Day One

I started my first full day in Music City by heading to the up-and-coming Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood to do some shopping. The area is really known for its design stores; a few of my favorites were La Parisienne Home, recognized for its funky and unique home items, and Robin Rains, known for her incredible vintage furniture all sourced from Europe. (I truly needed EVERYTHING here.) If you’re looking for art, the David Lusk Gallery, which hosts an ever-evolving collection of work from contemporary artists, is also great. On the fashion front, Savas is an absolute must-visit: It specializes in bespoke leather jackets, and the flagship store is absolutely gorgeous. Beware, though—you might need to sell your left kidney for a jacket. But one can window-shop and dream!

For lunch, I swung into the newly opened Soho House, a private members’ club and hotel located in a beautifully restored former sock factory, with one of the most beautiful gyms I’ve seen. This alone made me want to pack my bags and move to Nashville.

After lunch, I headed to the 12 South neighborhood to do a bit more local shopping. Imogene + Willie and Ranger Station were two of my favorite stores in the area. Make sure to grab a candle or two at Ranger Station, and if you’re in town during the holidays, don’t sleep on the Cowboy Christmas candle!

For dinner, I was so excited to try Bad Idea, which was named one of the best restaurants in the United States by The New York Times. Everything about this spot was fun, vibrant, and creative. The wine list was unique, featuring hard-to-find natural wine producers, and the food was inventive while still having a few crowd-pleasers for the not-so-adventurous diners.

The day ended at the incredible Grand Ole Opry, a Nashville institution. It would be tragic to visit Nashville and not go to a show here! Make sure you get the backstage tour if you can—it was incredible seeing Dolly Parton’s dressing room and learning more about the wild history of the venue.

Day Two

Day two started with a quick coffee and breakfast at the Hermitage Hotel before a walk over to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Even if you’re not a country music fan, this museum is a must-visit. The way it has the galleries set up, along with the storytelling the curators have been able to do, is amazing! After the gallery, I jumped in a quick 15-minute Uber to the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. This 55-acre property, with 13 distinct gardens, is so beautiful—the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing, walking around, and picnicking. It also has incredible lights for the holidays.

After that, I headed back into the city to check out the Parthenon. Originally built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition, this replica is truly out of this world. Inside is a 42-foot-tall replica of Athena sculpted by Alan LeQuire, one of the most prolific contemporary sculptors in America. I highly recommend heading over to the LeQuire Gallery after visiting the Parthenon, to really round out the experience. LeQuire himself was at the gallery when I stopped in, and I was able to chat with him a bit. He built the Athena replica when he was in his twenties, which was absolutely mind-blowing to me.

Before heading to dinner at Henrietta Red—an amazing seafood restaurant with incredible service and an even better selection of oysters—I had a few drinks at the Listening Room, one of the best places to see live music in the city. The venue is known for giving songwriters a place to perform their songs, some of which are incredibly well-known. It’s crazy that so many songwriters don’t usually get the fame and recognition they deserve!

I finished my trip to Music City at the Fox Bar & Cocktail Club in East Nashville. The cocktails were so creative and delicious, and the space felt like a Prohibition-era speakeasy. (Pro tip: get the homemade chocolate chip cookies.) It was the perfect way to cap off an incredible weekend in Nashville!

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Discover the Best of Nashville

Music City lover and travel advisor Kayla Calhoun (@kaylaonholiday) shares the venues, bars, restaurants, and sites that need to be on your Nashville itinerary.

Nashville is a city that perfectly blends music, art, sports, and the outdoors for an unforgettable experience. Whether for first-timers or seasoned visitors, Music City is a year-round destination with something to offer everyone.

I recently took my 10th trip to Nashville, and I still explored things for the first time! Here are my absolute favorite things to do in the city.  
   

    

Dive Into the Music Scene

No trip to Nashville is complete without a little (or a lot!) of live music. Catch live performances at the iconic Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry, where country music history comes alive and the artists of today and tomorrow are celebrated. The Opry will commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2025, with special performances scheduled throughout the year, and it could be fun to plan a trip around a show that you’d love to see.

For a more laid-back vibe, you can catch a show with dinner at Bluebird Cafe or the Listening Room. Both regularly host local songwriters, and it’s a unique experience to hear them talk about the meaning behind hit songs from every decade. If you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes experiences, I highly recommend the VIP backstage tour of the Opry, where you can see iconic dressing rooms like Dolly Parton’s, plus catch a performance side stage.

Check Out Nashville’s Unique Neighborhoods

Nashville’s neighborhoods are packed with personality. Here are a few of my favorites:

• 12 South: Perfect for strolling, with trendy boutiques like Emerson Grace and Ranger Station, a local candlemaker. Stop for lunch or grab a coffee at Frothy Monkey, one of my go-tos!
• East Nashville: This neighborhood is known for its bohemian flair, indie shops, and farm-to-table restaurants. You’ll definitely want to take home a famous croissant-style donut from Five Daughters Bakery, and the Fox Bar & Cocktail Club is great for an after-dinner drink.
• The Gulch: A chic, walkable area filled with rooftop bars, upscale shopping, and high-end hotels like the Thompson and the W.
• Wedgewood-Houston: This up-and-coming neighborhood is perfect for an afternoon browsing home decor at several design shops in the Nashville Design Collective. Here, you’ll also find the newest outpost of Soho House, the custom leather atelier Savas, and a brand-new Hermès boutique.
  
  

Get a Taste of the South

Food in Nashville is as much of an attraction as the music is. You can’t leave without trying hot chicken at Hattie B’s or diving into a plate of barbecue. For elevated dining, hit Henrietta Red for oysters and cocktails or Bad Idea for a unique chef-driven experience. If brunch is your thing, Biscuit Love is a must for its famous bonuts (biscuit-doughnut hybrids).

Embrace the Outdoors

Take a break from the city buzz with a stroll around Centennial Park, home to a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, or spend time at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, which is especially stunning during the holidays with seasonal lights and decor.

Experience a Mix of Arts, Culture, and History

Did you know Nashville is home to the most music museums in the world? You could spend your whole trip hopping from one museum to the next, but the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-visit. The storytelling—along with artifacts from a variety of artists, including Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, and Luke Combs—will make for a memorable experience.

For art lovers, the Frist Art Museum features rotating exhibits in a beautifully restored Art Deco building. LeQuire Gallery is also definitely worth a visit, to catch a glimpse of some of Alan LeQuire’s current projects. He’s the sculptor of Athena at the Parthenon and several other famous sculptures around the city.

This post was produced in partnership with Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.