ADVERTORIAL • May 2019
Nashville: a perfect day in Music City
While the honky-tonks of Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry concert hall have tourists wrapped round their little fingers – it turns out there’s even more to love about Nashville than the regular haunts. To help us veer off the tourist track, born-and-bred Nashvillian Whitney Haldeman takes us on a 24-hour trip through the city she calls home
Morning glory
There’s no shame in devouring a buttery southern biscuit or delicious cup of coffee whilst in Nashville – you’re all but guaranteed both while you’re here. But with visitors queueing out the door at Biscuit Love or Frothy Monkey, locals are instead flocking to Stay Golden – a new café with blush pink interiors in Berry Hill. With an onsite coffee-bean roastery and scrumptious menu items (like the classic breakfast sandwich with a sweet salsa verde marmalade) it’ll wake you up and fill you up ready for a day in Music City.
Shop, stroll, sip
While 12 South (one of Nashville’s trendiest neighbourhoods) is no longer the hidden gem it once was, the bustling crowds haven’t stopped tourists and locals alike from swinging by. Pop into darling boutiques like White’s Mercantile and Imogene + Willie – the jean emporium which set up shop in an old 12 South service station. If the sun is out to play, grab a drink on the patio at taco hotspot bartaco, or head to Edley’s BBQ for a big basket of fries. To end your afternoon on a sweet note, go for ice cream at Jeni’s in East Nashville or a speciality donut at Five Daughters Bakery.
Wet your whistle
It’s no secret that Nashville welcomes those who know how to have a good time. And needless to say, there’s far from a shortage of fun watering holes to get your taste buds around a host of creative cocktails while you’re here. If you like your drinks with a skyline in tow (and really, who doesn’t?) try a Strawberry Cup on the rooftop terrace at Rare Bird or a Tequillin’ Me Softly at LA Jackson. Hoping for someplace so hip it hurts? Head east to haunts like Urban Cowboy Public House or Pearl Diver to try drinks that’ll get you trending. Or, for somewhere less conspicuous, there’s speakeasy-inspired establishments The Patterson House and Old Glory – you’ll find the latter hid behind the unassuming door of an old boiler room in Edgehill Village.
Dinner with a view
Nashville’s blossoming food scene means options can be overwhelming. However, for those looking to (quite literally) elevate their dinner experience, it’s time to head to one of the newest and hottest spots in the city, Bourbon Steak. Perched on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott, this new sky-high steakhouse combines the best views of Nashville (especially come sunset), Tennessee whiskeys and the most succulent steaks in the region – just make sure you book a couple of days in advance to snag a seat.
Music to your ears
In a city with live music at every turn, those looking to avoid overly-commercial traps in exchange for an authentic Nashville experience still have tons of great options to choose from. The Listening Room in SoBro spotlights new songwriters fresh from Music Row (the city’s record label hub), meaning you can spot emerging artists before they hit the big time. Bluegrass enthusiasts should head to the Gulch’s Station Inn where the top names in roots, country and rock still perform (and occasionally drop in themselves to enjoy the show). Or, if you’re visiting on a Monday night, don’t miss Whiskey Jam – a free-to-enter underground writer’s night that’s become a local music scene staple.
Hang up your (cowboy) hat
At the end of a long day, hit the hay at The Fairlane Hotel, a retro-modern, boutique offering that’s conveniently located in the heart of downtown. If the night is still young, head to Ellington’s on the fourth floor for a nightcap and a snack from its ‘late night bite’ menu. Closer to Music Row, Loews Vanderbilt Nashville is another great option for business travellers and city-breakers who love posing for snaps under its neon Nashville sign. Still not ready for bed? Don’t worry, Broadway is only a few blocks away…
British Airways is the only carrier flying direct between Europe and Nashville. To book your trip to Music City click here
This article has been tagged Advertorial, Destination
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