What Locals Wish Tourists Knew About Nashville

Before You Order That $30 “Yeehaw Shot” on Broadway

Welcome to Nashville, y’all — the city of hot chicken, honky-tonks, and how-the-heck-did-I-spend-$400-before-noon. We love our visitors (seriously, we do), but after giving thousands of tours and watching thousands more pedal taverns go by, we’ve put together a little list of things the locals really wish you knew before hitting Music City.

Whether you're in town for a bachelorette party, a convention, or a weekend of “finding yourself” in cowboy boots, this guide will help you avoid some of the classic tourist pitfalls — and maybe even earn a nod of respect from someone who actually lives here.

1. Broadway is fun. It’s also not the whole city.

Yes, you should absolutely two-step your way into a honky-tonk. Just don’t stop there. Nashville is bursting with neighborhoods full of local gems: East Nashville for live music and vintage finds, 12 South for boutique shopping and murals, Germantown for brunch and cocktails, and The Nations if you want to eat BBQ out of a shipping container and still call it a vibe.

Pro tip: If the bar you’re in has a mechanical bull and $19 beers, there’s a good chance the guy next to you also thinks Johnny Cash was a country DJ on TikTok.

2. Not all boots are created equal.

Buying cowboy boots on Broadway seems like a rite of passage — until your feet start plotting revenge. Those two-for-one deals? They’re often built more for aesthetic than for walking the South. If you want boots that won’t betray you halfway through the night, hit up a local outfitter off the main drag or just bring your own worn-in pair. Your ankles will thank you.

3. It’s “hot chicken,” not “spicy nuggets.”

You’ve heard the hype. You’ve seen the lines. But make no mistake — hot chicken is not just spicy fried chicken. It’s an experience. A rite of pain and passage. It’s a dish designed by someone who thought regular suffering needed a side of pickles.

Start with mild. No matter how tough you think you are. That “extra hot” level has broken stronger folks than you. (And if you're brave, our guides are happy to tell you which spot will wreck your weekend the fastest.)

4. Please stop yelling “YEEHAW” at strangers.

We get it — you're excited. But not everyone in Nashville is here for the cowboy cosplay. The real locals? They're wearing Carhartt because they have to build something at 6am tomorrow. If you want to blend in just a little more, say “how y’all doin’?” instead. Bonus points if you ask about someone’s favorite hidden gem in town — we love bragging about our favorite dive bars and taco trucks.

5. History is everywhere (even when it’s hiding).

You might think Nashville’s story starts with country music, but this city has layers — from Civil War battlegrounds and freedman communities to prohibition-era tunnels and haunted theaters. You just have to know where to look. (Hint: That’s where we come in.)

If you want more than neon signs and souvenir shot glasses, book a walking tour. You’ll get the kind of stories that don’t show up on Google Maps. Real people. Real places. Real weirdness. Because Nashville isn’t just a party — it’s a patchwork of the past stitched into the present.

6. Tip your musicians — and your guides.

The guitar player on that stage? He probably played the Opry last week. That singer in the corner? She writes for a Grammy winner. And that tour guide telling you stories on the street? He’s probably a historian, a veteran, or both. (Hi, nice to meet you.)

The point is: people here hustle hard. A $5 tip might seem small, but in Nashville, it’s a standing ovation with financial benefits.

Seriously, Tip The Musicians

7. We’re more than just “NashVegas.”

We know people love calling it that. But ask most locals and you’ll get a polite smile followed by an internal sigh. Nashville has its party scene, sure — but it’s also full of storytellers, artists, chefs, teachers, builders, historians, and makers. It’s a city with soul.

Come for the fun. Stay for the depth. Or at least take a few hours to walk past the bachelorette tiaras and hear the stories hiding behind the bricks.

Want to see that side of the city? Come walk with us. We promise: no neon lasso required.

Book your Nashville History Tour, Walking Tour, or Pub Crawl at NashvilleAdventures.com Because history isn't behind glass — it's on the streets.