Nashville: Hello There Darlin’

“Her favorite dress is her favorite blue jeans.”

After a year of COVID, a quick weekend drive to Nashville, Tennessee, from Louisville, Kentucky, was food for my soul.  Nashville is referred to as “the best part of America” by Nicole Kidman.  This city boasts a Southern state of mind without being pretentious.  A few hours from Louisville, I found some fabulous fashion and food.  The future is looking bright, especially for those of us wearing a nice pair of cowboy boots.  

This city is quintessentially American.  Jack White said, “It’s not too hipster and it’s not too fake.”  It’s comfortable.  Like your favorite pair of blue jeans, you can easily choose to dress it up or dress it down.  Customize your visit to your personal tastes, there are a great many opportunities to see the many sides of Nashville.  

“Get your honky tonk on”

Staying downtown in the “Capitol District” at the beautiful and new TownPlace Suites, https://nashvilledowntown.com/go/towneplace-suites-by-marriott-capitol-district I got up early to jog around the city Saturday morning.  While out exploring, I visited the Nashville Farmers Market located next to the capital also near a handful of beautiful walking paths.  

Sunday morning I grabbed a coffee from the cute and artsy Moonshot Coffee Bar at the hotel and headed down past Broadway before heading out for brunch.  The bright lights on Broadway are known for attracting bachelorette parties and tourists while also showcasing a variety of live local music.  My cover shot was taken a block away from the honky tonks showcasing a few of their downtown marquees.  While there are many recommendations for live music, I found Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville to be a favorite.  

“Music is coming out of every door”

I am proud to say that I officially checked a visit to the Ryman Auditorium off my bucket list.  I framed the gifted photo their team took of me onstage as part of their backstage tour experience.  I hope to visit the Ryman again to see a live concert.  I have heard the acoustics in the auditorium are unlike any other.  In fact, the building was originally built as a revival church.  Today if you attend a concert your seats are ticketed to seat numbers evenly placed and engraved on the vintage wood church pews.  

It was inspiring to be in the room where so many famous singers have performed on the original Grand Old Oprey stage.  Taking the backstage tour, listening to the historical stories, and seeing the beautiful costumes on display from the music legends who performed at the Ryman was a treat.  One of my singer/songwriter friends recorded her original music in their studio, located stage left in the auditorium, when she visited.  

“Whiskey in a teacup”

TownPlace Suites not only had a quirky contemporary art-filled coffee shop,  Moonshot Coffee, but their rooftop bar The Zeppelin had great bites and fabulous views.  For brunch close to downtown, I highly recommend the cafe and bar Liberty Common With beautiful outdoor seating, the chic come-as-you-are vibe is reminiscent of a French cafe gone Southern. This restaurant was named “Sobro’s Best Brunch” according to Thrillist.  Also nearby is the Hampton Social with more of a coastal feel with an instagram-worthy atmosphere and notable rooftop bar.  Note: brunch is only served on the weekends.  Finally, the hipster industrial Pinewood Social is a short distance away and features entertainment of all kinds.  There is a bit of fun for everyone, with a coffee shop upfront, cocktails, bowling, and outdoor patio with a mini pool make this a trendy destination for culture and cuisine.  

“Country roads take me home to the place I belong”

With two days in Nashville, I definitely wish I could have tried more of Nashville’s restaurants and their trending Southern menus.  Taylor Swift is known to recommend the Pancake Pantry claiming, “My absolute favorite meal in Nashville is (their) sweet-potato pancakes.”  I barely saw all the sights.  This trip was focused downtown on the Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame, but I did make a quick shopping trip to East Nashville.  I look forward to another road trip sometime soon to this Music City to continue exploring and celebrating all things the Nashville Way.  

A shout out to Nashville’s TownPlace Suites and the tourism team at Visit Music City for their generosity and recommendations.