Just Askin': What tourist traps should be avoided in Nashville

Editor's note: You got questions? We got answers. Just Askin' is a Tennessean initiative that answers your burning questions about Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Created by our nosy newsroom of Nashville reporters.

There's no doubt Nashville is booming with tourism.

Last year, hotels sold 9.5 million room nights, according to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. An estimated 14.4 million people visited the city, bringing in $8.8 billion. Those figures are only going to increase as more hotels come online and Music City continues to attract high capacity events.

But as Nashville residents, we know not every tourist attraction is worth the hype. So come closer, dear reader, and learn from us.

Question: What tourist traps should be avoided in Nashville?

Answer: Anything designed with tourism in mind is going to be busy. Long waits, full parking lots, that's just a part of Nashville. But here are four attractions worth avoiding all together.

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Angel wing mural

We know you've seen it on Instagram and TikTok. The 20-foot angel wings pop in white paint against a black backdrop on the side of a building on 11th Avenue South.

The mural was created by artist Kelsey Montague as part of the What Lifts You Up series. The goal is for visitors to snap a picture to post on social media with messages about what inspires them.

But on a perfect day, when the weather is cooperating, what you don't see in the photos just out of frame is the long, long line of people waiting for their turn at the wings. In the summer heat, that wait can be brutal.

There are dozens of murals — the "I believe in Nashville" artwork or East Nashville's Dolly Parton mural — across the city that simply are more Nashville. For the best Nashville shot, snap a pic from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge with the skyline behind you.

More: Meet the muralist painting your favorite artist outside Grimey's

Lower Broadway

If you're here strictly for the party atmosphere, Lower Broadway is the place to be. There's no shame in that.

It's just not this writer's vibe.

Personally, I think there are better places to get a drink or enjoy live music.

Lower Broadway, if you've never been, is raucous, crowded and honestly, pretty expensive. Parking is a nightmare and catching an Uber in and out of there will cost you a pretty penny.

If you want the downtown vibe with a locale that's a little more low key, check out Printer's Alley. The alley housed a thriving publishing industry before it became the city's nightclub scene in the 1940s.

For music, hit up literally any other venue. We are in Music City after all, and there's bound to be a show going on that serve your tastes.

Transpotainment

It's a silly word, truly, but boy is it stuck in the mouths of Nashville residents. Transpotainment, better known as entertainment vehicles, includes party busses, wagons and pedal taverns.

They cost anywhere from $20 to $50 just for the pleasure of a seat and to be seen by people. You usually have to bring your own alcohol. For the taverns, you even have to put in the work of pedaling yourself around town.

But sometimes, you have to let your inner woo girl out. And I get that. Everyone needs a break now and then.

If your goal is to see the town, the trolly tours are probably a better deal. You've got flexibility for where you hop on and off and there's nothing that says you can't enjoy a beer during a lunch stop.

Opry Mills

When all other malls have failed, the Opry Mills will remain. At least that's what the insane crowds lead me to believe.

It's a dog-eat-dog world in that parking lot, and if you're going to brave it on the weekend, you better prepare to be ruthless.

Sometimes the mall welcomes traveling exhibits, which is neat. But it's not worth the hassle for casual shopping. There are plenty of boutiques and artisans in Nashville that are better worth your time and money.

The same goes for the restaurants. They're all big chain restaurants you can find anywhere.

Moral of the story: Find something local.

Staff reporter Kirsten Fiscus can be contacted at kfiscus@gannett.com or on Twitter @KDFiscus

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville tourist traps: These attractions should be avoided