This 30-mile Road Trip Is the Best Way To Experience Nashville In One Day
Music City has been called, “The It City,” the place to be, up and coming, the new New York, the new Brooklyn, the new Los Angeles – if it’s hip and cool and exciting, it has probably been linked at one time or another to the name Nashville. That being said, local economy has seen an enormous uptick in new restaurants and local businesses in the last couple of years, making Nashville not only a fabulous place to live but a beautiful spot to visit. Whether you live in the city or are just driving through for a day or so, we decided to make up a guid that will take you from one end of the city to the other, in just one day. Ready to experience Nashville in all its glory?
We'll start with a solid breakfast as Loveless Cafe, and make our way into the city, finishing our day out in East Nashville. sound like a solid road trip? If you're looking for the interactive map, you can find it right here.
1. A hefty breakfast at the Loveless Cafe is a great way to start the day.
Their biscuits are fluffy and buttery, their menu bursting with delicious breakfast platters and the staff treats you like family. The Loveless Cafe has a reputation for a reason, and it's the best way to start a morning in Music City.
2. On your way into the heart of Nashville, you'll want to stop at Cheekwood.
The stunning botanical gardens and impeccably preserved mansion at Cheekwood is well worth the price of admission. It's fabulous for folks who are looking for a moment amongst great art and good people, and a picnic out on the lawn can heal any problem. (1200 Forrest Park Drive)
Located just beyond West End, between the highway and Sylvan Park, you'll find the sweet little nugget that is Dose Coffee and Tea. The light and bright space is great for working or a quick cup of coffee with a friend. We'd recommend the Chai! (3431 Murphy Road)
This is one of the best kept secrets in Nashville. A local Lover's Lane, Love Circle gives you a bird's eye view of the city and a great place to muse about the future. It's just above West End, and absolutely worth the drive.
Centennial Park is a beautiful open space that is home to many an art fair, the late summer Shakespeare Festival and the occasional pickup frisbee game in the afternoon. Check out the Parthenon, the only to-scale replica of the original located in Athens. PS: Make sure to take a peek at Vanderbilt University to your right as you leave. (2500 West End Avenue)
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is Nashville's premier art museum, hosting beautiful, rotating exhibits throughout the year. It's great to pop in or enjoy lunch from their cafe out on the patio. (919 Broadway)
The Ryman Auditorium is home to the original Grand Ole Opry, and you can take a neat informational tour backstage. With some of the best acoustics in the nation, you may want to check their calendar for a show. If you're a music person, seeing a show at the Ryman should most definitely be on your bucket list. (116 5th Ave N)
Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria just opened in North Nashville to local and national fanfare. Their make-your-own pizza bar is a fabulous lunch option, and we'd highly recommend it if you're visiting the city. This is where the TRUE locals eat. (911 Buchanan Street)
9. Walk off your calories at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center.
This beautiful space is home to miles of hiking and walking trails, a great nature center for the kids and a beautiful bike trail along the meandering Cumberland River. You can even rent bikes at the park for $5 an hour.
We'd recommend Lockeland Table for dinner. Finish the day at a beautiful, upscale restaurant in one of East Nashville's historic neighborhoods. You can ooh and aah at the beautiful homes along these treelined streets, and fall in love with our city as the sun fades. (1520 Woodland Street)
What a beautiful place. Experience a bit more of our great city with a hike in the great outdoors – one that takes you to TWO waterfalls.
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Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
