Take Nashville by the Horns with 7 Locals’ Secrets

Nashville has a lot going for it and its future looks bright — and so does yours, now that you’ve made Nashville your home. The capital city offers a mix of housing options, excellent health care, and an electrifying vibe. Plus, Nashville is adding jobs faster than its population is growing, which is good news if you’re looking for work. On top of all these perks, you’ll never run out of things to see and do in Music City. Take a break from unpacking and get familiar with your new city. The resources in this guide will have you navigating Nashville like a local in no time

1. Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)

Leave your car parked at home and use the MTA to get acquainted with Nashville. Start with the Music City Circuit, a free route that takes you to many of the city’s downtown attractions and destinations. The Country Music Hall of Fame, First Tennessee Park, and Bicentennial Mall can all be reached via the Music City Circuit. So can Nashville’s famed Gulch District, where you’ll find an assortment of eclectic bars and eateries. Photo by Céline/Flickr

2. Nashville Scene

Learning about Nashville’s news, opinions, and happenings will go a long way toward helping you feel like you belong in Music City.A great resource for this kind of local information is the. In addition to scouring the site’s homepage, check out its collection of blogs about local and national news, arts and culture, food, and music. You’ll discover a range of interesting topics and a wealth of reader opinions, which can give you a feel for what Nashvillians are passionate about. Then, peruse the site’s calendar of events, which lists everything from fitness classes and children’s programs to volunteer opportunities and movie times. Photo by Prayitno/Flickr

3. Nashville Downtown Partnership

Hip, fun, and decidedly cultured, downtown Nashville is a destination to be explored sooner rather than later. Whether you want to shop or hit happy hour, the interactive maps make it easy to find what you’re looking for and the comprehensive calendar of happenings offers something to pique everyone’s interest — from sporting events to educational workshops. Photo by Prayitno/Flickr

4. Nashville Live Music Guide App

It’s no secret Nashville is proud of its world-renowned music scene. Listen to an array of Nashville talent by downloading the Live Music Guide App. Sponsored by the city’s Convention and Visitors Corporation, the free app offers a variety of tunes and a detailed live music calendar. It also allows you to search and browse more than 150 clubs in the Nashville region — and with the app’s “Look Around” feature you can use your phone’s camera to see what live music events are going on around you. Photo by Prayitno/Flickr

5. Nashville Public Library

You’ll find books, movies, and music, plus a whole lot more, at the Nashville Public Library. Check the library calendar to discover something for every member of your family at one of the library’s 15 Nashville branches. From Lego building contests to yoga classes, the library’s rich assortment of free events is impressive.

6. ClassifiedAds.com

If you want to buy, sell, or trade, ClassifiedAds.com has you covered. The site is also an excellent place to find volunteer opportunities, carpools, yard sales, and free stuff. There is no limit to the number of ads you can post and doing so won’t cost you a penny. Better yet, because ClassifiedAds.com is available at the local, state, and national level, you’ll have a good chance of finding what you need and getting rid of the things you don’t. Photo by Alaina McDavid/Flickr

7. NASH 103.3 FM

Every weekday morning, thousands of your Nashville neighbors tune in to NASH 103.3 for America’s Morning Show. Hosted by the dynamic trio of Blair, Kelly, and Chuck, the show features exciting interviews, one-of-a-kind in-studio performances, and plenty of banter. Its legendary Fake-A-Song Friday feature will kick-start your morning and have you in stitches all the way to the office. Nashville is one of the largest cities in the South, but don’t let that intimidate you. Keep these resources handy and start taking advantage of everything Music City has to offer. If you come across more must-have resources, feel free to share them with us below.