Man! I feel like planning a girls trip... 🤠🇺🇸

Nashville has held a special place on my travel bucket list since my childhood days. Growing up with the melodies of Taylor Swift, The Chicks, Keith Urban, and Shania Twain, I always knew that I had to immerse myself in the vibrant atmosphere of Music City, with a generous side of hot chicken, of course.

This blog is dedicated to those who often dream of embarking on a girls' trip but find themselves hesitating. It's a gentle nudge to book those flights, seize the moment, and make those long-discussed plans a reality. ❤️

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Friday, August 4th 2023

Upon landing in Nashville, we were greeted by an unexpectedly rainy welcome. After dropping off our bags and freshening up at the hotel post-flight, our growling stomachs led us straight to Biscuit Love in the heart of the Gulch. Let me tell you, the food was out-of-this-world amazing, and it set us up perfectly for the adventure waiting for us downtown.

One spot on our must-visit list was Hatch Show Print, a haven for typography and screen printing enthusiasts like myself. The establishment boasts a remarkable history dating back to 1879, a fact alone that left us in awe. Venturing inside, we were treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the machinery and materials. While I managed to snag a collection of postcards and patches, the temptation to buy more beautiful pieces of art was very challenging. Add this to your bucket list as it will not disappoint.

We decided to hit Broadway for some cowboy boots before our big night out. Boot Barn had the best selection for every budget. After trying on a bunch, I grabbed a classic brown pair, and my friend got some cool embroidered white ones. Don't even ask about the price; that's a secret.

After a long day, we freshened up at the hotel for a night out. Boots on, matching bedazzled jean jackets, we strolled down music row to Live Oak for dinner – nachos, drinks, and an awesome band playing for a packed crowd. After that, we hopped on scooters, cruised to Broadway, and started checking out bars. We caught some incredible artists and cover bands all night. Fingers crossed, some of them make it big on the country music charts.

📍Biscuit Love

📍Hatch Show Print

📍Broadway & Boot Barn

📍Live Oak for Dinner

📍Scootered to Broadway

*Honky Ton Central Bar was our favourite of the night

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Saturday, August 5th 2023

After a wild night out with a few too many cocktails, we rallied and hit the door for day two of adventures. Our first stop was back in The Gulch for breakfast and snapping pics of the awesome murals around. The "What Lifts you up?" mural stole our hearts and seemed to be a hit with everyone else too. Seeing rain clouds on the horizon, we opted for an Uber ride to RCA Studio B for a fascinating tour. Stepping into the same room as legends like Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton was something I didn't think I would ever get to experience.

Post-studio tour, we hopped on the tour bus and headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame, embracing the indoors as the rain continued. Some might find this kind of thing a snooze, but not me – I was all in. Wandering around, we checked out mannequins decked out in outfits from country icons' music videos and writing sessions, past and present. Seeing original outfits from my favorite childhood music videos was insanely cool. And to top it off, I even peeked into the Taylor Swift Education Centre, where kids can dive into songwriting workshops. If you're a country fan, it's a must-explore spot.

We then made our way to ACME Feed & Seed for some chicken and waffles – the food was a tough choice because everything was so delicious. Grabbing a seat, we enjoyed our meal accompanied by some live music. As the afternoon faded away, we decided to stroll past the Ryman Auditorium before heading back to the hotel, gearing up for another night out on Broadway.

Dinner at Butcher & Bee treated us to delightful Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by a couple of cocktails. After an Uber ride, we hit Broadway for what turned into an epic bar-hopping night. Exploring spots we hadn't explored yet, we made a special stop at Margaritaville to toast to Regatta with our family back in Canada. The standout of the night was The Valentine – it had a more rock vibe than country. The crowd was a blast, and we belted out some fantastic 90s and early 2000s hits.

📍Milk & Honey Breakfast

📍The Gulch

📍RCA Studio B

📍Country Music Hall of Fame

📍ACME Feed & Seed Lunch

📍Ryman Auditorium

📍Butcher & Bee for Dinner

📍Broadway… again 🤠

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Sunday, August 6th 2023

Our last full day urged us to explore something new. We strolled to a quaint coffee shop on Music Row named Just Love, relishing delicious waffles and iced coffee under the welcome embrace of sunshine – a perfect day for a leisurely walk. Today's agenda included a choice between the iconic Blue Bird Cafe or Centennial Park, insert Taylor Swift lyrics here. Opting for Centennial Park, we meandered, snapped some pics, and found ourselves at a park bench dedicated to Taylor.

Next on the list was 12th Avenue, that had many charming boutiques and murals throughout. This spot, quieter than Broadway yet brimming with exploration opportunities, quickly became a favourite of ours. After a sweet treat of ice cream and a bit too much sun, we returned to the hotel for a quick change before embarking on our Pedal Pub adventure around downtown. Having experienced a pedal pub in PEI, I must say Nashville's version was fantastic – well-crafted, with awesome music, drinks, and a hilarious driver. Pedaling through the city, we shared many laughs.

Although our plan initially involved one last visit to Broadway, exhaustion kicked in, leading us to opt for some delicious pizza at The Stillery on Music Row instead. Satisfied and content, we made our way back to the hotel to unwind and reflect on the incredible journey we had experienced.

📍 Just Love Coffee Cafe

📍Centennial Park

📍12th Avenue Murals

📍Nashville Pedal Tavern

📍Dinner at The Stillery

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Monday, August 7th 2023

Our last day in Nashville was a chill one. Luckily, we got a late checkout 'cause our flight wasn't until the evening. Finally got to check out the rooftop pool at our hotel – it was awesome for a laid-back final day. Spent some time swimming and lounging before it was time to drive to the airport. Had a few hiccups and moments where we thought our flight might get canceled due to weather, but we made it back home to Toronto just before midnight.

This trip was something I've always wanted to do, and I'm stoked I made it happen in 2023. Picked up loads of memories, and unfortunately, a run-in with COVID for the first time in three years but it was all worth it. Nashville's got a piece of my heart now, and I'm definitely planning to go back whenever I get the chance.