Things to Do in Nashville

Last weekend I celebrated a wonderful birthday with my boys and husband in Nashville. It was a monumental birthday….with such great memories created.

Can I just share a bit of table talk about this weekend?

You see, when you have sons who live in Idaho and Georgia and you live in Kentucky? Gatherings together with feet under my table are infrequent.

A flight to Boise in June for our oldest grand’s graduation…or a drive to Atlanta for a weekend occasionally means being with them just doesn’t occur often enough.

Work schedules, kids’ activities, airline tickets for families, and pets in the mix add a bit of navigation and challenge to all to gather at the same time. It happened that both families were home together for a tiny bit in March…but, it isn’t as often or as long as this Mama’s heart would like.

But, then? Does a Mama ever see their grown children enough. SOOOOO thankful for Facetime.

That brings me to things to do in Nashville.

It was truly supposed to be a surprise. A weekend getaway with the boys in Nashville looking for things to do, places to shop, where to stay happened weeks in advance.

Airplane tickets purchased. Rooms reserved. Pickups planned. AND…we were off.

So what did we find to do in November on my birthday weekend? Well, things like the Derek Hough Holiday Show, Nutcracker, Concerts, and Christmas events are scheduled on the calendar later.

Can I tell you that we had the BEST weekend?! Time to have great conversations, locations to visit, great food, and MUCH LAUGHTER were found because we were together.

Here are my top favorites:

Monell’s for Brunch

Monell’s – Now, there is only one location for Monell’s in Nashville. It’s located in the Germantown area of Nashville. We have been faithful guests at the other locations before they closed, but we had never visited the original restaurant. Well, let me tell you! This is the BEST restaurant for breakfast, lunch OR dinner.

We had never been to a breakfast or brunch at Monell’s and this was the BEST experience ever. My heart was so full with my boys celebrating with me.

Our boys had never been to a Monell’s or been exposed to the way they serve. They were blown away that you don’t get a menu.

For any meal, ever.

You see, Monell’s serves family style. Only. You simply sit down at a large table with others you haven’t met yet. And, then, the food appears. ALWAYS fried chicken at ANY meal is a staple.

The breakfast menu includes homemade cinnamon rolls, pancakes, fried apples, corn pudding, cheesy grits, the best biscuits ever with homemade jam and gravy. Scrambled eggs, fried chicken, sausage, country ham, and bacon provide delicious protein offerings. Pitchers of water and sweet tea are always on the table…but, you can order orange juice or coffee, if you like.

Are you hungry yet?

A great southern style breakfast that you would have if you were at grandmother’s was what it felt like.

Warm, welcoming, delicious food, and great conversation was what all of us enjoyed with feet under a table together.

You just simply pass the bowls. Ask for refills when needed. Then promise yourself healthier eating when you get home. HA!

Degthai for dinner

Degthai Street Food is amazing. We had a great dinner with our youngest before our oldest flew in to Nashville.

If you love Thai food while you are in Nashville…THIS is the PLACE!

From Pad Thai, Curries, and Stir Fries, their menu is delicious.

Just warning you…plan to take half home with you or share. The portions are more than enough!

Next on my favorite things in Nashville? I was so surprised!

Belmont Mansion Tour

You guys, I have lived near Nashville all of my life. I’ve had lots of former students and friends who graduated from Belmont University.

But, I had no clue about the mansion, history or visiting.

That changed this time.

It was so amazing, that next time, scheduling for a full tour guide experience will be happening. You can always choose your own walking tour after the introduction about the owner and happenings. I just needed to know more when I left. SOOOOO much history and details about this amazing mansion need to be learned. I’d recommend scheduling for the full tour experience if you visit there.

Even in November, the gardens, with Italian sculptures were still stunning.

There’s so much more to share about this mansion. It deserves a story and post all its own…so be watching!

Opryland Hotel for Christmas

Oh, my goodness, friends! If you have not experienced the Opryland Hotel in Nashville for Christmas? Add that to your bucket list.

There are many activities you can pay for, ICE! with Frosty the Snowman and ice scuptures; ice skating, tubing; ice skating shows; Frosty’s ICE activities; snowball build and blast; bumper cars; gingerbread decorating; a Christmas cruise through the hotel; hotel dinner shows; carriage rides; Mrs. Claus breakfast; build a bear workshop; photos with Santa; augmented wildlife rescue experience; holiday dining, and MORE. They also have more outdoor lights and nativity to view that are free.

See what I mean?

We chose simply to see all of the free displays of lights and fountains and get our steps in through the lush garden areas.

We stopped for coffee or hot chocolate for some, with more feet under a table tucked in among the trees for great conversation.

TIP: Park at the Opry Mills mall parking lot close to the back entrance for free parking.

Taco Mamacita’s

If you haven’t eaten at this Mexican restaurant, add this one to your list! So, different, refreshing and a perfect light dinner was what we chose after the Monell’s brunch.

Here in this Nashville location in Germantown right across from Monell’s was how we discovered it.

If you are a Mexican restaurant fan, you know that the same ingredients seem to be in any version of what you order.

Everything was a new offering. Highly recommend!

Two Hands for Breakfast

Now, this one? An Aussie version of breakfast that was delicious and unusual.

Hashbrowns cooked in muffin tins.

A different version of avocado toast.

I need to know how they make these scrambled eggs! Aren’t they gorgeous?

To avoid the wait, make reservations! With an hour wait for indoor seating, we chose the outdoor seating…which, thankfully my husband had a coat for me!

Who knew that Australians were known for great breakfasts? Give it a try if you are in for a different take on breakfast.

May I suggest what we saw friends next to us do…they ordered different menu items and shared them. The pastries looked amazing!

Shopping is the BEST

We toured the Gulch area…and those who know us, know why this was a surprise version of Noble Park!

A great stop for coffee.

There were more shopping excursions. If you are near a Restoration Hardware? They are always an inspiration. One day, I’ll have lunch there. Since we chose to have brunch and an early dinner both days, no lunch was needed while we visited.

Pottery Barn Christmas tables never disappoint…

And neither does Williams Sonoma.

There was so much more…but, time spent around the condo table enjoying games and conversation were a priority. And all three decided lighting function was more important on that table! They all make me laugh!

Thanks for joining me for this birthday weekend in Nashville.

Favorite places with favorite people and a once in a lifetime experience.

We realized that the four of us, as a nuclear family, had not been all together in over twenty years. The addition of sweet daughters in love and grandchildren just expanded us and our gatherings grew.

To experience this intimate gathering with just the four of us was monumental. Probably not to be repeated again without all of the daughters and grands with us, which is fabulous in itself.

To have boys fly across the country, plan a weekend together, cover the expense and make it so very special was incredible.

I’m truly thankful and blessed.

Thank you for joining me for this journey. And hopefully? If you are in Nashville, I’ve given you a great list of places to enjoy.

Happy Saturday!