Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am partaking in some lovely self-isolation. Not going anywhere, seeing anyone, or doing anything definitely gets old after a while. Other than cracking a window, the only change of scenery I get is by scrolling through old pictures. The memories remind me of a time when the highlight of my day was something other than going grocery shopping. Some of my favorite photos are from the recent trip I made to Nashville, Tennessee. A fun-filled girls trip to Music City would make anyone nostalgic. The weekend was full of delicious food, tons of history, and good times. I thought now would be a great time to write a post about my trip to Nashville and some of the amazing things the city has to offer. With all of this free time, this is the perfect opportunity to plan a future trip! Lower Broadway When I think of Nashville, one of the first things that comes to mind is Lower Broadway. This strip is filled to the brim with inviting neon signs and live music pouring out of countless honky tonks. Known as "Honky Tonk Highway", Lower Broadway has an electric feeling in the air. This is a place where you're encouraged to let you hair down, throw a few drinks back, and dance like there's no tomorrow. Whether you like classic establishments like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, or you prefer something new-school like Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, there's a place for everyone! I had a blast listening to amazing live music, learning how to line dance, and partook in some truly entertaining people-watching. Whether you like country music or not, Lower Broadway is something you have to experience! Johnny Cash Museum Nashville is known as Music City. From Country to Blues to Rock 'N Roll, many music genres have roots there. The city is home to so many music history landmarks like the Grand Ole Opry, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Ryman Auditorium. With only a couple of days in town, it was hard to decide which places to visit and which to save for a later trip. I was travelling with two friends who aren't fans of country music (terrible, I know), which made the decision a lot easier. We decided to go to the place where they could focus on one single fixture of country music history, the great Johnny Cash! The Johnny Cash Museum details the life of the legendary country music singer, Johnny Cash. From his small-town Arkansas roots, to his dedication to prison reform, to his deep love for June Carter, the Museum leaves no details spared. My favorite exhibit featured clips from all the various film projects he starred in. Some clips are surprisingly good, but a lot of them will make you laugh at how dated or over-dramatic they are. The last stop in the exhibit is a screening of his music video for "Hurt" and guarantees that no eye will be dry leaving the museum. The Johnny Cash Museum will make you laugh, bring you to tears, and does an amazing job of making all of its visitors feel a connection to the late legend. The Parthenon As a lot of you know, I am a humongous history nerd. Therefore, the Parthenon was a must-see for me. The Parthenon is a full size replica of the actual Athenian marvel and stands as the centerpiece of Centennial Park. The Parthenon is home to countless paintings, casts of the Elgin Marbles, and a 42-foot replica of the statue of Athena Parthenos. The sheer size of the statue is truly amazing (pretty sure this is how normal sized people see me). Whether you speed through the exhibits, or take in every last details, it's impossible not to appreciate this site's beauty. As a history buff, I loved the Parthenon, but truly believe this landmark should be on everyone's list! Mural Hunting There's so much to do in Nashville, it can be hard to stuff it all into a weekend. If you have some time, I definitely recommend checking out some of the street art Nashville is known for. Let's be real, everyone loves finding that flawless background for the perfect Instagram photo. From posh floral backdrops to meaningful messages, Nashville's street art is unique and diverse. Here is a guide to Nashville's best works of street art! Food Scene Nothing makes this girl happier than chowing down on some delicious food. I'm pretty sure I put more time into planning our dinner spots than on actual activities. Nashville's food scene is expansive and features all cuisines from Ramen to Tex-Mex. However, on this trip, we focused on the fare that the city is known for: Southern Comfort, Hot Chicken, and BBQ! Here are some of the restaurants I absolutely adored in Nashville: •Monell's was the star of my Nashville dining experience. Monell's serves all-you-can-eat family style Southern Comfort food. Some of the dishes they serve are (heavenly) fried chicken, fried fish, mashed potatoes, corn bread, green beans and ribs. They served around 15 different items, and I devoured all of them. Get ready to loosen those belts because you will definitely leave this place with a food baby! •Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant is the place to go if you want wonderful Southern food and the live music Nashville is known for. I got their Piggy Mac (pulled pork mac 'n cheese), and found that my bowl was entirely clean in minutes. I also tried their whiskey-glazed salmon, and it was also scrumptious. Order a drink, eat some amazing comfort food, and have fun while listening to some of the best live entertainment Music City has to offer! •Hattie B's Hot Chicken: Was the line out of the door? Yes. Was it worth it? 1,000% yes! Nashville is know for its Hot Chicken. Not only does Hattie B's have bomb chicken, they also have great sides to pair it with. I tried both the chicken sandwich and the chicken quarter. The chicken quarter was good, but the chicken sandwich was on another level! •Martin's BBQ Joint is one of the best places to get barbecue in Nashville. As a Texas gal, I am a tad bit biased (yes, we have the best barbecue), but Martin's smoked brisket and ribs are no joke! We shared a family plate with sausage, ribs, brisket, mac 'n cheese, green beans, and a hoecake. I inhaled the brisket and the sides. While barbecue can get pricey if you're hungry, you have to give this place a visit! •Sky Blue Cafe's breakfast was one of the best I had tried in quite some time. I ordered the Nutella and Strawberry French Toast Stuffed Pancakes. It was a thick piece of french toast in-between two generously sized pancakes, all layered with nutella and fresh strawberry slices. I wanted to stick my face in this dish. It was literally heaven on a plate. Want something a little bit lighter? The Lo's Bowl was delicious and diet friendly. You definitely have to check this place out for breakfast! **Just a heads up. This place is tiny and can have waits up to 3 hours. I recommend arriving no later than 8:15 a.m. if you don't want an hour long wait. Tips Here's a few tips to consider: •Most sites and activities charge admissions fees. If you plan on doing three or four activities, it starts to add up. Nashville offers an all-access pass to the city's most popular attractions for one flat rate. Check it out here if you plan on touring the city's biggest destinations! •Good luck trying to find parking in the city for less than $20. If you are travelling in a group, then that price is reasonable. If you are travelling solo or as a pair, then parking can break the budget, especially if you're hopping from site to site. Consider walking if you can, or Uber/Lyft places where you can't. Try to plan your activities for the day in one part of town. That way, you only have to park once, and can walk from site to site. •Want a nice view of the town at night? Take a quick walk from Lower Broadway to John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. It has views of Downtown Nashville, Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge, and Nissan Stadium all in one place. Bring a date, grab some ice cream, and take in the wonderful views! Next Time Around
With only a few days in town, I wasn't able to do and see everything I wanted. Here are some places I missed and plan to visit next time: •Country Music Hall of Fame •Grand Ole Opry •Pinewood Social •12 South Neighborhood •Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library •Ryman Auditorium •Bluebird Cafe •Biscuit Love •Loveless Cafe •Arnold's Country Kitchen Nashville was amazing, and I can't wait to come back. Any suggestions for my next trip? Leave them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!!
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March 2020
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