Your Guide to a Perfect Weekend in Nashville

This is the guide you’ve all been waiting for. One of the things many of our writers have in common is our love for Nashville, Tennessee, home to some of our favorite country singers and songwriters and where all of our favorite music is made. We decided to compile a list of some of our favorite Nashville spots to prepare you for the perfect weekend when you make your next trip to music city!

Good Eats.

1. The Sutler Saloon
This spot is perfect for all your southern food cravings, but we especially love it for their Sunday Bluegrass Brunch. Complete with live music and bottomless mimosas, you truly can’t go wrong!

2. Loveless Cafe
The Lovelace Cafe is an iconic and historic spot about 25 minutes outside of downtown Nashville. Situated on the outskirts and full of charm, the Lovelace Cafe property is a gem. Make sure to order some of their tasty sides (like Mac and cheese), as well as, their famous hot biscuits and country ham. The restaurant has the best food for any meal. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the little shops too, and maybe pick up some homemade jam!

3. Whiskey Kitchen
Situated right near the heart of the 12South area, Whiskey Kitchen is the perfect place to go for lunch, dinner, and even happy hour! The restaurant has the coolest rustic atmosphere, complete with indoor and outdoor seating and fire pits, but of course, the food is spot on. We especially love their spinach and artichoke dip and their wings. While you’re there, make sure to sample some of their cool cocktails, including their large collection of whiskey and scotch.

4. City House Nashville
If you’re looking for some Italian food in the south, look no further than City House Nashville. Their menu includes pizzas, pastas, salads, desserts, and of course delicious wines. Locals tend to frequent the place to get their Italian food fix.

5. Acme Feed & Seed
If you plan to spend a lot of your time on Broadway than Acme Feed & Seed is a great option. The three-story building is located downtown and their rooftop overlooks the entire downtown area. Each of their floors offers different food on their menus, which makes for a fun dining experience.

6. Proper Bagel
Rounding out some of our favorite food options is one of the best breakfast places in Nashville, Proper Bagel. As a New York-based company, we know our bagels and breakfast sandwiches, and Proper Bagel definitely does not disappoint! We recommend you go for a quick bite to eat to start your day off right.

What To Do.

1. Visit a museum.
If you’re into history or just love museums, Nashville has some that are worth checking out. For country music lovers, the ‘Country Music Hall of Fame’ is a must-see. It’s constantly changing, so even if you’ve been before, it’s worth checking it out again. Other museums worth considering are the ‘Johnny Cash Museum’ and the lesser known, ‘Musicians Hall of Fame.’

2. Walk over the Pedestrian bridge.
If you’ve ever seen a cool picture of a view of Nashville, that person was probably walking over the Pedestrian bridge. The bridge connects downtown to trendy East Nashville, and also gets you to the Nissan Stadium, formally LP Field. Make sure to take in the views, during sunrise, sunset or the golden hour- and you’ll be sure to get the perfect instagram-worthy picture.

3. Go to a sporting event.
Nashville has multiple options for attending professional sporting events. If you’re there, during hockey season, we recommend you check to the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena downtown. For football lovers, Nissan Stadium is the place to be to check out a Tennessee Titans game. It’s also worth checking out the Nashville Sounds, Nashville’s minor league baseball team at First Tennessee Park. Bonus, we love getting a drink at the Von Elrod’s beer garden next store before or after a game.

4. Roam some of the cute neighborhoods.
Although we love Broadway, Nashville has so much more to offer! The Gulch is home to the famous “wings mural,” as well as, colorful whimsical mural and the new mural created for Taylor Swift’s latest music announcement. The Gulch also has some great eating options and shopping, such as Kristin Cavallari’s store ‘Uncommon James.’ The 12South area is home to the colorful “Nashville” mural and the floral one. We’re also loving the hip area of East Nashville, which houses some great coffee houses, thrift stores, and hidden gems, such as the “WhatLiftsYou” hot air balloon mural.

5. Have some fun outside.
We love Percy Warner park! It’s perfect for some hiking, to have a picnic or even just take in the views of nature, and it’s not too far from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Another option is getting off the land and on to the water. Get your friends together and rent a pontoon boat, so you can spend your day on the Percy Priest Lake. For those who want to stay downtown, we encourage you to rent scooters or even participate in a pedal tavern, so you can explore in style.

6. Attend Music Row Happy Hour
Radio personality, Buzz Brainard now hosts a first come, first served, happy hour at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. You will have front row seats to a live SiriusXM and The Highway broadcast, and maybe even be featured on air!

For Your Nights Out.

1. Tootsies Orchid Lounge
The Broadway bars are always a fun time. We especially love FGL House, Honky Tonk Central, and Legends Corner, but Tootsies Orchid Lounge is one of our absolute favorites! Located in the alley across from the Ryman, Tootsies is a purple gem on Broadway. The laid back vibe and the killer rooftop is the perfect place to throw back some drinks and dance and sing all night long to some of the great musicians playing.

2. The Midtown bars.
Just a short Uber ride away from Broadway are some great bars located in midtown. Some favorites include Losers Bar & Grill, Winners Bar & Grill, Hopsmith Nashville, and The Red Door Saloon. All feature a good crowd, live music, and some great drink options.

3. Dawghouse Saloon & Tin Roof
Located on Demonbreun Street, locals love Dawghouse Saloon for its upbeat sports bar vibe and live music. Locals also frequent Tin Roof, which is located congenitally right next door.

4. Pinewood Social
For those looking to chill with friends, Pinewood Social is a fun alternative to the bar scene. Advertised as “a place to be morning, noon or night,” Pinewood Social is the perfect place to relax with a few drinks with friends. It is a multi-purpose space for dining and bowling, and at times, live music.

5. Artist Owned Bars
Over the past few years, artists have partnered with bars on Nashville to open new locations that include Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, and Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse. Each are great places to hang downtown and you never know who might show up, this past February we caught Luke Bryan when he performed at his place.

That wraps up the first part of our Nashville guide! For options to see live music on your trip, check out our post here.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: