Explorer Guide: Nashville
This guide has been a few months in the making, but it's finally here. Presenting a collective photo guide to one of the coolest cities, Nashville. Here's a collection of some of my favorite places to explore, hydrate, shop and hang.
Last updated July 2016.
Rise: Steadfast Coffee
Every great adventure begins with Nashville's best caffeinated beverage, the Coffee Soda. If you're hungry, their poached eggs are the definition of perfection.
Sunrise: Narrows of the Harpeth
There's nothing else like it in Middle Tennessee. Watching the sunrise over a farm from a bluff doesn't get much better than this.
Photo Op: Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge
The beautiful rural scenery continues as our tour of Nashville goes to show off brilliant architecture and beauty at the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge. It's also worth a trip to Loveless Cafe to stop for breakfast on the way back to town for some life changing biscuits (expect a wait...this place is popular).
Walk it out: Radnor Lake
A quick 2 mile walk around a lake is a great way to get in some exercise, take beautiful photos, or to escape the city life. Radnor Lake is easily the most beautiful retreat near Nashville.
Shop & Eat: 12th South
12th south has become the bustling, family friendly neighborhood for fancy food and overpriced shopping. However, it still has some great shops and food and is worth the stop. Check out Imogene + Willie, White's Mercantile, and Corner Music to satisfy Nashville shopping fill. To satisfy your hunger, check out Burger Up, Tacquiera Del Sol, Mafioza's, or Epice. If its a sweltering day, be sure to top off your visit with a Las Paletas Popsicle.
Drink: Marathon Village
If I could describe Marathon Village in one word, it would be "character." What used to be an automobile factory, is now home to many local shops including Mike Wolfe's Antique Archaeology, Corsair Distillery, The Soda Parlor, Safehouse Tattoo, and plenty of artist studio spaces. It has the biggest "I Believe in Nashville" Sign, and makes for some beautiful photos. Don't come hungry as food is not something this village is known for, but spend an hour on the Corsair Distillery tour and try all their award winning spirits.
Caffeinate: Barista Parlor
Coffee shop culture is booming in Nashville, and Barista Parlor is one of the OGs of the boom of quality coffee coming to Nashville. Try a Vanilla Bourbon Latte while taking in East Nashville's hipster culture. It's worth walking around the building and visiting Sisters of Nature and the Fuselage.
Photo Op: Cornelia Fort
141 acres of abandoned airpark including runways and hangers have made a great place for locals to hang out. Cornelia Fort Airpark was acquired by Shelby Park in 2011 and is open for public to run, bike, or even picnic. The hangers are now bolted shut, but used to make for some awesome photos before people started being hooligans. You can still access the outdoor space, runway included.
Hang: Pinewood Social
What do a pool, a bowling alley, a coffee shop, a bar, and a restaurant have in common? Pinewood Social. The first social of it's kind in Nashville, from the creative minds at Strategic Hospitality. They've created the hippest hangout that I've ever seen serving up some of Nashville's best food and drinks.
Get Down & Dirty: Broadway
Broadway has it's own ecosystem apart from Nashville that locals used to avoid, but it's charm and revitalization are attracting more and more people (including locals...sometimes). Every Honky Tonk on the strip features live music and cheap drinks to take you to the next level. Check out Robert's Western World and Acme Feed & Seed. Things to avoid: Pedal Taverns, horse shit, cowboy boots and bachelorette parties.
