My new favorite pastime is telling everyone I’m planning a little trip to Nashville – long pause – Indiana! At first they think I’m going to spend the night going from bar to bar listening to music and drinking shots in Tennessee’s coolest city. Then I mention the word “Indiana” and their faces go blank.
Then I start selling the Gatlinburg-like charm of my new family vacation spot. The handmade shops, the old-fashioned photos, the chalets with hot tubs, the 1 p.m. wine tastings. Not to mention the sprawling beauty of Brown County State Park just outside of town. Oh, and it’s only about a two-hour drive from Cincinnati. Take Thegatlinburg!
One day people will start listening to me and this place will become too popular and crowded. When that day comes, I will have to find another, more remote place for my vacation. Come to think of it, maybe I shouldn’t be writing this story at all.
Well, damn it, we’ve passed the point of no return.
Here are 10 things you should know about Nashville, Indiana before you plan your first trip.
1. The small local shops are the big attraction
For me, no trip to Nashville is complete without buying more handmade soaps than I’ll ever need and way too much wine (which will run out in a week) from the few wineries scattered around town. But there are bookstores, beef jerky shops, candy stores – and you can find practically anything you can imagine, handmade from leather.
2. The city closes before the sun goes down
If you’ve ever been to Yellow Springs, you know it’s similar. Get your shopping done early; most stores close around 5 p.m. or whenever the small-town operators decide to call it a day. Restaurants stay open later, but make reservations because everyone else will flock there when the town turns into a pumpkin, too. We love Brozinni Pizzeria and Big Woods Pizza because we love pizza.
3. Hard Truth Hills is a must
Hard Truth Hills offers a bourbon tasting building and a full-fledged restaurant. I’d even dare call it a food and drink campus. I’ve never had a bad meal here and their mixed drinks feature their own liquors, which is always a fun change of pace. The outdoor area is a giant raised hill with a sunken stage for live music that makes you feel like you’re at Red Rocks. It’s the hidden “sacred cow” area that every Nashville newbie needs to see for themselves. Oh, and the bourbon is seriously top-notch… and the toasted coconut rum and the cinnamon vodka and the maple bourbon cream. I don’t know what makes expensive bourbon expensive, but damn, some of them are SPICY! Try them all.
4. Take a short day trip to Cedar Creek Winery
Cedar Creek Winery has a tiny tasting room in the heart of town, but you won’t regret the 30-minute drive down the country road to Cedar Creek’s main operation in Martinsville. There are separate areas for wine, beer and spirits, so pick your poison and don’t skip the food here. The giant pretzel charcuterie platter was a real showstopper, and there was something crispy and magical about the chicken wings.
Try getting lost on the way there or back. You’ll probably stumble upon a cute lake town or a new hidden gem. And if you head a little further north, you’ll be in Indianapolis in no time.
5. Find out about your accommodation options
You can ditch the car for the weekend and stay in one of the quaint older buildings downtown, like the Artists Colony Inn (breakfast included!) or the Cornerstone Inn if you want to avoid the hassle of driving and parking. But our new favorite thing is finding a cabin just outside of town where we can stretch our legs a bit more. You can find very affordable options with pool tables, hot tubs, and stunning hilltop views that are sure to give you that Gatlinburg feel you’re craving. Check out Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals’ website at browncountylogcabins.com. Or, you know, you can try Airbnb.
6. Bring good hiking shoes
Even though it’s a tiny town, you’ll be walking around a lot. And standing around in stores a lot. And turning around to pick up what you didn’t plan to buy before. So wear comfortable shoes. You can save yourself some steps by hopping on the Nashville Express, which takes you on a 2.5-mile, 25-minute tour of the main sites. It costs $8 per person (free for children under 5) and includes a free history lesson.
7. You have to buy a hat
Visit the hat shop Head Over Heels. Or pick up a hat at one of the leather shops. But you have to buy a hat. Go before the wine tasting, not after. Otherwise you’ll go home with a $150 Stetson you bought on impulse. Either way, you’ll like the way you look. (I can’t guarantee that.)
8. The crowds come for the fall colors
The entrance to Brown County State Park is just outside of the city, so it’s no surprise that Nashville’s peak season coincides with peak fall foliage season. But that doesn’t mean the park is any less gorgeous during other months of the year, so if you want to avoid the bigger crowds (and higher lodging costs), you might want to plan a little later. Or, heck, just get caught up in the hustle and bustle of peak season.
9. Buy a book, you will never forget where you bought it
My wife’s new favorite thing to do every time she shops is to buy a book and write on the first page where and when it was purchased. Fallen Leaf Books is tiny and full of character. They have these themed “employee recommendations” shelves and I got to know the employee who has the exact same taste in books as me. We had a good conversation. I left the store with three sci-fi books. Naughty Dog Books is larger and has a newly opened chill area where you can rest your feet and enjoy the sound of squeaky floors. They also have an old vault full of crime books. That’s where you’ll find my wife.
10. Explore the nooks and crannies
Every time we come back to Nashville, we discover a store we didn’t even know was there. Across from an olive oil and vinegar store, there’s a store that sells socks with specific designs on them—there’s even a store called Male Instinct that sells, well, stuff aimed at men. And a head shop. And a store where you can buy crystals and tarot cards. And a basement sandwich shop decorated floor to ceiling with Bobby Knight memorabilia.
And did I mention all the wineries? I think so. Yes, visit them all. You’ll probably miss one and have to come back next year to do all the loops. Bummer.
Do you know any other hidden gems in Nashville that I should check out next time? Email me your hot tips at [email protected].
