7 Reasons Nashville Is the Best Place to Celebrate New Year's

2. We have centrally located port-a-potties.

One of the main drawbacks of a huge New Year’s Eve celebration, or maybe any event with a massive crowd, is the lack of public facilities. The kind planners in Nashville, however, have made public toilets available around nearly every corner. I’m not saying you won’t have to fight the crowd to get to them, but my experience has been nothing but good, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the seal.

3. We’re all about a little public intoxication.

Nashville is a city that knows how to party. The event, which is officially dubbed “Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway” is sponsored by one of Tennessee’s most famous exports: whiskey. Anyone over the age of 21 can grab a wristband and purchase alcohol from the numerous vendors located on the street. What’s a party without a little booze? What’s Nashville without a little Jack?

4. There is more than one view to gawk at.

The whiskey is great, but the views of the city and the spectacular firework show are just as intoxicating. Throughout downtown you’ll find incredible views that truly show how beautiful our city is. From the pedestrian bridge that spans across the Cumberland River you can see the massive Batman Building dominating the city’s skyline, or from the top of Broadway (by Bridgestone) you can look down into the throngs of people, the massive stage of famous performers, and the lights of the honkey tonks that ring a truth to the city’s nickname “NashVegas.”

5. The people who come here are just cooler.

From the British tourists who want to experience a real southern shindig to that drunk girl who lost her friends and decided to just make new ones, I promise you’ll be surrounded by some of the friendliest people in the world. Last year more than 127,000 people converged downtown to celebrate, and this year we’re expecting even more. Nashville is known for its kind people and southern hospitality, so trust me, even in the midst of thousands of people, the values that mama taught us stay intact.

6. There’s always an after-party and a party after that.

In Music City, we don’t drop a silly ball to announce the new year, we drop a 15-foot tall music note and more than 200 pounds of confetti, and that’s the sign that the REAL party is about to begin. After the official New Year’s Eve celebration is over, it’s time to disperse to the cheeky local bars downtown. If you’re in the mood for karaoke and cheap beer, you’ll follow me to Printer’s Alley to hang at Lonnie’s Western Room or Ms. Kelli’s. If you want the traditional Nashville honkey-tonk experience, then just stick with the crowds and be mesmerized by the lights of Broadway. It doesn’t matter where you end up, because I guarantee you a good time. Sing some songs, drink some whiskey, make friends, and you might even end up at the after after party — which I’m sure is a house party in East Nashville with some sick bands you’ve never even heard of.

7. And this year, you get to do it all again over the weekend.

Lucky us, the celebration is on a THURSDAY night, which means you can recover Friday morning and do it all again Friday night. Saturday? Just rinse and repeat.