Nashville's Best Spots For Outdoor Dining And People Watching

We're starting off with a NashVegas must, as Tootsies is one of the most iconic bars on the strip. The honky-tonk consists of three floors with separate vibes, each fit with its own bar and live stage. The real gem of Tootsies, though, is its rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a drink under the night sky and spy everything going on in Nashville's biggest attraction.

Tootsies is open pretty much around the clock, from 9:30 in the morning to the early hour of 3 a.m., and live music is booked for almost the entirety of that time. With its position on the strip, you're able to see a lot of what is going on down below on Broadway from the rooftop, which could make for a pretty interesting view no matter what time you decide to patronize the bar.

In the earlier hours of the day you're likely to witness tourists exploring the city and getting into the southern spirit, but as the evening approaches and late-night sets in, the strip is alive with drunken celebrations. If you don't mind quick fare and bar food, Tootsies' rooftop bar is the perfect place to either casually observe the strip or join in on NashVegas' bustling nightlife scene.

Dolly Parton is an important figure in country culture and Nashville has many odes to her throughout the city. The Graduate Hotel has another, and it's in the form of a flamboyant, fully decked-out pink rooftop bar. White Limozeen consists of an indoor bar, outdoor lounge, and pool area that looks as if a Barbie Dreamhouse was conceived in the art deco era. The design is pure feminine energy and as bold and eclectic as Dolly herself. With vibes this immaculate, you'll be dreaming of the hot pink canopies long after you leave the Music City.

For travelers wanting to take a dip in White Limozeen's Governor's Pool, a reservation is necessary. Taking your evening from the bar to the pool is a great way to elevate your experience here, and late-night swims are also available. We can't think of a more appropriate way to do it right in Nashville than swimming under the night sky in an extravagant Dolly Parton-themed rooftop bar.

It is a very possibility that a burger from The Pharmacy will ruin you for all future cow consumption – it's a risk you just may have to take, though. Their burgers are freshly made and even the burger buns are locally sourced. The only thing about the restaurant that's better than its burgers is its stunning outdoor area and beer garden.

Stepping into The Pharmacy's beer garden is like being transported into a lush oasis of greenery, as tiered levels of picnic tables are surrounded by large trees and other plant life from both the ground and sky. Paradise on Earth really might consist of eating an unexpectedly tasty burger under a canopy of leaves and fairy lights.

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor has three locations throughout Nashville with its flagship restaurant being in East Nashville. The neighborhood is laid back and away from the strip, making it an ideal place to get to know locals and another area of Nashville that isn't geared specifically toward visiting tourists.

Named for its patio's signature style and design, The Treehouse looks just like a larger-scale, cleaned-up version of your childhood treehouse. While it certainly does its best to heal your inner child, the farm-to-table restaurant also aims to heal the body and soul. By providing a carefully crafted menu with locally sourced ingredients, all hands at The Treehouse put a little love into everything they offer guests. From the chef-driven menu to the hand-carved wooden tables patrons eat off of, the touches here are personal to say the very least.

Loving details aside, though, the outdoor seating alone is enough to make you want to spend time here. The atmosphere and design almost make you believe you're high in the sky in an artfully and skillfully made treehouse. The Treehouse is a great option for dinner in Nashville, especially if you want a unique experience that allows you to explore the East End.

Centennial Park is vital to Nashville and is one of the main parks that people flock to in order to get out of the concrete jungle that any city can resemble. The park is well over 100 acres of nature and attractions, including an art center and a scale replica of the Parthenon. Trails, sports courts, and a dog park can also be found on the massive patch of land.

What you won't find here is a restaurant, honky-tonk, or upscale rooftop bar. That shouldn't stop you from enjoying what the park has to offer. If you're okay with bringing a picnic lunch, definitely don't miss out on finding your spot at Centennial Park — whether it be on the steps of the Parthenon or spread out over the grass near Lake Watauga. It'll be much less crowded than the popular Nashville neighborhoods, but there will still be plenty of people to observe while you are picnicking. Plus, you'll have a completely new perspective of what it's like to live slowly in Nashville.

Nashville is known for a lot of things, but when it comes to its food there is no other dish more renowned than the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Many restaurants in cities throughout the country have tried to recreate it in an ode to its namesake city, but no one does it quite like the original – Prince's Hot Chicken is said to have begun the now-famous recipe nearly 100 years ago.

One of Prince's Nashville locations is in the Assembly Food Hall in the Downtown district, just a few blocks from the Country Music Hall of Fame. The hall contains a large number of bars and restaurants, as well as a few stages for live performances, but the crowning jewel of the building is its rooftop, which claims to be Nashville's largest. The view from the top of the building is immaculate, and there are few better ways to take in downtown than this. Come at sunset and watch the sun go down over the city for the ultimate Nashville photo opportunity.

Dinner and a show is common practice in the Music City, as nearly all the popular restaurants and bars have stages that are filled with live performers covering popular country songs. If you get lucky, you'll hear an original song by an up-and-comer, but either way, your meal will very likely have some form of entertainment attached to it. If you think out of the box, though, your meal could very well have a completely different kind of show going on while you eat.

Nashville comes equipped with its very own zoo that has five different dining options that make it possible to enjoy exploring the different areas of the facility while you have lunch and enjoy your day in nature. While the Nashville Zoo does indeed have regular animals, there are so many different exhibits within the zoo for you and your family to learn and see. A 4-D theater, zip line, and a rope course jungle gym that any kids you bring along will love.

As for the animals themselves, the Nashville Zoo is the home of over 300 species that are spread over 90 acres. Nashville's zoo is one of the largest in the country and is a popular destination with plenty to see. It's safe to say that you'll be here for longer than it takes to eat your lunch. You'll want to set aside a few hours to people – and animal – watch here.