I’ve always had this interesting desire to visit Nashville, TN. So for my 29th Birthday, I decided that’s where I would celebrate. Being Black, I wasn’t sure how it would be for me, but honestly, it exceeded my expectations in the best way possible. My best friends and I had a great time. I was in Nashville for 4 days, and 3 nights. There was so much to do, see, and eat — and unfortunately, I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to do. I did get to do the “must do” things I had on my list. If you’re ever in Nashville, here’s what I recommend you do.
1.Visit The National Museum Of African American Music (NMAAM)
The National Museum of African American Music is such a cool, interactive museum that you have to visit. The museum gives a glimpse into African American history and the role that music played in each century beginning in the 1600’s up until the present day. Each section is filled with history, but also interactive displays, music from every decade, historical videos of music, and so much more.Anything you listen to or create, you can download onto a bracelet that you can enjoy later on. To learn more about NAAM, click here.
2. Nashville Photowalk Tour
I absolutely love to take pictures and capture memories, so when I came across a Tik Tok a few months ago saying that you can book affordable photoshoots on AirBnB in whatever city you’re in, I was intrigued.
So I got on AirBnB and searched for photography experiences in Nashville, TN, and came across Photowalk Nashville. It’s a one-hour walking tour where you visit cool spots in Nashville, TN, see very popular murals, and take amazing photos along the way. The tour is in a group setting and others will be on the tour as well but it was a lot of fun. The host, Christy, shared history, as well as great food, shopping, and hang-out recommendations for Nashville. My bestfriends and I really enjoyed the tour, and would definitely do it again if we’re ever in the area. If you’re interested, click here and tell Christy, I sent you.
3. Visit The Jack Daniels Distillery
Another thing I did that I really enjoyed was visiting the Jack Daniels distillery tour. Here’s a disclaimer, the tour is not actually in Nashville, TN — it’s about an hour and a half away in a city called Lynchburg, TN (I know, very suspect.) I got my ticket off of TripAdvisor, and the ticket includes the bus ride there, the tour, a whiskey tasting, and the ride back. It’s an all-day thing, from about 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The actual tour of the distillery is about an hour and a half walking tour, and it goes into the history of Jack Daniels, and his rise to “whiskey fame.” It was actually a nice tour, and the whiskey tasting at the end was well worth the wait. Let’s just say that whiskey may not be my thing. If you’re interested in trying this tour, you can click here to learn more about it.
Let’s Talk Food
I tried quite a few food spots, most were great, and a few were not so great. So I’m going to save you the trouble and only list the places I enjoyed.
Hattie B’s
I learned very quickly that Nashville is famous for the Nashville Hot Chicken. Just in case you’re not into spicy food (I’m not) you can get whatever spice level you prefer from not hot to hella hot.
Hattie B’s did not disappoint. Everything was made to order and it was DELICIOUS.
Slim & Husky’s
Slim & Husky’s is a Black-owned pizza spot that is sooooo good, I’m not exaggerating. Every pizza is made to order. From house specials to building your own, you can get whatever you like.
My friends and I really enjoyed this spot. Also, if you have a sweet tooth, try their OG cinnamon rolls, you won’t be disappointed. Slim + Husky’s is a MUST TRY.
Hampton Social
Hampton Social is the cutest spot with multiple levels from a ground level to a rooftop. The interior is chic with so many picture opportunities, and great food. I had dinner with my friends and we really enjoyed our dinner and drinks. They have a decent variety of dinner options, and it’s a very popular spot. If you go, get the “I Glitteraly Can’t” drink and the Doughnut drops for dessert, you won’t regret it. Also, if you plan on going, I would suggest making reservations for Hampton Social because it’s always busy.
Whiskey Kitchen
This is a great spot for brunch. They have a great variety of brunch options that aren’t extremely expensive and great brunch drinks. My friends and I stopped here on a wimb and were not disappointed.
Whiskey Kitchen is a great spot to stop in for brunch.
Where To Stay In Nashville, TN
One thing I didn’t know about Nashville is that it’s live and lit like Las Vegas and New York. If you want to get any type of rest, I do not recommend staying downtown or where the action is on Broadway. People get pretty rowdy. My friends and I stayed like 10 minutes away from the commotion (although we could hear people) and overall, enjoyed our stay. I will share our hotel — it was nice, clean, and in a great location — however, the night staff was a bit lazy and not as responsive as the day shift. I just wanted to put that disclaimer out there. My friends and I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot Vanderbilt – West End.
Overall, Nashville was a great experience and I would definitely go back.
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