Nashville is one of my favorite places. I had a blast there when I attended Vanderbilt (which doesn’t seem that long ago until I actually count the years), and I try to visit every year. Luckily, being on the bachelorette party circuit has taken me back quite a few times, including last weekend, but more to come on that later… Every time I visit, I am quickly reminded that it is the Friendliest City in America, which totally makes sense with its music, comfort food, and southern charm. It is amazing how much it has grown over the past 10 years, and I’ve enjoyed seeing and trying new things whenever I visit. Here are my long-standing favorites, with a few new ones sprinkled into the assortment. I hope you have a chance to visit if you haven’t already and that you find this list helpful!
Where to Stay
Union Station – Beautifully restored railroad station (Downtown)
Hermitage Hotel – Historic hotel (Downtown)
Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown – Recently renovated, modern chic interior and cool bar (Downtown)
The Westin Nashville – New hotel with awesome rooftop pool and bar (SoBro/Downtown)
Opryland – Huge atrium resort with indoor gardens, waterfalls, and river (Opryland/Music Valley)
Where to Eat
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack – The original hot chicken, be prepared to wait in line (East Nashville)
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Yes, I had to list more than one hot chicken place, also will have a line (Midtown and West Nashville)
Pancake Pantry – About 2 dozen kinds of pancakes, also will have a line (Hillsboro Village)
Acme Feed & Seed – Southern classic cuisine served with great live music (SoBro/Downtown)
M Street Restaurants – Virago Asian/sushi, Whiskey Kitchen southern, Saint Anejo Mexican, and Tavern gastro pub/foodie favorite (Gulch/Downtown)
Loveless Cafe – Classic fried chicken and biscuits (Southwest Nashville)
[Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, please also note the pimento mac and cheese]
Where to Listen to Live Music
Tootsies World Famous Orchid Lounge, Second Fiddle, Robert’s Western World, The Stage, and Rippy’s – Honky Tonks on “Honky Tonk Highway” (Downtown)
Ryman Auditorium – Home of the Grand Ole Opry, the radio show that made country music famous, “Mother Church of Country Music” (Downtown)
The Bluebird Cafe – Legendary songrwriters’ performance venue (Green Hills)
Grand Ole Opry – Site of the Grand Ole Opry show (Opryland/Music Valley)
Although these all seem like country places, I promise there’s more than just country music in Nashville!
What To Do
Other than music related attractions…
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art – Beautiful estate with various themed gardens and small art collection (Percy Warner/Southwest Nashville)
Belle Meade Plantation – Historic mansion (Belle Meade/Southwest Nashville)
The Hermitage – Home of Andrew Jackson (Hermitage/East of Nashville)
The Parthenon – Full scale replica (West End)
Arrington Vineyards – Winery founded by Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn (South of Nashville)
[Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art]
[Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art]
[Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art]
Where to Shop
The Gulch – Trendy neighborhood boutiques and popular retailers
12 South – Trendy neighborhood boutiques
Hillsboro Village – College district neighborhood boutiques
The Mall at Green Hills and Hills Center Green Hills – Popular retailers
[Draper James in 12 South, Full Tour in my Southern Charm Post]
[Mural in 12 South]
Keep up with all of my travels on Instagram @vbradleyinteriors.
xx,
