Why Traveling to Nashville is Better with the Girls
There’s something about a group chat that lives in a constant state of “we should totally do this” energy. Until one day, somehow, flights are booked, outfits are planned, and suddenly… it’s real. This time, it was for Valeria and Amanda’s birthdays in May. And just like that, the girls made it to Nashville.
We stayed right in the middle of it all near 8th Avenue, the kind of location that makes everything feel easy, walkable, and just chaotic enough in the best way. And before the weekend even fully began, there was one surprisingly crucial stop: luggage storage. A quick drop meant we could actually start the trip, no suitcases, no waiting, just straight into exploring. It’s a small detail, but it set the tone for everything that followed.
The weekend kicked off the way all good girls trips do: slightly disorganized, overly excited, and already hungry. Somewhere between “we’re literally going through alleys” and “trust me, it’s worth it,” we found ourselves at Two Hands Coffee Shop and it was one of those places that instantly felt right.
Starting the trip at Two Hands Coffee Shop
“15/10 lemon poppy waffles,” Ari declared, and honestly, no one argued.
“I literally almost cried of joy from the waffles,” Isabella added, which felt dramatic until you tasted them.
The table filled quickly, not just with food, but opinions. Banana bread became a full discussion (“10 for me,” Sara insisted, while others negotiated texture), and Amy didn’t hold back: “Breakfast burrito was SOOO GOOD!!!!! 10/10.” Even the oat milk vanilla iced latte had its moment. The music, the ambiance, the energy. It wasn’t just breakfast, it was the official start of the trip.
It wasn’t just the food. It was the music, the energy, the feeling that the trip had officially begun. The girls made it out of the group chat!
Brunch in Nashville, though, is a commitment. We tried The Buttermilk Ranch, saw the 89–119 minute wait, and collectively spiraled.
Pivot to Adele’s for brunch
“I think we might need to go to The Hampton Social instead,” Valeria suggested. Pause. “Just kidding—they don’t have availability until 6 pm.”
So we pivoted and landed at Adele’s, which ended up being one of those unexpected highlights. Spacious, warm, and somehow calming in the middle of a packed weekend, it gave us a moment to reset.
“Food was delicious, service amazing—10/10,” Valeria confirmed, and this time, no one argued. It was the kind of meal where no one rushed, no one checked their phone. We just sat, talked, shared, and stayed in the moment a little longer.
Skipped the lines for the Country Music Hall of Fame
The days blurred into a mix of exploring, eating, and chasing whatever vibe felt right in the moment. We stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a little culture (and, let’s be honest, elite air conditioning), and ended up staying longer than expected. There was something about walking through the stories behind the music, the legends, the outfits, and the handwritten lyrics that slowed us down in the best way. It’s crazy because our friend had visited a few years back and not a lot has changed.
For a minute, it wasn’t about the next reservation or rooftop; it was just us, wandering, reading, and quietly appreciating how much history lives in this city. And then, just as quickly as we got sentimental, we were back outside, sunglasses on, ready to balance it all out with rooftop drinks and live music.
Not every stop was a full sit-down moment, and honestly, those in-between places made the weekend. We popped into the Stationairy inside Union Station, which felt like stepping into a completely different version of the city. Slower, more polished, a little more “let’s sit and romanticize life for a second.” It was the kind of place where brunch turns into lingering.
And then there was Cafe Intermezzo, a cozy, European-feeling pause in the middle of a very American weekend. Coffee, desserts, and a moment to just sit and breathe before heading back out.
Dinner at Amerigo Italian Restaurant shifted the vibe again in the best way. Cozy, classic, and exactly what you want after a full day out. Plates of pasta circled the table like it was understood: no one was sticking to just one dish.
“Nobody will know that I ate from 3 pastas,” Sara said. We knew. We supported it.
Took a stroll through Broadway
The days blurred into a mix of exploring, eating, and chasing whatever vibe felt right in the moment. We wandered through Broadway, taking in the live music spilling out of every doorway, the boots, the energy, the everything. It felt like the heartbeat of Nashville: loud, a little chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
A must do were the rooftop bars
At the Fairlane Hotel pop-up rooftop bar, Amanda said it best: “Gives Alice in Wonderland vibes.” It felt whimsical, slightly surreal, and exactly the kind of place you want to linger a little longer than planned.
Then there was White Limozeen: pink, over-the-top, and completely committed to the aesthetic. The kind of spot where you pause mid-conversation just to take it all in.
Of course, no Nashville night is complete without a line and we found ours outside Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar. Long, chaotic, but somehow still fun. At one point, we were also “in line for Luke’s,” which in Nashville feels less like a location and more like a state of mind.
Mornings came fast in Nashville
At The Pancake Pantry, it became a strategy. Especially since it’s been a popular tourist spot for years.
“Coffee coming out now and we’ll run,” Amanda said.
“Chug your coffee before you get back in line,” Ari added.
And somehow, that was the rhythm— coffee, lines, laughter, repeat. By the time you’re seated, it feels earned, and that first bite hits differently because of it.
The full Nashville experience
We stepped into Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where the music never stops and every floor feels like its own party. It was crowded, chaotic, and exactly what you imagine when you think Nashville. Where the perfect ‘girls made it out of the group chat‘ feeling came from.
At Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, it was the same energy but turned all the way up— bright, bold, and unapologetically fun.
Of course, no trip is complete without a little bit of shopping. Nashville Boot Co. felt like a rite of passage. Trying on boots, hyping each other up, and seriously considering purchases we absolutely did not plan for.
And somewhere in between, we found ourselves at Ole Smoky Distillery, tasting, laughing, and fully leaning into the experience.
When the girls made it out of the group chat
In between all of it, there were the small moments… the ones you can’t plan. Laughing too hard over nothing. Sharing outfits. Hyping each other up in bathroom mirrors. Getting ready felt like part of the event. Every Uber ride turned into a pregame. Every meal turned into a memory.
And maybe that’s the thing about finally making it out of the group chat. It’s never just about the itinerary. It’s about showing up for each other, celebrating the milestones (big and small), and creating the kind of stories that you’ll reference for years.
Because this wasn’t just a trip to Nashville. It was Valeria and Amanda’s birthdays. It was a reminder. It was everything we said we’d do and actually did.
With love,
Amanda, Ari, Valeria, Amy, Sara, Sasha, Mel, Isabella, Maria Isabel
PS Here are other photos we took along the way!
