I recently flew to Nashville to meet up with my friend Kelly and about 30 other bloggers for a weekend she hosted. If you saw my Instagram photo of all the women I traveled with, you might have seen me joking that Kelly “made” me fly across the country for this trip. She was hosting the meetup at the cutest Airbnb, The Myrtle Nashville, and I made her promise we would be roomies. My backup plan was that if things got awkward, we would just watch Bravo in bed together.
Spoiler alert: that never happened. Instead, I had the best time and came home with 30 new friends.
I have been on plenty of girls’ trips over the years, but this Nashville weekend easily ranks as one of my favorites. I was a terrible blogger and barely took photos, so I am borrowing a few from friends. I will credit each one, and I highly recommend checking these women out. They are worth following, and I feel lucky to now call them real-life friends.
Let’s jump into the weekend.
A Girls’ Weekend in Nashville
I took one of the first flights out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County on Friday morning and landed in Nashville around 2:45 pm. Looking back, I probably should have taken a red-eye or flown out of LAX earlier. Some of my friends arrived that morning, and I wish I had that extra time with them.
Where We Stayed
I met a few friends flying in from Houston and shared an Uber to our Airbnb in East Nashville. The ride was about 25 minutes and cost around $20 on a Friday afternoon. If you plan to stay in East Nashville, that is helpful to keep in mind.
The Myrtle Nashville
A large group of us stayed at The Myrtle Nashville, and the moment I walked into Unit A, it felt like home. The space has a cozy modern bohemian vibe with subtle pops of color layered over neutral grays, whites, blacks, and browns. The decor alone inspired me for our own house.
I stayed in the third-floor master bedroom with three other girls, and we had plenty of space. The en suite bathroom and walk-in closet were massive, which helped with a group that size. The second floor had two additional bedrooms and a bathroom, and each unit had a rooftop patio, which turned out to be one of my favorite spots of the weekend.
The Waverly Nashville
Some of the group stayed at loft-style apartments at The Waverly Nashville. I did not go inside, but the photos were beautiful. It is within walking distance of 12th South, including the I Believe in Nashville mural, great food, coffee, and Draper James. When I go back to Nashville, I would love to stay here and explore this area more.
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel – Nashville
If you prefer hotels, a few girls stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. My friends Katie and Meg shared photos and thoughts about their stay, and it looked beautiful and comfortable. Definitely a great option if hotels are more your style.
Meg O On The Go – A Girls Weekend in Nashville
Katie Crenshaw – WHY NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE IS THE BEST CITY FOR A GIRLS WEEKEND
What to Do in Nashville
I almost skipped writing this recap since I arrived later on Friday and spent most of Saturday relaxing at the Airbnb. But I love documenting memories, and this weekend deserved a spot here on the blog.
Friday
I arrived Friday afternoon and went straight to the Airbnb. A group of girls were already gathered around the kitchen island, laughing and drinking. It was surprisingly easy to jump right into conversations. We spent a couple of hours chatting before getting ready for the night.
Dinner at Makeready
We headed downtown for dinner at Makeready at the Noelle Hotel. The entrance is tucked around the corner from the lobby and is close to Printer’s Alley. It was the perfect place for a big group dinner with good food, good drinks, and even better conversation.
I loved their take on Nashville hot chicken and would absolutely go back to try more of the menu.
After Dinner – Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole at The Graduate Nashville
After dinner, the group split up. Some went to a burlesque show, and others wanted karaoke. A few locals in our group suggested Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole at the Graduate Nashville, and it did not disappoint.
This was not your average dive karaoke bar. There was a stage, an animatronic backup band, and people fully committing to their performances. If you want to sing, get there early because the waitlist fills up fast.
Saturday
Saturday morning was slow and relaxed. We drank coffee and caught up. Some girls grabbed breakfast at Proper Bagel and loved it. A few of us stayed back, ordered pizza, watched Bravo, and talked for hours. When you travel with a big group, it is nice knowing it is okay to split up and do your own thing.
What My Friends Did
Several friends made their own candy at Goo Goo Clusters, and my friend Jenny shared hers with me. It was so good.
They also grabbed lunch at FGL House and explored Nashville’s famous murals. If you love Instagram-worthy spots, the murals alone are worth the trip.
Saturday Night
While some friends were out chasing content, my roomie Miranda put together the most impressive charcuterie board. It looked beautiful and tasted even better.
It was the coldest night of the weekend, but once everyone was back, we bundled up and headed to the rooftop patio at The Myrtle. We were treated to a magical mini concert by Menna, a singer-songwriter who completely set the mood for the night. Here is her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mennanation/?hl=en
Dinner, Dancing, and TikTok Shenanigans
Fun at the Famous Saloon
Our first stop was the Famous Saloon. We went straight to the rooftop, where the view over the Cumberland River, Nissan Stadium, and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge was unreal. As someone from Southern California, I love any city with water views.
The Stage on Broadway
After that, we headed to The Stage on Broadway. There were four floors of live music, and we ended up on the top level dancing all night. The band played everything from country to classic rock to Lizzo, and it was one of those nights you wish you could rewind.
Sunday
We checked out of the Airbnb and headed to the 12th South neighborhood before our flights.
Five Daughters Bakery
We came for the donuts and left wishing we could take this bakery home to California. Everything was delicious, and the outdoor space felt surprisingly kid-friendly, which I always notice now as a mom.
Frothy Monkey
Because donuts are not enough, we grabbed iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Frothy Monkey. We definitely rolled in with our luggage, but everyone was kind and understanding.
Shopping and Alley Hangs
We spent the rest of our time shopping, browsing Draper James, and taking photos at the I Believe in Nashville mural. Ady and I even convinced strangers to film a TikTok with us in the alley next to the store. It was not weird. I promise.
Check out the blog posts from my friends:
Katie | Meg | Brandi | Noelle | Ashley | Claire | Lynneah | Kirstie | Ange
