This summer, my two best friends and I took a weekend getaway to Music City – Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is a popular destination for bachelorette parties, country music enthusiasts and everyone in between. Below are some highlights from how we spent our weekend. We could have easily stayed longer than a weekend and are already planning a return trip next summer. Nashville has easily become one of my favorite cities in the US!
1. The Southern
After arriving very early Friday morning to Music City, we headed straight to The Southern for brunch and to kickoff our weekend in Nashville. We split a carafe or two or blood orange mimosa which served as a tasty way to toast our trip. I ended up ordering “The Highway” – chicken and waffles drizzled in maple syrup. So far, they are my favorite chicken and waffles I’ve ever had across all of the US of A.
2. Honky Tonk Central
After brunch, we made our way over to Broadway to check out the honky tonks. Our first stop was a three-story bar called Honky Tonk Central on the corner of 4th & Broadway. Each level had a different live music act playing; and I think this is when we officially realized it was going to be impossible to find bad live music in Nashville. Each floor had a completely different feel, set by three entirely different bands that were all equally amazing. We ended up at the top floor, sipping on some local Tennessee beers and taking in some live country music.
3. Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge
After HonkyTonk Central, we made our way to Tootsie’s. This was easily our favorite spot on Broadway. The history here is incredible, as again is the live music and rooftop bar looking over Broadway. We ended up getting a bucket of Blue Moons and taking in the views of the main drag in Nashville while meeting a ton of friendly locals, visitors on their bachelor and bachelorette parties.
4. Nashville Pedal Tavern
Saturday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and made our way to The Gulch to start our Nashville Pedal Tavern tour – which we had reservations for at 10 in the morning. At first we thought a drinking tour starting at 10 was ambitious to say the least, but with the hot summer Tennessee sun, we realized any later in the day would have been almost unbearable. Pedal Tavern offers a couple different routes (make sure to book way in advance!) and we ended up doing the route along the Broadway strip. Not all of the seats have actual pedals and I was lucky enough to be the first of our group to pedal – which was definitely a serious workout. I actually felt like I was in a spin class. But I would add, the most fun spin class you can imagine with lots of beer and stops at fun bars along the way.
5. Swingin’ Doors Saloon
The last bar on our Pedal Tavern tour was a bar just off of Broadway called Swingin’ Doors Saloon. The three of us instantly fell in love with the live music performer, a guy named Carlton, and decided to come back after the Pedal Tavern to listen to him. The bar has a relaxed feel with incredibly fun and accommodating bartenders and a great crowd.
6. Vanderbilt Stadium
What better place on the planet to experience a country music concert than Nashville? We were able to score last-minute tickets to see an amazing country show at Vanderbilt Stadium – including Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and our favorite heart-throb, Luke Bryan. I’ve always been a fan of country music, but I know plenty of people who aren’t. All I can say is try going to a country concert and try not to be a fan. Especially in Music City. Hands down one of the best concerts of my life.
7. Country Music Hall of Fame
Last but not least, we took in the Country Music Hall of Fame before having to fly home. Make sure to plan enough time for your trip here – you could easily get lost in the museum for hours; or having a long wait to even get into the museum. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you don’t need to be a country music fan to appreciate all of the incredible things you’ll find here. From Taylor Swift’s costume in her Shake it Off Music Video, to Elvis Presley’s gold piano, to a mouth-watering Luke Bryan special exhibit, there’s a little something for everyone.
From the Road I'm On 