Every weekend brings droves of woo girls with matching “Bride Tribe” tees into Nashville. Unending mural pics, pedal taverns, and Honky Tonk tours commence as brides-to-be and friends dive headfirst into cliché, touristy bachelorette parties.
But you’re not like every other bride, so why act like it?
Living in a destination city means I regularly get to play Kate Hudson’s 2003 romcom role of Andie Anderson; I’m my friends’ resident How To girl.
While I’m 100% comfortable dishing out the Nashville goods on:
It wasn’t until my sister decided to bring her 8-month old (perfect) baby to Nashville that I realized my expertise was missing one glaring piece: How to plan a baby-friendly getaway.
With a baby in the picture, no longer can everyone walk, much less flash an ID at Attaboy or The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club. Baby eardrums can’t handle the heart-pounding beats at Cannery, and bedtimes arrive right as the main acts go on at The Ryman. But if you think a few hindrances were going to spoil our Nashville adventure, you’re wrong. Taking one out of Ross Gellar’s playbook, we decided to pivot.
We set out to experience all that Nashville had to offer with a little one in tow. Below you’ll find the baby-tested, mother-approved bars, restaurants, boutiques, and coffee places for a baby-friendly adventure in the 615.
COFFEE
Barista Parlor
Known for its early pretentiousness (see @baristaparlour for proof), Barista Parlor has come a long way in customer service. (Ignore the locals who tried it 2 years ago and never returned.) While you may feel slightly out of place at the original East Nashville or Golden Sound locations, the Germantown space is always unassuming and inviting. Wide walking lanes throughout every location leave plenty of space to navigate the room comfortably, no matter how many bags, car seats, or babies are in your arms.
Note: We ended up at Golden Sound for convenience reasons and loved our time, but Germantown will be the friendliest if you have any mild concerns.
Crema
If you’re looking to make a quick stop at the best craft coffee place in town, pull into one of the 15 min parking spaces in front of Crema. Park your stroller at one of the bistro tables to wait on your slow pour coffee or sweet iced Cuban. The bathroom here is incredibly roomy, so there’s enough space to bring the whole family in for a tag team diaper change if necessary.
Note: You’ll also get a great view of the city from Crema’s patio.
Steadfast
Steadfast’s multiple environment options; classic, clean design inside; and quick-serve rested butterscotch latte provide delight for you and your baby. If she or he starts to get fussy in the A/C, simply move to the sunlit patio outside or the shaded tables nearby.
LUNCH
Taqueria del Sol
Frequented by Dierks Bentley and fam, Taqueria provides incomparable service. Don’t worry about snagging your table—the manager will spot you in line and set up the perfect dining situation for your party. Sip an afternoon marg, and go all in on cheese dip.
Note: If you choose a seat on the patio, (you and) your baby will love watching the leashed dogs walking through 12 South.
McDougal’s
Falling in my cheap eats category, McDougal’s delivers free ice cream to your table as you finish your fried chicken and sweet tea. Large picnic tables with plenty of space allow you to spread out your diaper bag, blanket, and toys, and the relaxed atmosphere takes away any concern of bothering other guests.
Butchertown Hall
For a classier lunch experience, drop by Butchertown Hall. A peaceful environment combined with delicious food fits everyone’s palate. According to my 8-month-old niece, this subway-tiled, greenery-filled space is the perfect place for an afternoon nap.
DRINKS
Urban Cowboy BNB/Public House
Although we may have been the only ones passing around a giggly baby while playing musical cocktails, not a face in the place held back a smile upon seeing our mini visitor. We sipped our usuals (Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and citrus-heavy tonics), and felt as wanted as the next guy.
The Filling Station
We waited out our Butcher & Bee reservation in the relaxed Filling Station. With board game friendly tables and several craft taps, this place is perfect for a quick round of Catan. Both the 12 South and East Nashville locations are inviting to everyone.
Note: If your companions want to drink, but you’re planning to feed the baby soon, order up a Topo Chico instead of beer.
12 South Taproom
Large tables, indoor/outdoor seating, and TVs scattered throughout 12 South Taproom create a flawless, laidback environment to catch a game. Try the rotating taps, wine, sake cocktails, and nachos, and make sure to check out the nightly specials. We ran into multiple groups here toting along their offspring without a care in the world.
TREATS
Jeni’s
Jeni’s freshly made waffle cones took over our senses and a low hanging chalkboard provided ample entertainment for the baby. My advice for your visit: write on the chalkboard and snap a pic to capture “Baby’s first Jeni’s.” And if it’s summertime, try the Lemon and Blueberries flavor—a favorite of Queen Jeni herself.
Note: Jeni’s is located directly across from Taqueria del Sol in 12 South, so plan to hit these places one after the other.
Las Paletas
Who doesn’t love a Mexican popsicle? Las Paletas boasts creamy, fruity, and spicy flavors, leaving everyone happy. Pick your pop and then cross the street to Sevier Park for an easy-breezy stroll through the park. We loved our time here, and my sister (the mom!) recommends this outing for every mother with a stroller.
DINNER
Butcher & Bee
We ended up getting to Butcher & Bee later than planned, so we were wary of a baby meltdown. Thankfully, our tiny human could be distracted by the open kitchen any time she started to get upset. The serve-when-ready tapas also created constant excitement for the adults at the table.
Note: Even if your child has a meltdown in this place, the whipped feta is worth it.
Burger Up
If you, like us, end up wanting a night in for an early bedtime, don’t surrender your Nashville meal opportunity. Instead, dial up Burger Up. They can load you with local beef, kale salads, and hand cut fries of all kinds. Just make sure to ask for extra house made ketchup and aioli. We usually split the black bean and quinoa burger with sweet potato and truffle fries.
Note: If you need an appetizer, you can’t go wrong with the fried mac and cheese bites.
SHOP
ABLE
ABLE (formerly Fashionable)—with its mission to provide economic opportunity to women across the world—produces quality leather goods, denim, jewelry, and footwear. This local brand is making a big impact. When we visited, the founder stopped by to chat about babies and parenthood. We’ve never felt more welcome, and we’ve never loved a neon-lit focal wall more.
Her Bookshop
This tiny shop is packed with books like The Comic Book Story of Beer for dad, the Boss Babe Activity Book for mom, and coffee table books that will make every human “ooh” and “ahh.” But wait—there’s also a whole corner prepared for baby! We spent a few minutes looking through board books with the baby and chatting with the friendly shop owner. And if we hadn’t already bought it, we would have picked up a copy of Feminist Baby.
Vinnie Louise
Like its comfortable, cute, and basic styles, Vinnie Louise’s employees are helpful and easy to be around. The East Nashville location provides a plush chair in its largest fitting room, so it’s the perfect place to chill if it’s time to feed your baby.
White’s Mercantile
Before leaving town, you must pick out a Nashville keepsake for you and for baby. Park your stroller outside White’s Mercantile (the aisles are tight), and carry your child in to find an art print, candle, or kitchen essential for yourself. Then make your way to the baby section for wooden toys or a Nashville-themed onesie sold in an adorable glass milk bottle.
Project 615
Located behind Able, this mission-driven business touts Nashville pride on all of its branding. Continuously updated styles honor Nashville legends and hometown hockey stars. Choose the west location over the east for extra room for your stroller, and find shirts for mom, dad, and newborns. And remember—Spread love. It’s the Nashville way.
Amelia’s Flower Truck
You can typically find Amelia’s Flower Truck located in 12 South. Build your own bouquet and then take another stroll up and down 12 South to show off your new stroller décor.
At the end of her visit, my Denver-living sister gave Nashville an A+ for baby-friendly explorations. So what are you waiting for, mom? Make your way to Music City.
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Cristy Wicks splits her time between freelance marketing, eating all the queso at Taqueria del Sol, and facetiming her niece, Austyn. A Texas native and 7 on the enneagram, she loves testing out new restaurants and hosting parties in her home near 12 South.
By: Jess Rice
I have called Nashville home since 2010. I originally moved to Nashville for the same reasons most transplants do; I came to further my career in the music business as a publicist and artist manager. About 5 years ago, I found myself feeling pretty miserable sitting at my desk 9-5 every day, so I decided to completely ditch all that I had worked for and start completely fresh; I was sick of feeling overly stressed, anxious and lethargic at work. I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about health and wellness. I had started dabbling in the kitchen when I decided to adopt a raw vegan diet (Full speed ahead, right? No baby steps!) and hitting the gym every day. I discovered my true passion when I took this leap. Months later, I quit my day job and hopped on a plane to Indonesia, where I studied holistic nutrition and detox coaching with a Naturopath Doctor in Ubud. After completing her program, I decided to pursue a more structured culinary education with Matthew Kenney in Santa Monica, CA. I came back to Nashville and opened AVO about 2 years later. I sold AVO not too long ago and have since been working as a private plant-based chef in Nashville and on tour.
I was the keynote speaker at the very first Nashville VegFest 3 years ago and I am beyond excited to return this year! I will be speaking about my experiences as a private chef on tour and giving a knife skills demo at 10:30am on April 7th, kicking off the festivities at the Nashville Fairgrounds!
My favorite part of Nashville VegFest, which drew an unanticipated crowd of over 4,000 people its first year, is visiting all of the vendor booths. You wouldn’t think there would be SO MANY options for people living a plant-based lifestyle in the deep fried South, but the restaurants, shops, products, and experts is endless at VegFest! I picked out a few of my absolute favorites to share with you on The Nashville Guide blog this year.
KOKOS Vegan Ice Cream
You might already recognize KOKOS from Instagram (or People Magazine!) The expertly designed shop is located on Porter Rd. in East Nashville between The Terminal Café and PONY clothing store, part of the independently-spirited “Shops of Porter East” complex. KOKOS is Nashville’s first locally made, dairy free, 100% plant-based (AND nut free!) artisan ice cream company. They sell mouth watering “drumstick” cones and scoops every weekend, Friday through Sunday from 1pm – 4pm.
“Holy Chocolate” is right!
They cover all of the classic flavors like coffee (Cuban dark roast), mint chip, vanilla cherry, “Holy Chocolate” and coconut chai. Every flavor is to die for. I dare you to bring any friend who is the toughest critic of special diets and #hashtags. I guarantee they won’t be able to tell it’s #vegan, #nutfree, and #healthy. Their grand opening is on April 14th from 1-8-pm. Go visit them and tell them Jess and The Nashville Guide sent you. I can’t wait to visit their booth at VegFest and grab a chocolate-coated cone of goodness. Yes. PLEASE.
The Nashville Public Library
The Nashville Public Library is one of VegFest’s generous sponsors this year. The library does so much for our city and keeps a fully stocked cookbook section at all of their locations. If you’re curious about brushing up on your skills in the kitchen and trying some new healthy recipes, there’s a book for that! (In fact, there are hundreds of books for that. The catalogue and resources at the Nashville Public Library is beyond extensive!)
The BeHive
The BeHive has been around for a while. If you have enjoyed the seitan sandwich at Mitchell Deli or tried any of the specials on the menu at The Wild Cow, or passed by the vegetarian section in the produce aisle at Whole Foods, you’ve experienced the wonders of The BeHive!
The BeHive strives to make plant-based eating easier and more accessible to our community through their products, special events and exquisite catering. They offer retail and wholesale items, and host monthly dinners that benefit the Nashville community. Curious about seitan? What is it anyway? The BeHive has the answers you seek:
Seitan is a plant-based protein made from wheat that dates back to the 6th century, when it was developed by Buddhist monks. Whole wheat flour is rinsed to extract gluten (the main protein of the wheat plant). This "vital wheat gluten" is then used as a base for a savory dough which is steamed or boiled. The result is a low-carb, high-protein food with a strikingly meat-like texture and flavor, suitable for use as a main course in all kinds of cuisine.
I’m not too crazy about “meat substitutes,” (I’ll take a giant farmers market salad over mystery meat any day!) but The BeHive’s products are different. They are crazy flavorful, locally made, and are sure to please even the most discerning meat lover. Find them at VegFest this year (and hopefully every year!) for a free sample.
Thanks for reading! If you’d like to chat with me more, come find me at VegFest, sign up for one of my upcoming cooking classes, or send me a message on Instagram. I love sharing veggie-friendly Nashville recommendations whenever I can!
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Jess is a professional chef in Nashville, TN. She is the former owner and creator of AVO, Nashville’s first raw vegan restaurant, located on Charlotte Avenue. Jess has worked as a private chef on tour with Neil Young and, most recently, made her Food Network debut alongside Trisha Yearwood on “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen,” teaching knife skills on the episode “Sharpen Up.” Jess is the keynote speaker at this year’s Nashville VegFest, happening on April 7th at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Jess teaches plant-based cooking classes regularly around town, throws pop-up dinners, and works as a private chef on tour. For more information and to learn more about Jess’ work, visit ChefJessRice.com, find her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram @MyPoorTiredLiver.
Year after year, the Ragin’ Cajun Crawfish Boil has been a Nashville tradition. The Nashville Junior Chamber started the fundraiser in a member’s backyard 19 years ago, and it has grown to an event with approximately 2,000 attendees and 4,000 pounds of crawfish. This year the event will be in a prime location at Cumberland Park with great views and easy access to downtown Nashville (heading to Broadway is always a favorite after the event wraps up!).
Ragin’ Cajun Crawfish Boil 2018 will be Saturday, April 7th. General Admission tickets get you access from 4PM to 9PM to live, local music, a souvenir cup, all-you-can-eat crawfish and cajun sides, and all-you-can-drink beer and cider. If you decide to upgrade to the VIP tickets, you get an extra hour to enjoy the fun as well as a souvenir stein, express lanes at the beer stations, VIP bathrooms, a free scoop of ice cream from Bradley’s Creamery, and access to bourbon tastings from Buffalo Trace from 3PM to 5PM.
The annual fundraiser serves to provide an amazing day for Nashville natives and tourists while also raising funds for the NJC’s Charity of the Year. This year’s charity, The Little Pantry that Could, was founded by Stacy Downey when she saw a need for access to healthy food after the 2010 flood. Their primary mission is to provide food assistance to those who need it. No judgment. No questions. They believe there is dignity in choice, so they model their food pantry to allow their guests to choose the foods they need. The Little Pantry serves around 200 families per week in the Nashville area and works to develop personal connections to ensure that any need these families have can be met.
If enjoying tasty Cajun Crawfish, drinking cold beer, and helping a local charity isn’t enough, there will also be live music by five fantastic local bands. With a diverse selection of artists and genres, there should be something for everyone!
Bands
Fluid Notion (https://www.fluidnotionmusic.com/)
Campbell Station (https://www.campbellstationmusic.com/)
AJ Ghent [j-ent] (https://ajghent.com/)
Phangs (https://www.facebook.com/thisisphangs/)
JB Crockett (https://www.facebook.com/JBCrockettMusic/)
Beer/Cider Options
Bud Light
Bold Rock Cider
Shocktop
Goose Island IPA
Michelob Ultra
2018 Sponsors
VIP Sponsor: Buffalo Trace (http://www.buffalotrace.com/)
Digital Sponsor: Blue Dahlia Photography (http://www.bluedahliaphoto.com/index.html)
AJAX (http://www.ajaxturner.com/)
King of Pops (https://kingofpops.com/contact/nashville-tn/)
Bradley’s Creamery (http://bradleyscreamery.com/)
JackFM (http://963jackfm.com)
I106.7 (http://i1067.com/)
Twine (https://www.twinegraphics.com/)
Kroger (https://www.kroger.com/)
Music City Tents & Events (http://www.musiccitytents.com/)
Equipment Finders (http://www.equipmentfindersinc.com/)
The Stillery Midtown (http://www.stillerynashville.com/)
Kennedy Portable Toilets & Rolloffs (http://kennedyportabletoilets.com/)
Lyft (https://www.lyft.com/)
Follow along!
Facebook Page
Instagram: @ragincajunboil
Twitter: @ragincajunboil
By: Heather Brown
Catchy country tunes serve as Music City’s theme songs, and love ballads are inherently included on the playlist. Nashville offers exciting restaurants and venues perfect for enjoying the city and spending time with loved ones. The capital is also the ideal scenery for a romantic rendezvous this February that will give Paris a run for its money as the “City of Love.” While dinner and a movie is always a solid option for Valentine’s Day, here are some unique date ideas to try this year.
Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day with a significant other, your family, or friends, Nashville offers a plethora of activities to spread the affection. This year, Cupid’s holiday falls on a Wednesday, so it’s the perfect excuse to keep the celebrations going all week long. Here are the perfect date ideas in the city that will inspire you to write a love song of your own.
Photo: Franklin Farmers Market
Food is the way to anyone’s heart. Although Nashville offers an endless supply of amazing restaurants and cuisine, a fun date idea is to shop at the Franklin Farmers Market, then create a meal together. During the winter months, Franklin Farmers Market operates on Saturdays from 9:00-noon. You can shop for local produce then head home for an intimate home cooked meal. Don’t forget the most important ingredient when cooking: love.
Photos: Jackalope Brewery and Yazoo Brewing Company
Vineyard trips are always romantic, pairing great wine with a beautiful backdrop. A great alternative to this date in the winter months is a brewery tour. You can learn about local breweries, support local businesses, and snuggle up with your loved one while sipping on some suds. Jackalope Brewery and Yazoo Brewing Company offer tours. Want to try more than one? You can even partake in Music City Brew Bus Tours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Nashville is inundated with exceptional art. Murals and statues can be found in virtually every neighborhood. Looking for a creative date? Complete a mural scavenger hunt through a neighborhood or even across the city and take pictures. The murals will function as amazing backgrounds. Murals like the floral collage at Green Pea Salon in 12th South even feature a “Place to Kiss” spot. The pictures will serve as lasting memories and you’ll experience new areas of the city together. Afterwards you can head to a local coffee shop to warm up.
Photo: Nashville Symphony
If you are searching for some culture this Valentine’s Day, you can catch a show at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). The venue features ballet, theater, and opera shows. Check out the website for upcoming events. Additionally, you could visit the Nashville Symphony for a night of enchanting music. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is jam packed with concerts.
Sucker for a good love song? Head out to a songwriter’s night to croon along with the city’s finest local artists. There are options throughout the week. On Monday nights, there’s the iconic Bluebird Open Mic Night and Whiskey Jam in midtown (which has extended to Thursdays). You can head over to Douglas Corner on Tuesdays. Lightning 100’s open mic night happens on Wednesdays at Family Wash in East Nashville. Thursdays feature songwriter shows at the Listening Room. Any night of the week, you’ll never be starved for live music in Nashville.
Still itching for a movie night? For those that want to keep the love going, Stardust Drive-In Movies starts back up in March. Pack up the car with blankets and snacks and head to Watertown for a fun movie viewing experience. It’s a date that will take you back in time.
Valentine’s Day often comes with a lot of pressure, but it can be the perfect opportunity to spend time with those you care about and try something new. Take advantage of Nashville’s adventure options this February. It is time to break out of hibernation mode and create an experience that’s perfect material for your own love story.
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Hailing from the Old Dominion, I've easily adapted my "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan to the "Nashville is for Music Lovers" lifestyle. After moving to Music City from Oklahoma City, I've explored middle Tennessee through the lens of artists' paintbrushes and urban canvasses. I've enjoyed eating, sipping, and dancing my way through Tennessee's capital, while pausing periodically to strike a pose throughout the journey.
Blog: https://muralmission.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @hab6m
Email: hab6m11@gmail.com
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