Nashville
I live to travel and eat and take in all the history it has to offer and I can definitely say that Nashville met all those expectations. This was a spontaneous trip my husband and I decided to take a few days before and I was a little iffy about traveling due to COVID; I wanted to be able to experience Nashville at its fullest and wasn’t sure what times like these would be like there. Fortunately, most things were open with all the extra safety protocols which made me feel more at ease. The only thing we didn’t get to experience was the nightlife, no bars were open, and only restaurants can operate until 10pm. We’re not big night life people when we travel anyways and I don’t like Country music…….. I know….. don’t hate me…. So it worked out for us. My husband was supposed to go on a bachelor party here, it got cancelled, but he wasn’t able to get a refund on the Airbnb, so that’s when he convinced me we should take a trip just us and explore Music City!
Where to stay:
Airbnb: this is our airbnb. It’s a 3 story modern home, perfect for a bachelor or bachelorette party. It’s extremely close to downtown, within walking distance to the Gulch, and a few minutes drive to 12 South. It sleeps at least 12, with a sweet rooftop and the view of the skyline.
Graduate Hotel: my dream hotel to stay at was here, right in Midtown Nashville. After seeing it all over instagram, and reading every girl blog about this place, its been on my dream list of places to see/stay and has all the VIBES. I didn’t get a chance to stay here but had the chance to have breakfast and coffee at the cafe called Poindexter. Check out the beautifully decorated interiors of this place below. I WISHED we could’ve gone to the rooftop, but if you go, make sure to to make reservations for dinner or lounge at the pool at White Limozeen, its usually booked out at least 1 month in advance since it just opened. The rooftop bar is inspired by Dolly Parton and has hot pink decor, plush couches, and a wrap around wading pool. A total must see for all the girls out there!
Top Brunch Spots
Milk & Honey - unfortunately this restaurant was only open for takeout or delivery while we were here, so I didn’t get a chance to try it, but I’ve only heard great things about this place and got so many recommendations to eat here. Looks like a trendy place right near the Gulch
Biscuit Love - prepare for a long wait no matter what time or day, best to go early in the morning. I’m a big biscuit in the morning type of person so I think it’s worth the wait. I arrived around 9am on a Friday morning, and the wait was only about 30 mins. I recommend the “East Nasty” biscuit with fried chicken, sausage gravy and a fried egg on top! Biscuit love is located right in the Gulch near cute boutiques, and right around the corner from the famous mural “What Lifts You”.
Frothy Monkey - located in 12 South, a local favorite brunch spot with delicious coffee, but prepare for a rather long wait
Liberty Common - a very modern hip brunch spot, with blue velvet lounges and gold finishes. Try the hot chicken with waffles, avocado toast, and a glass of mimosa for brunch
Restoration Hardware Cafe - the picturesque brunch spot with all of your girlfriends. Sip on some mimosas and sit under a glass-roofed pyramid atrium surrounded by luxurious decor and greenery.
Poindexter Cafe - located at the Graduate Hotel in Midtown (see photos above). I got the breakfast biscuit sandwich and a matcha latte.
Top Dessert spots
Legendairy Milkshakes - OMG it really is LEGENDAIRY! This place was featured on the cooking channel, and has so many choices to pick from their signature milkshakes. An overload of cookies, sprinkles, cotton candy, brownies and hot fudge galore!
No Baked Cookie Dough - Every cookie dough dream is fulfilled here. So many flavors to pick from, and its made with heat treated flour, no eggs, and perfectly safe to eat raw! It was a little rich, I recommend the Cookies & Cream or Red Velvet. I could only eat a few bites, and ended up baking the rest of it and making cookies. Turns out 1 scoop of cookie dough is probably equivalent to at least 5 cookies…. yikes!
Five Daughters Bakery - I’m not a fan of donuts but my husband loves donuts, and it turns out this place was really delicious. They are known for their famous 100-layer donuts a hybrid between croissant and donut, kind of reminds me of cronuts from Dominique Ansel Bakery in NY if you’ve been there.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream - A tasty spot with so many different flavors of homemade ice cream. I’ve been to a few of their different locations, and its always a good spot if you just want ice cream.
Top Restaurants
Hattie B - I’ve been wanting to try this place ever since watch David Chang’s “Ugly Delicous” episode on fried chicken. It’s a place you HAVE to visit during your stay and you’ll be wanting more. They are best known for their mind blowing hot chicken
Hampton Social- Talk about THE instagram spot for every girl. This place calls for a girls night out with their “Rose All Day” Neon signs, delicious cocktails, and live music. Best place to get happy hour or dinner. I recommend the lobster roll here and a Rosé of the day.
5th & Taylor- a perfect romantic date night located in Germantown. Its located in an old printing warehouse, with a candlelit dim ambiance and amazing food. It can be on the pricier side, but I promise its delicious. I really enjoyed out dinner here.
Bartaco - hands down some of most amazing tacos, and I’m a huge street taco fan. We got the pork belly, duck, carnitas, and fish tacos. They also have THE best margaritas, and I truly mean best. None of that gross syrupy stuff, they actually make everything fresh in house. Their Paloma’s are also bomb (I love a good Paloma!).
Shopping in Nash
Uncommon James - Kristin Cavallari’s jewelry store. I absolutely love her jewelry and had to stop here to check it out and buy some earrings
Kittenish - a cute Women’s boutique of Jessie James Decker’s
Draper James - a classic American style store, with a little Southern charm founded by Reese Witherspoon. The striped mural on the side of the store is also another picture-worthy spot in Nashville, you’ll see lots of girls lining up for their photo here.
Other fun activities and historic places to see
Take a walk around 12 South - this is where a lot of the famous murals around Nashville are, including the “I believe in Nashville” and the blue-striped Draper James mural, this is the happening spot. All the best restaurants are also located here.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - catch the sunset and take a stroll on the bridge where you can catch a glimpse downtown Nashville, the skyline and Nissan Stadium
Belmont Mansion - the start of Belmont University! Visit the mansion to learn about all the history about Adelicia Hayes Franklin. This mansion was built in the 1800’s and you can take a stroll around the mansion and listen to the tour guides talk about the history of this place.
Belle Meade Plantation - a greek-revival style mansion dating back to the 1840’s
Top Golf
Fort Negley
The instagram spots
“I Believe in Nashville”
“What Lifts You” Mural
Amelia’s Flower Truck
