If you're looking for a fun place to spend a couple of days exploring, look no further than Nashville. A good friend of mine and I decided to book when we realized we both wanted to visit the Music City. Flights were cheap, and all the Airbnbs were perfect. I'm so glad to now have finally visited, and I hope you enjoy my photos. We visited two plantations, The Grand Ole Opry, a replica of The Parthenon located in a Nashville park, The Ryman Auditorium and copious amounts of bars and restaurants in our 62 hours in Nashville. I'd say we hit a lot of places even if we didn't get to everything!
Cliche by necessary plane picture. I actually use the photo in my camera roll on my phone to mark the beginning of a trip, so I know whether I went passed it or not when referring to photos on my phone. By the way, other than this photo and a few others, the majority of my photos are taken with a micro four thirds Panasonic Lumix GX-85, which I love and highly recommend to photographers, both amateur and professionals alike, who are looking for a great portable camera.
I'm convinced that every bar or restaurant in Nashville is required to have a lit sign announcing that you're in Nashville. Below you'll find some neighorhood sights.
I realize this may sound strange, but I'm not one to say I'm a fan of country music. It might sound strange because I decided to make a trip to Nashville, the Music City, but it's one of my least favorite genres. However, I really enjoyed my time in Nashville and all of the performances I saw while I was there. The Grand Ole Opry was fantastic. A historical radio program with an enormous following, it's now held a little outside of the city center of Nashville, but was definitely an experience I was excited to be a part of.
We saw several bands, none of which I remember the names of, but all were fun and new to me. Just because I don't normally choose to listen to country music doesn't mean I can't appreciate it for the art!
We booked AirBnb, which I recommend. The whole stay was cheaper than one night in a downtown hotel room, and the amenities were just what we needed: a bed, a shower, and free coffee.
The AirBnb was in East Nashville. We had rented a car, so it ended up working out well. We were in a quiet and beautiful neighborhood within walking distance to some bars and restaurants. Below are some scenes from around the neighborhood, including some shots at Barista Parlor, an industrial chic coffee shop with amazing breakfast sandwiches and coffee that was built in a garage.
The neighborhood had some great lighting at night too!
Above are scenes from the historic Belle Meade Plantation, which is a Greek-Revival mansion on many acres of land that was once a thoroughbred horse farm.
Below are scenes from the Carnton Plantation, which served as a Confederate hospital during a battle in Franklin, TN during the Civil War.
Nashville isn't all cowboy boots and cowboy hats...except it mostly is!
Hot chicken. Is it a thing? Absolutely. Did it change our lives having tried it? Nah. We split hot tenders and it was a good lunch, but nothing special. I'd go for the experience since it's the hot Nashville thing.
The gallery above is from a park in Nashville where they have a replica of The Parthenon. Yes, you read that correctly, The Parthenon. It was originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial celebration, and you can still go in today to see the Athena Statue. It's huge!!
Nightlife in Nashville is really fun. There are both regular bars like you'd find most places, as well as bars all along Broadway, which host live music. Robert's and Layla's were our favorites and were actually right next to each other. As in they shared a wall. Talk about easy bar hopping!
Above are scenes from the Ryman Auditorium, both inside and out (it was pouring rain the day we went!), known as the Mother Church of Country Music which was home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, and restored to its original glory many years after that!
Until next time...see y'all later! I'm in New Orleans right now, hoping to get another little blog up next week. Safe travels friends, thanks for following along!