Avoid Central TN This Weekend Unless You’re Attending Any of These Events

We went to Nashville last weekend and had a good time, despite the traffic. But lately, you kind of HAVE to enjoy Nashville despite the traffic, even if the city DOES rank as the 131st most congested in the entire world.

To be honest, the traffic IS a bit of a deterrent, and I'm not there nearly as much as I used to be. But it would appear that I am in the minority.

Having said that, we dodged a SERIOUS bullet by not choosing this upcoming weekend for a visit. I cannot imagine dealing with whatever traffic situations the following events will likely cause.

Janet Jackson at Bridgestone Arena

Actually, by the time you read this, Ms. Jackson may have already left the building, the city, and the state; her concert is Thursday, May 4th. But it's worth inclusion because it sets up a weekend unlike any I've ever seen before in Music City.

Taylor Swift at Nissan Stadium

This may be the event that reinvents the terms "traffic jam" and "bottleneck" because the pop superstar is performing each night Friday, May 5th through Sunday, May 7th. Listen, I already don't like the parking situation in downtown Nashville; I can't imagine what it will be like for folks who aren't going to see her. I'm already afraid for them.

In anticipation of this potential traffic nightmare, the Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure has posted this detailed list of closures and advisories:

Trevor Noah at the Ryman Auditorium

The former Daily Show host will be at the historic venue on the same day--if not at the same time--as Taylor's Sunday night concert at Nissan. And although I've already expressed my thoughts about parking in downtown Nashville, I do know from experience that the garage across 4th Avenue North from the Ryman allows its guests to park there during special events. That should helps somewhat. Still, the traffic, right?

Graduations at Lipscomb, Belmont, and Tennessee State

Okay, so I'm going to guess that three universities holding graduations on the same day in Nashville isn't uncommon. With all the colleges and universities in and around Davidson County, it could be a lot more. The thing is, none other than Oprah Winfrey will be speaking at the Tennessee State graduation. I'm not going out on a limb when I suggest that that might attract those who are NOT there for the graduation itself.

The Craft Brewers Conference

And then you throw in a gigantic convention that begins Sunday, May 6th at Music City Center and, well, there's no telling what parking, driving, walking, and maintaining sanity will be like.

Oh, and I'm not even going to get INTO the hotel prices. Take a look at the cheapest rate for a downtown Nashville hotel room this weekend.

Nashville is obviously a blast, but it's best to plan ahead and know exactly what you want to do and where you're going. We've actually changed plans in the middle of excursions to central Tennessee, and that proved to be a mistake. But if you are planning ahead, plan WAY and go another weekend.