When visiting Shelby Park, take a moment to look out onto Sevier Lake. | Photo by NASHtoday
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Nashville features 150+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.
Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of Music City’s best:
Riverfront Park was nominated as one of USA Today’s 10Best for good reason. The park covers five acres of land along the Cumberland River. Bonus: Across the river, you’ll spot Alice Aycock’s Ghost Ballet sculpture.
Spanning 1,368 acres, the nature preserve is the perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts to see owls, herons, waterfowl, reptiles, mink, and otters. You’ll also enjoy walking the Lake Trail and joining in on the ranger-led programs hosted throughout the year.
This all-inclusive park at the Nashville Zoo incorporates equipment designed for children in wheelchairs, as well as those with autism, special sensory needs, cochlear implants, and more to be able to play alongside their peers.
This park was torn down and rebuilt in 2018. Kiddos will love the expansive play structure with slides and a swing set, stationary train, and two shaded pavilions perfect for birthday parties. Bonus: The stage has featured Make Music Nashville performances in year’s past.
No home equipment or gym membership? No problem. This park features parallel bars, low bars for push-ups, pull-up bars, high bars, and incline benches.
Opry Country Classics at the Opry House | Thursday, May 11 | 7 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry, 2804 Opryland Dr. | $40+ | A celebrity host will share stories and songs, guests will sing their own hits + timeless favorites, and a spotlight artist will headline the show.
Nashville Sounds vs. Gwinnett Stripers | Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | First Horizon Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way | $10+ | Join the team for this homestand on Throwback Thursday.
Friday, May 12
Bird Walk at the Burch Reserve | Friday, May 12 | 8-10 a.m. | Warner Park Nature Center, 7311 Hwy. 100 | Free | Gear up for the World Migratory Bird Day celebration with a spring migration bird walk.
Adopt a Golden Yappy Hour | Friday, May 12 | 5-7 p.m. | Scout’s Pub, 101 17th Ave. S. | Free | Join Adopt-a-Golden Nashville on the patio at Scout’s Pub Midtown for a “Yappy Hour” including foster puppy cuddles, adoption information and an extended happy hour.
Artisphere presented by TD Bank | Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Downtown Greenville, SC, Main St. from Wardlaw and Main to Broad and Main, Greenville | Free | Artisphere is back during Mother’s Day Weekend in downtown Greenville, SC — enjoy a free, family-friendly celebration of the arts.*
Saturday, May 13
International Food Festival | Saturday, May 13 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Free | Every Saturday in May, this food festival celebrates global flavors, cultures, and entertainment with a rotating selection of 15-20 international food vendors.
The War and Treaty | Saturday, May 13 | 8 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl, 925 3rd Ave. N. | $25+ | The duo brings their “The Lovers Game” tour to the venue.
Hip Hop Cinderella | Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 21 | 2-3 p.m. | Nashville Children’s Theatre, 25 Middleton St. | $20+ | Ring in the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with a futuristic remake of a classic fairytale, complete with a wicked stepmother, two social media-obsessed stepsisters, a dreamy prince + a rap competition.*
Shlomo Franklin | Monday, May 15 | 7 p.m. | The Basement, 1604 8th Ave. S. | $10 | The artist performs for his EP release with special guest Abigayle Kompst.
a $600,000 permit was issued for Blind Barber, a high-end combination barbershop and cocktail bar set to open this fall at Paseo South Gulch. The NYC-based business will house 3,300 sqft of the fully leased Antiques Building. (Nashville Post)
Announced
Billboard will host its first-ever “Billboard Country Live in Concert” at Marathon Music Works on Tuesday, June 6 with headliner Jelly Roll. “Billboard Country Live in Conversation” gears up the next day with a Garth Brooks Q+A. Other artists involved include Carly Pearce, Brian Kelley, and more.
Some ACM Award winners have been announced ahead of the show today in Frisco, Texas. Zach Bryan and Hailey Whitters both took home Male and Female New Artist of the Year. Keep up as the awards roll in. (The Tennessean)
Biz
Five Daughters Bakery is cooking up a new location. The bakery known for its 100-layer donuts will open its fifth Nashville shop at Fifth + Broadway this fall.
Take the good news and double it. Both Moonshot Coffee Bar and Zeppelin will host re-openings on Monday, May 22. Bonus: Expect a new menu with fresh drinks from Moonshot.
Edu
The MNPS board approved the draft budget for the 2023-2024 school year, which totals ~$1.21 billion. Metro Council will consider the draft next at a hearing and approve a city budget before the school board votes on the finalized version in June. (Nashville Scene)
Sports
The Tennessee Titans are headed across the pond. The team will play the Baltimore Ravens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15. Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but fans can register now.
Shop
World Cocktail Day is this Saturday, May 13, and we’re helping you celebrate with the help of our online shop (Six & Main). Mix things up with flavorful drinks from Simple Time Mixers and satisfying syrups from Portland Syrups. Cheers.
Eat
Fancy a Love Language hookup? We know how you can get $25 off dinner — with an Offline membership, the social club that gives you money off two local restaurants each month. Hello, fresh burrata and cacio e pepe pasta.Sign up with code “NASHTODAY.”*
Health
In recognition of National Nurses Week, we’d like to celebrate the Vanderbilt Health nurses whose hearts for the community extend beyond the hospital walls. Looking to take your next career step in healthcare? See how to join their heroic team.^
Coming Soon
Loading: Two new restaurants in East
East Nashville’s The Wash gains two new tenants Sweeza, SS Gai this summer
Meet Sweeza. | Photo by Michael David Rose Photography
No more waiting and wishing. This summer, the hospitality brand behind East Side Banh Mi and East Side Pho will bring two other concepts to East Nashville’s outdoor food hall The Wash — Sweeza and SS Gai.
Hungry for more? Here are the mouth-watering details for what to expect from each eatery.
🍴 Sweeza
The name is derived from San Francisco’s Mission District street food staple “super quesadilla suiza” and the bites nod towards the Mexican American cuisine found there.
Opening: Summer 2023
Food focus: “Mission-style super quesadilla suizas” filled with meats or veggies, cheese, avocado, crema, and salsa fresca.
Party favor
Vegan and GF options will be available, including crunchy tostadas, salads + a made-in-house, plant-based chorizo. A secret menu is also in the works, which the company hinted could feature a double smash burger with taqueria flavors. We’re personally excited about late-night hours and delivery options.
Nashville SC fans have the opportunity to work alongside the Boys in Gold by attending a hiring event held at the Nashville Public Library Hadley Park branch on Tuesday, May 16. The team will be hiring on the spot (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) for positions across guest experiences, janitorial, and security.
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