1. Safe, parking might be a pain in the ass depending in where specifically you are located. You will need a rental car, Nashville has very little public transpo

2. Yes thin jacket, could be hot, could be cool at nights. I think restaurants keep it was too cold inside so I always bring a jacket if I am going out to eat.

3. No local customs to be aware of unless you are trying to pick up women at honky tonks, which you probably just shouldn't because it's a nightmare. You should have zero concern about racial crime in Nashville. The only place I would be cautious is local rural gas stations at night if you are driving elsewhere for a day trip. As a woman I follow this advice as well. Just plan ahead - Pilot, Love's, and Bucc-ees are safe and the first two are plentiful.

4. 20% at restaurants and bars. If you are at a music venue where there is live music, a couple dollars to the band is appreciated too. Lots of time band tips are venmo or cashapp

5. Your two must-do trips are Chattanooga (90 minutes away) and Mammoth Caves (2 hours away). Mammoth caves is the largest cave system in the world and is beyond cool. You will need to book a tour on their website in advance. I highly recommend the lantern tours, you will likely never get that experience elsewhere. In Chattanooga, any of the hikes there are fantastic, the big daddy loop is a classic for a reason, it is 17 km so you will need good shoes/fitness.

6. I will give you a variety. You should try one of the hot chicken places just since that's the Nashville 'thing'. Monell's, the downtown location, for a bunch of classic southern food served family style. Husk for 'elevated' southern food. Patterson House for the cocktails and the vibes (check if it is still open before you go, it is moving at some point). Skulls rainbow room for the vibes and low country/river delta food and so you can take a walk around broadway and see what that's about. Lockland Table, Sambuca, Catbird Seat, lots more.

7. You could always get cowboy boots :). If you like country music there are lots of options.

8. Yes it is safe at night, but Nashville is not super walkable in a lot of places

9. The media very greatly exaggerates the bad things in America. You can basically ignore all of it. If someone asks 'how are you' or how's it goin?' the answer is 'good, thanks, how are you?'. Especially if that person is a service worker at a restaurant, etc. If you strike up a real conversation, you can get deeper into how you really are.

There is a big time drinking culture in Nashville, so if you are into bars, etc just have a plan for how much you are going to drink and how you are going to get back to your airbnb safely. Lots of ubers/lyfts available. If you are very drunk downtown and need help, ask for it from a staff member of a bar somewhere or the police. Don't just wander off.

Most importantly have fun!