Weekend Getaway : Nashville

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Tyler and I had been trying to plan a weekend getaway for several months, but we could never decide on a time or place. He had a free hotel night that needed to be used soon, so we finally bit the bullet and scheduled a trip down to Nashville, TN. We were only in town for about 24 hours, but we had the best time! In case any of you are interested in taking a trip to Nashville sometime soon, I've rounded up a few of our favorite destinations.

1. Barista Parlor

Barista Parlor has quickly become our favorite coffee shop. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, do yourself a favor and stop by! It's amazing. The staff is always friendly, the decor is top notch, the food is delicious, oh, and the coffee is pretty great, too! We actually stopped by the location in East Nashville for a quick cup of coffee on Saturday afternoon and then again at the Golden Sound location for breakfast on Sunday morning.

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We tried four different coffee varieties over the course of the weekend, but the Four Barrel El Olvido was our favorite.

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For breakfast, we tried the Homemade Cinnamon Poptart, Winter Oatmeal (Thick Cut Oats / Candied Walnuts / Apple Butter), and the Pops Chocolate Waffle (House-made Bourbon & Buttermilk Waffle / "Mast Brothers Crown Maple" Chocolate Bars / Barrel Aged Vanilla Maple Syrup). Everything was DELICIOUS!

2. Rolf and Daughters

I've never particularly loved eating out for dinner. I always end up thinking I paid WAY too much for something I could have made better myself in the comfort of my own home. Well, Rolf & Daughters will forever be the exception to that rule. This is a very bold statement, but I'm fairly certain this was THE BEST meal I've ever had at a restaurant. EVER! Tyler and I shared the "Crostini, broccoli, pecorino, pistachio", "Winter lettuce, butternut squash, sunflower seed", and the "Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, sarvecchio". I also had an amazing glass of red wine and Tyler tried the R.A.D. Old Fashioned. He said it was the best cocktail he's ever had. Everything was amazing. Please, just go!

3. immogene + willie

Immogene and Willie is a great shop in the 12 South district of Nashville. They specialize in custom made denim and candles, but the shop also has an entire area dedicated to Warby Parker eye wear. On our recent visit, Tyler found the neatest wood comb, and I was tempted by some beautiful boots. I suppose it's a good thing I already started my winter capsule!

4. White's Mercantile

White's Mercantile is also located in the 12 South district, so if you're in the area, I'd recommend stopping by. They sell an assortment of items including home goods, clothing and, on our most recent visit, some really great jewelry. It's quite an eclectic mix of items, but it's a great one-stop shop for quality goods.

5. Airbnb

Airbnb isn't something that is specific to Nashville, but we utilized the service during our previous stay in April, and I would recommend it to everyone! Airbnb is actually "a community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world". We have used Airbnb in Nashville, Charleston, and Raleigh. All experiences were excellent. While we stayed in a hotel during this trip, I would  much prefer a stay in an East Nashville rental. It's a great way to get a feel for the life and culture of the city.

During our stay, we also attended a concert at the Ryman Auditorium called "Opry at the Ryman". We got to see Carrie Underwood, Craig Morgan, Kacey Musgraves, and a few other country singers perform. Getting to experience a live concert at such a famous venue was a really neat experience. I'm not sure it's something I would do each time I visit Nashville, but it's definitely worth a visit!