Nashville was THE MOST fun. I had never been before and we had SO, SO much fun. We were there for the last of our live shows but we also got to see quite a bit of the city and do a lot, so I wanted to share everything we did here! I will caveat that there was one big miss: we did not see any live music! I know, I know… please don’t judge – it’s a good reason to plan a return trip. I’ll be honest; the live shows pull from a pool of energy that we’re not necessarily used to using so afterward we tend to want to just “old lady.” Both nights ended with early bedtimes and a glass of wine at our hotel bar and I feel great about that!
That being said, next time we will 100% see more live music – I’ve been told that Layla’s and Roberts are the best places to go. (And I’ve also created a Nashville travel guide, which I will update as I visit there more – it’s nice having everything in one place!)
36 Hours in Nashville
We stayed at The Noelle and it is probably the best/one of my most favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed in. It’s beautiful – the downstairs had a definite Soho House vibe. The rooms are plush and cozy, there’s an amazing coffee shop downstairs, and there’s even a cool speakeasy (Hidden Bar). One thing we both really loved is that they give you refillable water bottles and then on every floor there are “kegs” of both still and sparkling water where you can refill your bottle. It’s the little things!
(Full disclosure: The Noelle gifted us a room for two nights in exchange for coverage on Instagram.)
Having coffee at Drugstore Coffee in our beautiful hotel lobby…
They have an option to do a one bedroom with two king beds which is perfect for a girls trip. Either do what Becca and I did and luxuriate in your own king bed, or you can easily fit four to a room for a larger group!
After our shows we had a full day to explore.
We started with brunch at Deacon’s New South which is conveniently just across from The Noelle. This spot is FANTASTIC. Just don’t fill up on biscuits! We ordered the biscuit board (pictured above) which was a little slice of heaven… and then I got an omelette and Becca had a fried chicken BLT. As you might guess, I didn’t eat much of my omelette, instead opting to have half of Becca’s sandwich. It was so, so good and now I am convinced that every BLT should contain fried chicken. Is that too much to ask?
Then we took a long walk along Broadway and 2nd (where all the live music was!) We had hopes and dreams of seeing lots of live music but as I already mentioned, were major failures in that department. After our stroll we were pretty hot so we took an uber to Parnassus Books. which is an institution in the books world – it’s Ann Patchett’s bookstore!
From there, we had heard that the 12 South Neighborhood was very cute so we had to explore that.
A few highlights:
- Becca had shave ice from a food truck and I got Jeni’s ice cream (my favorite!)
- They had the cutest little Outdoor Voices I’d ever seen. It’s in this cute old house!!!
- We both fell in love with Emerson Grace – a local shop that stocks designers like Ulla Johnson, Apiece Apart, and Rhode.
- We loved White’s Mercantile – it’s an institution and neither of us had much room in our suitcase but it would have been the BEST for gifts!
After all the shopping and site-seeing we went back to our hotel. A drink at the rooftop bar, a little nap….
And then we headed to the most delicious dinner at 5th and Taylor. Oh my god it was just SO GOOD. The duck wings! The tomato pie! It was all just SO GOOD. I cannot recommend this spot enough!
This trip was FAR too short so I will just say that I cannot wait to get back to Nashville! We had an amazing time and I was left wanting MORE.
professional photos by Jami-lyn Fehr
Looks like you had the most perfect time in Nashville! I’m jealous! ✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
It was so much fun!
Welp I will be craving that tomato pie all day now.
UGH IT WAS SO GOOD!
These pictures are dreamy!! Looks like it was such a great 36 hours.
Thanks so much Nora!
Sounds like a fun trip! I love Nashville, such a fun city! Thanks for sharing!
-Kate
https://daysofkate.com/
It was so much fun – can’t wait to go back!!!
It was so fun seeing your show here in Nashville! You hit so many of my favorites including 5th & Taylor…SO GOOD. You should add The Listening Room or The Bluebird Cafe to your live music lists. They do writer’s rounds where songwriters sing what they wrote and tell you the story behind the song – it’s an amazing glimpse into the music industry. It’s tough to get tickets at the Bluebird but they have detailed instructions on their website. Come back soon!
Ahhhh thank you – that sounds AMAZING!
I can’t wait to come back 🙂
I live in Nashville and had tickets to your show, but ended up having to go out of town last minute. Please come back! Also, your travel guide is great. You definitely hit all the right places while managing to avoid the tourist traps! Well done!
We really want to!!!
Firstly, were and we’re are different words and if you get paid to write you may want to reexamine your use of both. Secondly, as a Nashville native, I can say that after being here 10 years, I have never heard of or been to any of the places. If you want to review the city I would recommend leaving the 6 square block tourist trap for rich white females in which you clearly became stuck.
Sebastian,
Being in Nashville for 10 years does not make you a native. Also, don’t be such a jerk.
Signed,
A 31-year-old true Nashville native who values Southern hospitality and kindness
oh god who peed in your cornflakes? leave grace alone.
So you’re a Nashville native and you’ve been there 10 years, so you’re…10 ten years old? If you’re going to write comments, please check your grammar.
Oh you did do a lot of the fun things in such a short stay! However, across the street from Whites is Las Paper as (http://laspaletasnashville.com), which you MUST include! Yummy!! Also don’t forget to try the hot chicken (Hattie B’s or others).
Love our city! But it’s getting very popular and we locals aren’t crazy about that!
Question: I have very sensitive eyes and need an eyeshadow for my son’s wedding coming up in a few weeks! Any suggestions that won’t make my eyes all red and irritated when I take it off at the end of the night? Help!
Thanks.
Thanks CindyJo! Much appreciated!
I’m honestly not sure re: eyeshadow. Maybe try a clean/natural brand like W3LL people or Ilia? Those have fewer chemicals. I’d probably talk to an optometrist!
Las Paletas
I only have Asian style marinated cold duck wings which was quite lean and dry… are these duck wings battered and fried? Does it taste like chicken?
No it tastes like duck! Yes they are fried though! SO good. They also came with a little truffle honey.
Short trips are always such a whirlwind but it looks like you had so much fun in Nashville. :]
We had the best time. There’s still so much more to do; I can’t wait to go back!
I couldn’t make it to the Nashville show either and was SO upset — yes, please come back!!
Awwww! I def want to go back.
We’ll be in Atlanta this Fall!
1. Love Nashville! I ran a Ragnar to there a few years ago and hung out an extra day or so to explore. Biscuit Love was a delishhhh restaurant for breakfast if you go back but you have to go early.
2. LOVE Becca’s shoes in this post!
Ah that’s awesome!!! It’s such a fun city.
So glad you enjoyed your visit. I lived in 12 South for a decade before moving last year and it sure has changed!
In fact, there are so many new places, you’ve tried places I haven’t. But moving 5th and Taylor up the list!
Hope you are able to come back soon!
I hope so too!!!
Oh what a gorgeous place!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Thanks Lisa.
Hi!
Glad you and Becca had fun in Nashville. It was really nice to meet the two of you IRL at the Podcast M&G.
Amanda G
Thank you so much for coming!!!! We had a blast. xx