Ahhh the Music City. Known for bachelorette parties on Broadway, drinking until the sun comes up, and those famous painted angel wings. Full disclosure- for 7 years after my first visit I did not like Nashville. I firmly believed all the city had to offer was bar-hopping because when I went, that's all we did. Turns out, Nashville has a lot more to offer than the party scene.

One of my best friends had moved to the city and absolutely loved it. While planning my road trip I decided to make Nashville the first stop and give it another chance. What better way to learn more about a city than through the eyes of a local? Plus, I'd get to spend some much needed, and very overdo, time with my friend. We spent the weekend hanging out, never once making it to Broadway. Nashville ended up making my list of top 3 places I would potentially move to. That's a big jump for a city I initially had no interest in. So, what did we do?

Sweat in the Sun

Exercised for starters. This workout actually kicked my butt. In the moment I did not feel joy- I felt hot, tired, and like my legs were on fire. But- the workout was in a courtyard under the sun. We were surrounded by city buildings. Early morning traffic cruised by along with the occasional runner or biker. We were part of a small group, led by an encouraging instructor, and afterward we felt good. During the summer there are pop-up workout groups you can join out in the city. This one was hosted by Barre3 and was the perfect invigorating way to start Saturday morning. Not only did we workout our full bodies we worked up an appetite!

Brunch on the Rooftop

For brunch we headed to L.A. Jackson which is a must-visit while you're in town. This is an indoor/outdoor rooftop that has been voted Nashville Scene's Best Rooftop Bar 5 years in a row! This was a vibrant rooftop with incredible views of the city, inside and out. It's first-come first-serve so you may not get the exact seat you want, but it's still worth a visit. We ended up sitting inside next to huge floor-to-ceiling windows with great views of the other buildings. The atmosphere was lively and the décor was a mix of classy and fun. Large garage doors span the wall between the indoor/outdoor seating area and the weather was nice enough that they opened them. A DJ played enjoyable (and not too loud) music in the corner while a cool spring breeze swept across the tables. Most importantly- the food was top notch.

This Croissant Bread Pudding French Toast has been in my dreams since I ate it. Fluffy bread is topped with lemon whipped ricotta, fresh berries, and maple syrup. I typically have trouble finishing an entire plate of food but this was gobbled down in a couple of minutes and I felt no shame.

Cocktails and frosé make up most of the brunch menu- after all, this is a rooftop bar. We all got the frosé as a toast to our morning workout accomplishment and spent a little time seat-dancing to the DJ before planning our next activity for the day.

Heyyyyy Batter Batter... SWING!

Nashville is home to the Sounds- a minor league baseball team with a major fan base. We scored some tickets and posted up in the lawn for an afternoon of sunbathing and the sound of baseball bats cracking balls in the distance. There's nothing quite like a stadium full of fans singing "Take me out to the ball game" together in the heat of the afternoon with itchy grass beneath your bum. If you aren't in the yard at a minor league game you aren't doing afternoon baseball right.

Dinner and a Show

When in Nashville you're going to hear live music one way or another. During our stay the city was hosting a Songwriter's Showcase where the artists who write songs for big-name performers sing their own music. Our show was held at The Listening Room Cafe. You have to purchase tickets ahead of time and arrive early for good seats! The lights are turned low, the food is good, the service is even better, and the performers got the crowds laughing and crying. Hearing the stories behind what inspired them to write these songs made the music hit in a different way.

A Day in the Sun

This girl loves her iced coffee and Nashville had no shortage on places to go in the morning. We were right next to Germantown, a historic community in Nashville full of picturesque architecture, blossoming trees, boutiques, and the Red Bicycle Coffee and Crepes Cafe. This is the perfect area for a morning stroll. The air is fresh, the trees are beautiful, and the buildings are worth a second look.

After our our coffee fix we headed to the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. You can do garden only tickets like we did or garden + mansion. There is a beautiful mansion on these grounds that you can go inside but the outside architecture was enough for me. These gardens are stunning. Before we walked in I could hear the live music and chatter of visitors on the food-truck lawn. Kids were playing in the little train village, adults strolled along the flower-lined paths, friends and lovers sprawled out on blankets to enjoy the tunes. With 55 acres to explore and 13 different gardens, there is something here to please every taste.

A Greek Flare

Centennial Park is another perfect spot for a morning stroll with friends. It's quiet, clean, has a beautiful pond stretched out across the grounds, and is home to the Parthenon.

This building is massive in real life. Columns loom overhead, leading your eyes to the intricate details along the peak of the building. The Parthenon is the only exact-size replica in the world of the one located in Athens, Greece. Down to the tiny details, it's like the original building was copy and pasted into Nashville. It sits in the center of the park surrounded by clearings so you can get a good view from every angle. Walk the path around the pond to get a stunning view of the Parthenon from across the shimmering water.

Take me to the Market

This little piggy...visits a farmer's market every chance she gets and Nashville delivered. The city market (called Market House) is open daily from 8am - 8pm. Businesses inside have varying hours so if there's one in specific you want to visit, check before you go! The outdoor market runs from March - October, Friday - Sunday, 9am - 2pm. I didn't get to see the outdoor market but the Market House itself had an array of local goods, restaurants, and boutique-style shops to visit.

The "New" Nashville

Well...new to me. The version of Nashville I got to see on my second visit was significantly more well-rounded than the first. This city is a great choice for bachelorette parties and celebrations, I even saw a few while I was there and they truly looked like they were having the best time.

But it's also an incredible weekend getaway for solo travelers, couples, or friends with tons of options outside of partying. I rarely see it portrayed that way. If you're planning a visit to this city, I highly recommend taking your plans off Broadway and experiencing some of the culture and local charm Nashville has to offer. The big city amenities combined with small town hospitality make this an excellent place to explore.

To see this trip in real time, check out the Youtube vlog found below. You'll get visuals of L.A. Jackson, the gardens, First Horizon Park, The Listening Room Cafe, Germantown, Centennial Park, and the Market.