If my job at Only In Your State has taught me anything, it's to always be open to adventure. A recent trip to Nashville allowed for lots of impromptu adventures, including a morning that started at a farmers market and ended with my six-year-old and I rolling down the expansive hill behind the Tennessee State Capitol building, giggling uncontrollably the entire time.
We started at the Nashville Farmers Market, a destination I'd been excited to explore as it's home to some of the best small businesses in Tennessee and an epic food hall full of global and regional cuisine. We hadn't had breakfast and were keen to grab brunch from one of the many market vendors, deciding on vegan paninis from a sandwich shop housed in the "Grow Local Kitchen," a stall that features a rotating array of start-ups and up-and-coming restaurants. What a cool concept!
Bellies full, we grabbed fresh peaches and house-made pickles from the market, then shopped for souvenirs at Made in TN. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day and we weren't in a hurry -- and across the street, the capitol building beckoned.
The Tennessee State Capitol is perched on a hill that overlooks the farmers market and riverfront on one side, and downtown Nashville on the other. It opened in 1859 and is a magnificent tribute to the people of Tennessee, full of meaningful memorials and striking stone statues.
It's also a wonderful place to explore, especially with a six year old who delights in this wide, wonderful world. After climbing up the grassy hill (we dubbed it "Mount Nashville") we eagerly approached the capitol building. It's striking and commanding, but also accessible: the building is open to the public for tours (guided and self guided) and since we'd been up bright and early, we had our run of the place.
We explored the grounds and had fun reading the plaques, jogging up steps and enjoying the views from all sides of the building. Nearby, you can walk to the library, the Tennessee State Museum, and more. Walking is one of my favorite ways to explore a new city, and it was really fun ambling around Downtown Nashville, hand in hand with my daughter.
It's easy to get stuck in self-imposed itineraries and the feeling of needing to "do it all" on vacation. Don't! Leaving yourself open to unexpected experiences allows for the kind of fun, carpe diem moments that you'll remember long after returning home.
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