How to Spend 48 Hours in Nashville, Tn

Over our fall break, my friends and I decided to spend just under 48 hours in music city. Exploring new places will always be where I feel most myself, most alive, it's what keeps me moving and breathing. Nashville was not only a whirlwind of adventure, but it was a much-needed break. A break from cooking, from studying, from work, and from just being a college student.We saw a lot, we did a lot, but mostly we ate a lot...so without further ado, here is our (pretty boss) 48 hour Nashville travel guide.

Day 1

We arrived at our Airbnb around 1 in the afternoon and spent the first few hours showering off and getting ready for the evening. After camping for the three previous nights, we were all very happy to have a bed to sleep in and an actual bathroom to use (a girl can only stand portapotties for so long).After debating how to spend the evening, we decided to conquer the heart of downtown, the famous Honky Tonk Highway. Then, we took a walk to check out some live bluegrass music and indulge in gelato.

Where we ate:

Downtown

- Merchants: It sits right in the middle of Honkytonk Highway and is a three-story restaurant with three very different dining options. The first floor, the one we chose to eat on, features a bistro-style menu with soups, salads, and sandwiches. The second floor is a bit more pricey (and bougee), and is only open for dinner with a completely different menu than the first floor. The third floor is reserved for private events.

- Savannah's Candy Kitchen: How could we not walk into this fudge and praline-filled factory of goodness? Right on Broadway street and in walking distance from Merchants, we picked up some yummy snacks to munch on later in the night.

The Gulch

- Milk and Honey: This place satisfied our late-night gelato cravings. Also a restaurant, Milk and Honey has lots of great eats to offer, including bakery items and coffee drinks. It's about a 20-minute walk from Honky Tonk Highway, and very close to Station Inn, which I will talk about in a minute.

What we saw:

The Gulch

WhatLiftsYou Mural: This is a famous Nashvillian mural I'm sure you've seen on the 'gram more than a few times. Stop and take a photo!

Downtown

- Well, we were low-key forced into taking photos with two men wearing a Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un mask. They only asked us for $20 after the matter, so be aware of people who are after your money, folks. Unless you think the photos will be worth it, of course.

- Pedestrian Bridge: This is a must-do, once during the day and another one at night! People say it's the best view of the city skyline, and we certainly thought so.

What we did:

The Gulch

- The Station Inn: This little joint is a great way to spend the evening. Every night, live bluegrass bands take the stage, and a lot of the time, admittance is free of charge. It's about a 20-minute walk from Honky Tonk Highway, which is perfect for burning off some of that food baby.

Day 2

We started our morning at one of the best breakfast places I have ever been to, and that's saying a lot coming from me, your breakfast guru. After that, we shopped around in some local stores and boutiques, walked down 12-south, saw the Parthenon, grabbed coffee, ate pizza, and listened to some local musicians.

Where we ate:

Hillsborough Village

- Biscuit Love: You HAVE to incorporate this place into your morning plans. With a menu that makes it oh so hard to make up your mind, I settled in for the SEC (sausage, egg, and cheddar) biscuit and we all shared a round of Bonuts (that's right, biscuit donuts). It was a glorious time.

12-South

- Frothy Monkey: This little cafe served as the perfect pick-me-up for a middle-of-the-day cup of joe. If you are feeling hungry, there are also several food options.

Centennial Park

- Three Brothers Coffee: More for beverages than anything else, this coffee shop is known for its cool outdoor alleyway that's to the right of the entrance. It's a perfect place to grab a few pictures and take a break!

North Nashville

- Slim & Husky's Pizza: If you're in the mood for pizza, make this place a priority. It's a hip make-your-own pizza beeria with an "Atlanta-esque" vibe to it. Order either a slim (10") or husky (16") pizza and add unlimited toppings to it. Yes, I said unlimited. Go wild!

What we saw:

12-South

Pumpkin Pop-Up Shop: While walking down this bustling and beautiful street, we ran smack into a little area selling every type of pumpkin imaginable! Just walking through it made me smile at the thought of Fall. If you are ever in Nashville in October, look out for this cute little setup!

- I Believe in Nashville Mural: After seeing this pop up on my news feed time and time again, it was pretty awesome visiting this mural in person!

- Amelia's Flower Truck: Hard-core fangirled when this adorable little flower truck came into view. Pick yourself a bouquet of the prettiest fresh flowers and smile for the camera!

Centennial Park

- The Parthenon: What is a replica of the Parthenon doing in the middle of Nashville you may ask? Good question! What we do know is- it's pretty darn cool. Spend time walking along the park and viewing this beast of a building and swinging on the public benches!

What we did:

Hillsborough Village

- Pangaea: You could spend an hour in this store looking at items imported from all over the world. From vintage clothes to postcards to decor to books, it has a lot of really cool stuff to offer that you're gonna want to bring back home.

- Hey Rooster General Store: Find the perfect Nashville keepsake here! A ton of the products are made by local artists in the area, including shirts, stationery, food,  and artwork.

- Revv: An adorable boutique featuring their own Nash Collection baseball cap. Let's be real, you can't leave without one of these!

The Gulch

- Mercy Lounge: I would highly recommend this venue for seeing any live show! We had the chance to go to a benefit concert for the Las Vegas victims when we were in town that featured several different artists and they were all incredible. Mercy Lounge has a really cool industrial atmosphere, it's one spot I would make a point of visiting again.

Day 3

After packing up our belongings at our Airbnb, we decided to have one last meal in East Nashville. We were sad to kiss music city goodbye but were thankful for all that we got to experience in the time we were there.

Where we ate:

East Nashville

- The Family Wash: What once was a carwash has now been converted into a super hip breakfast, lunch, dinner, and live music space filled with funky art and a diverse menu. I highly recommend the salted caramel mocha to drink. Yum!

What we did:

The Gulch

- Third Man Records: A vinyl store and recording studio launched by the one and only Jack White, this had to be one of the coolest places we stopped at. Shop for records of your favorite artists and catch a live event in The Vault if you can!