Hidden City: Nashville’s Beyond the Music

HotelsByDayNovember 17, 2016

You may think of Nashville as a city built around music, but it is much much more than that. Of course there is the famous entertainment scene that the city is known for, but what happens when you look past the camera flashes and bright lights. Nashville has a deep culture of friendship, family, and openness that makes you wonder why you didn’t visit sooner. Well, with a daystay hotel from HotelsByDay, you can really discover the side of Nashville that not many people see. So what are you waiting for? Get on down to the Music City and see what it has to offer ASAP!

1. Shelby Park’s Hidden Natural Spring Grotto

The grotto in Shelby Park used to be more accessible to the public when it was cleared out about 100 years ago. But as the years went by it was all but forgotten, and visitors were few and far between. You have to do some walking through the park to find the grotto, but the trek is definitely worth it. The spring water comes from a small grotto in the park, which is probably a great spot to stay cool in the criminally hot Nashville summer months. But in any time of year its sure to be a beautiful sight! So step out of your hourly hotel and head over to Shelby Park!

2. Get Cozy at Love Circle!

Nashville has its own ‘Lover’s Lane’ of sorts, and that is Love Circle. This is the perfect stop at the end of any Nashville daycation. Its one of the highest points in the city, sitting a cool 744 ft above sea level. College students from the nearby Vanderbilt University, as well as residents an visitors alike, come to this spot for some of the best views of the city! You have to drive through a small residential neighborhood and up a rather steep hill to get to the spot, but it is definitely worth it as you can see pretty much all of Nashville from atop Love Circle. Don’t worry a love interest is not required!

3. Curb Your Hunger at Bongo Java!

If the name Bongo Java sounds slightly familiar to you, it may be because they made international headlines a few years ago with the “Nun Bun.” If you’re unfamiliar with the story, it goes a little something like this. Back in the ’90s, Bongo Java baked a batch of its delicious cinnamon rolls to discover that one of them looked quite a bit like Mother Teresa. The cinnamon roll became famous and soon adopted the name “The Immaculate Confection” and then later the “Nun Bun.” Unfortunately the “Nun Bun” was stolen on Christmas Day of 2005. However, you can still get all of the delicious bakery items and sandwiches that the eatery offers on a daily basis. Definitely, don’t forget to check out their specials either.

4. Splash Around at Cummins Falls

With an inviting plunge pool below and a gorgeous view from above, this beautiful multi-level waterfall is just a short trek through the woods from the parking lot. The view from any of the many platforms will make even the largest height-fearer have all the courage in the world. Descending into the valley below involves steep descents down unimproved trails and crossing the river, so think twice before attempting the trip if you are a novice hiker. But if you are up for the challenge it’s definitely worth the tough work.

5. Get Old School at the Parthenon

You don’t need to leave the US to get a little taste of Greece on your daycation. Nashville brings one of the world’s most famous landmarks to the United States. It’s a replication of course but by any standards it’s a pretty fantastic one at that! The Parthenon was built as part of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exhibition. It stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park to this day. The re-creation of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon just as it was in ancient Greece. The building and the Athena statue are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals. The Parthenon also serves as Nashville’s art museum. The focus of the Parthenon’s permanent collection is a group of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists donated by James M. Cowan. They also occasionally hold temporary art shows as well.

Learn more about HotelsByDay short term hotel stays here, email us at frontdesk@hotelsbyday.com, or give us a call at +1.855.925.2530 today. Happy travels!