Exploring Nashville: A Guide for the Handicapable Traveler

Nashville has always been on our travel bucket list, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! This vibrant city has a lot to offer, and I’m excited to share my experience so you can “know before you go.”

First Impressions: Clean, Safe, and Welcoming

One of the first things we noticed about Nashville was how clean and secure it felt. Seriously, this is one of the cleanest cities we’ve ever visited! We felt comfortable walking around, even at night. Sure, like any city, it has its occasional bad apples, but you’d have to look pretty hard to find them.

Nashville’s Neon Lights, Music, and Food Galore

If you love neon lights, live music, and amazing food, Nashville should absolutely be on your top 10 list. And here’s a bonus: for a tourist town, the food isn’t just mouthwateringly delicious, it’s also surprisingly affordable.

Our first night, we strolled down Broadway to soak in the sights and sounds. That’s where we found a little gem called “The Tin Roof Broadway,” and guess what? It was Sunday, and they had $1 wings. Yes, you read that right—$1 wings! Naturally, I had to indulge. You can check out their website here! This is one “Honky Tonk Bars” you are going to want to check out. 

Accessibility in Nashville

As a below-the-knee (BTK) amputee, I’m always mindful of how accessible a city is. Nashville impressed me. The sidewalks are even, there are plenty of well-lit crosswalks, and I didn’t see many stores with awkward steps to navigate. There were stores and even bars with additional floors of activities of course and most of them had elevators making them accessable to everyone. This city loves their “rooftop bars” and they make sure everyone can enjoy them! That said, the city does have some steep grades, so plan accordingly.

If you’re using a mobility scooter, make sure it’s fully charged and ready to tackle the hills. Personally, I used my cane and took breaks when I needed to. Rest spots are easy to find, and the city’s general layout is pretty handicap-friendly.

Music City Highlights

Being in Nashville, you can’t miss the music scene. This is Music City, after all! Many country music stars have bars here, and we stopped by a few, including Lainey Wilson’s, Luke Combs’, Luke Bryans’, Eric Churchs’, Blake Shelton’s, Ole Red and Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low Places. (The list goes on and on, but you get the idea!) You don’t have to order a drink to enjoy the vibe—we loved just soaking up the decor and live performances.

Speaking of live music, almost every bar has performers from open to close. It’s incredible to see so many talented people pouring their hearts out, hoping for their big break. Even our hotel had live music in both of its restaurants from morning till night.

Must-See Attractions

We packed a lot into our quick trip! Here are a few highlights:

• The Grand Ole Opry: We took a behind-the-scenes tour, and it was fascinating.

• The Country Music Hall of Fame: A must-visit for any music fan.

• The Parthenon: A full-scale replica of the original in Greece, right in the middle of a Nashville park.

• Foodie Stops: Martin’s BBQ and the legendary “Peg Leg Porker” were both delicious and worth the visit.

Final Thoughts

Our time in Nashville was short, but it was packed with memorable experiences. There’s so much more to share, so I’ll be breaking it down into a few more posts. Stay tuned for more stories and tips from this incredible city!