I'll be honest, 2020 has downright stunk in just about every way for any big events or travel. I hadn't planned on being able to do anything for my birthday this year because of all the COVID precautions. However, my friend had to make a trip to Nashville on the same weekend as my birthday and when we looked at hotels, some kind of spontaneity welled up in us and we decided to book a hotel downtown in the middle of Nashville.
In true Justin & Brianna form, we only had a little over 24 hours in a city to explore. This trip was a little bit different than most- we have a baby now!
We left on Saturday morning around 7 AM, when Rhett woke up for the day. Looking back, I don't know if that was a super wise choice. The getting there part was really rough- there was a TON of construction traffic. We ended up sitting on the highway for a little over an hour, just parked, completely unprepared without any snacks or drinks.... this made for a very hangry 7 month old and momma- J was perfectly chill with his Switch.
Once we arrived, we grabbed lunch at Hattie B's Hot Chicken which was within walking distance of our hotel, Embassy Suites Vanderbilt.
Lunch at Hattie B's Hot Chicken
I ordered the tenders plate with pimento mac & cheese, coleslaw, and french fries (for Rhett) and J ordered the tenders plate with Southern greens and red skin potato salad. Then, because there was a major error on their online ordering system, they gave us some banana pudding for dessert. The chicken was SO good. Like so, so good. The sides were okay, but the main reason you're there is for the chicken. Focus on that!
Mural Scavenger Hunt
Once we finished eating we did a little scavenger hunt of all the murals around Nashville.
We went to The Gulch area first since we didn't have a whole lot of plans of hanging out in that area in the evening with a baby.
Then, parked at 11th Avenue S & Laurel Street for the Google Fiber, Lego Man, and What Lifts You Wings Murals.
Then, we drove down to 12th Avenue South to walk down that street. I wished we would have walked down a little farther, but time just didn't allow it with Rhett's sleep schedule, but we did go back down there the next morning.
12th Avenue South has so many murals, some we didn't get to stop and get pictures at. Parking was easy to find in one of the several parking lots.
I Believe in Nashville Mural is at: 2702 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 and across from the Draper James store.
Grab a cookie from Christie Cookie Co. & an Iced Coffee from Frothy Monkey to snack on while walking down 12th Avenue S.
We tried the Lemon White Chocolate, Snickerdoodle, Rocky Road (Pictured), Triple Chocolate Blondie and the Nashville Hot. Y'all. The Nashville Hot was SO good. Kind of tasted like a Mexican Hot Chocolate. Chocolate goodness with a little kick is all I can explain. Worth the try!
We stopped by The Frothy Monkey coffeehouse for some iced coffee. I got the turtle latte iced (pictured) and J got the monkey mocha. They had a hummingbird latte with pecan and pineapple and when we go back, I think I'm going to try that one. The Frothy Monkey also serves meals, but a big juicy burger sounded good so we walked down to Burger Up.
His face is cracking me up here! Haha
Dinner at Burger Up
Rhett was starting to get cranky from missing his naps and needed an early bedtime. We ordered from Burger Up which was so easy! We got the black and blue burger and the mr. lewis patty melt. Both were super good! I forgot to take a picture before we dug in! Haha Whoops!
Another place that was recommended to us for dinner that was on 12th Ave. S was Edley's BBQ and drinks at The Filling Station.
We went back to Embassy Suites Vanderbilt to eat dinner and get Rhett ready for bed. #familylife
A few things about our hotel, I LOVE that they have a separate room with a door in each of the hotel rooms. This made it so so easy for us to set up Rhett's pack and play, turn on the sound machine and then go back into the living room area and hang out with one another without worrying about disturbing him.
Most times, aside from COVID, Embassy Suites has a happy hour in the evening with snacks and drinks for their guests in addition to their delicious breakfast in the morning! The staff was absolutely incredible and so great at helping families travel. If we're not staying in an AirBnb, we will always stay at and Embassy Suite!
Coffee at Poindexter Coffee
It is no secret, Rhett is an early riser. That means that this momma needs some coffee. Thankfully, a short walk away from our hotel was The Graduate and Poindexter Coffee. While the vanilla latte was good, the decor of the hotel is really what was inspiring with fun, flam meets traditional vibes. Huge chandeliers, pink shag wall art, gold couches, fresh flowers, velvet emerald chairs, several style of couches, and a darling little patio, I could go on, but instead I'll let you look at the pictures. If I could, I would seriously sit in there to do work every day and be very, very happy!
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Donuts at Five Daughters Bakery
This is one of those Instagram worthy places, and for a reason. Their donut was hands down, the best donut I've ever had. I got the blueberry lemon (a seasonal flavor) and J got the chocolate milkshake. Seriously, if you don't have time for breakfast, make sure you grab one to go!
Rhett may or may not have stolen a bite of J's donut.
While we were driving to Broadway, we saw the conversation hearts mural so we pulled over to grab some photos!
I feel like Broadway is one of those places you need to visit while in Nashville. This wasn't a huge deal for us, but I do love people watching, listening to music, and looking at all the cowboy boots.
Last place we ate before we headed back to town was Nectar: Urban Cantina! This was recommended to us by some locals we did an anniversary session for. Super grateful for their recommendation because we really liked enjoyed it. We sat outside under the canopy on a picnic table which was super close to the stage- I'm assuming had we timed it better there would have been live music. Instead there were lawn games to play.
We ordered chips and salsa, poblano queso, blackened fish taco, Tijuana chicken taco, a cantina burrito, and street corn! The queso was probably my favorite, but everything we had was super yummy!
Then we got back on the road and drove home with our bellies so full, a happy little baby and no crazy construction stops! PTL!