If you’re new around here, I have a long-standing tradition of getting out of town for my birthday, which I celebrated this past weekend. With babies and the pandemic the past few years that was put on pause so this was the first year in awhile that I did it on the actual day. We have a small airport in Provo and they recently opened up a direct flight to Nashville so we went for it! I had only been once before for less than 24 hours so I didn’t get the fullest impression of the city so Paul and I were excited to dig in. We spent three days there and it was a great amount of time for getting to know Music City. Here’s what we did for 3 perfect days in Nashville.
The tradition of spending my birthday in another city/country started out as an accident– June birthdays just lend themselves well to getting out and about in life (if you want to see the full list, go here!). I wasn’t going to let another year go by without doing something so Nashville it was! And let me tell you, these were 3 perfect days in Nashville. Well, mostly. 😉
I was shocked at the amount of great restaurants to choose from–seriously so many! If nothing else, a great food tour is where it’s at. There was a big country music fest going on the weekend we were there, CMA Fest, so I don’t really know what a “normal” weekend looks like in Nashville.
I’m not necessarily Nashville’s intended audience–I don’t know too much about country music–but I loved learning more about it.
Here’s what we did!
Day 1 in Nashville:
We arrived at night, checked into our hotel, which was right in downtown and then headed out for dinner. Because of the CMA Fest the city was alive!
Assembly Hall--an upscale food court of local eateries all in one place. There was live music going on so it was super lively!
Jeni’s Ice Cream is outside. I’ve never been in person so this was a fun treat.
We walked around Broadway, which was INSANE (and felt like Las Vegas) and across the pedestrian bridge. So much going on because of the CMA Fest!
Day 2 in Nashville:
We rented a car for the weekend because there were lots of things around the city that we wanted to do. I adore a good historic house tour and garden and there were a fun to go to.
Roze Pony for breakfast
The week we were going to Nashville, GOOP had just sent out its Nashville newsletter so I got a lot of great food recommendations. Roze Pony was one of those. And it just happened to be near Cheekwood, which is where we were wanting to go to. I don’t usually photograph my food but I couldn’t help it–I was so happy.
Cheekwood Historic Home and Gardens
My cousin lives in Chattanooga and said it’s probably too hot to visit Cheekwood in June since it’s mostly outside. I didn’t take her advice, but she was absolutely correct. I thought I was going to pass out by the end since the estate is so large. But I have a hard time missing out on gardens and interiors. 
The fun fact of this experience is when we were in the parlor room. Paul looked out the window and at that exact instant, a guy was outside in the wisteria garden getting down on one knee ready to propose to his girlfriend. I quickly got out my phone and recorded the whole thing–so sweet. We had to figure out how to make our way out of the mansion and chase after them, hoping they hadn’t left. We made it! And gave them the footage. It was a great moment.
Belle Meade
Had I not been so tired from Cheekwood we would have gone to Belle Meade, which is super close by. My cousin, who is an interior designer, recommended this one
Franklin, Tennessee
Afterwards we drove to the small, historic town of Franklin, where we walked the downtown with lots of cute shops. There’s an antique mall that was fun and White’s Mercantile, where I saw my friend’s book, Paris by Design by Eva Jorgensen.
Butchertown Hall
That night for dinner we went back into town and ate at Butchertown Hall. We were expecting it to be a true smokehouse, but it had a Mexican/Tex Mex angle, which was still good, just unexpected. Great queso! Save your appetite for the ribs!
5 Daughters Bakery
My cousin said not to go to the 12th South 5 Daughters Bakery location because it’s usually too busy but we went around 8pm and we were the only people there. They are known for their delicious cronuts and they didn’t disappoint!
Day 3 in Nashville
Husk
We had such a great breakfast experience on this trip and Husk added to that. It’s set in a small home with lots of rooms. Delicious Southern-inspired breakfast.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Afterwards we set out for Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Honestly, I was kind of iffy about going, especially since there was rain in the forecast, but we went and I’m so glad we did! The interiors are much more intricate and exciting than they appear in pictures. the colors of the interiors are hard to capture. The wallpapers were exquisite. The gardens were simple and beautiful.
5 Points District
Later that day we walked around the 5 Points District, which felt as hippie as it could get in Nashville and then to the Fatherland District. There were a few fun gift shops in each.
Henrietta Red
We had walked by Henrietta Red after Butchertown and poked our heads inside. The design is lovely! Come to find out it was designed by a classmate of mine while at interior design school, Katherine Lager, who did a beautiful job. This was Paul’s favorite place since it’s so seafood focused. I’m not the biggest seafoodie but it was a great experience.
Day 4 in Nashville
Biscuit Love (Hillsboro Village)
We drove by the Biscuit Love Gulch location and the line was wrapped around the block so we headed to the Hillsboro Village and there was hardly a line and we got seated fast. So many of our readers recommended Biscuit Love on Stories. It was great Southern breakfast food and a fun experience. Recommend!
Country Music Hall of Fame
Later we did probably the most Nashville thing by going to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which my cousin said was so good. She was right. It’s a great museum and honestly, I learned so much and gained a new appreciation for it. Country music has always felt like a foreign language to me because I didn’t grow up with it, but I know it’s such a big part of American history so I was determined to get to know it. Loved spending so much time there!
Parthenon
Ha ha ha. I kind of think it’s hysterical to build a model building after one that’s so iconic, but hey, I’ve never been to Athens so it was interesting to see the scale and such (even though it smelled like pee).
Frist Museum
While we winded down our trip I headed into the Frist Museum to check out the Beatrix Potter exhibit. Ah man–I wish everyone could go. It was so good! She was such a talented artist who lived her own world. I ate it all up. Plus, the museum is set in a crazy art deco building that used to be the post office. All the details are so interested–they put so much more care into details back then. The guide encouraged me to walk next door to the old railroad station that is now a hotel to check out the stained glass ceiling. Very glad I did!
Ok, that’s it! Overall we had a great time. The only thing I wish we could have done is see Belle Meade and eaten at every recommended restaurant. I was seriously so happy with our food choices! Next time!
Anything you’d add to this list?