Welcome to Tough Mudder Nashville 2017, aka Tough Mudder Honky Tonks And Hot Chicken, aka Tough Mudder Country Music On Every Corner, aka Tough Mudder Tennessee Mud So Deep You’ll Lose Your Feet. Nashville’s also home to our newest event, Tough Mudder 5K. You ready?
Don’t though. Lose your feet that is. You’ll need em’ after all for when you’re pounding over obstacles and slogging through all that Tennessee mud and tough at Neal Farms. Whether you’re loading up for a shot at Tough Mudder or Tough Mudder Half (or the Next. Big. Thing. Tough Mudder 5k, premiering this season right in the heart of Nashville), you’ll need every ounce of energy you can muster before you take it to the course.
To help you prep for your jaunt to the Music City, we’ve put together a helpful guide on some of the best places to eat, stay, and adventure, good for whether you’re looking for something to keep you loose before race day, or basking in the afterglow of another event well run.
The mud is deep and the chicken is hot, hot, hot. Of course, you can get the milder version – of the chicken, that is – if you don’t come equipped with an iron stomach, but we know most Mudders don’t do things halfway – it’s all the way, or no way. It’s the hottest chicken known to man, or it’s a trip to the corner store for a cold bottle of milk. All. Or nothing.
If you’re thinking All for your trip to Nashville, try a quick trip to the original, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Prince’s has been churning out Nashville’s signature hot chicken since the 1930’s. Get medium if you want just a taste of the heat. Get the extra hot if you’re ok with spending the rest of the day curled up in a ball in the corner lapping gently at that milk, preferably served in a bowl because even lifting your head hurts your tastebuds.
Hattie B’s is the go-to for out-of-towners. Not that it’s solely a tourist spot, but they do a much better job of keeping the long line out front moving and the spice isn’t quite the same knock-you-to-the-floor kind of hot as Prince’s.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Nashville trip without some BBQ. Go whole-hog at the whole-hog gem, Martin’s, or do, well, the same at Jack’s. Like the names, these joints keep their bar-b-que deliciously simple. Emphasis on delicious.
For a couple of healthier options, try The Wild Cow for a laid-back atmosphere and some vegetarian and vegan options, or Coco Greens, where you can get a fresh-pressed juice or smoothie and then a full-body massage.
Bonus: For the best burger you’ve ever hard, head to Pharmacy Burger. It’s simple. Delicious. Nashville to the core.
Where to stay, where to stay. Being a Mudder means making the most of everyday, and, more specifically, every single experience. If a Mudder’s got to run to the store, guess what? They’re going to do it in a way only a Mudder can. Planning to catch some Z’s before or after a romp in the mud at Tough Mudder Nashville? Same idea.
When it comes to picking a place to stay on your trip to Nashville, the choices really boil down to location, location, location.
If you’re looking to be close to course, all without breaking the bank, or traveling too far from the event, check out The Hyatt Place Downtown.
A little closer into the heart of the city, but still outside all of the lights and sounds, the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center offers a wide variety of amenities including golf, a trio of outdoor pools, and plenty of activities to keep Mudders, young and old alike, occupied. Plus, you’ll be just 10 short minutes from the airport.
But if you’ve got to, just got to, be where the action is, downtown Nashville offers plenty of options. Hotel Indigo Nashville is located in Printer’s Alley, and has live music (a general theme in the Music City) 7 nights a week. And The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown will have you within walking distance of Broadway, Bridgestone Arena, and the very heart of Nashville.
If you’re looking for lodging for Tough Mudder 5k, click here for great options.
Nashville is about as “destination” as destinations get. It’s a destination’s destination if you will. There’s more unique experiences to be had here than there are muddy memories to be found out on the course (Ok, ok. That’s not true. But it’s close. Or at least closer than you’d think. And technically, anything you do during a Tough Mudder weekend is a muddy memory. So – there.).
Speaking of muddy memories, Nashville is home to our newest event: Tough Mudder 5K. We’re bringing Tough straight to your front door — Nissan Stadium’s front door, that is. It’s the best of Tough, packed into 5 short K’s.
And speaking of small, let’s talk about big – The Country Music Hall of Fame is a must for any trip to The Music City. The massive monument to country isn’t just about the twang though – you’ll find out about all kinds of music history.
The Ryman Auditorium and The Grand Ole Opry play home to live shows from some of the bigger acts that come to pay homage to Nashville. You’ll find plenty more musical history hiding in the hidden spaces of these two venerable venues.
The Parthenon, built in 1897, is a full-scale replica of its Athenian forebear. Today, it’s an art museum and the crown jewel of Centennial Park. And Centennial Park, located just across the street from the Vanderbilt University campus, is 132 acres of green grass and fun. You can even catch a rendition of “Shakespeare in the Park” if you come on the right weekend.
And if all else fails (and really, even if it doesn’t) make sure you put aside a night to go walking on Broadway, aka Honky Tonk Highway. The honky tonks will be bustlin’, the party will be in full swing, and you won’t be able to tell for sure whether you’re in Vegas or Nashville. Gear up for logging plenty of miles with Merrell’s new 2017 collection.