Summer officially unofficially starts on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. Here in Nashville, the Summer’s are hot, wild, and there’s plenty to do. Well, since Memorial Day is going down this weekend, we figured it was time to line up our official Nashville Summer Guide. We have 1,100+ words to get through, so let’s just dive right in.
The Official SoBros Network 2018 Nashville Summer Guide
All Summer
The Nashville Sounds – Easily my #1 Summer tradition. First Tennessee Park is beautiful, there’s so much to do, and it’s such a great value…Sounds baseball is synonymous with Summer in the Keeley household.
Nashville SC – Haven’t been to a game yet, but everything I’ve seen indicates that these games are just as much of a blasty blast as Sounds games. So, count me due for a trip out there.
Canoeing the Harpeth – A new tradition I’ve picked up over the last few years. No better way to spend an early Summer day (before it gets too hot) than by packing up a cooler of totally non-alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, and gently paddling down the stream. We’ve used Foggy Bottom, and have yet to be disappointed.
Center Hill Lake – Sure, you can go have lake fun in Percy Priest Lake just outside of Nashville. But, if you don’t want to smell like a sewer drain for the week after, Center Hill Lake is the way to go. It’s a bit of a drive out of town, but there’s no better Summer weekend than renting a cabin, and getting your lake fun on.
Movies in the Park – Free movies, food trucks, and throwing a blanket down to sit and watch movies in Elmington Park? Hell yes. The series starts May 31st with a showing of Coco, and runs through June 21st (The Greatest Showman).
Restaurants
Von Elrod’s – We just checked this spot out a couple of months ago, and reported that it is indeed delicious. But, it’s Von Elrod’s proximity to First Tennessee Park and the killer outdoor patio that have us including it on the Nashville Summer Guide for 2018.
Nashville Underground – It’s the tallest rooftop bar on Broadway, pretty cool little spot, great food, great beer list, and you don’t typically have to worry about all of the Broadway nonsense there. It’s sort of hidden in plain sight, but don’t get me wrong. It’s almost always hopping.
Kung Fu Saloon – Everything about this Midtown gem screams “Summer time.” All sorts of games, fun vibe, and a hell of a bar.
May
Tennessee Renaissance Festival – How do you know it’s Summer time in middle Tennessee? Because the RenFair is firing up! Sure, it’s a little late in the season, but you still have this weekend and Memorial Day to partake in the festivities.
5/23 – Ghost at TPAC – I mean, yeah – it’s tomorrow night. Probably should’ve mentioned this sooner, but you want to talk about an entirely unique musical experience? Ghost is your band. I know Rubber Rooster would want me to mention this.
5/26 – U2 at Bridgestone – Again, sorry for the late notice. But, hey – we can’t put this out without mentioning some of the big events you still have time to experience. It’s U2, ffs.
June
6/1 – Brew at the Zoo – It’s a beer festival….at the zoo….what else could you possibly ask for? Food trucks? Check. Live music? Check. It all goes down starting at 6:30PM on Friday, June 1st.
6/1 – Foster the People at Top Golf – Wait, what?!?! They’re doing shows at Top Golf now?! That’s incredible.
CMA Fest and Bonnaroo – Gross. I’m mentioning it here because it’s a big deal to the community, but you can bet on me staying the hell away from both of these. Both events run 6/7-7/10.
6/16 – Taste of Music City – The annual highlight of Nashville cuisine. Taste of Music City takes over Public Square Park on June 16th. It’s an all-inclusive food tasting – all you have to do is pay the price of admission. Lot of info about this event here.
July
4th of July – There may not be anywhere better in the nation to celebrate Independence Day than right here in the Music City. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure it’s popped up on some national ‘best of’ lists in recent years…but I’m too lazy to do actual journalism right now. Give me a break – this is a lot of information to digest. Anyway, get downtown early, have a nice meal, see some live music, watch the fireworks. It ain’t that complicated, folks.
7/4 Nashville Hot Chicken Festival – Before you head downtown for the fireworks display, be sure to go check out the Nashville Hot Chicken Festival. It’s FREE, so there’s no excuse to not go celebrate this fine staple of Tennessean cuisine.
Star Wars: A New Hope in concert at The Nashville Symphony – Each Summer over the next four years, the folks at The Nashville Symphony will be performing the scores of the Star Wars movie while the movie projects overhead. Kicking things off this Summer is A New Hope, beginning on 7/5 and running through 7/8. Buy tickets here.
7/28 – Weezer at Ascend – Say it ain’t so.
Titans Training Camp – it’s set to start some time in late July, but it’s always one of those things people forget about as a free Summer time attraction. Preseason starts in August, but you can always check out training camp for free over at Baptist Sports Park.
August
8/9-9/9 – Shakespeare in the Park – For 30 years now, the fine folks at Shakespeare in the Park have brought the works of ol’ Bill Shakespeare to Centennial Park. This year, they’re trotting out A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
8/10-11 – Tomato Art Fest – I can’t even really describe the weirdness that is the Tomato Art Fest. Actually, yeah – I’m just going to stop there. Check this out.
Live on the Green – Every Thursday beginning 8/10 and on through Labor Day Weekend. For the full schedule, click here.
8/17 – Toto at the Ryman – Okay, this is an outright delight. There is no reason to miss such a classic band playing at the most historic venue in Nashville.
Wilson County Fair – It’s the official unofficial end of Summer. When you go to the Wilson County Fair, that’s when you know the carefree days of Summer are almost over. Labor Day is usually just a week or so out, and the realization of just how fleeting Summer is sets in. But, it’s always a blast. Go for the fried green tomatoes, and stay for the funnel cakes.
What do you say, Nashville? What are some of your favorite things to do here in the Summer?
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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