Nashville has been on my travel bucket list for quite a while, so when my sister invited me to celebrate her 40th birthday in Nashville with a group of friends I was all in! Alex and I secured babysitters (thank you grandparents) and booked our Southwest flights about 6 months in advance.
The weather wasn't in our favor (rainy and cold), but we still had a great time! Today I'm sharing what we did, where we stayed and what we ate!
WHERE TO STAY:
We stayed at HOTELette located in East Nashville, which is one of the most beautiful homes I've stepped foot in. Every detail was unique and stunning, and the 3,400 sq. ft craftsman style home was so cute. 4 bedrooms, 6 beds, 2 baths and can sleep up to 11 guests. HOTELette is less than 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, and has a big front porch and backyard. There is a full-kitchen, eclectic dining room, and lots of room to spread out and relax. This is such a great spot for a girls weekend or couples getaway! Check out more photos via #HoteletteNashville!
Country Music Hall of Fame - As a country music lover, I couldn't visit Nashville without visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. We happened to walk in at the perfect time and stumbled upon a songwriter's session/performance, and had the pleasure of hearing Charlie McCoy perform. He has been a studio musician for over 40 years playing on albums with Elvis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and so many more. You can spend hours in the museum, and they also provide audio guided tours.
Broadway District - If you enjoy live music, the Broadway district and Honky Tonk row are where you need to be. Every bar I walked in to there was live music...even at 11am! What really stood out to me was how talented each band and artist was. Fiddles, steel guitars and stand up bases aren't hard to find! FYI, bring cash and be ready to tip. I was a little taken back about how aggressive the bands were about walking around and asking each person to donate to the tip jar, but I'm assuming the bars aren't paying them.
Mural Tour - Nashville is filled with beautiful and fun murals! The infamous "I BELIEVE IN NASHVILLE" mural is located in the 12South area which is great for shopping and dining. Directly across from the mural is Reese Witherspoon's store, Draper James. We were greeted with sweet tea, and there are couches for those who want to relax! Not far from the area I walked in to, hatWRKS, the most beautiful hat store I've ever stepped foot in. I picked up the perfect souvenir which was a Stetson hat made only for that store.
Ryman Auditorium - You can't visit Nashville without visiting the infamous Ryman Auditorium. My sis, brother-in-law and I had the pleasure of seeing Vince Gill and Amy Grant perform their annual Christmas Concert. The acoustics were INSANE, and there's not a bad seat in the house.
Gaylord & Grand Ole Opry - We had heard the Gaylord does it big for Christmas, so we ventured out for an hour to visit the grand hotel. The holiday decor was beautiful, and it was a great atmosphere for kids.
East Nashville - This area of Nashville reminds me a lot of Austin is full of fun things to do! Unique bars, restaurants, coffee shops and shopping are in the area. Drinks are a bit more affordable in the area as well ; ).
WHERE TO EAT:
Merchants - Our first stop in Nashville for lunch was at the historic Merchants downtown. The decor is impeccable and the food was delicious. I had deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes! Anyone else love appetizers for meals?!
Sky Blue Cafe - In East Nashville you'll find this small and cozy spot great for breakfast! Their french toast tasted just like my dad used to make it.
Christie Cookie Co. - If you're in the 12South area (taking a pic next to the I BELIEVE IN NASHVILLE Mural), grab a delicious cookie from Christie Cookie Co.! They also sell cookie tins which would be a great souvenir to bring home.
Robert's Western World - Need a late night snack while bar hopping? Hit up Robert's Western World for their infamous fried bologna sandwich! Even better when you enjoy at the bar surrounded by friends and listening to live music.
Party Fowl - Our Uber driver recommended Party Fowl, and it did not disappoint! Amazing hot chicken, cocktails, appetizers and a great atmosphere! They offer 20 local beers on draft and is home to a craft cocktail program and signature "boozy slushies". They have 13 large-screen TVs and a stage for live music.
Nashville Biscuit House - We were looking for an affordable yet delicious breakfast spot, and found Nashville Biscuit House in East Nashville. No frills or fancy decor, but the food is good and it's cheap!
Martin's BBQ - We couldn't come to Tennessee without trying BBQ! Martin's has a beautiful location downtown great for large parties. They cook a fresh hog on the pit each day for the next day, and also has live music and a full bar.
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