Barista Parlor: On my list to visit, next time!
Tom and I spent a recent weekend in Nashville, ostensibly for a couple’s getaway but really to see my adorable twin nieces. {scroll down to see what they did with us at TopGolf!}
Nashville has long been on my list to visit and explore, especially now that my brother Ian and his wife Haley have made it their home during the past year. We’ve made quick stops coming and going during road-trips, but never really sufficiently scratched my Nashville itch.
Here is the thing-I’ve also had some reservations about Nashville and wondered if it’d be too honky-tonk for me. Country music…well, I have pretty strong feelings about it. Like, against. Nor do I love cowboy culture. Its never been a vibe I’m attracted to. It’s just not me, you know?
I knew Nashville was more than country music (thank you, Instagram!) but I was still pleasantly surprised to see how vibrant, eclectic, and fun Nashville is. It’s way more dimensional than the one big genre I ascribed to it. Even better, everyone was super friendly and welcoming! It’s like they wanted me there to eat their food and drink their coffee and stroll around their cute neighborhoods. They were practically begging. Therefore, I obliged.
I really like you, Nashville: you’ve won me over!
My brother Ian perfects his TopGolf shot
Here are the places we visited that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend:
This independent bookstore co-owned by author Ann Patchett is dreamy. Bought this book here, made a memory!
All my Instagram dreams came true. Full of local goods and curated pieces from the US and beyond, this shop is a stylist’s dream.
Fun little shops and eats to browse!
Complimentary sweet tea at Draper James, (I just had to check out Reese’s place), flower’s from Amelia’s flower truck, jeans at Imogene & Willie, vintage delights, boutiques; this area offers an eclectic variety and I loved it!
European style + friendly Nashville style and a brunch worth lingering over. If you want to grab something on the go, they have a great coffee and pastry bar.
Bright, bustling, extensive menu (i.e., shakshuka, chicken and waffles, avocado toast)-everything we tried here was truly delicious. The patio is great, but they have plenty of indoor seating as well.
One word: Bonuts. You have to try them. A doughnut married a biscuit and the rest is history. Another fabulous breakfast place-get in line early if you can! We went on Monday morning and there wasn’t a wait, but the weekends can be another story.
Best iced americano I had in Nashville. Also, saw this lovely family and their skoolie here and wished I’d caught them in time to chat!
Killer cold brew {see what I did there}, and the cinnamon rolls were as big as my head. I have a big head.
They have pie, what more can I say? Lots of indoor and outdoor seating, locally roasted coffee, and a menu that will carry you from breakfast to dinner.
A legend if ever there was a doughnut legend. I might’ve gone to two of their locations. I’ve always had a sweet spot for small batch doughnuts, and their famous “100 layer” is, as they call it, “a hybrid of a croissant and a doughnut” and definitely worth the experience if that strikes your fancy.
I’m a horrible golfer, but this was unexpectedly fun and I can’t wait until a St. Louis location opens up! Each bay features comfy couches, a full menu, and very attentive staff. {Prices per hour are less expensive before noon.}
Kinsley & Kyra enjoyed the furniture at TopGolf!
You can park at the nearby mall for free, walk the short distance to the hotel, and then enjoy the hotel’s beautiful atriums also for free! They are impeccably kept, with waterfalls, walkways, lush gardens and ever changing lights and decor.
∇Accommodations:
We stayed at the Sheraton Music City Hotel and it was lovely. The rooms surround a beautiful courtyard and the hospitality and room service was excellent. Nashville has a lot of great Airbnb options as well as hotels, but we booked so last minute that our choices were pretty limited. Thankfully, we got a great deal on this hotel and it’s also near the airport making it convenient for air-travel.
Have you been to Nashville? What do you recommend I see and do? Next time, I definitely want to enjoy the music side of Music City! ♦ There’s live free music venues to be found every day of the year. ♦
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