Recently I visited Nashville for the first time while on business. While there I managed to find a few slivers of time to sneak in some enjoyment too.
I was surprised by the Nashville area in so many ways, things I thought I would love..I didn’t really care for and things that I thought might be decent at best ended up really impressing me.
So, here are my thoughts and suggestions for a 2 – 3 day trip in the Nashville area.
First let me say that I LOVE traveling and discovering new places (like our recent trip to The Downtown Aquarium) with my son Jackson, but after visiting the city by myself I recommend Nashville for a Parents-only weekend away, a destination for Bachelor/Bachelorette parties, or for a weekend road-trip with friends.
I’m sure there are great things for families to do together in Nashville, but this travel post doesn’t touch on them.
Day 1
When you arrive in Nashville head straight to the Hutton Hotel. Reservations can be made by clicking HERE. If you flew into the city you are in luck, because the hotel is only about a 20-minute drive from the airport (be sure to rent a car for the fun day-trips you’ll be taking in the area).
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| Art in the Hutton Hotel Lobby. |
Everything about the Hutton feels welcoming and cozy from the second you check-in. The lobby is beautifully appointed and a guest could spend a good while just enjoying the elaborate artwork and decor found here.
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| Horse sculpture found in the Hutton lobby. I especially loved the “water” in his trough. |
Once you’ve checked-in, head up to your room and check out the view from your window. Mine looked out on the downtown skyline.
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| My room at the Hutton. |
TIP: Want to make your group getaway to Nashville extra special? Book one of the Penthouse Apartments at the Hutton. After seeing them all I can say is… breathtaking.
Once you’ve unpacked and settled in, I highly recommend grabbing a meal at 1808 Grille found in the hotel lobby.
I popped in for a mid-day meal after my arrival (around 4pm or so) and the main dining room wasn’t open because they were prepping for dinner, so I ate at one of the smaller tables in the bar.
I ordered the 1808 Burger (sharp white cheddar, shaved lettuce slaw, tomato, thousand island dressing, and garlic parsley fries – $10) and let me tell you, it was…hands down…the most delicious burger I’ve ever had.
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| 1808 Burger – tastes just as amazing as it looks. |
As it happens, I’m not the only one who has noticed how amazing the food is here either. The 1808 Grille has won various awards from OpenTable.com, CitySearch, and Wine Spectator just to name a few.
When you’ve finished eating you can head out in your car and spend the evening exploring the wide array of music venues the city has to offer. I checked out some of the bars on Broadway one night expecting an experience similar to that of 6th street in Austin…but was sorely disappointed.
Maybe I just found myself there on an “off night”, but when I dropped by The Stage to see the live band it was a huge let down. All they did was cover mostly 80′s & 90′s Rock songs, with only one or two country songs thrown in for the entire 2 hour window I was there.
Most of the bars on Broadway were dirty, over-crowded, and lackluster compared to what I was told to expect of the Nashville Live Music Scene.
To ensure that your evening goes better than mine did…do your research on the venues you plan to check out in advance.
Day 2
Grab your car, gas it up, and find a quick and easy spot for breakfast because today you’re headed off to the Jack Daniels Museum in Lynchburg.
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| What’s that familiar fragrance in the air? It’s the smell of whiskey aging! |
The drive from The Hutton to Lynchburg will take you a little under 2 hours and according to Google Maps there are several different routes you can take depending on whether you prefer country roads or big highways to get you there.
You’ll want to take the guided tour of the museum (Daily from 9AM – 4PM CT) which lasts around an hour.
TIP: If you are a devoted fan of Jack, you may also want to pay for the Distillery Tour…which includes a tasting at the end. Ask about this option when you arrive at the Visitors Center.
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| Jack Daniel statue in the museum Visitors Center. |
The museum itself doesn’t sell souvenirs, so if you want some you’ll have to head over to the Lynchburg Hardware & General Store (160 Craig Street) to pick up a few reminders of your visit.
Spend the remainder of your afternoon checking out local eateries such as Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House (where Jack himself once ate, 295 Main Street) and enjoy a sweet treat from Prince’s Parlor (22 Short Street) where they are famous for their J.D. Ice Cream.
Head back to Nashville once you’re full on delicious food and southern hospitality and spend the evening as you choose.
Day 3
Good morning sunshine and welcome to your final day in the Nashville Area.
After finding a delicious bite to eat, be sure your car has plenty of gas because you’re on the road again today.
Your destination is a little hidden jewel of a town. Bell Buckle is just an hour outside of Nashville and I highly recommend you take the scenic route recommended by your GPS. The little winding roads that will get you there are a great part of what makes this town so quaint.
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| Store fronts in Bell Buckle |
Bell Buckle, TN is home to the Moon Pie & RC Cola Festival every June, but this little town offers so much Southern charm no matter what time of year you visit.
Once there, be sure to have lunch in the Bell Buckle Cafe (found in the center of the Store Fronts you see in the photo above). It’s typical “greasy spoon” cafe food and worth every single extra calorie. After lunch, check out all the adorable little shops and antique stores you’ll find just steps away from the cafe. Don’t forget to grab some Moon Pies for the trip home.
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| An old filling station I spotted near Bell Buckle. |
After your adventure in Bell Buckle head back to Nashville allowing plenty of time for you to gather your belongings from the hotel and return your rental car at the airport before you fly home.
If you have any questions about planning a trip to Nashville area feel free to ask them below in the comments.
You can also visit: http://www.visitmusiccity.com/
Disclosure: I wrote this travel post on my own accord. I was not compensated by any of the businesses mentioned in this post. These are my own honest opinions. I only recommend products and services to my readers that I feel are trustworthy and that I can stand behind with pride.
