What to See and Do In Nashville
HOTELS
Nashville has become one of my favorite cities because there is so much to see and do! For country music fans, Nashville is the ultimate destination, but it's so much more than country music! It is a very lively city with fabulous restaurants, dangerously great shopping, beautiful hotels and so much more! I'm not going to tell you that this is the ultimate guide because I haven't been everywhere...but here are my favorite things!
Let's start with the hotel! I've stayed several places in Nashville and Noelle has been my favorite so far. Noelle was originally built in 1930, just a block away from Broadway. Today it has been "restored and re-imagined" and once again is a bustling luxury hotel on the Corner of 4th Avenue and Church Street in downtown Nashville. The picture below is just off 4th Avenue and is adjacent to the hotel coffee shop called Drug Store Coffee. I got addicted to the almond milk lattes with honey very quickly!
The lobby and bar at Noelle.
Photo by Sara-Anne Photography
I have to include a word about The Thompson Hotel in Nashville! While I've never stayed there, my daughter Sarah had her bridal portraits taken there so it holds a special place in my heart!
Other hotels I would recommend in Nashville would be The Hermitage Hotel and The Westin.
DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE
The famous Printers Alley is just behind the hotel. Printer's Alley is between Third and Fourth Avenue and was a lively nightclub district in the 1940's. The name Printers Alley comes from Nashville's connection to the printing and publishing industries. A short walk away is famous Broadway Street and while Broadway isn't my vibe, it is worth visiting just to people watch! Downtown is a fun neighborhood to walk around in and Noelle is walking distance from the Johnny Cash Museum and the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as great shops and dining.
We tried to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame last time we visited Nashville, but they were closed, so it was definitely on the list of things to do this time! I am not a huge country music fan, but it was well worth the time to go through the museum. It's so much more than a museum...with interactive exhibits, film screenings and instrument demonstrations. I especially enjoyed seeing the old cars (one belonged to Elvis) and the Loretta Lyn exhibit.
No visit to Nashville is complete without a plate of Hot Chicken! Rebecca and I walked to brunch at The Diner on Saturday morning and it was delicious! The chicken had just the right amount of spice and the biscuits were sooo good!
12 SOUTH
Amelia's Flower Truck is one of my favorite things in Nashville! I always wish that I was going home so that I could take some flowers with me! What could be more adorable than a mint green truck riding around selling flowers! I was determined to get a picture in front of it, in spite of the rain!
I've talked about Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream so many times...because it is the best ice cream out there! If you don't believe me, just ask my grandson Hudson!
Imogene and Willie is housed in a refurbished gas station and sells handpicked denim and vintage pieces such as cowboy boots and jackets. They also sell their own brand of amazing jeans and tee shirts as well as great smelling candles and other goodies. You don't want to miss this one!
The Nashville flag mural just outside of Draper James is a great spot for Instagram pics!
In 12 South, I also love Emerson Grace Boutique, Five Daughters Bakery (maple bacon doughnuts anyone?), and Josephine, for dinner.
THE GULCH
L.A. Jackson, the rooftop bar at the Thompson Hotel has a breathtaking view of the city as well as great food and cocktails.
Little Octopus is probably my favorite lunch spot in Nashville. The food is Latin inspired and with ever changing flavors and an emphasis on vegetables. Milk and Honey runs a close second, offering pizza, a mouthwatering bakery, gelato and so much more. The food at both places is delicious and either one would make a great choice for lunch in The Gulch.
Two Old Hippies is not be missed. They have live music and a large collection of memorabilia along with cute clothes and accessories, but the best part is having your picture made in front of the psychedelic VW Van!
Other great places to go in The Gulch include Moto for delicious Italian food and Parish Nashville for a great new outfit...
The picture above is a sneak peak of a photo shoot that I did with Rebecca and Sarah at Noelle! We had the best time staying at this beautiful hotel and I can't wait to share it with you!
If you haven't already, check out my YouTube video with all of my favorite spots in Nashville!
I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of Nashville! Thanks so much for reading!