Where would you go on a Nashville "Staycation?" (Franklin: appointed, hotel)
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After a cruise a couple of months ago, I had to get my last week of vacation in, but we decided to take a Nashville "Staycation" this go round. We didn't get to do much between things to do around the house, but we did take in areas that we've never been....
Headed out to Cheekwood on a Monday only to find it closed, but also went over to The Loveless Cafe. We really liked the food (quick service), but got there late in the afternoon and found the little shops closed, too. Will likely try that food again one day.
A couple of days later, our goal was the infamous "Pancake Pantry", and to head over to the County Music Hall of Fame. We stood in line between 10-25minutes, got in and had our great expectations burst like a overinflated balloon. Cramped seating, cold temps in the restaurant although warm, friendly service. The food was good but that's all....I can hear you all saying "you just don't get it"...you're right. I don't. It's a pancake. Not worth the standing in line at all. BUT when we left the restaurant, the line was stretched to the corner. I guess to each his own.
The Country Music Hall of Fame was a treat. Loved the history, the memorabilia, the feeling of being there. This is every County Music lovers Smithsonian. Might go there again someday.
It was interesting to see OUR city on vacation. It was more interesting to see how many vacationers LOVE our hometown and be in their midst. I am anxious to get to more places in Nashville that I've not seen. It's worth the drive
Cool question. I take visitors to the Loveless all the time. It's just FUN. I also take them downtown Franklin and then out to Leiper's Fork to the Country Boy or Pucketts. Also like Barbara's Home Cooking on Old Hillsboro. Hmm. Why does everything revolve around FOOD? The Hermitage. Got there too late the last time but it's one place I'd like to see and haven't yet.
From the Loveless I pop on the Trace and drive at least as far as the bridge . . but you could go further.
Cheekwood is neat, particularly at night. A Nashville Sounds game can be fun. LOVE the Frist. There's a little cafe there perfect for lunch. While there we take a look around the Lobby of Union Station.
Would like to go have a drink at the Hermitage Hotel.
Also love Hatch Showprint. I am an artist so I have bought a few posters for souvenirs.
The Farmers Markets are fun - both in Franklin and downtown.
Oh, and Carnton Plantation, if only to walk around the cemetery.
I heard the Pancake Pantry changed owners a while ago so maybe that's why they are not as good? Loveless can have some pretty serious lines, too. Puffy Muffin is kind of fun in that ladies who lunch sort of way.
CG, you even have food (sort of) in your status line. My kind of girl. I've thought about doing this same thing and would probably make a return trip to the Hermitage (been a very long time), Frist, Union Station, the war museum under the War Memorial Bldg, go inside the State Capitol building, walk all over Centennial Park, Bicenttenial Park and Farmer's Mkt, take the ride to Jack Daniel's, Carnton, downtown Franklin, the Factory at Franklin, a night on Lower Broad, try to catch a show at the Ryman, Tpac, Schermerhorn, movie in the park, the Belcourt for a cool indie film, pretend I was going to buy/lease and take tours of the Icon, Terrazo, Rolling Mill Hill, Viridian and other places I can't afford, take lots of pictures of buildings and characters downtown, pick 3 or 4 really nice restaurants (Kayne, Stoney River, Allium, Watermark, Tayst, etc) and eat well before I go back to my own kitchen, go to Ashland City for catfish, walk around Music Row, the Vanderbilt Campus and Belmont, spend some time in Hillsboro Village, mow my grass.
CG, you even have food (sort of) in your status line. My kind of girl. I've thought about doing this same thing and would probably make a return trip to the Hermitage (been a very long time), Frist, Union Station, the war museum under the War Memorial Bldg, go inside the State Capitol building, walk all over Centennial Park, Bicenttenial Park and Farmer's Mkt, take the ride to Jack Daniel's, Carnton, downtown Franklin, the Factory at Franklin, a night on Lower Broad, try to catch a show at the Ryman, Tpac, Schermerhorn, movie in the park, the Belcourt for a cool indie film, pretend I was going to buy/lease and take tours of the Icon, Terrazo, Rolling Mill Hill, Viridian and other places I can't afford, take lots of pictures of buildings and characters downtown, pick 3 or 4 really nice restaurants (Kayne, Stoney River, Allium, Watermark, Tayst, etc) and eat well before I go back to my own kitchen, go to Ashland City for catfish, walk around Music Row, the Vanderbilt Campus and Belmont, spend some time in Hillsboro Village, mow my grass.
Wow! Nashville's got ALL that? You've given me some great ideas...except the grass.
A couple of days later, our goal was the infamous "Pancake Pantry", and to head over to the County Music Hall of Fame. We stood in line between 10-25minutes, got in and had our great expectations burst like a overinflated balloon. Cramped seating, cold temps in the restaurant although warm, friendly service. The food was good but that's all....I can hear you all saying "you just don't get it"...you're right. I don't. It's a pancake. Not worth the standing in line at all. BUT when we left the restaurant, the line was stretched to the corner. I guess to each his own.
I completely agree. I don't really understand the appeal of Pancake Pantry. I like the idea of it...but I always am disappointed. I've had very lackluster service every time I've been...and I've never been really blown away by the food. Sure, it's good, but honestly it isn't any better than IHOP or Cracker Barrel.
IngleDave's got some great ideas. I especially agree with taking the trip to Lynchburg to check out Jack Daniel's. That is such a neat trip, especially during the fall when the leaves are changing. Be sure to get a reservation (if you can) to Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House...it's kind of like Monell's. The best catfish I've ever had was there.
I lived on Belcourt from '79-'83 and walked to the Pancake Pantry three or four times a week. It was in the old building, a true neighborhood place with great service from familiar faces, lots of "how we doin' darlin'" from Joyce, a long-time worker. The entire Village was like that. Even though some of that remains, a large part of it seems scripted to be cool instead of just being cool because it is/could be. I still love the Village, but the people are different. There seems to be an aloofness and exclusivity among many of the people. Please, put the phone down and pass the syrup.
I thought of something else. Take a drive through the backroads of Northwestern Davidson. Take a GPS with you, but also take a map. The countryside is quite surprising. If you see a road, turn on it...it doesn't matter if you know what's back there or not. End up at Beaman Park and take a hike. The hill country is very special.
Great lists! The Hermitage is wonderful, we went earlier this year.
I would add visiting the Amish in Ethridge. You can do a buggy tour, I recommend taking the one that starts at Granny's Amish Welcome Center. They are friends with the Amish families and get to stop to meet a few of them, along with seeing their shops behind their houses. They also have maps to show where the different Amish families live and what they sell. After the tour, we spent a few hours driving around the community buying things. The furniture and baskets were amazing.
These are one of the most restrictive Amish settlements in the country, they don't even allow running water in the house. We went to Amish Country in Penn. last year, and enjoyed the Ethridge visit more. It's more authentic, not so commercialized. Don't go on a Sunday.
NashTrash Tour is hilarious.
Last edited by brentwoodgirl; 06-29-2011 at 08:55 AM..
I thought of something else. Take a drive through the backroads of Northwestern Davidson. Take a GPS with you, but also take a map. The countryside is quite surprising. If you see a road, turn on it...it doesn't matter if you know what's back there or not. End up at Beaman Park and take a hike. The hill country is very special.
Bingo. For some reason I have never forgotten an excursion around that area whan the father of a buddy of mine at Vanderbilt offered to buy a house for him to live in while a student. We had an agent drive us around out there looking for a place in the woods. That tour has stuck in my mind maybe because you would never think Davidson county from the appearance of it. Quite intriguing prowling the hollows out there. Having said that, some photos of downtown Nashville clearly frame the bodacious hills in that direction. I believe Barbara Mandrell built a mansion out there, but no longer lives there. Anyone know what happened to the mansion? Not too many amenities out that way I don't think. Probably changing in that regard, and I look forward to a Beaman park visit some day.
Last edited by groovamos; 07-01-2011 at 09:27 AM..
Great lists! The Hermitage is wonderful, we went earlier this year.
I would add visiting the Amish in Ethridge. You can do a buggy tour, I recommend taking the one that starts at Granny's Amish Welcome Center. They are friends with the Amish families and get to stop to meet a few of them, along with seeing their shops behind their houses. They also have maps to show where the different Amish families live and what they sell. After the tour, we spent a few hours driving around the community buying things. The furniture and baskets were amazing.
These are one of the most restrictive Amish settlements in the country, they don't even allow running water in the house. We went to Amish Country in Penn. last year, and enjoyed the Ethridge visit more. It's more authentic, not so commercialized. Don't go on a Sunday.
NashTrash Tour is hilarious.
I agree about the Amish in Ethridge. We went a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. We came back with a truck load of things we bought from the Amish. There are so many that we didn't hit a quarter of them. We are going back around the 1st of August when they will have their peas and beans ready.
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