So what do I do when it’s -2987349 degrees in Ohio? I plan Nic & I’s next summer vacation: And I’m very excited about the possibilities. #staytuned. Anyways, while I’m planning our vacay, I can’t help but reminisce on last year’s trips and Nashville was absolutely at the top of our list + everything we hoped it would be! We stayed at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel which was awesome because everything we wanted to see was within walking distance. We didn’t take one cab.
The best part of Nashville is obviously the live country music but here’s the thing: I’ve been there 4 times now and have yet to step foot in the Country Music Hall of Fame. I mean, it’s an absolute must — but I just get so excited about enjoying the music that the touristy things get pushed off my to-do list. If you love country music + live within driving distance (I’m assuming most of you live in Ohio + it’s about a 6 hr trip… definitely drivable), then you have to go for a weekend getaway. You will have the best time ever! Nic + I went for our 1st Anniversary in September and we already can’t wait to go back.
To sound cheesy: By immersing ourselves in the Nashville culture + surrounding ourselves with country music at every waking moment (there are awesome acts playing at every hour of the day) + by sharing and supporting these aspiring singers’ dreams… It gave us a deeper appreciation for country music. Normally we branch out and listen to all kinds of music, but we haven’t stopped playing country since we got back from Nashville. We love it.
If you’re lucky, you may even seen some very, and I mean verrry, famous peformers. Story goes, the weekend before we went, Keith Urban + Steven Tyler got on stage at Tootsie’s (a famous bar in itself), Legends, and The Stage and played for the crowds. Completely unannounced. How amazing is that!?
Ever watched ABC’s Nashville? Then, I’m sure you’ve heard of The Bluebird Cafe. It’s where Taylor Swift + Garth Brooks were discovered and many aspiring singer/songwriters play there. I don’t really know what I was expecting when I saw it but I was surprised that it is in a little strip mall right across from the nicest mall in the city. It was “closed for a private event” (possibly a taping of Nashville?) so we couldn’t go inside but it was neat to see.
Puckett’s Grocery is a great, southern-style restaurant to get breakfast, lunch, or dinner and it’s only 2 blocks from the music scene. Plus, they serve all their drinks in mason jars.
My top spots for listening to music are on Lower Broadway:
1.) The Stage 2.) Tootsie’s 3.) Honky Tonk Central.
Layla’s and Legends Corner are also awesome and they are really all beside each other.
Oh + we didn’t make it out of town until we got some Jeni’s Ice Cream in East Nashville. Yes, Jeni’s is everywhere now! Next time I go, I want to take in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium, home of the original Grand Ole Opry, and stay at the historic The Hermitage Hotel.
You can view other posts from my trips to Nashville here and here.
It looks like you two had a wonderful trip!! Where will you go this summer?
We are thinking East Coast 🙂
I have been wanting to go to Nashville forever! Loved your post! Did you fly or drive?
I just love it! You should go 🙂 I have flown before and that’s nice because they are an hour behind (you leave Ohio at 4 and get there at 4). This time, we drove and it was such an easy drive. Either way, it’s great for a weekend trip!