Nashville is actually one of my favorite cities to visit and I have even considered moving there. The energy of Nashville is southern on steroids with their Honky Tonk Bars, Grand Ole’ Opry and numerous Restaurants. It is the perfect place to go for a long weekend with spouses, families and especially girlfriends.
One of my favorite places to stay is The Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. The historically designed hotel is decorated with country finishes and the rooms are spacious with great bathtubs. I heard the men’s restroom is worth a tour, but make sure you check with the front desk before barging inside.
Music
Plenty of Honky Tonk Bars in Nashville and some of my favorites are:
Legends Corner for great music all day long and decent cocktails. You can even dance in the early afternoon continuing all night long, if there’s room.
Nudies Honky Tonk is relatively new and has some of the best musicians in town. It stays open late and the people watching is divine.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge in a Nashville staple and probably the most popular with three different bands playing on 3-levels all night long.
Other Music:
Grand Ole’ Opry for a night of fun. Order tickets online and if you celebrating any special occasion, pay $10 and get your name on the screen and mentioned during the show.
Ryman Auditorium for concerts and tours. It is the location of the original Opry.
Blue Bird Cafe for singer song writer concerts and much more. It has gained tremendous popularity from the television show, so if lines are not your thing – pass.
Station Inn located in the Gulch. Newer venue that has bluegrass music on most nights.
Mercy Lounge in downtown for singer song writer music, you must buy a meal and drinks in this venue.
And so many more!
Exploring
To explore Nashville I recommend taking Old Town Trolley Tours. It takes you around the downtown, Pantheon, Music Row, Belmont Mansion and much more. Your ticket is a 2-day pass and you can hop-on and off anywhere you choose.
There are a number of Distilleries and Wineries in Nashville with tours, tastings and the opportunity to purchase. Corsair has a good tasting and giftshop. There are many other distilleries and wineries to check out.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum is most definitely worth a stop. Whether you are a true fan of country music, there is so much history here. They are celebrating their 50th Year Anniversary!
John Steigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge located in downtown Nashville. Walk across this bridge and get the best views of Downtown Nashville, the Sports Arena, Waterfront Park & Amphitheater and the Cumberland River. Great to do first thing in the morning for a little exercise.
Goo Goo Clusters are located in downtown Nashville. If you haven’t had a Goo Goo, you should definitely go and taste one or two. These marshmallow, nuts and chocolate covered clusters have been around since 1912 and if you are from the South, you probably were raised on them.
Boot Barn is the place to go and buy a pair of kickers. You will see tourists walking around with newly purchased boots, which adds to the fun Nashville scene. They usually offer 2 for 1 deals and they are open until 10 p.m.
Dining
404 Kitchen has farm-to-table cuisine and a large selection of Bourbon & Whiskey. The Gnocchi Bolognese was prepared nicely, but I think the Skillet Cornbread & Maple Butter wash hard to beat.
City House for casual Italian fare. Go for the Cauliflower & Bacon Pizza and the Meatballs!
Josephine for Brunch is the place to go, located on 12th Avenue South. The Grapefruit Mimosas and Eggs Benedict over crunchy Scrapple & Brown Butter Hollandaise — definitely the way to go. Shopping on 12th Avenue is a must afterwards and don’t miss S’more Love Bakery parked there on Saturdays.
Biscuit Love for the best Biscuits, Hot Chicken & Gravy located in the Gulch. The Gulch in the new Beverly Hills of Nashville with shopping, restaurants and trendy hotels. Walk around after breakfast, you’ll definitely need it.
Oak Bar for Happy Hour and Fried Green Pimento Tomatoes. The Oak Room is in The Hermitage Hotel, where we stayed, and we ended up going back two days in a row for the tomatoes. Yum!
Acme Feed & Seed in downtown Nashville for lunch or dinner. This place is at the waterfront and you order at the counter and seat yourself. Also, they have a sushi bar! I recommend going to the bar and sitting at the counter — the bartender will take your order right there. Sample a few local beers, while waiting for your food, but don’t miss the Pulled Pork Tacos and Mexican Corn!
Nashville is one of the hottest cities in the country right now. So, make your way there for a fun filled energetic weekend with your besties!
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