There’s a lot of chatter in our city about “new Nashville” versus “old Nashville” — where to find them, how they mingle, and when they clash.
In an era of new development and growth, we’re here to present two options for activities in Nashville: one that’s been around for decades and another that’s newer on the scene or coming soon.
Have a sweet treat
- Old — Elliston Place Soda Shop began in 1923 when then 23-year-old Lynn Chandler bought the soda fountain side of the Elliston Pharmacy business. Pair your milkshake, float, or soda with a Nashville staple meat-and-three.
- New — It may have opened in the fall of 2023, but Lucky Rabbit Candy Shop offers some nostalgia of its own with candies you might remember from your childhood. Think: Razzles, Sugar Daddy pops, and Dots.
Watch a flick
- Old — The Belcourt Theatre first began its legacy showing silent films as the Hillsboro Theater in 1925. Today, the theater focuses on “independent, documentary, world, repertory + classic cinema,” and you might be drawn to its Weekend Classics offering.
- New — Later this year, a luxury 12-screen dine-in movie theater will open at the Nashville Yards development. This is just one of several entertainment components slated for the space, which also includes eight lanes of bowling, a gaming center, VR experience, and gravity ropes.
Listen to live music
- Old — In its over 130-year history, Ryman Auditorium hosted the Grand Ole Opry for 31 years, was named the “birthplace of bluegrass,” and features original pews from when the venue first opened as a church.
- New — The Cannery was booking live bands in the 1980s, but many might remember the venue’s time as Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge, and The High Watt. After the trio closed in spring 2022, a new legacy was born when the building at 1 Cannery Row reopened as Cannery Hall at the beginning of 2024.
Sip a beer
- Old — Springwater Supper Club & Lounge prides itself on being the “oldest, continuously open and operational bar in Tennessee.” Plus, the watering hole only serves beer. Just make sure you have cash, as the business doesn’t accept credit cards.
- New — Cider counts, too, right? The city’s newest cidery, Cyanide Cider, opened its doors in the Woodbine neighborhood in June. Personalize each glass on the spot, order food from Birria Babe, and see what we tried.
Play at the park
- Old — Talk about a storied past. Before Centennial Park opened to the public in 1903, its land served as the state fairgrounds and a racetrack known as West Side Park. Later, it became the site of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, which sparked discussion about the preservation of the Parthenon and using the grounds as a park.
- .New — Make your way to Mill Ridge Park (which opened in August of last year and offers the city’s largest playground) — complete with 622 acres of green space, a five-story climbing tower and 52-ft slide, basketball courts, an interactive art installation, and more.
Visit a museum
- Old — It’s not a true Music City experience without a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The venue first opened on Music Row in 1967 before the launch of its downtown building in 2001. A $100 million expansion in 2014 allowed the museum to double its footprint.
- New — Plans to open Nashville’s newest music museum in 2025 are a go. The Dove Center and Gospel Music Museum (147 4th Ave. N.) will boast a theater, interactive spaces, a walk-through timeline of the gospel music industry, and an area highlighting the Gospel Music Hall of Fame’s ~200 members.
