I am going to be in Nashville this weekend. I am looking for any suggestions for bars/restaurants/activities that are less touristy or less well known but would be fun for 2 twentysomethings. I am planning on going to the Bluebird Cafe one night, but not sure about the other. I would welcome any thoughts you may have. Thanks!!

The Bluebird is a must. Do brunch one day at the Loveless Cafe- best biscuits around (The owner was just featured in a "throwdown" w/ Bobby Flay over her biscuits and jam)... the strawberry jam is to die for...Also, a lot of fun can be had at the San Antonio Taco Company next to Vanderbilt's Campus- sit outside and drink a Pacifico in the afternoon- good times! Have fun!

Have you checked to see if you can get seats on Satuday night for the Grand Ole Opry?

Do set aside a few hours to tour the Opryland Hotel. It's something to see!!

If you're looking for honky tonks, just hit Lower Broadway. Robert's, Tootsie's, and The Stage are all down there, plus the Wildhorse. For music, 3rd & Lindsley is a bar/grill/venue I like. You might also check the Rage entertainment calendar (nashvillerage.com) - the web site design isn't great, but it'll have listings for this weekend, so you can see if there are any shows you'd be interested in. Nashville has some great rock acts, plus some more folk/Americana. We're not all country.

Hillsboro Village (Vandy/Belmont area) is a cool area to walk around; there are boutiques, restaurants, a coffee shop, indie movie theater/music venue. The 12South area (close to downtown) has some good restaurants. If you let me know what you like to eat I'll try to make some recommendations!

Lower Broadway (nearest the river) and 2nd Avenue are definitely touristy, but lots of locals hang out there too. If you are into country music, hit Tootsie's (if it's warm, swing around the back and enter through the alley - there is a second band playing back there when the weather is good) and Robert's. If you like karaoke, there is a karaoke bar in Printer's Alley - from Church Street, it's on the right. It looks a little seedy - well, maybe it's a little seedy - but use common sense and you'll be fine.

My breakfast pick (or late night "Oops how did I drink this much?" pick) is definitely the Hermitage Cafe. It is on Hermitage Avenue - take 1st Ave out of downtown - it becomes Hermitage Ave and the Cafe is the white brick block building on the right. It has the ultimate greasy spoon food of anywhere I've ever been.

For a fun local but trendy bar with a great upstairs deck, try South Street on 20th Avenue South. It's really a restaurant & bar, but we usually head upstairs for appetizers & drinks.

If you are downtown and want to check out the 21st Ave / Village area, look for a Biggshaw - it's a motorcycle rickshaw. Prices are cheaper than taxis (v. v. expensive here) and they run back and forth to the Village from Lower Broad area.

Hope you have a blast! It's a fun city, more diverse than most expect. Something for everyone.

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