Nashville Nosh and Other Reasons to Visit

Last week, my husband and I took a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. I've wanted to go for years, but something always came up. I was born in the Volunteer state but on the opposite end in the Tri-Cities area, so it was exciting to finally see Music City!

Many of the places we visited were ones you would expect, starting with the Country Music Hall of Fame.

As part of the ticket package we purchased, we toured Studio B at RCA Victor Studios. This is where Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Dottie West, and many other greats recorded some of their biggest hits.

We did backstage tours at both the Ryman Theater and Grand Ole Opry. I was especially excited to see the dressing rooms where many scenes from the ABC show Nashville were  filmed. (Yes, I know. I'm a bit of a groupie in that way).

At the Ryman I recorded a song (move over Carrie Underwood! Ha! No, not even close)...

And at the Grand Ole Opry we saw a show, which included Pam Tillis, Tommy Emmanuel, Cam, and Justin Moore. Great show! Great crowd of people.

For American Pickers fans, we walked the 1.4 miles from our hotel to Antique Archaeology on a scorching hot day. (You too can own that shrunken Peruvian guy for a cool $2,200!)

Afterwards, we Ubered over to the Hatch Show Print center, where we learned about letterpresses, and the Hatch Show print business which was established in 1879 and is still thriving today.

Did I mention the food yet? No? Well, here are just a few recommendations in case you're traveling to Nashville anytime soon.

Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant in downtown Nashville has fantastic downhome cooking. We also got to hear great live music there. If you have a chance, check out Liz Moriondo. She rocks!

Urban Grub in the 12th South area is outstanding (but make rezzies before you go). We had to wait about an hour, but it was totally worth it.

A little tapas bar called Americano was right near our hotel.  I ate deep-fried Brussel sprouts (and I don't like Brussel sprouts) and cauliflower that was about the best stuff I've ever had.

Midtown Café was having a Julia Child celebration during the month of July. Of course, I had to have boeuf Bourguignon.

And this little place was a treat. Pinewood Social is not only a wonderful eating spot, it also boasts a 1950s-type bowling alley and a swimming pool.

We loved Nashville. It's a big city that still has a hometown feel (but I'm not sure how much longer they can keep that up as people are pouring into the area daily).  Everyone we met was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. A lot of the folks had lived in Nashville their whole lives.

We're already looking forward to our next trip back.

Have you done any traveling this summer? If so, where?

Favorite Things Friday: Vacation

Vacation is all I ever wanted…

Remember The Go-Go’s song from 1982?

 

I’m one of those really weird people not necessarily into sandy beaches and Caribbean cruises for vacations. For many years my idea of a vacation was sitting in an English pub watching rain course over beveled glass on Shakespearean windows; climbing winding stone stairs of old, decrepit castles while watching my breath form in puffs before me; or tromping over wet meadows in Wales with cold wind whipping off of the ocean while stepping over sheep dung. Again—I am not ashamed—I’m weird.

 

 

Although I still think these are my favorite images for a vacation, this year I’m happy to stay in the good old US of A and explore more domestic territory. I already toured Biltmore this summer and enjoyed an eat-a-thon in Asheville, N.C., so that’s scratched off my list. Here’s my revised summer travel hit list:

1.    Gatlinburg, Tennessee: I used to go there as a kid, but I haven’t been since I was around ten years old. I remember this really great haunted house I ran through with my eyes closed. I’d sort of like to do that again. Plus, I hear there are great places to eat there.

2.    Nashville, Tennessee: Yes, I know these are both in the same state, but as most of you know Tennessee is my home state. And I really love my home state. I’d like to go to Nashville to see some good live music (my husband and I are both music lovers). I also hear Nashville has great restaurants.

3.    Winchester, Virginia: This is an odd choice because it’s only an hour from where I live, but I’ve wanted to go there for a while. I’d like to stay in a B&B and take in a few historical sights.  There’s also a restaurant there called One Block West that looks really good.

So there we have it. You probably get a pretty good idea of what my husband and I like to do on our vacations—we pretty much eat our way across town.

 

Anyone who has been to any of these places have any recommendations for good restaurants with great food and atmosphere?