Welcome to Music City! Get ready to dive into the city’s booming restaurant scene & two-step till the early hours of the night with this weekend guide to Nashville written by Meredith from The Glass Passage.
Friday
Nashville is a convenient flight from most US cities — and it’s manageable size makes it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway (for those who might be a little lacking in PTO). I flew in from Dallas and was in the heart of downtown in just 20 minutes from the airport and checking into my wonderful accommodation, 506 Lofts.
The Lofts are in a historic building from the 1800s right in the middle of the action (you can walk to Broadway in under 10 minutes!) and are near several bars and restaurants. The lofts are individually decorated with local murals, artisan furniture and really make you feel as though you’re Nashville’s newest resident. The 506 Team was wonderful in providing insight into where to go, park and their favorite parts of the city. Our loft had gorgeous bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen (complete with snacks from local businesses in town!) and and a spacious living area.
After settling in, we set out to posh neighborhood The Gulch to catch the sunset (and craft cocktails) at rooftop bar L.A. Jackson. Drinks were followed with dinner at rustic Italian hotspot Moto (and even better: the M Street restaurant group that runs it has numerous concepts all on one street, offering something different — and equally delicious — for everyone). After dinner, we indulged in trivia and throwback arcade games (Pacman + cocktails, a winning combo) at Headquarters Beercade — a quirky spot filled with locals gathering for a good time.
Saturday
The day began with brunch and bowling at Pinewood Social (if you go for dinner, it’s an equally cool vibe). We then got a country music history lesson with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and (more interestingly for the Graphic Designer in me) Hatch Show Print — a letterpress print shop that’s created iconic concert posters from everyone from Louis Armstrong to Hank Williams! For die-hard country fans, also don’t miss out on the Johnny Cash Museum, located nearby.
We traveled from downtown to the charming and beautiful Germantown neighborhood and grabbed vanilla bourbon lattes and homemade biscuits at Barista Parlour — one of the hippest coffee shops in town.
Nashville also boasts a booming craft beer scene, so dinner and a brew at one of the city’s many breweries is a must! I’d recommend either Yazoo Brewing Company, Jackalope Brewing Company or Tennessee Brew Works (which also has live country music).
Now it’s time for the main event: a night out on historic Broadway. This iconic street is packed full of honky tonks pumping out incredible live music from 10am – 3am, 7 days per week. The best part? It’s all free! Artists from all over play for tips only on Broadway because it’s considered such an honor to play where stars like Willie Nelson and Dierks Bentley began their career.
Sunday
Walk off the hangover on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for one of the best views in town (we went in the evening, but it’s popular for a morning run) before grabbing a hearty southern breakfast at Frothy Monkey.
After you’ve gotten your morning grits, you’re perfectly positioned to peruse some of the best shopping in town in the popular 12 South neighborhood. Don’t miss out on the ladylike looks at Draper James (Reece Witherspoon’s clothing brand), the adorable Ameila’s Flower Truck and the famous Nashville mural located all along the same street.
Before you catch your flight home there is one last piece to the perfect Nashville puzzle — and that’s hot chicken. Look no further than Nashville staple Hattie B’sfor arguably the best in town. Order the hottest level at your own risk, these people don’t mess around!
