My cousins and I decided to take a road trip to Nashville, Tennessee this past weekend. I was so excited to explore somewhere new but nervous because Nashville is known for Country music and I have never been that into Country. However after our short weekend there I fell in love with "Music City". I've curated list of places you can visit, my favorite bars, and where to take the best insta pics!
Nashville neighborhoods
Having only been there for the weekend we were able to visit two neighborhoods - The Gulch and 12 South. They are both filled with so much to do if you're only in Nash for a few days!
12 South
The 12 South neighborhood located 10 minutes away from downtown is filled with boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and so much more! It's easily walkable and you can even visit Reese Witherspoons boutique Draper James.
12 South - Food
Christie Cookie Co: Fresh-baked cookies in dozens of flavors, brownies, and gourmet ice cream sandwiches.
Edleys Bar-B-Que: Delicious brisket, ribs, and even catfish! Order your food and seat yourself.
BarTaco: Creative mexican food with a southern twist.
Frothy Monkey: A breakfast and dinner coffee house, quiet with lots of locals.
Five Daughters Bakery: Donuts galore! With lots of photo ops!
12 South - What to see
Draper James: Reese Witherspoons store with the cutest photo ops! They even hand out cute sweet tea cups when you arrive!
I believe in Nashville mural located right next to Draper James
"Looking Pretty Music City" mural next to Madewell
If you go during fall they have a Pumpkin Farm also!
The Gulch
The Gulch is a 25 minute walk / 7 minute ride from downtown and was probably my favorite of the two neighborhoods. While not nearly as busy as Broadway street, the Gulch has way more restaurants, bars, photo ops, stores and the street is filled with party wagons and electric scooters.
The Gulch - Food
Milk and Honey: A cute and trendy brunch spot that is always packed .
Biscuit Love: Another cute, trendy brunch spot that always has a line of people waiting to get in. Some items include Bonuts, vegetarian grits, and plates with and without biscuits.
Peg Leg Porker: Pulled pork, ribs, pie and buckets of beer. Fun eats including kool-aid pickles.
The Gulch - What to see
Nashville WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural: One of my favorite artists, Kelsey Montigue, has a pair of #WhatLiftsYou wings located in the Gulch right around the corner from Milk and Honey. However be prepared to wait in line to take a picture!
Murals in parking lots: Right across the street from Potbelly / Milk and Honey there is a parking lot with two other huge murals! Including the Lego Man mural!
Kittenish: The cutest store ever! It is filled with cute neon signs and the store is so aesthetically pleasing!! My favorite sign was probably the "Bad Bitch" haha. Also how cute is the "Nashville Stole My Heart" wall? Enjoy these random pics of me and my cousins.
Amelias Flowers: The most adorable flower van that moves around Nashville, build your own bouquet while taking the cutest insta pics! Check out their instagram to see where they're at today!
Downtown Honky Tonk City - Broadway!
Broadway - What to see
Johnny Cash Museum: Definitely a must if you're even the slightest Cash fan! for around $21 you learn so much about the "Walk the Line" country singer.
Broadway - Bars
Once you hit Broadway you'll know why they call it #MusicCity 2 blocks of bars with at least 3 floors and a rooftop, each floor with live music playing. When you step out it is a whole 'nother world! The Bars -or Honky Tonks- on Broadway are no cover but very long lines and pricey drinks! We paid $84 for four drinks at Luke Bryans. Even if you don't know the songs you can't help but have the time of your life and jam out! Bar hopping is a must! Bars are open until 3am but don't wait until too late to go out so you can experience as much as you can! Some of my favorites include:
Dierks Bentleys Whiskey Row: I have to say this might've been my favorite place (but I will say that about a few of these hehe), such diverse live music compared to the rest of the strip. They played Prince, decade hip-hop/pop hits, Snoop Dogg, Country, Rock n' Roll and even a bit of Jazz. Definitely a must if you're not a country music lover.
Jason Aldean Kitchen and Rooftop Bar: The bar is set up with three floors with a rooftop bar, the first floor is an awesome concert like feel with a dance floor. On Friday the band played popular 2000s hits and Saturday it was more country. Make your way up to the rooftop its huge!
Tootsies Orchid Lounge: A historic spot on Broadway, packed shoulder to shoulder with live country, not my favorite but many big country stars got their start here!
The Valentine Rooftop: Prohibition-era themed, four-level bar we went straight to the rooftop because they have a DJ! The first DJ we saw the whole time we were there! He played popular rap and hip-hop if you're not that into country check this place out.
Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge: 6 levels, 8 bars, 3 stages with live music and two restaurants. This place was freaking huge! Sushi bar on top and a nightclub like feel on the second floor with a DJ. We didn't spend too much time here but definitely check it out.
Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse: Every floor of Kid Rocks Honky Tonk is INCREDIBLE, amazing bands, amazing people and great priced beer. You have to go here if you're even the slightest fan of rock n' roll.
Of course wherever you go on Honky Tonk Highway you will have fun, each place depends on the band but if you don't like the music at one place head next door! Nashville was definitely one of my favorite vacations. I hope this list comes in handy next time you head down to Honky Tonk City!