Guide to a Long Weekend in NashvilleNashville is a little bit country, a whole lot hipster, and the perfect destination for friend groups, couples’ trips and, yes, of course bachelorette weekends. Here’s how to find the cool in Nashville, from honky tonks on Broadway to five-star dining experiences. SECRET CODE: PLANE #TripsbyStellerAuthorslunaticatlarge
DestinationsNashvilleItinerary

Day 1: Thursday

National Museum of African American Music
For music and history lovers, this massive museum on Broadway is a must, showcasing the contributions and roles of Black musicians and trailblazers to more than 50 genres of music.
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Goo Goo Chocolate Co
Nashville's century-old candy company will give you a great (literal) taste of the city, as well as serve as a great spot for edible souvenirs. Don't sleep on the four-ounce Premiums that are available in a variety of specialty flavors—or, make your own.
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Fifth + Broadway
This food hall right on Broadway has a central bar and many of the city’s best restaurants in town in mini form. Want a more sit-down experience before your night out? Book a table at the resident Sixty Vines.
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Ryman Auditorium
The “Mother Church of Country Music” is not only one of the most iconic institutions in Nashville but in the world. The circa-1892 venue hosts a bevy of touring musical acts, comedians, and other live entertainment and is open for tours during the day.
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Pushing Daisies
This underground spot right on Broadway serves the best margaritas in town. It’s my favorite stop after a show at the Ryman or Bridgestone.
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The Stage on Broadway
You can’t come to Nashville and not honky-tonk. Weekends on Broadway are a madhouse, so if you want to kick up your cowboy boots and join in the fun, my local tip is to do so on a weeknight.
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Robert's Western World
Go for the live country music, stay for the late-night fried bologna sandwiches. Another must-see honky tonk, and one of the few places downtown where native Nashvillians still hang out.
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Day 2: Friday

Dozen Bakery
The best baked goods in Nashville, hands down. Get there early as they sell what they make, then it's gone for the day. Dozen also excels in tartines and soups if you find yourself there closer to lunchtime.
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Jackalope Brewing Co.
Too early for a drink? Never. (Well, unless it's not open yet.) Luckily, this homegrown brewery known for its out-of-the-box beers opens at noon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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Diskin Cider
Don't drink beer? No problem. Diskin Cider makes the meanest alcoholic cider in town for our gluten-free drinkers or beer-averse.
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1108 Shops at Woodland
Housed in tiny container ships, this small collection of shops is meant to be a retail incubator for new businesses and has birthed many a successful concept like Goodbuy Girls with its artisanal goods and vintage cowboy boots.
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Mas Tacos Por Favor
This no-frills Mexican restaurant is an East Nashville favorite thanks to its non-fussy walk-up window style and smattering of creative tacos (like the fried avocado or quinoa and sweet potato) and margaritas. Be sure and order a side of the street corn (elote) and the plantains. On Wednesdays, there are hand-rolled tamales available, too.
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Shops at Porter East
A small retail development brimming with locally owned boutiques and small businesses is the perfect stop for the traveler looking to flex their credit card.
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N.B. GOODS
Turning pop culture phenomenons into vintage-style print gold, this woman-owned print shop does trucker hats, pennants and more. Their warehouse was recently destroyed by the tornado, so check before you go to make sure they've reopened.
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Apple and Oak
If you want a snarky gift for a friend (or yourself), Apple and Oak is where to go to get it. Though she started out selling Turkish rugs, which she still does, Allison Holley's store has morphed into the go-to shop for barware, paper goods, ornaments during the holidays, and birthday or hostess gifts you didn't know you needed.
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Lucky Rabbit Candy Shop
This pint-sized candy shop packs a big punch with sweets from your childhood and other nostalgic treats from countries around the world.
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Noko
This wood-fired restaurant in the Shops at Porter Road complex immediately landed itself on Open Table's best restaurant lists—as well as a place on my personal list with its Asian spin on classic dishes using flavors from Japan, the Philippines and Korea.
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Chopper
Where better to get your nightcap on than a tiki bar with frozen drinks and rum concoctions aplenty all served up in unique barware to match the flair of the cocktail itself?
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Day 3: Saturday

Frothy Monkey
Nashville's most beloved coffee brand has a handful of locations around town, but the downtown location on Avenue of the Arts makes a great jumping off point for exploring downtown by foot (or scooter). The rotating seasonal latte—like The Hound Dog with peanut butter sauce, local honey and Frothy's banana syrup—is a must, and the breakfast never disappoints.
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Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
This 11-acre park is one of my favorite places for a morning stroll and boasts some of the best views of the Capitol in town.
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Nashville Farmers' Market
Also along Bicentennial Park is the Farmers' Market building with a handful of indoor vendors open seven days a week and a Saturday market with fresh produce and other snacks.
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Gardens of Babylon Landscapes
Every plant lady needs to take time to walk through the pure art that is this expansive greenhouse even if you don't have room for a new green friend in your luggage.
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Marathon Village
This old brick 1900s auto manufacturing plant now houses some of Nashville's most coveted brands, like Corsair Distillery (great for a tasting or cocktail), Mike Wolfe's Antique Archaeology and the Old Time Pickin’ Parlor.
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Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
A revived whiskey heritage from centuries ago translates to distillery gold in the case of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, which offers tours and tastings daily in its Marathon Village home base, as well as a brand-new restaurant experience (open Wednesday-Saturday).
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Bad Idea
There's nothing bad about the idea to pop into this Laotian-inspired restaurant that occupies an old church in East Nashville. The only bad idea here is *not* order everything on the menu (it's meant to be shared). So go hungry.
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The Electric Jane
This live entertainment venue boasts a unique lineup of live music in a lounge-y environment, as well as specialty events weekly like a Dolly Parton-themed drag show.
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Day 4: Sunday

Centennial Park
Are you in Greece? you may wonder. Nope, but the Nashville Parthenon is a full-scale, polychromed replica of the original in Athens. It's also surrounded by well-manicured gardens, Lake Watauga and the remaining 132 acres that comprise Centennial Park. It's a great place for walking, running or just sleeping off the night before (and bonus: it's got free WiFi!).
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Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Explore decades' worth of country music history at this world-famous music emporium and press your own letterpress via a class at the adjoining Hatch Show Print (or simply buy a concert poster as your piece of Nashville memorabilia).
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Monday Night Brewing - Preservation Co.
The perfect spot for a pre-dinner round of beers, Monday Night Preservation Co. has a sprawling outdoor space in Germantown on waterfront real estate along the Cumberland River.
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Tailor Nashville
This 10-course tasting experience merges South Indian fare with Southern flair. Reservations are required, and Tailor is only open Thursdays through Sundays for two seatings a night.
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