there’s no denying that all of them will leave your mouth feeling like a firepit.
Distillery Tours and Tastings
Nashville is home to a handful of world-renowned distilleries. Many of these distilleries offer in-depth tours to the public. If you love a good glass of whiskey or enjoy a good history lesson, then this is something that you’ll want to squeeze into your schedule.
When you take a distillery tour, you get to see how your favorite Tennessee whiskey is made and processed. This gives you a different standpoint and gives you more of an appreciation for the product.
You’ll probably be thirsty after taking this tour; so, you may want to stick around afterwards and take part in a tasting session.
Doing this gives you a chance to try out some of the distillery’s new products and flavors. Tasting sessions also provide give you an opportunity to broaden your palate and potentially find a new favorite blend.
The next time you’re visiting the south, you need to take a quick detour into Music City, U.S.A.! You’ll fall in love with the relaxing trolley rides, fun-filled nights of axe throwing and fantastic distillery tours. Not to mention you won’t go hungry, especially if you enjoy spicy food!
