How to Become the Ultimate Cowgirl
Whether for a birthday, bachelorette party, or simply October break from college - a girls’ trip to Nashville is a bucket list item that must be completed. Although it’s impossible to get the full scope of the city in just a few days, a long weekend will give you an idea of what the country music capital has to offer. Below are some must-hit places for a great trip!
WHERE TO EAT:
Peg Leg Porker for authentic BBQ including ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and fries. This goes without saying-- iced sweet tea should be the only beverage consumed with meals throughout the whole trip.
Location: The Gulch
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken because Nashville is the homeland of hot chicken and this is the best... The line outside may seem daunting, but trust me, it moves fast. And if fried chicken isn't your thing, I would highly recommend the “Dirty Bird Fries”-- a combination of fries, mac and cheese, pickles, chicken bites, and sauce.
Location: Lower Broadway
Biscuit Love for another famous southern must-try: biscuits. Perfect for a late breakfast after a long night, biscuits can be paired with almost anything- including gravy, grits, eggs, or jam.
Location: The Gulch
Hampton Social may be THE most basic place you can visit in Nashville, but I would argue it is necessary for brunch with the girls. Whether it’s for the endless instagrammable opportunities, the top-notch service, or the amazing food; Hampton Social has the perfect atmosphere.
Location: Downtown
E&Rose puts Playa Bowls to shame. It seeks to serve food that tastes good, looks good, and makes you feel good-- and it for sure hits all three. I would recommend their HUGE acai bowls or fancy avocado toast.
Location: Various
WHERE TO SHOP:
Kittenish, owned by Jessie James Decker, carries cute accessories, clothing, and endless photo-worthy decorations: including a mural of roses, various LED light quotes, and framed photos of Carrie Bradshaw.
Location: The Gulch
Boot Country is located in the heart of honky tonk, and if you didn’t come to Nashville with cowboy boots, you will be leaving with them. Boot Country has an overwhelmingly wide selection of boots - and with the irresistible “buy one pair get two free” deal, you can purchase your basic brown boots along with more trendy, fun pairs such as teal and silver.
Location: Broadway
Uncommon James, owned by OG reality star Kristen Cavallari, offers timeless jewelry for women. This is the best place to visit if you’re looking for a dainty gold chain, statement gold earrings, orrr the setting of “Very Cavallari”.
Location: The Gulch
Blush Boutique is a Ciao Bella-esque boutique carrying clothing, shoes, accessories, and other cute items such as makeup bags and books. Blush is reasonably priced and most of their pieces have very Nashville vibes- jean, fringe, leather and so much more!
Location: The Gulch
WHAT TO DO:
The Nashville Tractor was probably the highlight of my trip. The tour takes you throughout the city on a wagon pulled by a tractor, while blasting music the whole time. The tractor gives you a different view of the city and is a great time singing and dancing with your friends. The area the tractor picks you up on is also really fun to walk around and explore.
Location: 2nd Ave
Ride a Bull at Nashville Underground, where you can also go bowling and get food. Honestly, I was a bit hesitant to ride a bull because it seemed so rough, but the bull operator was super nice and even gave us free rides!
Location: Broadway
Broadway is obvious but had to be included. This is the strip with all the famous bars, restaurants, random stores, and pretty much where all the fun is. The bright lights and fun signs will capture your attention, country music can be heard blasting out of every store, and you may even end up holding a 10 foot long snake.
Location: Broadway Street
The Country Music Hall of Fame is something I did not get the chance to do but wish I did. Even if you’re not a huge country music fan, there is something for everyone. There’s exhibits explaining the roots of country music-- which in turn teaches a lot about the history of our country, as well as exhibits on country music nowadays.
Location: Downtown
To sum it up, whether you know all the words to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” (if you don’t, you will by the time you leave) or whether you just want an excuse to buy 3 pairs of colorful cowboy boots-- Nashville is a trip you don’t want to miss out on. One final tip: wear your cowboy hat on the plane if it doesn’t fit in your carry-on-- it’ll help you get into the spirit ASAP.
Safe Travels,
Katherine Kates
