19 In LIFE/ TRAVEL

Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville

Nashville Signs// hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

I’m so excited to share with you a complete recap of my girls weekend in Nashville with Kim of Penny Pincher Fashioncomplete with all the eats, sights and fun you can imagine during a 48 hour trip.

I met Kim back in the day, I think first through Twitter (which I know, hysterical!) and we then stayed together during a blog conference in 2012. The rest is history! We instantly connected over blogging, motherhood, health (rather, our struggles with it at times), love of shopping & everything in between. Even though we have only spent days together in over six years, I totally count her as one of my closest, most trusted and fun friends. Plus, her blog has countless affordable style inspiration that I always find super helpful!

The itinerary for 48 hours in Nashville, perfect for a girls weekend! - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

So, our weekend in Nashville! I went to Nashville with a group of five girls at least eight years ago pre-kids and had the best time, so was pumped to return. The city did not disappoint, and funny enough, has clearly become such a destination for a girls weekend! We saw countless groups of girlfriends, from bachelorette parties to those celebrating 40th birthdays.

We stayed at the Hutton Hotel, a perfect central destination that I cannot recommend enough. The hotel was beautifully decorated, contemporary and clean, and had a free shuttle service that became a huge money saver since it takes you within five miles…. perfect to get to nearly every area including Downtown (Broadway for all the live music), 19th Avenue North and The Gulch, for example. Plus, did I mention its turndown service that included handmade salted caramels from Shotwell Candy Co.? We might have asked for a few extras they were so delicious.

Hutton Hotel room service // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

BIscuit Love // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

So, what should you do during a weekend trip with your girls (or guys)? Here’s my top recommendations!

A WEEKEND IN NASHVILLE – EATS & DRINKS

Barista Parlor: a totally cool, hipster coffee shop with impressively rich coffees, espressos and teas, along with a decadent wall of chocolate and plentiful seating. There’s a few around town, though we went to the one in Germantown to meet with blog friend, Jackie.

Bartaco: yum! The coolest, super casual yet totally hip place for yummy tacos, guac, chips and margs. We had an afternoon snack at Five Daughter’s Bakery so we weren’t starving. Instead we grabbed a table here (get here early, the wait can get intense!) and got a few tacos — I loved the fresh tuna in a lettuce wrap, and the mushrooms on a corn tortilla — plus the fresh margaritas were the perfect accompaniment to the lively atmosphere and people watching.

Biscuit Love: frequently on people’s must-eat list, get here early because the line easily wraps around the building! I got fried chicken on a biscuit smothered in sausage gravy (so insanely delicious and yet made for the grossest photo!), and a side of this yummy kale salad; Kim had the same kale salad with two over-easy eggs on top… delicious! You MUST get their bonuts — an order of five biscuit donuts that are out of this world. The shop is also known for this Nashville sign.

Butcher and BeeThis East Nashville establishment has a big following thanks to Chef Bryan Lee Weaver; the cool interiors balance a killer menu. We went for brunch where I was immediately drawn to the fried avocado sandwich, which is layered with crispy bacon, fried egg and naturally, fried avocado.

Five Daughters Bakery: go here for most delicious 100 layer donuts, with a plentiful array of paleo and gluten free options (Kim’s choice; she said they were incredible!). I literally licked the plate clean. I got the vanilla cream but the lemon curd and blueberry preserves was a close second. Everything looked incredible fresh! Weather permitting, enjoy it outside on one of the patio tables.

Hattie B’s: when I learned that Nashville is known more for its hot chicken than BBQ, my bro told me we need to get to Hattie B’s. My bro seriously knows the best eats around the country and lucky for us, this is a short walk from the hotel. Best tip ever: order online! The line is nuts but you can easily order on the Hattie B’s web site, pick up and be in and out in less than 5 minutes. The  fried chicken was incredibly juicy, with the best/crispiest skin ever. Required eating. FYI: If you don’t go here, go to Prince’s Hot Chicken. Seriously.

Josephine: We selected Josephine’s after seeing it pop up with great reviews on a number of web sites. We must confess that it was good, but not stellar. I would absolutely go back through for wine and the charcuterie plate — the cheese selection was interesting, and since Kim is paleo, they even brought over apple slices in addition to baguette. Located in the 19th Avenue North area.

Le Sel: perhaps the most Instagram-worthy eater in Nashville, this Midtown French Brasserie has the prettiest loungy pink benches, a beautiful bar and the sweetest details. The spot is open for brunch and dinner, and we enjoyed it for brunch before walking toward Vanderbuilt to do a little boutique shopping. The eggs benedict with house-cured salmon and hollandaise was perfectly prepared. If you go for dinner, go for the oysters.

Rolf and DaughtersOne of my favorite meals of the trip, this intimate, industrial chic restaurant and bar focuses on small, fresh plates, home made pastas and interesting combinations. I had this spiralized butternut squash salad with mimoleette cheese, pine nuts and other yummies that was straight out of my dreams. My pasta was incredible as well (though a small portion) and Kim’s chicken was cooked to perfection. I would absolutely come back here.

Patterson House: ok, truth. We only walked through this speakeasy bar  clearly popular to locals and visitors, as the popular spot with a super cool, chill vibe had an hour-ish long wait. We heard from multiple people (and many in the local hospitality scene) that this place serves up the best cocktails. Be sure to plan accordingly, get there early and enjoy a seat at the bar or one of the cute booths.

Other eats worth noting (that I’d love to try next visit!): Pancake Pantry (since 1961), Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Jack’s (for BBQ), Husk, Kayne Prime, and Monell’s for family style southern cooking.

Le Sel // All the Best Eats & Sights in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

Le Sel // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

Serious coffee situatoin at Barista Parlor // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy

Fried Avocado Sandwich at Butcher & Bee (so good!) // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

The best spots for a girls weekend in Nashville

Hattie B's BBQ // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

Barista Parlor // What to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

I don’t think this salmon benedict sandwich is happy for what’s about to happen to it. 😉

A happy egg benedict sandwich at Le Sel // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

BIscuit Love // What to Eat, See & Do for a weekend in Nashville

A WEEKEND IN NASHVILLE – SEE & DO

Shopping! Hello, a girls weekend must… even if it’s just browsing! One of our favorite part of the weekend was discovering all the fantastic little boutiques around town. Look for pockets of stores on 19th Avenue North (Draper James is there, the brand by Reese Witherspoon), the Gulch and and Vanderbilt area. Favorite shops included The Impeccable Pig, Serendipity — shop filled with all fair-trade and local finds (we got the cutest pair of tassel earrings for $12!) — and Scout and Molly’s.

The Country Music Hall of Fame – if it’s your first time to Nashville, this is a fun and interesting tour. I did it on my last visit and it’s a fun way to spend a few hours… particularly if it’s a chilly or windy day. Just a heads up that it’s a little spendy at over $20/ticket.

Live music on Broadway: a total tourist tradition, you have to go to Broadway for some honky tonk fun! We seriously had the best time, listening to live music at The Stage — which has expanded now to four floors of live music — and then we followed our new favorite, Chris Shrader Band, over to Crossroads. A few vodka sodas later, and it was 2:30 am! We had so much fun dancing, singing (we loved that Chris mixed in fun 90s and 2000s jams with some dance-worthy country) and living it up… honestly a total highlight in my book! Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is another landmark…. you have to stop by, if even for only a few minutes. You never who you’ll see performing at these spots, or who the bands will bring on stage!

Tour the Insta-worthy murals:  We loved walking around corners only to discover so many Instagram-worthy walls and murals. Particularly on a nicer day, there are so many beautiful places to walk around Nashville. This post is a great way to discover the best spots!

Parthenon: totally random I almost laugh writing the randomness of this when we first heard! However, did you know that Nashville is known as the “Athens of the South” thanks to the numerous higher education institutions? I had no idea! It’s located in Nashville’s Centennial Park.

Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium: two music institutions that continue to host some of country’s top performers.

Get a piercing! Kim and I both wanted our cartilage pierced so decided to make it happen together on this trip. We took an Uber out to Dahlia, where owner Betty Ann got to work. Such a fun memory! If you decide to do the same, be sure to make an appointment.

Lower Broadway // What to see, do and eat in Nashville in 48 hours

Best Nashville Boutiques // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

I haven’t read a book in an embarrassingly long time; this book Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes is speaking to me. I have been obsessively recommending it to everyone.
The Year of Yes // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

Can’t argue with complimentary mimosas or spiked hot apple cider upon arrival at Hutton Hotel. Hutton Hotel // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville Hutton Hotel

While in Nashville, it went from 75 degrees to 41 degrees and snow within 48 hours. You should have seen our suitcases. #allthethings (do not ask me for packing tips!). LOL. I haven’t seen snow though in probably a decade so even though I froze my tush off this little moment was super cool.

When it does snow in Nashville! // What to see, eat and do in one weekend

The Gulch // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville

adidas superstar // flats (similar)Coolest murals around Nashville // hat to Eat, See & Do in Nashville - Ultimate Girls Weekend in Nashville by popular Florida lifestyle blogger The Modern Savvy
So many fun memories during our weekend in Nashville with this girl!

She also hooked it up by letting me borrow her amazing moto jacket! It paired perfectly daytime with a black blousecrossbody and adidas, and for evening with a floral cold shoulder blouse (last seen here), tassel earrings and over-the-knee boots. I really wish I could have snagged this from her!
hat to Eat, See & Do for a GIrl's Weekend in Nashville

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  • Reply
    Meet Saxena
    April 16, 2019 at 5:58 AM

    Interesting Pics, and thank you for sharing this itinerary as I am planning to visit Nashville in mid May and this will surely come handy.

  • Reply
    Betsy
    October 28, 2017 at 3:57 PM

    Can you tell me the name of the shop with the BNA hats? I’d like to pay it a visit!

    • Reply
      Alyson
      October 30, 2017 at 10:39 AM

      Hi Betsy! Nearly positive it’s Scout and Molly’s. 🙂

    • Reply
      Mary Long
      April 10, 2018 at 11:42 AM

      I live in Nashville and love that shop! You should also check out Music Valley Village across from Opryland Hotel for another great area! Vintage shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Love The Tacky Turtle (vintage marketplace that actually has Ernest Tubb Tour Bus inside with 40 great vendors with all kinds of country music memorabilia, souvenirs, Embroidered Nashville hats, etc., It connects to the Texas Troubadour Theater with 6 shows a week including awesome Elvis twice a week), an Escape Room Experience, two other vintage/antique shops, Relax Wraps, Smart Art, Willies Museum, Cooters, Nashville Palace, Trail Wwest Boot store…. and great bars with live music daily!!!!

      • Reply
        Alyson
        April 10, 2018 at 8:27 PM

        Oh my goodness… AMAZING tip!! I’m actually doing a girls trip next month back to Nashville and I’m definitely sharing your note with my crew. Thank you so, so much!

  • Reply
    Wearing Leggings Like Real Pants | THE MODERN SAVVY
    August 2, 2017 at 4:01 AM

    […] up during the Nordstrom sale and I’m SO in love! I borrowed Kim’s during our entire Nashville girls weekend, and felt confident in the splurge. So excited for cooler […]

  • Reply
    Alyson's Obsessions // June 2017 | THE MODERN SAVVY
    June 20, 2017 at 5:00 AM

    […] blogger bestie, Kim, showed off her insanely long lashes while we were in Nashville (remember this girls weekend??), and I couldn’t get over it… they looked legit fake, in the best way possible, […]

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    March 21, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    Oh my goodness, this was soooo much fun to read. I seriously didn’t want it to end! Thank you so much for sharing all of your experiences. I freaking live here and never get out. Perhaps I shall start? Thanks for inspiring me! 🙂

    • Reply
      Alyson
      March 22, 2017 at 9:18 PM

      Awwww, your comment gave me the biggest smile, Jennifer! Think we are all guilty of that where we live… it’s so much fun to be a tourist in your own city though!! Have fun exploring. 🙂

  • Reply
    Heidi
    March 19, 2017 at 3:12 PM

    It looks like you girls had an absolute blast and I loved following along on all of it! Nashville is long been on my bucket list and it’s great to have a list of things to do once I finally get there 🙂

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    March 17, 2017 at 9:04 PM

    how fun!!! looks like a great weekend!!!

  • Reply
    Caitlin
    March 17, 2017 at 2:55 PM

    Great photos ladies! I went for a bachelorette party earlier this year. Highlights were the Grand Ole Opry and of course, Hattie B’s!

    Caitlin | http://sunnystyleblog.com/

    • Reply
      Alyson
      March 22, 2017 at 9:20 PM

      Yay for Hattie B’s, haha! Nashville looks like SO much fun for a bachelorette, Caitlin… such a good idea!

  • Reply
    Claire
    March 17, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    Great fun. I live in Nashville and loved your pictures. You went to a lot of great places. On your next trip PLEASE do NOT go to Arnold’s! The food is soooo salty! Yucky. And for barbeque, go to Martin’s. Keep Husk on your list too. It’s amazing. And girlfriend, shame on you for coming to Nashville twice and not trying Pancake Pantry. Seriously???? Who does that? Big mistake….Go next trip and order their specialty, sweet potato pancakes with their special sauce. Divine!!!! And on a sad note, the “I Believe in Nashville” sign was defaced with tar this week and will have to be redone. Soooo sad! Oh and right near that sign is a great place for paletas. All homemade called Las Paletas. OMG!!! Enjoy Nashville again. Wish I could have run into you.

    • Reply
      Alyson
      March 22, 2017 at 9:22 PM

      Oh my gosh, so not sure we explored beyond Downtown much on my first visit so many years ago but we totally failed on this visit to get to Pancake Pantry — I felt like I was eating every two hours, lol. You now have me craving sweet potato pancakes (sounds amazing). Thanks so much, Claire… and totally would have been so fun to run into you as well!

  • Reply
    Sam
    March 17, 2017 at 1:48 PM

    This trip looked so fun and you two are the cutest! I haven’t been to Nashville yet, but it’s definitely on my list!

    xx
    Sam

  • Reply
    ErinG
    March 17, 2017 at 8:46 AM

    It was so fun reading both of your posts on this trip- I’ve followed both blogs for years!

    • Reply
      Alyson
      March 22, 2017 at 9:22 PM

      Awww you’re the best, ERin! And must confess… feel so lucky to count Kim as a friend; she’s incredible (and so talented!).

  • Reply
    Kimberly
    March 17, 2017 at 6:12 AM

    Aww, can we just go back now? I can’t deal with real life (and all this snow!) LOL 🙂

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

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