Kick off summer with a trip to Old Hickory Lake. | Photo by @iloveoldhickorylake
Sometimes floatin’ isn’t all you wanna do. Located ~15 miles northeast of downtown is Old Hickory Lake, an over 22,000-acre lake with 440 miles of shoreline — and plenty of family-friendly activities to keep you moving. Water you waiting for? Start making your summer plans.
🌊 Ways to get on the water
Old Hickory features 20+ boat access ramps and eight marinas with amenities like boat rentals, launch ramps, fuel docks, restaurants, and ship stores.
Take surfing lessons from Nashville Wake Lab. Pro tip: Join the Landlocked Surf Club to meet with other surfers of all ages and skill sets and get out on the water twice a month.
Plan a fishing day at one of the 15+ “fish attractor” locations maintained by the TWRA. Expect to catch species like striped bass, crappie, and largemouth bass.
Let the kiddos burn off some energy at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. The indoor park boasts a ropes course, tumble track, climbing wall, arcade, VR, and more.
Studio Tenn: Here You Come Again | Thursday, May 25-Sunday, May 28 | Times vary | The Franklin Theatre, 419 Main St., Franklin | $55+ | A rollicking new musical about a has-been- who-never-was comedian and his unusual relationship with his long time idol — Dolly Parton.
Spotlight Thursday: Ashley Crawford | Thursday, May 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Nashville Jazz Workshop, 1012 Buchanan St. | $20+ | Join flutist Ashley Crawford for a night of jazz and funk music in the Jazz Cave.
Friday, May 26
Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art | Friday, May 26-Sunday, Aug. 13 | Times vary | Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway | Cost of admission | This is the first exhibition to explore the instrument’s symbolism in American art from the early 19th century to the present day.
Nature Journaling | Friday, May 26 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Beaman Park Nature Center, 5911 Old Hickory Blvd., Ashland City | Free | Enjoy a short hike around the Nature Center and then journal or draw your observations.
Saturday, May 27
Blood Assurance Blood Drive | Saturday, May 27 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Pk. | Free | The Blood Mobile will be set up in the zoo’s parking lot and donors receive a complimentary ticket to the zoo while supplies last.
Picnic at the Proctor Barn | Saturday, May 27 | 12-2 p.m. | Proctor Barn at Beaman Park, 5911 Old Hickory Blvd., Ashland City | Free | Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy lawn games and barn tours at the Proctor Barn.
Sunday, May 28
Sunday Campfire Sessions: Singalong with The Farmer & Adele | Sunday, May 28 | 10:30 a.m. | The Getalong, 700A Fatherland St. | $12+ | Campfire Sessions is a Sunday morning singalong for everyone — admission is free for children under one.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Trivia | Sunday, May 28 | 6 p.m. | M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers, 431 11th Ave. N. | Free | Test your knowledge and relive your favorite moments of the Beverly Hills franchise.
Monday, May 29
Memorial Day Dash 5K | Monday, May 29 | 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | City Cemetery, 401 Oak St. | $40 | The 5K course features some of the most historic places and scenic views in the city.
Know before you go: First Horizon Park is cashless and enforces a clear bag policy. | Photo provided by Nashville Sounds
With general admission tickets ringing in at $10 on the day of the game, a Nashville Sounds game is a home run for the fam (or a group of friends).
Making the outing even more fun are weekly themes like:
Tito’s Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays: Nashville dog owners can enjoy Sounds baseball with their pups while benefiting a local animal nonprofit.
Throwback Thursdays: Catch the team wearing the fan-favorite throwback home uniforms, modeled after the classic 1978 team, and enjoy drink specials at the concessions.
Friday Fireworks: Watch the Nashville sky light up with a post game fireworks show.
Sunday Family Fun Days: Kids can take part in pregame autographs with select Sounds players and postgame Kids Round the Bases.
Pro tip: Kroger Family 4-packs, available at the box office on Wednesdays, includes four tickets, four hot dogs, and four fountain drinks for just $44. Or, treat yourself to traditional ballpark fare like hot dogs and nachos, plus local craft beer + specialty cocktails.*
The Goddard School is set to open a 20,000-sqft space in the Nashville Yards Pinnacle Tower by spring 2025. The school will enroll ~250 children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old and be located on two levels, hold 15 classrooms, and boast indoor/outdoor play areas. (The Tennessean)
Closed
Downtown’s Headquarters Beercade, a vintage arcade bar with craft beer and cocktails, has closed its doors in a “business acquisition that benefited all parties.” The Instagram post made by the business suggests new projects are in store for Machine Hospitality Group this year.
Open
Pop-up St. Vito Focacceria officially opened the doors to its first brick-and-mortar in The Gulch — 605 Mansion St. The 40-seat restaurant serves sfincione pizzas and Sicilian-inspired fare and is open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Nashville Business Journal)
Eat
Church Street’s Chick-fil-A has ended its Little Blue Menu concept, which allowed the chain to test new menu items like burgers and chicken wings. The location began offering its normal menu for pickup, delivery, and catering as of Saturday, May 20. (WSMV)
Festival
The Spotify House installation will return to Ole Red on Thursday, June 8-Sunday, June 11. About 50 performers will take the stage, including Brad Paisley, Jordan Davis, Lady A, and Mickey Guyton. All shows will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. (The Tennessean)
Sports
Nashville SC fell 2-1 to Inter Miami CF at Tuesday’s US Open Cup round-of-16 match — bringing the team’s win-streak across all competitions to an end. Nashville returns to GEODIS Park on Sunday, May 28 to face the Columbus Crew. (Nashville Post)
Arts
Downtown for CMA Fest? Stop by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Friday, June 9 for CMT’s Next Women of Country featuring Kimberly Kelly, Catie Offerman, MaRynn Taylor, Kasey Tyndall + Julie Williams (included with Museum admission). Pro tip: The program is free to Museum members. Buy tickets.*
Wellness
Pop quiz: What’s the body’s most abundant protein? The answer: Collagen. NativePath’s Certified Grass-Fed Collagen Powder is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and contains 18 grams of protein per serving. Start incorporating it daily to support skin elasticity, joint health, bone strength, and muscle growth and maintenance.*
Are you ready to “Walk the Line” and have a little Tuesday fun? After earning “Best Music Museum” in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards and celebrating 10 years serving Music City, the Johnny Cash Museum was due for a big bash in 2023.
The anniversary celebration will kick off next door to the museum on the second floor of Johnny Cash Bar & BBQ — 121 3rd Ave. S. — on Tuesday, May 30. Tickets cost $40 and include admission to the Johnny Cash Museum. Warm up your singing voice and put on your best “Man in Black” attire for the following events:
Cash Karaoke | 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Cash Kings, a Johnny Cash tribute band | 3–5 p.m.
Live Rubik’s Cube Johnny Cash mosaic creation by Josh Sickle | 4:45–5:45 p.m.
Johnny Cash trivia with prizes | 5–5:30 p.m.
John Carter Cash, doors open at 6:30 p.m. | 7–8 p.m.
M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers is partnering with Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern to debut its June Burger of the Month. The Cacio e Pepe burger is inspired by Dicey’s Cacio e Pepe Specialty Pizza and will be available for a limited time at all M.L.Rose locations between between Wednesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 28.
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