This is one of the brides favorite places in town. Most of her fondest memories with her Nashville family happened here. It’s about 20 min north of our wedding destination but well worth the drive if you like playing pool and bars with no gimmicks. If Grayson is behind the bar give him an extra big tip.

If you are more of an adventurer and love the great outdoors this park is for you. Bethany has spent many hours here hiking and trail running with her friends Sammantha and Kelly. There are beautiful ridge trails that can be a great workout and also a nice leisurely walking path around the lake. The earlier you get there the better the parking! Sometimes in the still of the morning you can even see a buck or some wild turkeys!

Cheekwood is a sprawling 1930’s estate with an art museum & picturesque botanical garden. One of the most unique and serene places to visit in Nashville that shows incredible art and a wide variety of the heirloom collection belonging to the estates original owners. Cannot recommend this place enough.

Another one of the bride’s favorites. Located between Melrose and Berry Hill Santa’s is a bit off the beaten path but you’ll never find another bar like it. They do Karaoke Wednesday- Saturday and the house band plays Sundays from 7-9. It’s a double wide trailer with a ton of character but be warned they only accept cash.

Franklin is only about a 10 min drive from Thompson Station and it’s a pretty little city with small town charm. There are a ton of shops, restaurants, and things to do. Normally on the weekends you can catch a farmers market or a live performance in the square. It’s a beautiful place to walk around on a Saturday afternoon. (Also very close to where we are having our rehearsal dinner).

Oh look! Another bar in a trailer! But really this is a do not miss (especially if you are staying downtown and love sports). This baseball themed trailer park is located walking distance from all the normal Nashville tourism but is somehow still free of tourists after all these years. The drinks are cheap and the views from the front patio cannot be beat.

If you happen to get into town a little early on Friday and would like to try the best BBQ in the city you have to try Tex’s. They are only open weekdays from 11-2 and they sell out all the time but they are legendary and the Nashville lunch crowd can’t get enough.

There’s two hot chicken camps for Nashville natives: Boltons and Prince’s. Absolutely do not waste your time with Hattie B’s- they are minor league. People will say that Bolton’s is the original, others will say it’s Prince’s. Both places are great and well worth the travel. If you are new to hot chicken we recommend taking it slow and starting with the base level of heat because you can truly mess yourself up. It’s an original Nashville dish and for some, may even be a bucket list food adventure.

Bethany’s favorite Italian food in the city. Complete with a Bocci court and a fresh market right in front.

If you come to Nashville you have to eat Southern food. A meat & three is what they call it and Arnold’s is one of the best with their menu of southern and soul food classics. There’s normally a line but it moves quickly and is well worth the wait.