Back in January, Mike and I planned a getaway weekend to Nashville because Mike went there a few years ago and swore I would love it–I had never been. He wanted us to go there together so badly so we had to make that happen. We flew my parents up to DC to watch Sugar Bear and I was sneaky and invited our good friends Derek and Stacy (who live in NJ) to join us for part of our trip–a big surprise for Mike!

Thursday:

Thursday morning of Memorial Day weekend, we flew out bright and early for BNA. So early in fact that we grabbed our baggage, ate breakfast at the airport Starbucks (I was starving by the time we landed!), took a 30 minute cab ride to our hotel, checked into our room, hopped in an Uber to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and arrived a few minutes before the doors even opened!

We spend all morning in the museum and did the audio tour–it was fantastic. You even got to do a bunch of interactive elements like record your own song, come up with a record cover, come up with your own country song, and find your country music superstar spirit animal—looking at you, T. Swift!

Next we strolled along Broadway, Nashville’s main strip of amazing live music, drinks, good times, cowboy hats, and two-steppers. The music scene here is unreal. I mean, at 11 am on a Thursday, you get to hear artists sing cover songs that sound like the real deals. And as the day wears  on, and the crowds get bigger, the artists only get better. I knew Nashville was the place to be when the weekday 11 am act could have been the opening act at a DC bar on a Saturday night. I was so impressed and this proved true for the entire weekend.

After that we were hungry and needed some hot chicken so into the Uber we hopped and headed to Nashville’s world-famous Hattie B’s restaurant.

At this point in my post-hot chicken state, I was a little embarrassed to admit it, but was desperately in need of a nap. I didn’t want to seem like a baby so I was thrilled when Mike suggested we crash at the hotel for a bit. DONE.

We woke up in time to get dressed and ready for our evening out on the town–the only thing I bought in advance was tickets to a concert at the Ryman Auditorium called ‘Opry Country Classics.’ I read somewhere that if you had the chance to see a concert at the ‘mother church of country music,’ (they really do call the Ryman that–it was the original Grand Ole Opry) you should definitely go. And this was the only night there was such an event. So go we did, and we were so glad!

After the show, we headed to Acme Food & Grain for dinner and to watch an amazing 10 piece band play, and called it a night by 11:30 or so.

Friday:

Mike and I had breakfast at our hotel and strolled over the Cumberland River to the Johnny Cash Museum, which was awesome. Afterwards we tried on cowboy boots ($350 a pair!!) and hats. We looked so authentic!

Next we headed to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge where we enjoyed lunch on the rooftop. While we were there, I was texting our friends Derek and Stacy who had just checked into their hotel and we concocted a plan to carry out the surprise for Mike. So I told a tiny white lie that a friend of a friend had invited us to a party on the roof of this place called the Thompson Hotel. Luckily Mike is down for anything and off we went!

When we arrived, the rooftop bar was gorgeous and I spotted Derek and Stacy right away. I kept looking at them and then at Mike and then at them again. Finally it sunk in that they were here and he was shocked! We spent the afternoon catching up with them and relaxing and later had a delicious dinner (all 4 of us) at Husk.

Saturday:

Mike and I headed over to meet Derek and Stacy in line at Nashville’s famous Biscuit Love for one of the most delicious breakfasts ever–I got a biscuit with hot chicken and gravy and it was just soo good. We then strolled around the 12 South neighborhood where Reese Witherspoon has her store Draper James and the overall vibe of this neighborhood was just great–little boutique stores, coffee houses, a farmer’s market. It was nice to get off the beaten path of the touristy Broadway strip to see what it would feel like to live here. Highlights of the shopping experience included watching Mike and Derek sit on the ‘Husband Bench’ for many minutes while Stacy and I tried on cute dresses at Draper James and when Derek bought a ridiculously soft t-shirt from a store on an old school bus that was surprisingly roomy inside.

Rain threatened, so we grabbed a table at the Thompson Hotel and had lunch and drinks before we jumped into an Uber for the Grand Ole Opry. I didn’t know it, but the Grand Ole Opry is not in downtown Nashville like everything else–it is in Opryland, 25 minutes outside of the city. The drive alone made us hesitate, but I really wanted to go, and who knows when we will be back? So off we went!

The Grand Ole Opry was amazing. I loved the hour tour we did and was glad we made the trip. We got to tour backstage and even sing on the stage! Mike and I belted out Ring of Fire 🙂

We headed to a fancy place for dinner that was good but not memorable and then to Rock Bottom Pub for a rooftop 40th birthday party for Stacy’s friend who works for the Titans. It was a great time–they had a buffet and corn hole and lots of fun relatives of the birthday girl who I got to talk to.

Around midnight I had to call it because I was beat and we headed back to our hotel.

Sunday:

Met Derek and Stacy for breakfast at the world-famous Pancake Pantry near Vanderbilt University. It was pretty good! We says farewell to Derek and Stacy who were flying home before us and then Mike and I headed back downtown for some souvenir purchases and to chill at a bar…and that is when we discovered what I consider the jewel of Broadway–Ole Red. Ole Red is Blake Shelton’s bar (named after his song) and it was only 3 weeks old. This meant it didn’t smell like bar sludge (a win!) and the space was fresh and clean and modern. Also, the bands playing that morning has a relaxed, acoustic guitar mellow vibe that was a refreshing break from the other honky tonks. We stayed here for hours and even met some retired friends! (Mike and I are always making friends with retired people–it’s just what we do.)

From there we caught an Uber back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and headed to BNA. We had a quick flight home and walked into our house to a wonderful spaghetti dinner and a stirring Sugar Bear (so we got to snuggle her!)