Fun Things to Do in Nashville | Travel Guide

Fun Things to do in Nashville in 3 Days

I was not originally planning to do a Travel Guide for my 4-day trip to Nashville to see my high school best friend whose wedding I wrote about here on my blog two years ago and her adorable baby, Emmerson Fox. But after getting to experience so many neat restaurants, shops, and tourist sights, I figured I had to share with you all! So here it is, fun things to do in Nashville in just 3 days time…

(Excuse the iPhone photos. Like I said, I was not planning on doing any kind of guide so I was not equipped with my DSLR camera, just my iPhone.)

Lexi’s adorable baby, Emmerson Fox.

Above and below: Inside Cheekwood Mansion

Country music at the Honky Tonk

Our friendship is 18 years and counting….

Fun Things to Do in Nashville – Day 1:

I don’t usually plan anything for my first day of arrival in a new city just in case flights get delayed or I’m too tired to go out when I get there. We actually ended up crashing a neighbor’s wedding party down the street the night I arrived and I got to try Jenny’s Ice Cream which apparently is a huge thing in Nashville. Walking down the street, I was reminded of our middle school days when Lexi and I were teenagers looking for trouble to get ourselves into.

The next morning we managed to get out to explore the Cheekwood Estate which is comprised of a beautiful garden and a mansion. Lexi is a member and an expert gardener so she was my tour guide of all the different plants and flowers in the garden. The mansion has guided tours, but you can also walk through yourself and read the plaques along the way. It’s not a very large tour compared to the sight of the house, but beautiful all the same.

A little history on cheekwood:

Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate. Since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, Cheekwood has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and an historic estate unlike anything else.

Afterward, we enjoyed a good ole southern lunch at Edley’s Bar-B-Que. There is no way I could go to the south without having BBQ! One of my favorite BBQ items is always ribs or a pulled pork sandwich. Yup- totally gave up my gluten-free lifestyle for that.

That evening we somehow managed to find the energy to go out on Broadway Ave. Our first drink was at the rooftop bar of the vibrant Bobby Hotel. A lively boutique hotel in downtown Nashville just a few blocks from the famous Broadway Avenue. If I didn’t stay with Lexi, I definitely would have booked a room here. We enjoyed crafted cocktails on the rooftop with a view of the skyline and the pool.

Next, we made our way down Broadway Ave and enjoyed another cocktail at the Acme Feed and Seed. We sat up on the patio with a view of the bridge and I got to try their Moscow Mule Slushie. Lots of sugar, but absolutely delicious and perfect for the warm night.

Our last stop was the Honky Tonk Central solely based on how crazy the crowd was going for the band from where we were standing outside. You better believe we jammed along to country music! Lexi and I grew up riding horses in the county so it brought back a lot of beautiful memories. They even played one of my favorite country songs: “Sold” John Michael Montgomery.”

Big shout out to Wyndy app for allowing Lexi to easily find a babysitter for our girls nights! Lexi swears by it.

Found Amelia’s Flower truck on 12 South

Inside the gorgeous Hero boutique.

Fun Things to Do in Nashville – Day 2:

The next day we dealt with a slight hangover so ended up taking it easy by going out to 12South, described as “the perfect one-stop destination to eat, drink, play, and socialize.” We got coffee at the Frothy Monkey and took photos by the cutest flower truck. I’m not used to being around babies so it was all a learning experience for me with little Emmy. Good thing he’s not quite talking yet because we did not censor ourselves very well. LOL.

My favorite stores were Hero boutique and the Judith Bright. I hosted a shopping event at Judith’s LA location years ago here (my goodness look how long my hair was and how young I looked!)

That night Lex and I went out to a beautiful dinner at 5th and Taylor. This is a perfect restaurant for a romantic date night. We split the grilled kale salad which was amazing! I ordered the beef cheek pot roast which was very rich and delicious and Lexi ordered the roasted beet dish. We also ordered the viognier-chen in blanc wine which is really refreshing for those warm summer nights.

A view of the Belmont Mansion

A portrait of Adelicia

Adelicia’s walk-in closet circa 1853

Fun Things to Do in Nashville – Day 3

Our last day there we got to tour Belmont Mansion. It is a historic pre-civil war mansion located in Nashville on the campus of Belmont University. It’s a $15 tour, but totally worth it! Plus, the story of Adelicia Acklen is pretty neat. I won’t give it away, you’ll just have to take the tour!

Afterward, we sat out on the lawn to play with little Em. This is definitely a spot I’d have a Laura Lily picnic in Nashville with a view of the beautiful house in the back!

My last night we had a girls night on the couch with Hallmark movies, rosé, and girl talk just like we used to 18 years ago when we were in middle schools. My how time has passed.

Next time I’m in Nashville I’m excited to see Emmerson walking and talking plus the Belmont stables and more of Nashville in general.

Thanks to Lexi for helping me take all these photos and trusting me with little Emmy who likes to hang upside down in my arms.

Xoxo,

Laura