A Journey Through Southern Hospitality
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MY FIRST VISIT TO NASHVILLE!
How is it that I’ve visited sixty-six countries worldwide but have never been to Nashville, Tennessee? It’s a short flight from Dallas, I have family and friends who live there, and I’ve heard for years that it’s one of the best cities in the country! Well, they were right. This trip came about from an invite from Joe’s best friend and his wife, who live in Nashville. And when I say “best friend,” I mean Joe and Jerry have known each other since they were four years old, growing up together in Ashland, Kentucky.
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Jerry is a sports fanatic and holds box seats for both the Predators hockey team and the Tennessee Titans, so let’s just say we were treated to first-class experiences at both games, as well as a concert featuring the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). One of the trip’s highlights was when we left the box seats at the hockey game and Jerry took us right behind the glass, between both benches! I have a newfound respect for what the players go through. It now makes perfect sense why they rotate in and out every two minutes; they’re literally skating at full speed. I was hoping for a fight to break out—and, of course, it did!
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I think I’ll write this blog as travel advice for those of you heading to Nashville for the first time or returning with new ideas. Mind you, I was only there for four nights, primarily for sporting events, but I hope this helps. I am a HUGE planner, and my Notes app on my iPhone probably takes up more space than any other app I have. If you read this and know Nashville, please shoot me a message, and I’ll add your advice!
WHAT TO WEAR
Nashville’s weather is similar to Dallas—less hot but slightly more humid. We visited in October, which may be the perfect month, along with May. Honestly, the weather was ideal—around 77 degrees and sunny—so I have no complaints at all. Would I go in August? Absolutely not! I hate hot and humid weather and would rather be in my pool in Texas or, better yet, on the beach in California.
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Nashville is a casual town. You won’t see any furs, Hermès bags, or six-inch heels, so I had to leave all my fancy-smancy attire behind. That said, you know I’ve got to look cute, so I focused on my hats, comfy shoes, standout jewelry, and cute boots. They say locals don’t really wear boots and hats, and you should avoid those looks to not stand out as a tourist. But of course, I ignored that advice! My goal with fashion is to STAND OUT! If you don’t, what’s the point of spending money on clothes? I must have received 50 compliments on what I either brought with me or what I bought while I was there. (Number one piece of advice, though: bring comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a ton of walking!)
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SHOPPING
Broadway is the main street where tourists go shopping. However, I wouldn’t recommend this street for shopping, as it’s very crowded with basic shops. Instead, I focused on two streets just outside of downtown: 12th South and the Gulch neighborhood. Pam (Jerry’s wife) and I spent four hours on 12th South while the boys were golfing. I highly recommend you eat at Henry’s to fill your tummy up before the shopping begins. This area is bustling with the cutest boutiques, flower shops, Jenny’s Ice Cream, and coffee hangouts. My favorite boutique was HERO; they source items from around the world, so you can find unique pieces. The Gulch neighborhood was similar to 12th South, and I loved it as well. I enjoyed shops like Finnleys, e.Allens, and Rustler Hat Co. for custom hats, along with some fantastic men’s shops.
DINING
They say Nashville is a foodie town, and I can’t wait to go back and try even more spots! We were pretty busy with activities, but here are my favorites. The Patterson House is the cutest speakeasy. No reservations are accepted, so you may have to wait for a table, but the drinks (which do take a while, so don’t be in a hurry) are amazing, and the atmosphere is perfect. The Four Seasons has an awesome Italian restaurant with a rooftop bar where you can hang out beforehand. The drinks and service there are incredible.
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We dined at Luogo one night in the Gulch neighborhood, and it was authentic Italian—don’t miss ordering the meatballs! For sushi, Sunda in the Gulch district is a must-visit. The owner came up to me and said, “Wow, you really know your sushi,” after I requested the salmon belly that wasn’t listed on the menu but I knew they were hiding in the back. For a fancy romantic meal, go to Drusie & Darr, a Jean George restaurant at the Hermitage Hotel, which I totally want to stay at next time. This hotel is historic, with the most gorgeous marble lobby and a bar featuring lovely modern decor. I ordered the tasting menu at the restaurant, and it was the best meal I’ve had since visiting Spain in March.
DO’S AND DON’TS
You have to hang out on Broadway at least one night; it’s a street packed with bars and live music. My advice? If you go, look up some off-the-beaten-path dive bars. If not, you’ll be waiting in crowded lines with a ton of tourists. My favorites just a block off Broadway were Printers Alley and the Loser Bar! In fact, the Loser Bar had the best country singer we heard on the trip. You won’t find any mixologists in these places, but you will find down-to-earth talent and maybe some locals with a missing front tooth. 😊
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I can’t wait to go back and visit more famous spots like the Patsy Cline Museum, the Johnny Cash Museum, and, of course, the Grand Ole Opry! Next time, it will be a girls’ trip, and I plan on making it EPIC!
A special thanks to our friends who made this trip incredible. To God be the glory for all he has done!
To God be the Glory for all the things He has done!
Love you all,
Amy
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