It’s Saturday afternoon. What are you going to do with your day? Lay in bed watching Netflix? While there’s definitely nothing wrong with having a lazy day (I’m a large proponent of having “me time”) you should also use weekends for getting up and exploring where you live. Here in Nashville, we’re incredibly lucky to live in a city with endless amounts of fun to be had, food to be eaten, and stores to be shopped at.
So maybe you’ve lived here your whole life, or maybe you’re a Nashville newbie, like me. Regardless of how many years you’ve spent in Music City, there are probably things you’ve always wanted to do that you just haven’t gotten around to. Check out a few of my favorite places to visit along with some of my “bucket list” items below!
1. Grab breakfast at Fido
I love this café and coffee shop nestled in Hillsboro Village, minutes from Vanderbilt’s campus. They have great coffee and even better signature drinks like the Local Latte (honey, cinnamon, espresso & milk) or the Grasshopper (basil, lemongrass, coconut, espresso & milk). Plus, if you’re craving scrambled eggs or pancakes, they’re amazing too.
2. Explore boutiques in Hillsboro Village
These shops are great for window shoppers and serious buyers alike. Two of my favorites, Pangea and Native&Nomad offer trendy clothes, jewelry, stationery, and books.
3. Walk along Lower Broadway
Yes, it’s a little crazy and touristy. It’s also a classic Nashville activity and you have to check out the Honky Tonks at some point.
4. Enjoy the outdoors at Centennial Park
Featuring sand volleyball courts, a dog park, walking trails, the Parthenon and plenty of green space, this is the perfect place to head on a Saturday afternoon. Grab your friends and family and enjoy one of Nashville’s most iconic locations.
5. Hike at Percy Warner Park
If you’re looking for a workout, this is the place. The park features running paths as well as trails of varying difficulty. You can even bring your dog! My calves hurt for days afterward, but the experience was totally worth it.
6. Check out Pinewood Social
This restaurant/bar/bowling alley is possibly the best idea that anyone’s ever come up with. If you’re looking for a fun evening, Pinewood Social offers a the ideal location to grab some food and drinks, play ping-pong or bocce ball outside, and bowl. The wait can be long to get a lane but it’s definitely worth it.
7. Eat at a restaurant in The Gulch
This area of Nashville has some fantastic restaurants, like Whiskey Kitchen, Moto, and Saint Anejo, just to name a few.
8. Drive to Leiper’s Fork
I don’t know what it is about this little town, but I absolutely love it. The drive is beautiful and there are some great places to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping.
9. Grab drinks at The Patterson House
If you love fancy cocktails and drinks, you’ll love this place. A great way to wind down after a long day with friends.
10. Go on a Ghost or Historical Tour in downtown Franklin
If you’re in the mood to learn a little more about Franklin’s role in the Civil War, sign up for one of Franklin’s tours. It’s much better than reading from a history textbook, trust me.