Friday, June 10, 2011

How to Be a Tourist with Your Dog Series: "Music City" Nashville, Tennessee

When looking for interesting road trips from Chicago, I've always been a bit interested in Nashville, but we've never quite made the trip. So I was so excited when Nashville-native Lindsay submitted this "Tourist with your Dog" post giving us the local insider's view about all the things to do with a dog in Nashville: "Music City". From outdoor movies screenings and concerts by a replica of the Parthenon, to city trails and greenways, to a tip on getting a dog-friendly snow cone the city is quite pooch-friendly.
Our tour guides include Lindsay's two forever dogs Colt, ( East CAN rescue) and Daisy ( Camp Chaos 37206 rescue)  and two foster dogs: Emma and Ellie (Labor of Love Animal Welfare Project). Daisy is a bit camera shy, but Emma, Ellie and Colt were all very willing to model and show off their hometown. Here is one photo of the elusive Daisy:
Nashville, like most cities, has several parks specifically for dogs but is also home to Centennial Park which houses a replica of the Parthenon. Nashville is called the "Athens of the South" because of the large number of universities we have here and so for the Centennial Exposition, they built a replica of the Greek monument. Here is Emma in front of the Parthenon.
Fun fact: Nashville's Parthenon took longer to build than the original. 
Centennial Park is home to loads of concerts, movie screenings, and festivals, all of which are dog-friendly. They host an Earth Day festival, lots of cultural and arts/crafts fairs and on Wednesday nights during the summer you can bring your pooch to an outdoor movie screening.  There's even a sno-cone vendor who will make you an ice-only sno-cone so Fido doesn't get overheated! 
East Nashville and Nashville in general is full of walking/biking/skating trails and greenways that are also dog friendly. Colt is a pit/lab mix which means he is all full of energy. Running and walking do not tire him out, so C has to take him rollerblading. Colt loves rollerblading, and here he is showing off his skills. There are even places to do this near the Titans stadium which is right across the river from downtown. Usually C will take Colt roller blading around the stadium and I will take one of the other dogs for a walk around the stadium.
While C and Colt were roller blading around the stadium, I walked with Emma. We stopped to take this picture of Emma looking across the river to downtown. To the left of the picture is a pedestrian bridge which crosses the river into Lower Broadway which is full of honky tonks, bars, and restaurants. Also, nearby is the Bridgestone Arena, home to the Nashville Predators. 
In April, Nashville hosts the Country Music Marathon which starts at Centennial Park. There is also a half-marathon which C and I ran in 2010. In addition to its fair share of hills, the race course features bands every couple of miles to showcase Nashville's music scene and provide motivation for the runners. The course isn't dog friendly, however, dogs are allowed to cheer runners on. Here is Ellie cheering on the marathon runners near mile 18--don't they look good for mile 18?
One of the best things about having a dog in Nashville, is that the city recently passed an ordinance allowing you to bring your pet to restaurants with outside seating.   Here is Colt enjoying a Saturday afternoon at the East Nashville bar, 3 Crow. Most restaurants in East Nashville are very dog friendly and will bring out a pail of ice water for your pooch! 
If you are in the mood for something and your pooch isn't allowed, there are several choices for doggie daycare or boarding. Our favorite is the Belmont. The Belmont has a webcam feature for your computer or phone and I really appreciate being able to check in on the pooches when I am away from town or just check in on them during my work day and see them frolicking (or napping) in the pool or with their doggie friends.
We love hearing everyone's insider tips, seeing your pooches, and learning dog-friendly travel options. If you would like to share advice for traveling with pooches in your hometown, please click here for the complete information. And if you missed it the first time, make sure to check out Molly's adventures in Anchorage, Alaska.

72 comments:

Unknown said...

I want to visit Nashville as well! Now I want to take the Dynamic Duo too!

Froggy said...

I love Nashville! I ran the Country Music 1/2 marathon a couple of years ago and fell in love with the city. Now I know that I can take the pooches and have an even better time! Great post.

Maisie's Mom said...

as I said on FB, I really love this series. it's so fun to see how dogs live in non-Chicago settings! :)

http://maisieme.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

It is wonderful to see & hear about the dog friendly cities. Hoping to take a trip to Nashville :)

lindsay said...

Aww look at my babies! We love Nashville and if anyone is visiting and needs tips we'd love to help out.

Jenna said...

I love Nashville and I love Colt and Daisy! Great blog!

Kate said...

How fun! I've never been to Nashville but I had no idea how dog friendly it was.

The Daily Pip said...

I have always been interested in Nashville, too. After reading this post, now I really want to visit!

Corbin said...

I've always wanted to go to Nashville! Now I want to go even more :o) and with Corbin!
-Corbin's mom, Jenn

Rescued Pittie Family said...

Oh my God if y'all visit Nashville you have to let us know! I know Elizabeth Chauncey (East CANS) and Sherri Minnuno (Camp Chaos) - both amazing people who do so much for our town.

Please bring Mr. B and Ms. A to our town! We would soooooo love to meet them!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun place Nashville is! That doggie daycare sure did look swanky. And I liked learning about the Parthenon park place. Can you go in that building?

Thanks for telling us all about your town!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Two French Bulldogs said...

Dog friendly places are good but could be stressful too cause people's don't like keeping them on a leash. Nashville sounds like a great place to visit
Benny & Lily

Kristine said...

When I think of Nashville, I think of country music and not much else. It's cool to see how much other things they have going on.

I really need to put mine together ASAP to send you. There isn't much in Halifax we haven't seen with our dog!

elizabeth chauncey said...

Nice job, Lindsay. I live here with 5 dogs and don't do the things you talk about. Where have I been? Roller blading...snow cones...? Good thing my dogs can't read. :) I guess I'll be getting the pack out this weekend. Thanks, this is wonderful!

Sherri said...

thanks for showing off Miss Daisy! We are so thankful you adopted her, & she's so thankful you got her a brother & foster sisters! Hugs!

Two Pitties in the City said...

I think Nashville's Board of Tourism needs to start giving you a cut for all the dog-people you're going to be bringing into the city.

Kim @ Yellow Brick Home said...

I loved this post! Scott and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary in Nashville:

http://www.yellowbrickhome.com/2009/11/23/nashville-yall/

We loved it there so so much, and we often talk about moving there someday. Our dreams include: being able to afford a single family home, a yard for Jack, and the space to potentially take on foster pups. Oh! And a whole room to call my own studio, whereas Scott wants a garage for all our projects.

Aah, we love Nashville, and we can totally see ourselves living there. Someday!

lindsay said...

KIm-I love your nashville post/ So many awesome pictures!
Elizabeth-I saw at least one East CAN dog representing at Symphony at East Park last night!

Two Grad Students and a Pittie said...

Wow! This was so fun, I dont know if they have a blog, so I felt like I was learning about the pups and Nashville all at once. Sounds like such a pup friendly place, maybe we'll put it on the list!

www.twogradstudentsandapittie.blogspot.com

houndstooth said...

I've always loved Nashville, but now it seems even more appealing! It definitely sounds very dog-friendly!

parlance said...

That Belmont is amazing.

Nashville sounds like a great place to visit with a dog. If only I had the money to fly Penny from Australia, and the time to wait while she sat for months in quarantine, I'd be there like a shot!

Anakin Man said...

Thank you for the visit on our blog in regards to our sissy
Josie--
Your words were comforting,
IzZY, TriXie and Anakin Man

Anonymous said...

What a great place to visit! They did such a good job showcasing how peeps and pups can enjoy themselves there! I wanna go! Can we Mom? Can we can we huh?!!! Maybe some day she says. Harumph.

Waggin at ya,
Roo

PeeS: Mom apologizes. She's fallen behind on putting together the tourist info for yaz. It will likely take her a couple more weeks or so. She says it's really hot during the summertime here. That's why a lot of folks from up north leave by the middle of May. But we'll give you the scoop in case you like it hot ;) or if you want to escape the cold of Chi-town in the winter :D

Kari in Alaska said...

Looks like it would be a fun place to visit!

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Lil' Louise said...

Nash-Vegas isn't just for country music fans! So much to do here...especially with Fido. Great article, Lindsay! When the Shortster gets over his knee surgeries, he'll have to have a play-date with Colt.

Jenny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenny said...

Yay Nashville!! I recently moved away from Nashville but loved living there and enjoying the many wonderful parts of the city with my dog Dozer and many foster pups. I went back to run the marathon in April, and I actually got to see Lindsay and Ellie cheering me on - it was a big treat at mile 18! And while the marathon course isn't dog friendly, the Nashville Ultra Marathon did allow Dozer to run with me for the whole race. I miss Nashville! Great post.

Road Dog Tales said...

This is great! When Dad writes that hit song and we have to go to Nashville, we'll know what to do and where to do it!
Oops - missed Alaska, will have to check it out! DAD would LOVE Alaska! He lived there as a child - BEFORE it was a state! BOL

The Road Dogs

raylin said...

i LOVE this!!! thank you so much for showing so many things to do in our precious town with our precious pooches!!!!

Anonymous said...

My granddogs are looking good in Nashville

Sarah B. said...

Great post! Give the babies scratches from me!!

Chris M said...

Nashville really is a great place to spend time with your dogs!

Stash said...

i love nashville, great place to take the dogs out...

Tara Sue said...

Oh my goodness I love the doggie pool picture. Too awesome!

Tara Sue said...

And BTWs those are some very photogenic doggies!

... said...

Yea Dogs, boo Cats!!!

Winnstan said...

I live in Nashville and Oskar and Red love all the dog parks. I take them with me whenever I can, and Five Points has a lot of outdoor dining available.

larry said...

I dunno. Those dogs look spoiled. What's wrong with giving them a stick and letting them at it? Nashville looks like fun!

larry said...

I dunno. Those dogs look spoiled. What's wrong with giving them a stick and letting them at it? Nashville looks like fun!

NewToNashville said...

Love this post! My dog Margot and I love NashVegas!

Anonymous said...

What a great picture! And not to mention Nashville has a lot of great dog parks too!

Laura said...

I love living in Nashville with my pittie mix rescue, Oscar! There's always something fun to do.

TravelingDixie.com said...

Nashville is fastly becoming a pet friendly and more importantly PIT friendly town!

joybear said...

Enjoyed the tour with the doggies!!

AmandaH13 said...

I love Nashville and it's Pet friendly attractions. Your blog is awesome and hopefully will open other's eyes to the wonderful opportunities for pets in our state's captial.

rippdaniell said...

Great blog. Nashville is awesome! Good job guys.

dmihalcik said...

I love dogs- this is a great blog. hope it wins !!

savour nashville said...

Moved to Nashville from Chicago in 2005. When we arrrived here we had one rescued dog Sammie (8 yrs) and one rescue kitty Abbey (2yrs). Six years of living in East Nashville we now have 4 different rescue pups ranging in age from 6 to 2 and the same kitty. Love Nashville more than we could have imagined. You must visit us soon!

Sherri said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mikes Best Pet Deals said...

stop in the Dog Spot for a pup-play-day if you need some no-dog time during the day. we'd love to entertain them for you! www.thedogspot.com.

Denice said...

I couldn't survive with five dogs if Nashville weren't so pet friendly. It is amazing how many multiple dog households there are here.

Jenna Krabacher said...

Yay! Lindsay and Chris's family! Love them!!

dmihalcik said...

Great place to visit with or without your dogs.

*~Dani~* said...

I am obsessed with checking out other daycare/boarding places. I also love the ones that have webcams. I love that the one you featured had an indoor pool. Our dogs would love that. The place by us takes photos of the dogs as well and posts them on Flickr.

LauraLove said...

Great blog, and a wonderful showcase for pet-friendly options in Nashville!

TheTravelAngel said...

If ever a get the chance to visit Nashville, think I'd be getting the help of travel guide.


___________________
Jane
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
travel jobs | travel job

Eden said...

i'm in nashville! i can't wait to take my dog to all these places :) we knew about a few but many we didn't - thanks for this series!

Eartha Kitsch said...

Oh yes, I live in Nashville and Nashville is definitely a dog town! :)

Lauren A. Miller said...

My pitbull Kona and I just went to Centennial Park today. It was so beautiful outside with tons of people and dog watching to do.

Rachel said...

Nashville is a great place for pets. Love to take my dog on the greenway for long walks.

Unknown said...

I wanted to post a comment for Charlotte's road to recovery :)

TipsyTexan said...

Hey Lindsay
Does Colt pull Chris completely or does it require some effort on Chris's behalf? If not, Colt could be a VERY green method of transportation. Keep up the good parenting.

K's Mama said...

Would love to visit Tennessee!!!

sarah.case said...

such great suggestions!

B.A. Abacus said...

Sounds like a great road trip to me!

Kristy said...

Looks excellent, I would love to visit Nashville!

Alicia Aarnio said...

Man, I miss Nashville so much! We lived there 5 years, and loved walking our dog in Edwin Warner Park. I didn't know pooches were allowed at restaurants with outdoor seating! Not that Gracie can behave anywhere near food, but it's good to know anyway ;)

Melody said...

I love how dog-friendly Nashville is. We take our dog just about everywhere with us, and he's rarely left out when we go somewhere. It's nice to sit and have a cold beer where he's able to sit under our table with a cold bowl of water!

GCox said...

very interesting blog and shows Nashville with your pups in a very positive way.

tmnashville said...

I haven't been to the Parthenon in years. It looked like the dogs had a great time touring the city.

trustyrusty said...

My pitties would eat the city. they are a very stylish couple though. They would eat the city wearing lovely evening collars and matching harnesses in satin with rhinestones.

Riches of His Glory said...

Thanks for this blog. We are visiting in July and found a dog friendly hotel. Our dog is a 5 lb very shy and quiet (yea she is special) Chihuahua. She is afraid of most everything and hides so we have to bring her. She could stay in a pocketbook curled up and be happy (forget the walking- she is gonna want to be carried. Where if any places are we gonna be allowed to bring her?

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