Where to Find Nashville Souvenirs That Aren’t Lame
'Tis the season for summer travel and souvenir shopping. For those in search of Nashville souvenirs, or simply stores that specialize in Nashville-made products, here's where to find ones worth giving (or getting!).
When visitingΒ Nashville, all out-of-towners flock to Lower Broad. Itβs inevitable. And while locals may not get it (thereβs so much more to this city than downtown, right?), like it or not, the neon lights, honky tonks and, yes, tacky souvenirs are all part of the βNashvilleβ experience. But lest we give guitar-shaped salt and pepper shakers and bedazzled Nashville t-shirts one more minute in the spotlight, itβs time that we start spreading the gospel ofΒ where to findΒ Nashville souvenirs thatΒ arenβt lame.Β So whether youβre buying a Nashville-esque gift for a friend or just doing your part by steering a poor, lost touristΒ in the right direction for memento shopping, hereβs where to shop for tasteful Nashville souvenirs as well as a few examples of what youβll find at each. Giddyup!
Hatch Show Print
224 Fifth Ave. S., Nashville β’Β 615-577-7710
Youβd be hard-pressed to find another place that is so quintessential Nashville when it comes to look, feel and products made. One of the oldest letter press businesses in the United States, Hatch is housed just outside the entrance to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and is a great place to pick up fun prints for around theΒ house, select gifts for fans of the city and even spend a little time learning about the craft of letter press printing. Plenty of pre-printed posters are perfectΒ for framing, or choose from postcards, t-shirts, glassware, hats, bumper stickers and so much more!
Five and TENN
250 Fifth Ave. S., Nashville β’Β (615) 761-3532
Circa
222 FifthΒ Ave. S.,Β NashvilleΒ β’Β (615) 416-2001
Located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Circa is a fairly large gift shop that has everything from Christmas ornaments to Stetson hats. And while there are indeed some stereotypical souvenirs available (shot glass, anyone?), there are some equally intriguing items that youβd be proud to pick up. Example: Coopβs Nashville-style Hot Chicken Paste captures the hot chicken trend in a jar. DIY hot chicken? Yes, please!
Nashville Music City Visitors Center
501 Broadway β’Β (615) 259-4747
Since youβre in the area, swing by the Nashville Visitors Center located in the cylindrical glass space attached to the Bridgestone Arena. A smaller retail outlet, itβs no less βNashvilleβ than some of the bigger souvenir destinations weβve covered. Youβll find an array of items, all locally made, includingΒ M.Florita jewelry, Music City Suds soaps with fun, kitschy names like βA Bar Named Sue,β ice-cold drinks for the super-humid summer days as well as tees, hats and the like.
Batch Nashville
900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. β’ (844) BATCH-01
Housed in the ever-popular Nashville Farmers Market, Batch Nashville is a clearinghouse for all-things-Nashville. Whether youβre in search of something locally made or want something that shows your Nashville pride, Batch is the place to go. Food, jewelry, canvas bags,Β field guides and even baby items are all available. ItβsΒ a local love fest!
Opry Originals
300 Broadway β’ (615) 259-9777
On the corner of Third Avenue and Broadway sits Opry Originals, a retail location for all-things-Grand Ole Opry. T-shirts, mugs, music, books, you name it, itβs all there. Itβs definitely got a commercial feel, but there are still great buys to be had. And, well, since youβre in the neighborhood, itβs silly not to stop in!
Anderson Design Group Studio Store
116 29th Ave. N. β’Β (615) 327-9894
Weβd be remiss if we left out Anderson Design Groupβs Spirit of Nashville collection. Much like Hatch Show Print, ADGβs Spirit of Nashville designs are easy to spot and definitively Nashville. Plenty of ready-to-frame prints are available, and if you check out the Music City Makerβs Market, youβll find even more Nashville-made, Nashville-centric wares to snatch up β¦ food, aprons, books, calendars, magnets, all with that certain Nashville touch.
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Ashley Haugen
Ashley is a StyleBlueprint contributor who was born and raised in the South. She loves hiking, travel, photography, and spending time with family and friends.