A Fun Besties Getaway…. at Nashville

Hello, my friends! I hope your life is full of smooth sailing and warm breezes today!

Nashville it is!”

My besties and I were lunching recently and discussing where we could escape for a girls holiday when Claudette proposed Nashville, Tennessee in the United States. I had never considered Nashville as a fun destination because all I knew about the city, I learned on the television series ‘Nashville’. While it looked cool, it didn’t strike me as a place for relaxing with friends. I will tell you, my friends, Nashville is the perfect place for a fun getaway!

Nashville has something to offer everyone, regardless of their interests. Whether your interests are music, food, fitness or just general relaxation, Nashville can offer it all! We are not the only posse to discover this gem of America’s south. Judging by the large number of girls holidays, hen parties, guys getaways and stag parties we observed, Nashville is the hot destination where friends go to play!

Here’s a Pro-Tip: Your first night should be dedicated to visiting the honky-tonk venues on lower Broadway. Multi-story nightspots offer a different bar, restaurant and music experience on each floor. Nashville is still where dreams are pursued and sometimes fulfilled so you may be listening to the next big music star while sipping a cocktail in a laidback, comfortable and safe setting. 

Gimme, gimme, gimme, the honkey tonk blues…”

On the road again”…to the Willie Nelson Museum

Nashville is known for its music but it’s not all country. Paraphrasing the ‘Blues Brothers’ movie from years ago, they have both kinds of music in Nashville, ‘Country AND Western’! Seriously, the music scene is varied and exciting. Of course, the country music scene is vibrant at historic venues like Tootsie’s which Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and Waylon Jennings used to frequent. You can’t miss the lavender four story building that Tootsie’s calls home, located just behind the famed Ryman Auditorium where the Grand Ole Opry began in 1925. 

If you want a break from country music, try eclectic jazz at Rudy’s Jazz Club or R&B music at B. B. King’s Blues Club and Restaurant. There are even several great Rock music venues. Perhaps the most fun we had was singing together at Wanna B’s Karaoke Bar while we sipped cocktails and convinced ourselves that we could be famous!

If you want a  break from country music, try eclectic jazz at Rudy’s Jazz Club or R&B music at B. B. King’s Blues Club and Restaurant. There are even several great Rock music venues. Perhaps the most fun we had was singing together at Wanna B’s Karaoke Bar while we sipped cocktails and convinced ourselves that we could be famous!

Flying into Nashville is simple with good domestic non-stop and easy connections from most international destinations. Nashville airport is refreshingly easy to navigate. Rental cars are easy to obtain but ride-share services are your best bet for travelling around Nashville – particularly if you’ll be experiencing the varied nightlife. With a ride-share service, you don’t need to worry about parking or about driving after you’ve enjoyed a few beverages. The normal ride-share services (e.g. Uber and Lyft) are all reasonably priced and readily available.

There are excellent hotels to choose from, regardless of your budget. Even high-end properties are a good price in Nashville compared to larger cities like New York, Los Angeles or even Miami. My favourite is the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel which is close to the iconic university. It is cool and welcoming. The J.W. Marriott Nashville is always a good value.

That was ride-share, not food-share!

For a more immersive experience, check out the Gaylord Opryland Resort which offers multiple entertainment venues and restaurants in a temperature controlled, self-contained resort.

Cocktails for every personality!

While Nashville is known for its music, food is a close second. Nashville is a foodie’s paradise. All types of food can be found throughout this cosmopolitan metropolis but I highly recommend the local cuisine for visitors. Local cuisine is a mix of southern comfort food with a Tennessee flare including iconic barbecue, fried chicken, biscuits, grits and similar flavours. The freshwater fish is indeed fresh and served in tempting ways.

You’ll find traditional Tennessee cooking to be less spicy than Louisiana food, for example, but with all of the southern tastiness you’d expect.

The nightlife is centred around the music scene and its cool bars. Different venues specialise in all types of beverages but my home-girls prefer a good cocktail so we gravitated toward some of the best in the city. We especially enjoyed the Speakeasy-themed ‘House of Cards’. Nashville is tourist friendly and safe so it’s an excellent place for relaxation with friends.

Here’s my final Pro-Tip: If ‘what goes in Nashville, stays in Nashville’ don’t be posting it all on social media! Set the rules out in advance or be prepared to explain yourself later.

If you go to Nashville, I’m certain you’ll have a ‘Grand Ole Time’!

Love,

Isabella