The visitors

• Nearly 15 million people visited Nashville in 2022 — enough to fill Bridgestone Arena 750 times.
• In 2022, each Nashville visitor spent ~$621, equating to roughly $284 a day.
• Out of state visitors are most commonly coming from Atlanta, Chicago, and St. Louis. The city’s top three international markets include Canada, the UK, and Germany.

The industry

• Hotel room sales broke $200 million in October 2022 — a record-setting month.
• Davidson County projected a 27% hotel demand growth for 2022 over the previous year.
• Adding to the pipeline, 2,544 hotel rooms are expected to open by the close of 2024.
• The Nashville International Airport also saw a record-breaking 2022 with 20+ million passengers — a 29% growth from 2021.

The talk

• “50 Best Places to Travel in 2023” | Travel + Leisure
• “The South’s Best Cities 2023” | Southern Living
• “Travel Guide’s 40 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2022” | Forbes
• “Best New Restaurants in America, 2022” | Esquire

• Nashville Sounds vs. Gwinnett Stripers | Tuesday, May 9-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | First Horizon Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way | $10+ | The Nashville Sounds return to the ballpark for a six-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers.
• Belmont Summer Jam | Tuesday, May 9 | 6 p.m. | 3rd and Lindsley, 818 3rd Ave. S. | $12 | A night of live music featuring Garret Newman, Quentin October, Grace Pelle, and more.

• Pottery Workshop: Hand Built Trays & Plates | Wednesday, May 10 | 6 p.m. | Make Nashville Makerspace, 620B Davidson St. | $85+ | Learn how to make hand-built decorative plates and trays in the first of two classes — no experience necessary.

• “Talladega Nights” | Thursday, May 11 | 7 p.m. | The Franklin Theatre, 419 Main St., Franklin | $10.50+ | Enjoy the story of NASCAR racing sensation Ricky Bobby, played by Will Ferrell.
• Los Lobos | Thursday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | $45+ | The Grammy Award-winning rock group is bringing its 50th anniversary tour to Music City.

• Chocolate Yoga | Friday, May 12 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Small World Yoga, 1119 12th Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | This special event starts with a “chocolate meditation,” followed by a yoga session.

• Strawberry Jubilee | Saturday, May 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nashville Farmers Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Free+ | Shop strawberry-themed specials in the Market House and farm shed.
• TN Writers | TN Stories | Saturday, May 13 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Free | Authors Elizabeth Elkins and R. Scott Williams will discuss Tennessee figures David Crockett and Timothy Demonbreun.

• 40,069. That’s how many passengers departed the Nashville International Airport on Sunday, May 7 — a new record-high for BNA. Nashville saw a number of visitors touch down over the weekend for graduations, the “Eras” tour, festivals, and more.

• Gear up for Frist Arts Fest, which returns to the museum on June 3-4. The weekend-long celebration spotlights four exhibitions and boasts guitar-centric performances, kid-friendly programs, tours, food trucks, art projects, and more.

• 17-time Irish Champion trainer Willie Mullins is sending prized UK horse Scaramanga to compete in the feature race at this year’s Iroquois Steeplechase — which takes place at Percy Warner Park on Saturday, May 13. To prepare for the event, review our guide.

• Live rock supergroup Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band are coming to Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, Sept. 24. Starr is known for performing his Beatles hit “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

• Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar is on a roll. He was named the MLS Player of the Matchday after a weekend hat trick and 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC. This recognition comes just a few days after the star was awarded “Tennessee’s Professional Player of the Year.”
• Nashville Predators forward Cody Glass was selected to compete in the International Ice Hockey World Federation’s World Championship tournament (May 12-28). The Preds also signed 2021 first-round draft pick Fedor Svechkov to a three-year, entry-level contract. (Nashville Post)

• Offline — a local restaurant club — recently launched in Nashville. What does the membership include? Besides invites to pre-opening parties and private events, you’ll get up to $50 to spend at two local restaurants monthly like the delicious Thai Esane. Sign up with code “NASHTODAY.”

Traditional Moscow Mule

• 2 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• Lime wedges (garnish)