Boots, Broadway, and Brunch: A College Girl’s Weekend in Nashville
As Fall Break creeps closer, so does the itch to escape midterm madness and swap all-nighters in Belk Library for nights perusing Broadway. Whether you’re craving rooftop brunches, honky-tonk hotspots, or just a camera roll filled with city murals and skyline sunsets, Nashville is the place to be.
If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram during October, you already know the truth: the Elon-to-Nashville pipeline is real. Every fall, flocks of seniors travel to Music City for a long weekend of cowboy boots, neon-lights, and brunch after brunch after brunch. Lucky for you, we at The Edge have crafted the ultimate four-day itinerary packed with the Nashville sights-to-see, so you don’t have to spend a single second doomscrolling “things to do in Nashville” the night before your trip!
Make sure to pack your denim fits, most walkable cowboy boots, and your digital camera, because you’re about to go on the most unforgettable trip of your life!
Thursday
Once you reach the vibrant city of Nashville, your first stop will be to check in at your hotel. While there are so many options around the city, our recommendation is the Cowgirl Cabana, a coastal cowgirl-themed Airbnb that sleeps 8, and is just a walk from Broadway! Once you’ve put down your bags and taken a stroll through your new residence for the weekend, it’s time to explore!
Airbnb: Cowgirl Cabana Walk to Broadway Downtown Nashville
Our first stop is to 12 South, where you can take a stroll by some of Nashville’s famous mural art, such as “I Believe in Nashville" and “Nashville Looks Good on You”, as well as shop in some of the cutest boutiques like Draper James and stop by Amelia’s Flower Truck. Don’t forget to grab a post-travel pick-me-up at the Frothy Monkey Cafe!
For a leisurely, post-shopping afternoon activity, stop by Centennial Park to see the Parthenon, which is free and a perfect photo op. Since you’re in Nashville, an authentic barbeque feast is a necessity! Kick off the weekend with a dinner at Edley’s BBQ on 12 South for a tribute to all things southern.
After dinner and freshening up back at the hotel, it's time to explore Broadway. While every day on Broadway is filled with excitement and lots of energy, going during the week is the ideal move; the nightlife is much less crowded and chaotic, but still lively and enjoyable. There’s definitely no shortage of bars, but the ones to hit are Aldean’s, Miranda Lambert’s, and Whiskey Row. AND, if you’re brave enough, make a stop at Wanna B’s for karaoke and a mechanical bull ride.
Friday
If you’ve hopped on the pilates bandwagon, don’t fret! We’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to start your morning with some movement, go over to Bodyrok for a pilates sesh before heading back to your residence to shower and get ready for the day! After freshening up, our first stop will be the Graduate Hotel, where you’ll enjoy a rooftop brunch in a hot pink, Dolly Parton-inspired setting. So dress in your pinks and pastels, and make sure to take lots of pictures with your friends featuring the gorgeous skyline views.
For our day-time exploring, start at The Gulch for some more shopping (because we at The Edge can never get enough). Much like 12 South, The Gulch has no shortage of Nashville murals, cowboy boot shops, and cafes. So grab a latte at Milk & Honey, and peruse the murals along Howell’s Alley before heading to our next stops, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium. Finally, head over to the Music City Photomatic for some vintage photo strips of you and your friends!
For dinner, head to Superica for some Tex-Mex, and then finish off the night at the Listening Room Cafe for some writer's rounds, and then if you still have energy, make your way over to Morgan Wallen’s This Bar.
Saturday
For breakfast/lunch, we suggest Fonda. Depending on your mood and energy level after two days of non-stop exploring, we have a few options for you to mix and match on this Saturday afternoon. If you’re looking for some outdoorsy adventures, make your way to Natchez Trace Stables for some woodsy trails on horseback, or have a lake day of rest and relaxation at the Center Hill Lake. For a leisurely day, we recommend taking a stroll through the Fleurs de Villes Artiste flower show at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. If you’re looking to engage in the Nashville community, stop by the Nashville Farmer’s Market, where you can shop, eat, and even browse through the garden center. Finally, if you’re wanting to play tourist, check out the Grand Ole Opry!
Once you are finished with any of these mix and match activities, you can grab a quick bite to eat! For casual, late-afternoon eats, we recommend popping into Germantown to explore, or hitting the Assembly Food Hall for some quick snacks and a budget-friendly meal. Once it approaches the hour of sunset, take a walk on the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for the best view of Nashville’s skyline! Then, its time to once again explore Nashville’s nightlife. For initial drinks and their famous giant pretzels, start at Von Elrod’s, then for the actual meal, wander to Cherries, which is east Nashville’s cherry themed bar! Finally, end the night at Nashville Palace for some line dancing.
Sunday
For our last day in Nashville, the plans are very laid back while still hitting the must-see spots of the city. For a quick morning grab-and-go breakfast, go to Franklin Juice Co. for a smoothie or acai bowl. Once you’ve grabbed your morning fuel, swing by the Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s beautiful indoor gardens and take as many pictures as possible! Then, if you’re able to snag a ticket, hit the Bluebird Cafe, which is a legendary songwriter venue in the city. Finally, grab one last brunch at the rooftop restaurant, Proof, before departing the city.
We hope we helped craft your busy, 4-day adventure throughout the country-music hotspot of Nashville! Try any of our recommendations? Let us know at @theedgemag on Instagram!