The Nashville I'd Go Back For

A collected list of favorite places to visit in Nashville —

We visited in August 2025 and again in March 2026 — the first time was 7 days as a family filled with exploring and seeing it all, the second a little slower. Here's all the places we loved and would go back to.

Where to stay in Nashville TN —

While I love planning a vacation around a hotel stay, when there are four of us travelling and it's over seven days — I know better ;) With our girls being 17 and 19 last August for this trip, I knew a VRBO was going to be the best bet. A place where it was easy to make breakfast at home, have slow mornings and quiet evenings when we wanted them. A separate room and bed for everyone and a place for down time. I chose Cherokee Park for it's close proximity to — well, everything. The neighbourhood is full of charm and amazing architecture, I would definitely choose this area again. This is the home we stayed in — HERE.

The most recent trip in March was just Kevin and I and the intention was to do it a little differently. We saw and did a lot back in August and I love that we did — but this trip was going to be a little more low key and not pre planned. It has truly been ages since I have scouted hotels like I did for this trip. I wanted to be able to enjoy the hotel. Relaxing was on the agenda for this four night getaway — we had two Predators games planned and we also wanted to be walking distance to Broadway. The Four Seasons was honestly a treat. We had an incredible room, loved the hospitality and service and the location was perfect. We walked a lot, which was the perfect balance to Nashville indulgences ha! From morning coffee by the pool to the turn down service that made me smile everyday — it was fantastic.

Instead of mapping this out hour by hour, which I've been known to do — I’ve pulled together everything we loved — where we ate, what we did, and the places that felt worth returning to. It's all

organized into simple categories so you can piece together what stands out to you.

Eating in Nashville and Franklin TN —

A quick run down of our reservations and stops from both trips. If you're planning in advance, I would recommend booking reservations, especially on the weekends, restaurants fill up fast.

Perenn Bakery in Franklin, TN | Restoration Hardware | Henrietta Red | Mercado

Ok here goes, in no particular order, all the spots we've enjoyed —

Super Normal Burgers in Sylvan Park is a 5 minute drive from the VRBO and was the perfect elevated fast food stop for dinner after a day of travel and before hitting Trader Joe's to get groceries for the week. Super fun, great burgers and a very popular walk up restaurant in the neighbourhood.

We have been to a few spots on 12 South — Urban Grub, The Buttermilk Ranch and Bar Taco. 100% recommend all three. Urban Grub seemed to have a popular patio and was a little more refined over all. The Buttermilk Ranch has a busy energy and offers different levels of service — there's a pastry counter, counter service and a full service restaurant. Be ready to walk off your breakfast, servings are delicious and filling and the drinks are perfectly boozy. Bar Taco has a great patio and the inside is like you're on the East Coast — the food is fast and fresh and this spot always has people waiting. They have service down to an art and I love that the food you order just keeps arriving as it's ready. Margaritas and a casual lunch are just the thing. We also heard that newly opened Sushi San is incredible but didn't make it on the last trip. Next time!

We went to a Nashville SC soccer game on our first trip and I was looking for a dinner destination close to Geodis Park. Mercado was great location wise, great vibe, great staff and the tacos were awesome.

If a soccer game is on your agenda, make sure to have a look at their bag policy. I had a small bag and it was too large, I had to rent a locker. So grateful they had that option or I wasn't going in! Since this game I've now started carrying just this and my phone into stadiums.

Restoration Hardware, Green Hills. Possibly one of my favorite dining experiences ever. We happened to go on a Sunday for lunch and being Canadian, it was so lovely seeing everyone coming from church all in their Sunday best. The South knows how to do it :) We had a set of sofas for our table and it was the most comfortable spot to lounge and have drinks and eat. Nicole Kidman came in with her daughter while we were there. So very cool. You're attached to Green Hills Mall here, but a few minutes away is Hill Center — it's a lovely street to wander and shop.

Ella's by Christian Petroni — we're big Food Network watchers, so popping into Ella's for lunch was fun. Great pizza and meatballs, and you're right down town. We walked over to The Country Music Hall Of Fame after lunch with a stop at Goo Goo Clusters ;)

The Mockingbird — I'll be honest, the restaurant wasn't quite what I was expecting and we were there for happy hour and it seemed like we couldn't get any happy hour pricing. BUT the food was delicious!

Perenn Bakery, Franklin TN — can't say enough good things, this bakery and restaurant is a standout. I still think about the scrambled egg croissant I had. I love restaurants that have an authentic energy and this one truly does. The owners vision is fully represented in the space and I have such an appreciation for that. There's a new location coming to Wedgewood Houston in Nashville so that is definitely on the list for next time!

On the drive back from Franklin to Nashville we had to make a little detour so these Canadian Kids could get a Swig.

Henrietta Red — with a Sounds game on the evening plans, a dinner within walking distance to the ball park was just the thing. Fresh oysters being shucked at the bar directly beside you and the loveliest design — I imagine this is a much loved local spot in the neighbourhood.

Southall Farm, Sojourner — This was a whole experience that I can't say enough about. A lunch reservation ( you have to have one to enter the farm ) and a wander around the property has me wanting to book a few night stay. It's incredible. More on this spot HERE.

Assembly Food Hall, Broadway — It's busy, especially on the weekends — but there is live music, a bar and so many food court style options. If you're needing a quick bite while down town it's the perfect stop.

The Twelve Thirty Club — Justin Timberlake is a co owner in this Broadway destination. There's a casual Honky Tonk on the main level, and upstairs is an awesome steak house. It has a great formality to it — I mean we were still in denim, but it's an excuse to dress up a bit. Cool lounge energy with live music and great food. Think your traditional steak selections and then all the sides. Food was incredible.

Aba — newly opened after our August trip — we were supposed to go while we were in Austin TX a few years ago, but ended up cancelling our reservation because we drove out to Waco to visit Magnolia. When I noticed Nashville now had one, I was excited to go. It was a lovely dining spot. So many great share plates and the ambiance is magic. Still thinking about the melon and granita and olive oil frozen greek yogurt.

Five Daughters Bakery — We made our stop here in Franklin at the The Factory and picked up donuts to take home for desert. Everything they say is true!

Bacco Bar — a brand new concept the Four Seasons is unveiling. The smaller bar area was just in their opening phase as we stayed and can 100% recommend the pizzettas. In a true indulgent Italian style they are served whole with gold scissors presented to the table to slice and portion how you would like. Great vibe, great people watching and the best glass of crisp $40 white wine I've had. Ha!

Shopping in Nashville, Franklin and Leipers Fork TN —

A little shopping is always in order and Nashville and surrounding area has some amazing stops.

Buck Mason, 12 South | Draper James | Buck Mason | Imogene + Willy | Lucchese | Whites Mercantile | Buck Mason | Tecovas | Buck Mason | Goo Goo Clusters | Imogene + Willy | La La Land | Buck Mason

12 South — don't miss it. It's truly the best spent afternoon outside in the sunshine. Add to your itinerary if you're in town for just a day or two and if you're there longer — you'll probably go back a second time. Set in the loveliest neighbourhood full of beautiful southern architecture, 12 South keeps expanding. It's full of restaurants, coffee shops ( La La Land if you're inclined to stand in line but Frothy Monkey is the local favorite :) ) and both local shops and larger retail destinations. Whites Mercantile is found in a few spots throughout Nashville and nearby Franklin, Sézane, Reformation, Buck Mason, Jenni Kayne, Imogene + Willy and Reese Witherspoons Draper James to just scratch the surface — it's truly a shoppers heaven with something for everyone. You can customize hats, there are endless jewelry spots — Kendra Scott recently opened Yellow Rose, and in the back sits a full bar. I'm telling you, it's one of my favorite wanders ever —

If you're looking for a mall, Green Hills is great, but just a few streets over is Hill Center — and it's awesome. Both sides of the street lined with great shops — I love the outdoor shopping experience over being in a mall. You'll find another Whites Mercantile, Kendra Scott, Brandi Melville, Veronica Beard, Anthropologie, Whole Foods — the list goes on.

5th & Broadway — we popped by this location to stop at Tecovas and Buck Mason — you'll find a small curation of great shopping spots here. If you're looking for The Nash Collection, Free People, The Normal Brand, it's a fun detour off Broadway. I had pre scouted a pair of Tecovas boots I wanted to look at, and loved having them branded with my initials while in the shop ( it's free! ).

Franklin TN — a day trip destination not to be missed. I had such a full itinerary planned the day we visited back in August that we didn't have too much time in town and I regret that fully! We had lunch at Perrin and then wandered around the main street — it's lovely. Another time I'd love to see even more of the local shops, restaurants and antique shops.

Another great stop while you're in town — Factory At Franklin. Full of local shops and restaurants.

Leipers Fork — a day trip so good it has it's own post! HERE

Logging this for a ' next trip ' but the locals say East Nashville is wonderful for vintage shops and antiquing.

Broadway Bar Favorites —

Broadway can be a lot. Yeah I said it ;) I loved visiting in non peak times of the day and on Sunday — the energy is a little less, well, Broadway and a little more driven to just hanging out and listening to great music.

Piano Bar, Chiefs | Piano Bar, Chiefs | Morgan Wallen's This Bar | Tootsies

I get it — we all go to Nashville for different things. If it's a planned party weekend, there's no place better. Bars open and live music starts at 10 am. You'll be walking down the street and be serenaded by a pedal tavern or open air bus of stags and stagettes at any time of the day — everyone's in town for a good time. It's pretty entertaining.

We spent a bit of time on Broadway with the girls, who also love country music. Morgan Wallen's This Bar was number one on the must visit stops and it's great that minors are allowed in until a certain time. Each bar will generally note on their website what their policy is. We went on a Sunday after dinner and had a great table on the main floor and listened to the band. We all loved it. On another Broadway stop that trip we went up to the rooftop patio at Luke Comb's Category 10. Looking over the river, and compared to other jam packed rooftops, it's a great place to have drinks, listen to music and people watch.

This time around it turns out we love what we love — two evenings spent at Morgan Wallen's — This Bar, it's such an easy atmosphere, and fun! Eric Church's Chiefs Piano Bar was fantastic for a low key vibe and we loved the Category 10 roof top again! We made sure to see more bars this time, but they were very much a quick in and out. Robert's Western World, Tootsies.. they're great to see and experience but I do love a spot with a little more space. My younger self is embarrassed by that statement. :))

Things to do other than Broadway In Nashville TN —

There is so much to do in Nashville, and so many ways to spend your days —

Sports — we've now seen Nashville SC play, the Sounds as well as the Predators twice. All awesome. At the last Predators game we were at, Carrie Underwood and her husband ( retired player ) Mike Fisher were there. Very cool. Geodis Park is outstanding and the Sounds games are so low key and comfortable. Walking out of the Predators Game onto a shut down to traffic Broadway with thousands of people is also something to experience.

Predators game | Geodis Park, Nashville FC, Nashville Sounds | Nashville FC

Live Music — it's everywhere, and it's fantastic. If you're looking for a spot off Broadway, we loved The Listening Room. An inviting and almost intimate find to listen to singer songwriters tell you the stories behind the songs, and hear them sing them. It's a great venue — highly recommend,

Grand Ole Opry — Love, love, love, love. If I was a Nashville resident I would be here all the time. A lot of the time you book your tickets for a night you know you want to attend without knowing the artist line up. The night we went was a tribute to Pam Tillis. For someone whew grew up listening to 90's country, it was incredible — Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss, Emily Ann Roberts, Lorrie Morgan, Jamey Johnson, Russell Dickerson and Vince Gill.

Country Music Hall Of Fame — If you're in town for a few days and have the time, it's great to wander through. There's so much history, you'll walk through all the artists you grew up listening to and I love how you get to all the current artists and fashion. The fashion is definitely something to see. If you wander the hallway from the gift shop you can see where and how Hatch Show Print is printing their letterpress designs.

Country Music Hall Of Fame | Country Music Hall Of Fame | Grand Ole Opry | The Listening Room

The Parthenon — actually a full scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, right in the middle of Nashville. It's a very unique sight to see and definitely a photo opportunity!

Arrington Vineyards — Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn fame is a co founder and co owner in this winery just outside of Franklin TN. We were lucky enough to visit on a quiet day at the end of summer and it was a lovely stop. Have a wine flight and sit and take in the rolling country side.

The Gulch — just one of the local neighbourhoods to wander through. See Grace's Alley for a cute photo op as well as the Angel Wings. Great if you have a car to pop over for a wander or if you are staying in the area. Don't miss Lucchese — there are many a country song that reference it and it's very cool to see the boots in person.

On my list for next time —

I'd love a redo on Franklin and would drive out to Leipers Fork again, for the drive alone. To see a concert at The Ryman Auditorium. Wander through East Nashville and get a table at The Bluebird Cafe. Belle Meade Winery interests me for all of the history, and the grounds look like a great place to wander.

— If you stayed to the end, thank you. I hope something on this list makes your trip to Nashville even better!