Broadway Street is overrated in Nashville

Is Broadway Street overrated in Nashville?

After returning from my second visit to Nashville, I felt compelled share my thoughts on Broadway Street. This blog title may have given you a hint about my opinion of Broadway Street in Nashville.

Broadway Street is overrated 

To be clear, I’m referring to Lower Broadway (aka Broadway Historic District). Nashville’s touristy entertainment district. Nashville is home to the Nashville honky tonk.

Before I receive death threats from the bridesmaids, let me explain. I’m a middle-aged man (this is Cameron, not Nicole) who doesn’t care for country music, and I can’t remember the last time I stayed up past midnight.

Clearly, I’m not the target audience.

However, even if I was, I’d probably still find Broadway Street overrated.

Broadway Street is like the Las Vegas Strip

Broadway is similar to the Las Vegas Strip, or Bourbon Street. It’s fun to see the neon and watch a live performance or two, but it’s just too crowded and loud for my liking.

At night it seems like a never ending stream of tourists, partygoers and other revelers. 

Where are they all coming from?

I read a stat [here]It is estimated that downtown Nashville can host up to 230,000 people on weekends. I also found another stat. [here]This number is likely to be much higher (according to 2018 data).

Regardless, that’s an insane amount of people to visit such a small area!

I guess it also depends on how many people attend sporting events and concerts in Nashville during that weekend. I visited Nashville on a night that the Nashville Predators hosted a Stanley Cup Playoff game against the Vancouver Canucks. It was a busy evening.

However, my friend who lives in Nashville says Broadway is always packed because there’s always a big concert or event happening in downtown Nashville. 

Watch my Instagram reel at Bridgestone Arena Here is a link to the article. 

Lower Broadway (aka Lower Broadway) “Honkey Tonk Highway”It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

Broadway Street in Nashville, Tennessee is a tourist’s trap 

Drinks are too expensive. Bars overcharge and are overcrowded. It’s impossible to find a table or seats to watch a performance (unless you get there early and don’t leave your table).

Most bars have standing room only. The mega-bars, which have three or four floors plus a rooftop bar, are standing room only.

It’s crazy how many people are squeezed into these honky-tonk bars. The bars are packed. I’m talking shoulder-to-shoulder packed with people shouting and pushing you as they pass by.

I visited a few popular honky-tonks on Broadway during my visit to Nashville, but I just couldn’t get into it. Too many drunk tourists behaving stupidly.

It’s not you, Broadway, it’s me?

I get it. I sound like an old man who is yelling for kids to leave his lawn. But it’s just too chaotic and crowded to actually enjoy the music.

Did I mention I’m also claustrophobic and hate being surrounded by people? 

I’m sure there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who have visited Broadway and had the time of their lives. Particularly those screaming and dance on the party busses that cruise up and along the strip. 

Therefore, it’s quite possible that I’m the problem. It’s me.  

The rooftop bars of most bars on Broadway are packed with people. 

This guy was pretty good. He was singing Eminem’s Lose YourselfWith a country twist 

These party pedal bicycles are a common site on Broadway. As are the open air party buses that blast music down the strip. 

Broadway Street is a place for nightlife and partying.

A younger me would love it here. Current version not so much.

Why should you visit Broadway Street in Nashville?

Okay, here’s where I’m going to contradict myself.

Yes! I do think it’s worth visiting Broadway Street in Nashville. You should spend at least a couple of hour there. You must see it yourself.

It’s an interesting place and there’s a lot of things to do on Broadway Street. 

This place is for those who love country music. If you’re looking for cowboy boots and hats, this place is for you. And, if you’re looking for some tasty Nashville Barbeque, this place is for you.

Just temper your expectations. It’s going to be crowded, loud and overpriced. 

It’s built for tourism, and everything that comes with that. Good and bad. 

Visit the strip early in the evening to avoid the crowds. Bachelorette parties and night crowds can be overwhelming.

Unless, of course, that’s your thing. Fill your cowboy boots if that’s what you like!

The strip is a steady flow of people. 

Live music at Miranda Lambert Casa Rosa on Broadway Street. This bar was quieter when I visited it earlier in the evening. 

Many of the bars, restaurants and honky tonks along Broadway are owned by or affiliated with famous country musicians. 

Live performance at Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk owned by Garth Brooks.

Have you ever visited Broadway Street in Nashville Tennessee? 

What are your thoughts about Broadway Street? Do you think Broadway Street has been overrated? 

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