NashBash: Weekend In Nashville
Nashville, the city where everything absurd to us non-locals is seemingly casual to those who live there. You want a fun ride around the city for cheap? Jump on a golf cart, they’re street legal. It’s casual. You’re at the bar and run into Chase Rice? Celebrities gather here, it’s casual. You’re coming home from the bar at 3am and order 18 White Castle sliders? Its casual. No one even blinks an eye. Thats whats so great about this beautiful city, there’s something fun and exciting around every corner, so much so that the locals don’t even react because that’s just their everyday.
Welcome to the guide of my favorite things in Nashville! Full disclosure, I’ve now taken three weekend trips to Nashville, so this list of my favorite things may not all be doable in one weekend, but I’m here to tell you about my favorite parts of Nashville so you can make your own ideal perfect weekend. If you are looking for a great weekend to visit, I went during CMA Fest this year and had an absolute blast. I highly recommend scheduling your trip for that weekend! So turn up the country music, put your boots on, and start planning your rockin’ weekend in Music City.
Nashville has the perfect mixture of good music, modern city vibes, rooftop restaurants, and good booze. The city itself is made up of many small communities with tons of things to in each. Here is a list of my favorites:
Broadway- This is the part of town you think of when you think of “Nashville”.. Locals, go ahead and roll your eyes and let us tourists be tourists. Broadway is one long stretch of restaurants, bars, and boot stores.. lots of cowboy boots stores. Whether you are there midday or midnight, the live music spills out of every doorway as you walk past. This street is always bustling with quintessential Nashville staples that are sure to scratch your Nashville itch. My favorite spots on Broadway include:
Acme Feed & Seed- This three-story bar and restaurant located at the end of Broadway overlooks the the Cumberland River and Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium. Each level of this place provides a different atmosphere sure to cater to any type of experience you are looking for. Their signature drink, the Mule Kicker (a frozen moonshine mule) is something you’ll want to try. In my opinion Acme provides the best view with a 360 degree view of all of Broadway and the river and has really great food.
FGL House/Whiskey Row- These two bars are centrally located on broadway and provide similar atmospheres. FGL is owned by Florida Georgia Line and Whiskey Row is owned by Dierks Bentley so you’re sure to find live music and of course, country music at that. Both of these bars have multiple levels of dance floors and awesome rooftops. I may or may not have spent an entire day from noon to midnight on the rooftop of Whiskey Row... The view is perfect, the food is tasty, and the vibe feels like a totally new place when the sun goes down. 10/10 recommend either of these bars.
Not kidding when I say we set up camp all..day..long at Whiskey Row. Get you a prime table with a good view and enjoy your day!
Pinewood Social- So this isn’t technically on Broadway but is in walking distance and I can’t leave this out of my list. I’m not even sure if you would call this a restaurant, a bar, a coworking space… idk. Basically Pinewood social is a bunch of random things all rolled into one spot. There is a bowling ally, a fully-stocked bar, tables and a full service menu. The decor is vibrant and off the wall. This is the perfect brunch spot!
The decor at Pinewood Social is so trendy and off-the-wall
Boot Country- If you’re looking to get the entire Nashville experience and leave with a pair of cowboy boots, look no further. This boot store has walls on walls of cowboy boots and the thing that sets this store apart from all 439850 others on broadway is that all the boots are Buy 1 Pair, Get 2 Pairs free. You’re welcome.
Tootsies- This restaurant is a Nashville staple that no trip is complete without. Head up the infamous “Tootsie” painted stairs to the rooftop bar and stage to listen to live music and kick back and relax (in your new boots from Boot Country, of course).
Demonbreun Street- This street is very similar to Broadway and runs parallel to it, but is a lot less touristy. Here you can find live music and small bars with less people and a more relaxed atmosphere. I would suggest going here on your second night when your first night at Broadway made you never want to go out again and then you drag yourself out because.. Nashville. It's a lot more calm than Broadway. My two favorite places here are Kung Fu Saloon (barcade) and Tin Roof (here you may or may not find Chase Rice and he may or may not buy you a couple drinks… idk).
The Gulch - This is the most hip part of town, where the famous instagrammers flock, and the infamous Nashville wings are spread wide. When I stayed in Nashville, I had the opportunity to stay in an apartment in the Gulch and have a view overlooking the city, to say it was beautiful would be an understatement. I even slept outside one night after falling asleep looking at the view. If you are looking for an area of town to stay in, I would definitely recommend the Gulch, The food here is delicious and has people waiting in long lines to indulge. These are my two favorite restaurants in the Gulch:
Biscuit Love- If you are looking for a delicious breakfast, Biscuit Love is your place. Get there early or there will be a line wrapped around the building, but it will be well worth the wait!
Saint Añejo- Hipster Mexican food with great food and drinks.. Go there.
A few honorable mention places around Nashville that you should definitely check out if you have time: Country Music Hall of Fame, The Grand Ole Opry and Opryland Mall, Antique Archeology (If you're a fan of the show American Pickers), and eat at Flipside in 12 South (they serve the craziest bloody mary I've ever seen).
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Nashville or just inspires you to add this destination to your travel bucket list! If you have any questions about my trip, please reach out to me!