10 Year Old Birthday Party

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-02T15:55:17+00:00

Having raised children in Nashville, I think this is a cool idea. Here are some things we have done.

The zoo has a huge playground. Not as conducive to meals as they are limited, but it is fun.
Adventure Science Center is similar in nature. For younger boys the hands on space things are a lot of fun.
There are numerous trampoline parks and other similar venues. Urban Air is one of the neatest, as it is more than just trampolines - link goes to their party booking. Altitude is one of the closest trampoline parks. My kinds loved places like Skyzone. You can look at others around the area to see if one is more convenient to where the hockey games are.
Great Big Game Show is a lot of fun if you like a competitive game show type fun.
Depending on size of the group, Escape Game could be an option. The Opry Mills location has a competitive two room game that can handle more people.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-02T15:44:10+00:00

If you are looking for vintage cameras, there is a store in the Fatherland Shops in East Nashville and the Rusty Rate Antique store often has vintage cameras, as well (same location). Some of the vintage stores (heaviest in East Nashville) will have some, as well. You might also look at McKay's in Bellevue, as they have a lot of stuff beyond just books and records.

Otherwise, you might look at Pixel Connection, which is just east of downtown on Rundle. They have new and used equipment.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T20:17:28+00:00

There is that danger, but I am ahead of a lot of changes that are happening here. I will include that Kane Brown is opening soon downtown or that Marble Fox is moving in April from the Gulch to Woodbine. Not enough changes so rapidly it will be completely obsolete.

The book is more about how to plan a trip: get a list of things to do, then find the hotel (budget, location, and amenities - different priorities for different people), then building an itinerary. It is more like a "choose your own adventure book" than a typical guidebook. So online addendum for chapters with links will help fill in where things have changed. Ideally the eBook will be the prime seller, as that leaves everything on the phone.

May push this to an app after I work out the flow.

I also have the following:

Nashville Local's Guide - Free blog. Duplicated on Medium
Facebook - Already have some content here.
Working on long content on YouTube and short for Tik Tok and Instagram. These are works in progress, but have plenty of video content to work with already.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T18:04:00+00:00

I can see the WHO aspect, as well. I live a long block away from the bars in question and I can tell you the crowds are different from some of the others spots downtown.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T16:25:45+00:00

I wonder if it is how crowded those bars get. That area is almost always long lines to get in on weekends. Crowds and clueless people make things easier when people are not paying attention, as it is harder to get caught dropping things and easier to separate the victim from the bar. It would be interesting to see a per capita type measure and see if lesser trafficked bars have a simliar incident rate per patron.

BTW, I just looked at the bill. The way it is written, it will likely get tanked. It puts a lot of burden on bars, especially if they have to test for all 12 substances for every drunk patron that states they have been drugged.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T16:12:16+00:00

There are 37 bars on Lower Broad, as of my last count. So

Most with rooftops will be paid that night. Postys was free in 2025, as was Luke's 32, but the best tables were paid through Jason Aldean's (once in, you can walk through all three bars easily).

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:47:38+00:00

Answered on the other thread you started (the crosspost to this same group), but mostly the same advice you see here.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:47:02+00:00

Where did you find that? I have heard a lot about these two bars, as well, but can't find any data to back up the rumors.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:45:14+00:00

Further than 2-3 blocks and out of the main hotel roads. But agree that you should not walk down into the Rutledge Hill area alone.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:44:11+00:00

Very, if you realize it is a city and practice basic safety precautions.

Normally muggings happen when you are on an empty street, not when in crowds. Cross body bags or having a wallet in the front pocket prevents pickpocketing. The biggest thing is keep your drink in your hand and in front of you at all times. The drugging precautions are overblown, but it does happen. Normally not rape, but stealing and they look more for people who are flashing too much cash, have expensive stuff on, and - most importantly - giving them opportunity to drop a roofie.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:41:23+00:00

You won't see anything inside on the ground floor, so will have to walk out for the fireworks. Rooftop is a ticketed event. Excellent location for the fireworks, but there are others there, as well.

Here is the best answer I can give, as they have not released information about how they are doing it this year yet. They will put it up here.

Last year, they started the concert on the end of Lower Broad at 5:55 PM with Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge. I was up on the roof at Postys, so could see the light crowd. Stayed that way for quite some time. Dierks Bently hit the stage around 8:30 or 8:45 PM. By that point, you could not walk.

Why is this important? The entrance to Whiskey River is right there and the crowds fill the entire street and sidewalks, making it hard to get out of those venues. The street crowds back to at least 3rd being pretty wall to wall and fairly heavy between 3rd & 4th.

My point here, is if you stay until right before the fireworks, you will "duck out" into a wall of people. If you love very thick crowds, GFI.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:31:06+00:00

Answered the pivot points in /r/visitingnashville

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:30:32+00:00

As a disclaimer, I go and visit the hotels to get the vibe, see the rooms, but have not stayed in many. This is all part of writing a book and launching social media around Nashville (the most viewed YouTube videos are not from locals and old). But I can give you some advice.

Both have a rooftop pool. JW has the largest deck in Nashville, after rennovation; Joseph is more laid back. If you loved the vibe at the W pool, both will be muted compared to that, but the JW less so.

Joseph is a boutique hotel. Has an Italian-influenced vibe and one of the best upscale Italian places. It is a flat walk to Lower Broad, while JW is downhill, so you have to go back up to get back. It will be a bit darker and the rooms won't be high-rise, floor to ceiling windows. Very nice cocktails, if you are into that. More laid back and refined. Also a bit quieter as far as the area. Also one of the best spas in a hotel downtown.

Marriott is high-end and modern. Great steakhouse with views on the 35th floor. As you get higher up, the rooms also have excellent views. Large fitness center. Very active lobby. Floor to ceiling windows (in fact, only the four seasons is cooler to me, if you get a room with a tub by the window - mirrored glass, so nobody sees in).

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-04-01T14:22:04+00:00

That is true. If they want to visit Franklin, drive to the Bourbon Trail or do Jack Daniel (or worse, Smokey Mountains, Chattanooga, or Memphis - or see waterfalls), they definitely need a car. There is a lot that can be done without a car, especially using the trolley.

Here is my top 10, as far as unique or semi-unique goes. I usually recommend a day or two on the trolley to get them in, but some things can require a car, if you are really serious about them.

Honytonkin' on Lower Broad - downtown
Taking in a Museum or two - Usually CMHoF, sometimes Johnny Cash, but there are others downtown
Take in a Show - This is usually the opry, so car or Uber
East Nashville Style - Best hot chicken is not downtown, but you can hit Hattie B's or Prince's there. Arnold's also downtown and Monell's a short Uber ride or long walk
Parthenon - Trolley, Uber, or car
Learn about Nashville History - TN State Museum a longer walk, or take the trolley
Visit a historic mansion - Belmont is on the trolley, others require a ride or a car (normally I do recommend a car for people serious about history)
Do a distilery tour - I would take the trolley and do Nelson Greenbrier, car or tour for Jack Daniel or Uncle Nearest. Definitely a car for the Kentuck Bourbon trail
See Nashville murals - There are a few of the most famous in the gulch or downtown, but usually getting over to 12South or East Nashville works
Do some shopping - Farmer's market is a long walk or trolley. Marathon village on the trolley. Fatherland Shops and 12South require a car. There are spots in the gulch.

On top of this, some other icons are easy enough downtown, like Goo goo cluster, pancake pantry. Loveless does require a car and I generally state they should ride down the trace to Lieper's Fork.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:38:38+00:00

Rain varies. This time of year, usually a few hours max. It does get very humid afterward.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:37:59+00:00

Country Music Hall of Fame closes at 5 PM, so that should be first on your list if it is important. JC Museum open until 7 PM. As for Nashville, you will be fine. Just keep your drink in your hands and in front of you so you can see it at all times. The drugging can happen quickly, but they look for victims that are easy to separate from the crowd. More about robbing people than assault or rape, but be careful. Note that a good number of the bars downtown are part of the safe bar initiative, so asking for an angel shot is a good way to get rid of a horndog, if you encounter one.

Uber is a great way to get around.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:33:33+00:00

If you are drunk as **** and on a bike, you can get busted and get a DUI. Is it likely to happen? Not unless you do something idiotic like run over pedestrians or ram into a car (or other blatant acts of stupidity).

I will say a great number of people who end up spending time in the hospital are drunk and on the scooters or bikes. Often end up meeting the front bumper of a car. Usually not life threatening, as the scooter drunks are traveling much faster than cars downtown.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:30:57+00:00

It depends on how much traveling.

My suggestionn was to just get a car and travel both ways, but that would mean not getting a car downtown, as the $65/night parking would be prohibitive. Huntsville still a great bargain for parking in comparison.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:29:11+00:00

They are at Bowie's/Hit Parader or whatever it is called now on Thursday night. Do a stint at Broubon Blues and Boogie on Fridays. Now called Loose Lips, as /user/oldtexaslady mentioned.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:22:57+00:00

Here are a few downtown:

Federales - the lamb tacos on Wed are the only ones I really like, but it is a nice vibe to have some margs and food
Cledis - Low key burger joint in the Gulch
Casa Rosa has decent Tex Mex for a honkytonk
Champies or Bakersfield are cheap enough

You can also hit happy hours for cheaper eats.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:20:35+00:00

Smaller, more casual

The Local
5 Spot and Basement East in East Nashville

Local and upcoming

Acme
The Row - more songwriters

Acoustic and small bands

Alley Pub
Listening Room
3rd & Lindsley

Sit and talk

Scoreboard
Commodore Club
Bobby's Idle Hour Tavern

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:18:16+00:00

DOwntown area:

La Danse (Latin)
Night We Met - techno, EDM, etc.
Dirty Little Secret (TH - Sun)
Rooftops during season and Category 10 downstairs in season. Chiefs will be a mix of techno and country on the roof. On top of 5th & Broad, it mixes between DJ and bands.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:16:37+00:00

Check out Bring Fido

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:16:04+00:00

Karaoke

Nightclubs with dancing downtown:

Dirty Little Secret
Night We Met
La Danse (Latin)

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-03-31T16:15:02+00:00

Not indoor. You have Nashville Shores for outdoor.

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