Headed to Ole Miss vs. Vandy? Here’s where to go, what to do in Nashville
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss fans are in for a treat if they head to watch the Rebels play Vanderbilt Saturday. The game is being played in Nashville.
One of the most vibrant cities in the south, Nashville offers a lot of possibilities for Ole Miss fans who make the trip.
Here are a few ideas.
WHERE TO EAT
If you are interested in eating walking distance from the stadium, try local upscale favorites Bricktop’s or Redlands Grill.
Martin’s BBQ, Elliston Place location, is three-tenths of a mile from the stadium and has the best pulled pork in town. And their smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are delicious!
Hattie B’s is where you’ll find Nashville’s signature dish, hot chicken. There are several in town, but the 112 19th Ave. South location is not far from the stadium.
Jasper’s is the neighborhood upscale sports bar with plenty of TVs and even a game room for its guests. You will find tasty appetizers, flatbread pizza, sandwiches, steak fajitas, creole pasta, and other great entrees on the menu.
For a good breakfast on the way out of town, check out the Pancake Pantry or Biscuit Love.
THE NIGHTLIFE
In downtown Nashville, any place on Broadway is going to have great music. However, locals do advise traveling in groups and taking a taxi.
Closer to campus are some pretty cool places to visit. The Row is a half mile from Vandy and is popular with students and music lovers.
On Broadway, Robert’s Western World is arguably the best honky tonk, featuring classic country music and a Recession Special of a bucket of PBR and a fried bologna sandwich. If something quieter and more fancy is your speed, check out the Patterson House, a hidden speakeasy with classic cocktails and small bites, or Gertie’s Whiskey Bar in the vibrant Gulch area.
Country music fans should visit Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge that was a favorite of country music performers dating back to the 1940’s.
ATTRACTIONS
Especially with the recent passing of Loretta Lynn, the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must see. The museum has exhibits recognizing performers from Hank Williams to Elvis.
Also, check out the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium for a slice of country music history.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Prine Family is performing this week in Nashville featuring its “You Got Gold” show. The event is a celebration of the music of the late John Prine, a legendary singer/songwriter. Prine influenced and performed with such people as the late Steve Goodman and Tom Petty, as well as Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Kacey Musgraves and Jimmy Buffett.
If fans are planning to stay through Sunday, Australian comedian Jim Jeffries will be performing Sunday night at the Ryman Auditorium. His humor is tailored toward adults, but the comic/actor/podcaster’s act is worth spending an extra day in Music City.
Hotty Toddy!
Steve Barnes
Steve Barnes joins The Rebel Walk staff as a senior writer and brings a trifecta of journalistic experience. As a writer, he has covered college sports for Rivals.com, Football.com and SaturdayDownSouth.com as well as served as a beat writer for various traditional newspapers.
He has been a broadcaster for arena football and several national tournament events for the National Junior College Athletic Association as well as hosting various shows on radio.
A former sports information director at Albany (Ga.) State University and an assistant at Troy and West Florida, he has helped host many NCAA conference, regional and national events, including serving five years on the media committee of the NCAA Division II World Series.
Barnes, a native of Pensacola, Fla., attended Ole Miss in 1983-84, where his first journalism teacher was David Kellum. The duo has come a long way since that time.
He will bring a proven journalistic track record, along with a knack for finding the out-of-the-ordinary story angles to The Rebel Walk.
Barnes continues to reside in Pensacola a mere ten minutes from the beach because he does have taste and a brain.
