Key facts
- Nashville offers diverse culinary options beyond Southern cuisine.
- Renting a car is recommended for exploring Nashville and its surroundings.
- Visitors are advised to be respectful of celebrities living in or visiting Nashville.
- Supporting local musicians and venues is encouraged.
- The history of Nashville's hot chicken is rooted in the Black community.
A Nashville native offers seven pieces of advice for tourists visiting the city. The author, who lived in Nashville for 16 years, highlights that the city offers diverse cuisine beyond traditional Southern food, citing examples like Korean, Ethiopian, Thai, and Mexican restaurants. She recommends renting a car to explore the city and its surrounding countryside, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the historic village of Leiper's Fork, noting that public transportation is limited and driving in Nashville is manageable with available parking. The author also advises visitors to be respectful of celebrities who live in or visit Nashville, as locals pride themselves on not disturbing them. For dining, she suggests experiencing celebrity chefs and acclaimed restaurants, noting that reservations are often necessary. The piece emphasizes supporting local musicians by visiting various venues, from honky-tonks on Broadway to historic spots like The Grand Ole Opry and smaller clubs like The Bluebird Cafe, and stresses the importance of tipping well. Finally, the author delves into the history of Nashville's famous hot chicken, explaining its origins in the Black community and the ongoing discussion about its cultural appropriation.