I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Nashville is crazy fun! My hubby had a business trip that I jumped in on..best decision ever. I was there early October from a Saturday to Tuesday and did as many touristy attractions as possible. After arriving and checking into our hotel, we made out way to the Broadway Brewhouse for lunch. It was a five minute walk from the hotel and casual. I know a lot of people put the popular Hattie B's on their lunch list, but I'm not a fried chicken fan, so there was that. Afterward, we made our way downtown to lower Broadway, the strip, so I could check out all the honky tonks in the entertainment district. What I didn't realize is that Nashville is the new bachelorette destination. It's a major scene..as in bachelorette parties are EVERYWHERE! White boots and cowboy hats were out and about at every turn. They even had tractor tours with dancing bachelorette parties driving around non stop, music blaring - crazy town! #Nashville #Bachelorette #Bacheloretteparties
https://hattieb.com/ - super popular with long lines out the door!!
Bachelorettes are everywhere!
Lower Broadway and yes...it is this busy 24-7!
First things first...Our hotel, the Hutton was a good choice. It's in between Vanderbilt and lower Broadway, so far enough away from the craziness but still within walking distance to the honky tonks. Our hotel had a cool vibe and featured a musician in the lobby daily and lounge on the second floor with out of this world entertainment. I mean..so good. The bands we watched on stage, multiple nites, were outstanding. The Hutton doesn't charge admission to hotel guests. It's a four star hotel - really nice with comfy bedding and a nite time venue. The downside to this hotel is that there is no outdoor terrace/seating area. So, if you're visiting when the weather is pleasant, there is nowhere to just chill. #Broadway #MusicRow #HuttonHotel
www.huttonhotel.com - Their second floor lounge
The Graduate hotel is a five-minute walk from The Hutton and offers an organic breakfast grab and go menu on the main floor with plenty of seating. The hotel also has a beautiful rooftop indoor restaurant and terrace with a pool, sitting area, and bar. Once I discovered this hotel, I was a gonner. Their healthy breakfast became my go to. This hotel is closer to Vanderbilt and further away from the Strip, but for a girls' weekend, I would not rule it out. It's girlie and glamorous, and I loved the vibe. #GraduateHotel #NashvilleHotels #Girlsweekend
The Graduate Hotel
This has girls' weekend written all over it!!
In addition to dinner at the Hutton Hotel with work associates, we did make it out to a fabulous restaurant called Midtown Cafe. This is a don't miss. It was convenient to The Hutton, but it's also on many top 10 lists in Nashville. We were both impressed with the menu, especially the lemon artichoke soup, which is their staple soup. When I commented to the waiter how much I loved it, he told me that Bon Appetit Magazine has tried numerous times to acquire the recipe...without success. https://www.midtowncafe.com/ #MidtownCafe
Lemon Artichoke Soup is TO DIE FOR!!!!
Midway on Broadway I found gelato at Le Macaron that I am still dreaming about. This pitstop deserves a post all on its own. This is a perfect mid-day dessert fix, and it's located in an alcove with a quite a few retail shops to browse through. It's a nice detour when you need a break from the crowds or the bar scene. #Gelato #Macarons #MacaronGelato #LeMacaron
Broken up pieces of macarons in the gelato make this any almond lovers dream.
Okay...so on to heart and soul of Nashville! On the strip, you're going to find all the big country name honky tonks...and these hot spots are ENORMOUS...like three or four floors. There are bars and entertainment on each level, and each is packed. You'll find Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk, Jason Aldean's, and Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row to name a few. Honestly, we went into all of them. The amazing fact is that no matter where you walk into, big or small, the entertainment will be stellar, top 40 radio quality. I found myself saying, "Why isn't this person famous," every time we made our way to a new venue. #HonkyTonks #KidRock #JasonAldean #DierksBentley #DierksBentleysWhiskeyRow #Partytime #Nightlife #DowntownNashville
Jason Aldean's - My Kinda Party!
Kid Rock & Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row - amazing entertainment!!
Dave was able to squeeze in a few tours before his business meetings kicked in, which I appreciated. I'm fine being alone..but having company is always nice. We booked excursions through Viator.com for the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B. We allowed ourselves two hours to tour and that was a big mistake. I mean, I'm a country fan and viewing the costumes alone behind the Museum's exhibit galleries could take HOURS..and that's just the clothing, not to mention the guitars, life stories, and photographs of all the talent being displayed and their journeys. The Musuem is truly a tribute to country western culture. #CountryMusicHallofFame #RCAStudioB #RCA #StudioB #Viator #CountryMusic #Country #WesternCostumes #Performance #Couture
Pics from the Country Museum Hall of Fame
After the Hall of Fame, our next stop was to the famous, legendary RCA Studio B, where many famous country singers have recorded their music - more than 35,000 songs have been recorded in this studio. This was the favorite recording studio of Elvis Presley, who recorded over 200 songs here. Our tour director gave us the complete 411 on Elvis, Dolly, Roy Orbison, and many others including Carrie Underwood, who have all recorded in this legendary Nashvile landmark. It was a great learning experience in a short amount of time. #Elvis #Dolly
In hindsight, I would not have booked the bundle tour Hall of Fame & Studio B together. My appreciation for sewing, draping, and fashion design is such, that I could have devoted atleast four hours alone at the Museum. The rodeo costumes and country musicians performance clothing had me in awe, as the craftsmanship was pure western couture.
RCA Studio B
On the day before I left, I was on my own. I probably should have booked the Grand Ole Opry tour, but I didn't. After another wonderful breakfast at The Graduate, I made my way to the Vanderbilt area where I walked through Centennial Park. I had to check out this Parthenon I was hearing about, and sure enough, there is a freaking full size replica of the Parthenon right in Nashville. What can I say...it's huge! Although most would say that is the highlight of the park, I took some time reading and taking in the Tennessee Women's Suffrage Monument and took a good long moment to imagine what these female trailblazers endoured as they paved the way for women's equal rights. It took nearly 100 years for women to gain the right to vote.The 19th amendment became officially valid on August 18, 1920. #Vanderbilt #VanderbiltUniversity #CentennialPark #WomensSuffrageMonument #Parthenon
Susan B. Anthony: “There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” Amen Sistah!
Parthenon Building/Museum and the Women's Suffrage Monument
In the early afternoon, I walked over to the Gulch, not knowing what to expect. It's really just a higher end neighborhood situated between Music Row and Downtown. I posed with the wings mural and just explored. It's a cute area...just a few quaint bisquit and breakfast places and a few boutiques. Perfect stop for lunch with friends (but I was alone..so on I marched). #TheGulch #Gulch #Nashvillewings #NashvilleGulch
I also walked through Union Station Hotel, originally built in 1900 as a train railway station. It's a landmark site and one of Nashville's most beautiful historic buildings. The architecture is reminiscent of the gilded age with modern touches and vibe of the present. Gorgeous hotel. While Downtown, I made sure to walk through a few of those swanky cowboy boot shops and check out some of the smaller musical venues on side streets. And of course...there was the gelato. After a long day of walking, it was back to the hotel for some downtime. #UnionStation #UnionStationHotel #NashvilleArchitecture #historicbuildings #Cowboyboots #Bootshops
Union Station Hotel is a gorgeous historic building!!
Some of the boot shops have amazing deals...buy two pairs and get one free.
Nashville is a great time. The musical talent, bar scene, restaurants, and vibe are extrardinary. It's a perfect long weekend guys/girls getaway with lots of hotel options both close and farther away from Downtown. It had been on my bucket list for a while, and thanks to Dave, it's now checked off. #businesstrip #AVIP #Weekendaway #weekendvibes #weekendgetaway #husbandwifetrip #tagalong #plusone #bucketlist #travel #wanderlust
If Nashville is on your bucket list, and you would like help planning your trip, do not hesitate to contact me at thill2@aaanortheast.com #aaatravel #aaanortheast #travelagent
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