nashville photo diary

Oh Nashville. Smashville, Nashvegas – whatever you want to call it. I went with my husband for his 30th birthday along with his 3 siblings and their spouses. We did all the touristy things and MY GOODNESS we had a great time! Here are some Nashville highlights!

Stay

We stayed in the Sheraton Grand downtown. It was close enough to walk to the main strip of bars, but far enough away that it was still quiet and relatively secluded. I highly recommend it.

Another gorgeous hotel nearby is the Hermitage Hotel (pictured below). We didn’t stay there, but we walked in for a peek. If you have the funds and want a real treat, I would recommend staying there!

One of the most famous and beautiful hotels in Nashville is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It is a HUGE complex and convention center, with restaurants and activities all inside. It would be a really great location for a family reunion! But be warned – it is a 20 minute drive from the downtown action. If you don’t have a car, taxis and Ubers could add up. On the flip side, it is a Marriott hotel so you can use/get some points!

Eat

We had the most amazing brunch at Biscuit Love. We had to wait outside in the heat for awhile to get in, but it was so worth it. It is one of those place where you order at the counter, then you sit down and they bring the dishes to your table. I had a really tasty omelette, but they have all the famous Nashville treats like biscuits  (duh), hot chicken, and other phenomenal fare.

For a fancy birthday dinner, we went to Kayne Prime steakhouse. The service was phenomenal and it was one of the most memorable meals! Everything from the cocktails to the appetizers to the juicy steaks were just top notch. Make sure you get the corn brulee and the pork belly with the cotton candy on it!

Chauhan had the most incredible modern Indian food. The presentation was unique, and the portion sizes were perfect. We ordered a side of the ghost pepper sauce and it nearly bit our head off, but in the best way.

Drink

A great spot for coffee in the morning is Provence Breads and Cafe. I got the Honey Bee (a latte with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla) and I LOVED it!

As far as spirits, Dan was happy with a PBR in his hand. I on the other hand, like pretty cocktails. Maybe because they are instagrammable, but mostly because they taste delicious.

The moonshine slushi at Acme Feed & Seed was unmatched. It tasted like sweet lemonade!

The Flipside is a cute little joint in the 12 South neighborhood with fun cocktails! They have food too, but we didn’t eat anything there. It has an adorable diner feel.

Bars and Live Music

We went to almost every single bar on Broadway, and everyone has a favorite based on what band was playing when they arrived. My favorites were:

• Nudie’s
• The Stage
• Robert’s Western World
• Acme Feed & Seed

Shopping

If you came all the way to Nashville you’re probably trying to get yourself some cowboy/girl boots. My favorite shop is Boot Barn, but there are so many and they are all really similar.

If you’re a Reese Witherspoon fan you have to stop by Draper James just for a peek. they will offer you some sweet tea, and there is a nice little husband couch area. Another cute boutique in the same area as Draper James is called MODA boutique. I’m still kicking myself for not buying a pair of earrings I really liked from there!

Fire Finch Boutique is also a really nice unique stop. They have clothing, jewelry, some home decor items, and beauty. Oh and two really sweet kitties that hang out at the store, too!

Radnor Lake Park

I admit I wasn’t dressed for hiking, but we decided to take a stroll around Radnor Lake. It was absolutely beautiful! We saw so much wildlife (turtles, herons, ducks) and really enjoyed the peace and serenity compared to the craziness that is downtown Nashville.

Here is a link to my Nashville Travel guide so you can have all of the info in one place! I loved Nashville and would absolutely love to hear what you did when you visited!

–Roxanne