I was born and raised outside of Nashville. Here are 5 mistakes I see tourists make when they visit.

• I've lived outside of Nashville, Tennessee for 24 years, and often see tourists make the same mistakes.

• Some visitors lose out by staying on Broadway and only seeking out country music.

• Eating at restaurants specific to Nashville and supporting small businesses is always the way to go.

Nashville, Tennessee is a popular — and growing — tourist destination.

I've lived in Franklin, Tennessee, a city just 20 miles south of Nashville, my entire life, and have seen firsthand how Music City has grown and changed over the years.

It's always been a hotspot for country music fans, but now, it's become a must-see tourist destination for all ages. It's even been dubbed the "bachelorette capital," according to CNN.

Given this growth, it's easy to remain unaware of the best things to do and spots to avoid. That's where I come in. Here are five of the most common mistakes tourists make while visiting Nashville.

People often choose a hotel or Airbnb downtown or on Broadway, and totally miss out on other areas Nashville has to offer.

When looking for a place to stay, I recommend finding an Airbnb or rental property outside of downtown.

While it can be tempting to stay in the city's center, choosing a location on the outskirts or in a smaller neighborhood allows you to experience Nashville as a local. Each part of the city has its own vibe and community.

Hillsboro Village and 12 South are two areas that are only three miles from Broadway and would be great places to stay.

Hillsboro Village has excellent shopping and is close to Belmont and Vanderbilt, two universities in Nashville. 12 South has great little restaurants and an artsy feel. The famous "I Believe in Nashville" mural is located in 12 South and is a popular photo spot.

By staying in one of these places, you will see that there is more to Nashville than the bars and shenanigans of Broadway, the city's strip of nightlife hotspots. But if you want to visit Broadway, it's only a short Uber ride away from either of these neighborhoods.

By only seeking out country music venues, tourists miss out on the city's diverse music options.

Despite being called the home of country music, Nashville is home to a variety of other music genres, too.

For example, the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a great place to hear live classical music. Personally, I think one of the best concerts you can see is one of the Nashville Symphony's Movie Series concerts. During the concert, a film is screened inside the hall, and the orchestra plays its score live. Previously, the symphony has performed the scores of films like "Back to the Future" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Great local musicians put on nightly music sets at The Local, a bar located in West End. Tourists should also check out Brooklyn Bowl in Germantown, which doubles as a concert venue and bowling alley. Play a game with friends and listen to a local band simultaneously. They even have fun theme nights.

All too often, I think social media dictates where people go to eat.

One mistake tourists make when visiting Nashville is getting sucked into only eating at the trendy, Instagram-friendly, gimmicky spots.

For example, the hot chicken wars.

Prince's Hot Chicken and Hattie B's are two of the most popular hot chicken spots in town. Prince's has been serving fiery chicken since the 1930s, while Hattie B's only opened in 2012.

While Hattie B's appears to have a larger following on social media, if you can only go to one while you're in town, Prince's is where you should stop. It is the original, after all. Plus, Hattie B's has other locations in the US, while Prince's is exclusive to Nashville.

For tacos, I would recommend San Antonio Taco Company, better known as SATCO. Also, The Smiling Elephant in Melrose, a neighborhood three miles away from Broadway, has fantastic Thai food.

People sometimes choose to shop at the big malls in the area instead of exploring small businesses.

When you Google "shopping in Nashville," the top two search results that appear are The Mall at Green Hills and Opry Mills. I would recommend avoiding both of these places if possible.

Not because they don't have good options, but because there are so many small businesses, boutiques, and specialty stores specific to Nashville that you don't want to miss. Pro tip: you should avoid Green Hills traffic at all costs. It's always a nightmare.

One of my favorites is a plant nursery called Flora in East Nashville. There is also the Nashville Flea Market every fourth weekend of the month. And for any of your spiritual needs, Cosmic Connections near Belmont has all of the tarot cards, crystals, and incense you could ever want. Psychic readings are also available in-store.

Too many people stay within the city limits and do not take day trips to towns outside of Nashville.

Perhaps the biggest mistake a tourist can make when visiting Nashville is not taking advantage of the wonderful towns in the city's suburbs.

My personal favorite is Franklin. However, it is my hometown, so, admittedly, I am a bit biased.

Franklin is the idyllic small town Hallmark movies are made of. It's perfect for a day trip or excursion.

There is a quaint town square lined with restaurants and boutiques. If you stroll down Main Street, you'll find a historic movie theater and more stores selling clothes and kitschy odds and ends.

For a better look at the town, watch Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" music video. He filmed it in downtown Franklin.

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