Is traffic really going to be that bad? I feel like with such a spread out viewing that it can't be that bad. Like driving on the interstate through Nashville at 7am shouldn't be that awful... right? Or am I underestimating the amount of people that will be in town.

The estimates I've seen suggest there will be a visitor load of 1 million people. Nashville is the biggest city in the 2500-mile eclipse path, possibly the only one of substantial size. A lot of people will want to get into position early (although the eclipse itself isn't until 13:27, there will be 2-3 hours of partial eclipse before and after), and some people will be driving into town that morning. An article I saw earlier in the week was predicting traffic issues all over the place.

Actually, the worst aspect may not be the traffic per se but people stopping to gawk and I'll bet parking will be horrid.

wg

Nashville has become the new Atlanta regarding traffic congestion, so yes, it is bad even at 7am. Many large hospitals are in the midtown area so that impacts that early morning commute.
There are reportedly 100 people moving here per day/per week. Sadly we are the new "it" city to live in. That is why I escaped recently to the suburbs and while I love Nashville, I love Franklin better since I only work 3 days a week now.Ahhh.

The weekend prior to the eclipse is move in weekend for 3-5 local universities(Belmont,Lipscomb,Vanderbilt,Fisk,MTSU ) so more than likely many parents will stay over to view the eclipse so this is another reason hotel rooms are so heavily booked.

We have a metropolitan population area of nearly 2 million people-roads were never originally built to handle this and many commute quite a distance to work in the downtown metro area. There is no mass transit system and probably never will be.

sweetsleep: That's strange. I've been pulling bus schedules off the Nashville MTA site. They *look* functional!

wg

I used to live in Hendersonville and will be watching the eclipse in gallitan. I'll be coming from Memphis and want to make sure I don't get bogged down in traffic. Do you all think if I plan to get to gallitan by 7am I will miss most of the traffic? I can always take a route that avoids Nashville if needed but I think at 6am going through Nashville it shouldn't be an issue.

It's cloud cover that will be the question. The general Nashville area is predicted by the national renewable energy lab to have 50-60% cloud cover on Aug. 21. Below is a link to far more detail than you likely want, but it's a report they just released on predicted skies for that day across the nation. It has a map in it that gives you a good look. I intend to be watching weather forecasts closely a couple days out before I start really knowing where I'll go. I'm figuring it's pretty likely that I'll be able to find clear skies somewhere on the center totality line within an hour or two of Nashville. Nashville isn't on the center, Gallatin and other places are. So as for traffic, presumably people will be heading out of Nashville toward the center line. I am staying outside of Nashville proper so hope to avoid it that day.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/68885.pdf

If I'm not mistaken, there's a preseason NFL game on Saturday as well (Panthers at Titans). I'm glad I got the hotel room a month ago. Everything appears to be sold out at this time.

I grew up in Hendersonville and still have parents/brothers/sister living in the area. My son and I will be driving in on Sunday and staying with my parents (a bit cheaper than trying to find a hotel. :) )

I'd love to drop by the get-together on Sunday, but not sure I will be getting in town in time to do so. If things change and I can make it, I will post. But for anyone in the Hendersonville area, I'll probably be having lunch on Monday (21st) at THE best BBQ restaurant anywhere, Centerpoint BBQ. ;)

This was posted in the United forum. It has interesting historical cloud information for Tennessee in August.

http://eclipsophile.com/kentucky-and-tennessee/

Thanks for that! Right now I'm just leaving Monday totally open. I don't mind driving a few hours if it's worth it to see the eclipse in a better spot. That site just put Athens on my radar, 3 hour drive from where we're staying - a bit longer than I'd like but maybe I can combine it with some hiking or neat spots along the way in the morning.

If you don't have a room yet, you are screwed.

http://i.imgur.com/V5PfFdy.png

I got the same screen for Franklin. Fortunately we booked ours over a month ago. We arrive late Friday night. If we get walked, do we get walked all the way to Memphis? :D

I looked at a website, sorry don't recall what it was, for house rentals and Jeez Louise! You're gonna pay a lot for a rental house or room at a B&B (if you can find one) eclipse weekend. $800-$3,000 a night!

Bus transport in Nashville is just okay. What I meant by mass transit was rail or subway system. Never gonna happen here.

I wish I could be more settled in my new house by eclipse weekend but with painters coming and going(not sure they will be finished so I can finish unpacking) and still half in boxes I can't even think about renting out bedrooms and bathrooms in my house right now but they would be very nice, private and comfortable and worth every penny.

Probably going to the Grand Ole Opry plaza party with friends from work. We are finalizing our plans tomorrow.

I know that Jackalope was mentioned but you may want to check out the Yazoo brewery as an option? It may be a better choice?
Not really a beer drinker but lots of locals l know like it.

From their website it appears they are only open Wednesday through Saturday :(

Hi all. I tentatively planning on traveling to Nashville to view the total eclipse. I booked the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Nashville on points, and have a flexible airfare. It all comes down to the weather. I'm definitely up for meeting up with other people.

FWIW Yazoo is a superior brewery to Jackalope aka "Joke a lope". My brother is a Brew master and if you drink beer from either of the 2 brewhouses in Williamson county (where Franklin is) he was the first brew master at both. He designed their brewing systems as well. He is no in Ft Worth at Wild Acre now so he has no dog in the hunt, but I know He never liked Jackolope. I would want visitors to have a good experience so I will try to steer you away from Jackalope. Most of the other Brewery's in town are pretty good. As a Nashville native I will tell you that both places are very close to good eating. Arnold's County Kitchen is the pinnacle of a southern meat n 3 and "Peg leg Porker" is really good BBQ. The owner was on "chopped". Biscuit love in the Gulch is also very good. The first 2 are only a block or 2 from those Brewery's. Biscuit love is maybe a mile away.

If you like Whiskey The is the award winning Corsair Distillery as well. They have won some big time awards. I am a big fan of their Triple Smoke. They give tours, but you need to email to reserve ahead for that. You can still walk in and try their products without the tour though.


http://www.corsairdistillery.com/home

I appreciate the suggestions, however, we're getting together on a Sunday. Yazoo looks to be closed Sundays while the one we're meeting at is open.

So...hoping to get to this on Sunday. How will we all recognize each other?

wg

In the handful of FT gatherings I've been to, it usually just works itself out :)

But I can try to bring this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28678136-post209.html

I expect to make it to Jackalope around 4 PM on Sunday, probably with a couple friends in tow. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Just rolled in to town. In addition to Sunday, I think I'm free tomorrow evening (or later tonight) if anyone else is in early or local and interested in meeting up.

I am in LEX. Leaving with my college-age son in a few. Expect arrival maybe 2:30. Hope to see some of you.

Was going to try Hattie B's but the line looked to be two hours long. Going to try as plan B, Party Fowl which is next door to Jackalope, if anyone else is around early. Dark green backpack with yellow FT tag.

EDIT: seated at the front bar (my bag is on the floor beneath me)

At Jackalope with HPN-HRL. Sitting at picnic table out front. My son is wearing a bright orange t-shirt and has a red beard.

Still waiting for my food next door, but will join up when I can!

On the off chance anyone is catching up to us late, we've left Jackalope and are now at Tennessee Brew Works across the train tracks and around the corner.

Hows the traffic in Nashville looking?

Great meeting up with everyone yesterday! Despite the cautionary post upthread I thought Jackalope was perfectly fine, although I did also get to try some Yazoo at Party Fowl next door beforehand and that was good too!

It was fine when our bus left at 6am :D Currently sitting under a tent at Hopkinsville Community College.

Thanks for organizing! I had a great time meeting more FT'ers & enjoying some good beer.

Did you guys get a clear view from downtown?

I was on the parking garage at the airport and the clouds parted just in time for a perfect view. ^

Bummed I couldn't make it - got caught up with everything going on! FWIW, did pick up some cans of Jackelope's Gose and had a drink for you guys ;)

We went to the Cook area of the J Percy Priest Reservoir and had a killer view of totality. Swam all day and then cheered on the moon with the other folks at the beach!

Really good to meet you all. I went to Centennial Park on the Parthenon lawn, as planned, and we had a fabulous view through the whole thing. It was nice there - not too crowded, lots of people with scopes and binoculars, tents, umbrellas...and no hoopla.

wg