30ish Hours in Nashville, TN

Some cities are great to visit, and you can’t wait to go back again and again. Certain cities, though, make you come alive. They’re places you could see yourself living in one day; or at the very least, regularly vacationing to. You just feel good there, like you belong; like this place gets you.

At least that’s how I felt in Nashville. (And, okay, in Sydney and Austin.)

Something about the city felt like home, even if I’m not big on country music — save for a quirky obsession with the show Nashville and old Shania Twain songs — so I was psyched to spend a weekend there while Nate prepared for a conference.

Armed with Carly Stewart’s guide to Nashville, we set out to visit as many hotspots as possible. We didn’t hit them all (Barista Parlor is a must next time!), but here are some of the highlights:

Pinewood Social

Part bowling alley, part bocce ball court, part coffee shop, part bar/restaurant — this shop offers something for everyone, and every square inch of it is wonderful.

Frisk Museum

This museum is small but the collections are mighty. Two current exhibits — one on DaVinci’s sketches and one on Islamic art through the ages — feature a compelling array of works that give you a deeper understanding of the artists and their culture.

While there, it’s worth popping across the street to the Union Station Hotel, just to check out the lobby. The stained glass windows and carefully etched and painted ceilings are awe-inspiring.

The Gulch

This shopping area is full of fun places to visit, whether you’re into live music, brunch (all day, every day), or sneaking in a little retail therapy. Two Old Hippies is a must-visit, with its boho fashion, wide selection of guitars and ukuleles and unexpected gifts.

Draper James

Reese Witherspoon’s upscale Southern boutique is filled with Instagram-worthy spots (like the “Pretty as a Picture” wall just outside the store), and within minutes of walking in, you’ll be offered a glass of sweet tea and help finding anything you need.

Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Located right next to the Grand Ole Opry and the Opry Mills outlet mall, this extravagant hotel features one incredible lobby that pays homage to the entire state. A river meanders through the entire area, and you can take a $9.50 boat ride to explore the landscape. In the wintertime, the hotel hosts the ICE! Exhibit, which features dozens of human-sized (and larger) ice sculptures, as well as snow slides and an ice skating rink.