A Week in Nashville, TN • Travel Guide
In the beginning of April, Jesús and I took a trip up to Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate my 24th Birthday, and visit a dear friend of ours!
With tickets to a Maggie Rogers concert booked (on my actual birthday day! Ahhhhh) and flexible plans for the rest of our 6 day trip, we were really excited to experience and soak in the Nashville that we’ve heard so much about (especially among friends down here in FL).
With all the hype, it was funny to arrive in Nashville, look around, and in all honesty think to myself… ‘this is it’? This is THE Nashville that everyone raves about?’ To be fair, it did look like a lovely city, on a grey-ish spring day - but it didn’t look to be anything wild or incredible right off the bat.
The second day got even better though, having uncovered another neighborhood that we loved, and then another and then another.
By the third day… we had experienced enough for everything to really settle in and click. Nashville is such a special city with SO much to see and do. You just have to know where to go and be ready to uncover all the fun stuff that’s waiting for you.
Our trip as a whole turned out to be a true blast. The process of wiping our expectations clean, and then falling in love with this city all our own was super fun to experience alongside Jesús. I’d highly recommend visiting it for yourself, and jumping in with the curiosity of experiencing Nashville in a way that feels the most special to you!
My sincerest thanks to our amazing friend, Renee, for hosting us in her beautiful home and being the master of all tour guides. Her recommendations were so much fun and we loved getting to spend such quality time with her and her friend, Ansley (who was in town at the time too)!
All the more thank you’s as well, to lots of other good friends who sent us such thoughtful, helpful lists of places to check out… They all did have one thing in common… Mas Tacos. Ha.
Apple and Oak
Here’s the Guide!!
General advice to anyone visiting Nashville (especially the first time):
Make a list of some places you’d like to check out in advance! Even though it’s super easy to get around the city, things are definitely spread out across neighborhoods, and it could be really helpful to plan out all the things to do in one area of town before moving onto the next.
Rent a car!
Spend a day outside the city, in nature if your plans or the weather allows! We really loved the botanical garden that we visited and the drive out there! If our final few days weren’t so rainy, we would have loved to hike a trail nearby or visit a vineyard/winery outside the city!
Plan to stay longer than a few days, but know that you can experience so much in under a week as well. I think it was the length of our 6 day stay that just allowed us to truly fall in love with the city and understand why it’s so treasured by so many.
Plan your visit in the spring for all the blooms, or in the fall for all the leaves. (These are just my personal preferences!)
Broadway is definitely something fun see - but unless you’re into country music or super touristy stuff, I wouldn’t stress committing very much time to it.
These are the places we visited and loved!
Shops:
Apple and Oak - My favorite shop in the Hillsboro Village area! Beautiful interior space, rugs and home decor for sale.
Grimey’s New + Preloved Music - Super cool record shop on the east side of town.
Anaconda Vintage next door to Grimey’s!
Imagine and Willie - Felt like a very classic Nashville stop - I loved finally getting to visit this shop in person!
Warby Parker + Aesop (right across from one another in Edgehill)
Madewell Denim Edit on 12 South - such a fun concept (I love Madewell)
Coffee:
Crema - Our favorite cup of coffee.
Stay Golden - We ate a really delicious brunch here as well, just after landing!
Dose - Great coffee and food here as well!
Barista Parlor - We loved the one in the Gulch, although I here that the one is Germantown is super beautiful too!
Humphrey’s Street Coffee - Great coffee, beautiful space and an even more beautiful mission behind this shop!
Drinks:
Pinewood Social - I ordered the ‘4AM in Oaxaca’ cocktail… it was incredible!
Bastian - We visited the bar, although there is also a restaurant attached! I really loved the feel of this spot - super fun, cool vibes, that are welcoming and relaxed at the same time.
Patterson House - My favorite. I loved this speakeasy style cocktail bar so much. I recommend making a reservation - especially if you’re planning to stop in on a weekend.
Food:
Butchertown Hall - Best birthday lunch I ever did have ;)
Mas Tacos - Soooooo many people recommended Mas Tacos… and it definitely lived up to all the hype. You gotta go, people!
Cafe Roze - This restaurant really took my breath away with it’s stunning interior, and beautiful (crazy delicious) food! They do also serve up coffee if you’re looking for a quick stop.
FOLK - My very favorite meal in Nash - with Cafe Roze as a close second. I recommend going with a small group and collectively ordering a ton of dishes to share!
Dessert:
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream - popped into shops all over Nashville about 4 times in the course of a week… because, well, Jeni’s ice cream.
Sights:
Frist Art Museum - Super beautiful museum in the heart of downtown Nashville!
Cheekwood Gardens - A botanical garden with all the spring blooms! Ah! Our trip here was magic - I’m sure the autumn leaves would blow my mind just the same.
And now for alllll the photos! Thank you for reading - Enjoy!
Apple and Oak
Stay Golden
Jeni’s!
Top: Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks
Bottom: Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Truffle
Skirt by Ma Ma Osa!
Grimey’s New + Preloved Music
Grimey’s New + Preloved Music
Dose
Off 12 South
Imagine and Willie
Butchertown Hall
Food at Butchertown Hall
Mas Tacos!
Prince’s Hot Chicken
Broadway
FOLK restaurant interior
Cheekwood Gardens
Renee and Ansley!
Crema Coffee
Our food at Cafe Roze
Cafe Roze
We love you, Renee!!
