Nashville holds more than honky-tonk bars and crowded streets. Away from the tourist spotlight, the city reveals food counters buzzing with locals, trails where wildlife thrives, and record shops that preserve music culture with authenticity. Each place carries a story told through flavors, landscapes, or sounds. Arnold’s roast beef, Santa’s Pub karaoke, or a goat farm tour near Franklin show the many ways residents enjoy their city. Hidden gems connect people with Nashville’s traditions in a direct way. Exploring them gives visitors access to the city’s essence. These discoveries transform a trip into something lasting and unforgettable.
Local Food and Drink Favorites
Nashville locals know the city’s best food and drink spots that offer authentic experiences you won’t find in tourist guides. These hidden culinary treasures serve up flavors and atmosphere that tell the real story of Music City.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen For Meat-And-Three
You haven’t experienced Nashville’s hidden gems until you’ve had a traditional “meat-and-three” meal at Arnold’s Country Kitchen. This family-owned spot has served Nashville since 1982 and earned the James Beard American Classics Award in 2009.
Jack and Rose Arnold’s concrete block building houses a steam table loaded with crisp fried green tomatoes and perfectly simmered greens. The restaurant draws everyone from downtown business folks to country music stars and day laborers. It’s a rare slice of Nashville life where all walks of life come together. Don’t miss: Jack Arnold’s perfectly prepared roast beef, and make sure to save room for their chess pie.
Mas Tacos Por Favor in East Nashville
Mas Tacos Por Favor started in a 1974 Winnebago and grew into one of East Nashville’s favorite spots. This cash-only spot serves amazing tacos with unique options like cast iron chicken, fried avocado, and quinoa with sweet potato.
Guy Fieri from Food Network called their quinoa taco “delicious, creative, hearty”. Their Wednesday hand-rolled tamales have become a local tradition that pairs perfectly with their signature elote (Mexican street corn).
Santa’s Pub: Dive Bar with Karaoke
Santa’s Pub stands out as one of Nashville’s unique spots. It runs from a converted double-wide trailer decked out in Christmas lights and North Pole decorations. The owner’s Kris Kringle-worthy beard earned him the nickname “Santa” and helped create this Nashville institution.
This cash-only dive serves beer exclusively and runs karaoke with strict rules: “No Beer, No Cussin’, and No Cigarettes on Santa’s stage!”. The pub welcomes guests Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., away from Broadway’s tourist crowds.
Arrington Vineyards: Wine With a View
Arrington Vineyards sits just 25 miles south of Nashville, co-owned by country music artist Kix Brooks. The beautiful 95-acre property showcases 16 acres of vineyards, five tasting rooms, and breathtaking panoramic views.
Guests can sample from 22 award-winning wines produced and bottled right there. The picnic areas become extra special with live music on weekends from April through November.
The Metropolitan Shuttle’s Nashville charter bus rental makes it easy to visit these culinary treasures scattered across the city, which comes in handy after wine tasting at Arrington Vineyards or enjoying beers at Santa’s Pub.
Outdoor Adventures Off the Beaten Path
Nashville’s natural treasures offer a perfect escape from city life. Most visitors miss these hidden outdoor spots that showcase a different side of Music City where nature steals the show.
Hike Radnor Lake State Park
This 1,368-acre protected natural area welcomes wildlife enthusiasts just minutes from downtown. The park has 7.75 miles of trails that serve hiking, photography, and wildlife observation. Visitors often spot owls, herons, waterfowl, and mammals like mink and otter throughout the preserve. The Lake Trail welcomes people with all-terrain wheelchairs, which makes this Nashville hidden gem available to more visitors. Beautiful lake views greet hikers on every turn. The Ganier Ridge Trail tests your endurance with several switchbacks and reaches a 15% grade at its steepest sections.
Stroll Cornelia Fort Airpark
A former airpark turned trailhead in Shelby Bottoms pays tribute to a trailblazing female WWII pilot. The flat 5.1-mile trail connects seamlessly to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway system. Wooded areas stretch along the Cumberland River with multiple trail options.
Zipline through The Forest
Adventureworks runs two zipline parks near Nashville that thrill-seekers love. Their Nashville West location by the Narrows of the Harpeth features nine zip lines. These lines stretch up to 900 feet long and soar 85 feet high through magnificent old-growth forest. The Nashville North location along Whites Creek Pike offers eight zip lines reaching 1,000 feet in length. Both adventures last about 90 minutes. They welcome guests eight years and older who weigh between 50-250 pounds.
Visit Noble Springs Dairy Goat Farm
A family-owned goat dairy sits just 6 miles from downtown Franklin. They offer educational farm tours that delight visitors of all ages. Guests meet the goats, visit the milking parlor, and learn cheese-making techniques with hands-on activities. The popular Saturday “Baby Goat Cuddling” sessions run from 10am to 1pm at $12 per person, while children under 2 enter free. Nashville charter bus for tours easily reaches this working farm that conservation easements protect.
Hidden Shopping and Music Spots
Nashville’s shopping scene goes far beyond typical tourist souvenirs. The city’s creative spirit shines through its hidden retail spots that offer both unique keepsakes and musical treasures.
Grimey’s New & Pre-loved Music
This beloved record store has become a Nashville institution for music enthusiasts. The store won the Frontline Innovator Award at Music Biz 2025. Music lovers will find an impressive collection of new and used vinyl, CDs, and carefully selected books here. The store captures the authentic spirit of 1970s record shops with its expert staff and welcoming vibe. You’ll find more vinyl and books in their basement, where they serve complimentary coffee. Saturday visitors might get lucky with their occasional free beer offerings.
White’s Mercantile in 12 South
The trendy 12 South neighborhood houses White’s Mercantile, a “general store for the modern-day tastemaker” in a transformed gas station. This charming spot showcases handcrafted gifts, fashionable clothing, and unique home goods. Their creative display includes an old school bus that serves as part of their clothing boutique. The store welcomes dogs and employs helpful staff who maintain a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern style.
Printer’s Alley for Quirky Finds
Printer’s Alley has transformed since its 1915 origins as Nashville’s printing hub. The historic alley first became home to speakeasies during Prohibition, then evolved into a nightlife hotspot where Chet Atkins and Jimi Hendrix performed. Today, the alley mixes bars and restaurants with unique shops. Keep Shop Boutique sells locally crafted clothing and accessories. Nashville Ink creates tattoos inspired by the alley’s iconic archway sign – perfect for those seeking a truly unique souvenir.
The Gibson Garage for Guitar Lovers
Guitar enthusiasts will love this 8,000-square-foot flagship store. The showroom dazzles visitors with 200 guitars rotating overhead on an innovative conveyor system. The Garage stands out by letting visitors test instruments without any sales pressure. Their custom shop offers a unique experience worldwide – you can hand-select wood for your own Les Paul.
A Nashville charter bus makes it easy to visit these Nashville hidden gems scattered throughout the city.
Conclusion
Discovering Nashville’s lesser-known food halls, trails, shops, and venues reshapes how you experience the city. These places provide character without pretense. They reflect the creativity, heritage, and community spirit that define Music City beyond its main stages. From sipping wine with panoramic views to browsing vinyl in a basement store, the experiences feel authentic and unforced. Visitors who make time for these spots find themselves rewarded with depth and connection. A charter bus makes travel between them easy and stress-free. Nashville’s true appeal lies not just in its famous attractions but in the hidden layers waiting to be explored.
