Weekend events for Nashville residents avoiding CMA Fest
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Country music is one of the great constants in Nashville, but that doesn't mean there isn't more to enjoy.
Why it matters: Sometimes longtime residents need a break from the boot scooting.
State of play: While CMA Fest is certainly the biggest event of the weekend, there are plenty of other fun things to do. If you'd prefer twang-free activities, we're here to help.
🌱 Cheekwood's community celebration: The botanical garden is offering discounted admission for nonmembers this weekend. The event runs through Saturday and includes food trucks, family-friendly activities, $5 gardening classes and concerts.
- A gardenside screening of "The Princess Bride" is planned Friday night.
🎟️ Movie mania: The Belcourt Theatre is in the midst of a series celebrating films shot in and around Nashville.
- A special Saturday seminar will delve into the city's role in "Hick Flick" culture through films like "Ernest Scared Stupid," which was filmed in East Nashville.
🏛️ Play tourist: The Parthenon is hosting an architectural tour on Saturday that uses our replica, which was built in the 1890s, to examine the features of the historic Greek structure that was constructed thousands of years ago.
🍩 Eat sweets: A citywide bakery crawl is underway all month. Several local bakeries are participating with limited-time specials like a chocolate chip pistachio cookie at Baked on Eighth, orange creamsicle donuts at East Park Donuts and lemon thyme shortbread danishes at Brightside Bakeshop.
- Plus: The annual LGBTQ+ Pride coffee crawl begins later this month. But some shops have already rolled out special drinks, like The Slayer at Fido, a shaken espresso latte with cayenne and honey.
🍸 Revisit a classic: The Patterson House is already shaking things up at its new location. One fresh addition to the new limited-time menu is the cheesecake cocktail, which includes rum and mascarpone, giving depth and creaminess, with lime for balance and spice-forward syrup.