One of my biggest passions in life is traveling! So, when I was given the opportunity to meet my childhood friend in Nashville to celebrate her Birthday, I said “Yeehaw” and eagerly accepted! Nashville has been one of the cities on my USA bucket list for a long time and even though I get to check it off, I know l will be returning!
We spent 4 nights exploring, immersing ourselves in the country music culture, and of course, eating and drinking our way through the city. We had such an amazing experience that I wanted to create a travel guide with my recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, where to drink (bars), and places to see/things to do!
Where to Stay
Virgin Hotel: $$$-$
We stayed at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. This hotel is typically rated a 4-star luxury hotel, but room rates vary depending on the season, room type, and availability. We mainly chose this hotel for the rooftop pool, but the location was great. It’s not in the heart of downtown/Broadway, which I actually preferred. It’s in a great location, centrally located, and just a short Uber ride from many of the sought-out neighborhoods! Aside, from the rooftop pool bar and restaurant, the Virgin Hotel has a restaurant and a coffee shop located on the main floor. They also have a cool and hidden speakeasy bar (NOTE: the bar is only open on the weekends, so plan accordingly).
Noelle: $$$$
Noelle is a historic, 13-story Art Deco boutique hotel located in downtown Nashville. It features 224 artsy rooms, vibrant gathering spaces, and a prime location just steps away from Printer’s Alley and the nightlife of Broadway. This boutique hotel is the most spendy out of all the recommendations. While there is no rooftop pool, this hotel offers a rooftop bar, restaurant, and boujee looking coffee shop!
For a tad more affordable options located near downtown, check out the Embassy Suites ($$$) (free breakfast is included) and the Hilton ($$$). Both of these hotels came recommended by friends that have stayed there!
Where to Eat
La La Land Coffee: is a must for coffee. We got their toast (they have different options such as avocado, nut butters, strawberry, etc.), but if I’m honest, I wasn’t overly impressed. Their coffee, however, is worth the wait!! I highly recommend the viral Banana Cloud Latte, but then again, I am a sucker for anything banana flavored. Get there early or opt on a weekday as the lines can get kind of crazy!
Frothy Monkey: is another great option! A Nashville local spot with breakfast, brunch, lunch, and snack options. Again, I love their banana flavored coffee drinks–they are known for it!
White Limozeen: this is an absolute MUST for the girlies!!! Vibrant, Dolly Parton-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant located at the top of the Graduate by Hilton Nashville hotel. It’s known for its over-the-top, pink-hued aesthetic, it offers sweeping skyline views, a rooftop pool, and a menu of elevated Southern-French comfort food. We had champagne bongs, glitter jello shots, oysters, poke, and eggs Benedict! The food was nothing to necessarily write home about, but the experience, fun cocktails, and girly vibes are well worth the visit!
Lolas European Cafe: A cute spot and an authentic European vibe. There’s a bar in the back serving up cocktails and food including light bites/shareable plates, paninis/sandwiches, and salads. As you walk in, you will find their coffee bar counter offering high end espresso and artisanal gelato. I recommend the pistachio latte.
Husk Nashville: I first came across this restaurant while researching Charleston, South Carolina, where it originated. When I learned they also had locations in Savannah and Nashville, I knew we had to check out the Nashville location during our trip. Husk is located in the Rutledge Hill neighborhood, just a few blocks south of Downtown in an old refurbished 1880’s mansion. The vibe is full of Southern charm—cozy, welcoming, and effortlessly romantic. They serve traditional southern food with a modern twist. In fact, their philosophy is, “if it doesn’t come from the South, it’s not coming through the door.” This was a fabulous dining experience with delicious cocktails, high-quality food, and friendly service!
Bourbon Steak: this end steak restaurant is located on the 34th floor of the JW Marriot with incredible views of the city. This was a memorable dinner and one of the best steaks I’ve had (I grew up in the steak restaurant industry so that’s saying something). We celebrated my friend’s birthday here and we were blown away by the food, the views, and the outstanding service. The was steak was melt-in-your-mouth good. I highly recommend ordering the truffle mac and cheese as a side but be prepared as it is extremely rich and indulgent. One unique detail we loved was instead of serving traditional bread, the restaurant serves a complimentary fry trio with the paired dipping sauces! This restaurant was definitely a splurge, but well worth it!
*TIP for the women: to get the best view in the entire place, take a visit to the ladies’ room. You will not be disappointed!
Where to Drink (Bars)
You can’t visit Nashville without experiencing Lower Broadway, also known as the Honky Tonk Highway! This famous 4-to-5 block stretch is lined with neon-lit, celebrity-owned bars and iconic music venues aka Honky Tonks, making it nearly impossible to see them all. Here are some of my favorites:
Morgan Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen: This place is incredibly popular for a reason. I had a great time because the live bands frequently cover Morgan Wallen’s songs.
Luke’s 32 Bridge by Luke Bryan: loved the relaxed, fishing-themed ambiance of the lower floors; the entire place had a wonderfully laid-back vibe.
Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa: features a vibrant, pink-themed cowgirl aesthetic. The venue boasts a photogenic “Nashville” neon sign that makes the perfect backdrop for snapping photos.
Robert’s and Tootsies: are both classic and famous as they served as the historic launching pads for country music legends. Tootsie’s has been operating since 1960 and located just across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium (the original home of the Grand Ole Opry), it became the go-to spot for musicians to grab a drink before or after a show. Robert’s is known as the last real Honky Tonk by resisting trends and remaining traditional.
What to Do
Shopping
12 South: Hands down the best shopping in Nashville is 12 South. It’s a half a mile long and it is packed with unique clothing shops, local stores exclusive to Nashville, bakeries, murals, coffee shops, and restaurants. There’s something for everyone–everything from budget-friendly shopping to upscale boutiques. Some of my favorites were: Molly Green, White’s Mercantile, and Vinnie Louise.
*For a fun and inexpensive souvenir (only $1–quarters only), check out the fun mini print vending machine outside of Hart Jewelry.
The Gulch: The Gulch is a trendy, walkable Nashville neighborhood celebrated for its upscale dining, high-end boutiques, luxury apartments, and boutique hotels. If you want your own customized cowboy hat, head to Rustler Hat Co for a personalized high-end custom hat bar experience. You’ll also find Kristin Cavallari’s jewelry shop, Uncommon James, located in this neighborhood.
The Gulch neighborhood is also home to the world-famous “What Lifts You” wings mural, created by artist Kelsey Montague. It has become an iconic photo-op where visitors can stand between the intricate black-and-white wings to become part of the artwork
The Gulch: Uncommon james and the famous mural to take pictures
*If you like the idea of customizing a hat as a souvenir, but don’t want to spend a fortune on a cowboy hat, another noteworthy shopping spot is, The Nash Collection where you can make a customized baseball cap. There are two locations: one on Broadway & the other located in Hillsboro Village.
Painter’s Alley
Painter’s Alley: Was originally the center of Nashville’s publishing industry in the early 1900’s. It was once home to over 30 publishers, including The Tennessean. The alley evolved into a nightlife hub during Prohibition. It later became famous for speakeasies and burlesque shows. Now it’s famous for nightlife, neon lights, and live music. It offers a more relaxed, speakeasy-style alternative to the busy vibe of Broadway.
*I didn’t have time to visit, but the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Cash Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Centennial Park all come highly recommended.
My first trip to Nashville completely surpassed my expectations, and I honestly can’t wait to go back!