So, we discovered a slight downside to our otherwise fantastic Airbnb—its proximity to the train tracks. Turns out, trains don’t take the night off. Multiple passed through in the early hours, and yes, they all blared their horns, even at 2am. ? Let’s just say sleep was… interrupted.
We had a slightly slower start to the day, taking our time before heading into the city for breakfast at the iconic Pancake Pantry. Parking proved to be a bit of a mission, so while Mark tackled that, the rest of us joined the line—which, to be fair, moved faster than expected and was absolutely worth the wait. According to Sophia, her cinnamon roll pancakes were the best she’s ever had. High praise from our resident breakfast connoisseur!
Bellies full, we took a leisurely stroll down Broadway, soaking in the buzz of live music, neon signs, and boot shops galore. It’s such a lively strip, and even in the daylight, it has that unmistakable Nashville energy.
Before heading into the Country Music Hall of Fame, we wandered through the Music City Walk of Fame, where stars embedded in the sidewalk celebrate some of the biggest names in country music. It was fun spotting artists we knew and loved—and a good little warm-up for the museum itself.
Inside the Hall of Fame, we explored an incredible collection of memorabilia from some of country music’s greatest legends. The museum was bustling, and while we didn’t have time to read every plaque or listen to every track, we focused on the artists we knew best—soaking up their stories and seeing their iconic costumes, instruments, and personal artifacts on display.
Then it was time for our tour of RCA Studio B—a must-do for any music lover visiting Nashville. We boarded a shuttle from the Hall of Fame and made our way to Music Row, the heart of Nashville’s recording scene. Our guide, Seth, struck the perfect balance of informative and entertaining, sharing stories about the legends who recorded there—including Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, and of course, Elvis Presley, who recorded more than 200 songs at the studio.
The moment we stepped into the studio, it felt like we’d traveled back in time. The space has been meticulously preserved, right down to the original piano that Elvis himself used to warm up. At one point, our guide dimmed the lights to recreate the setting in which Elvis recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight” — in complete darkness, just as he preferred. We even sat in the very room where he laid down his first big hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” surrounded by the echoes of musical history.
Back at the museum, we made a quick stop at the gift shop before heading to Goo Goo Chocolates, a sweet little spot where you can design your own chocolate for $16 (not including extras). Everyone jumped at the chance to make their own creation—except me. I stuck with the original Goo Goo cluster, which didn’t disappoint… and may have turned into a bit of a chocolate haul!
We walked over the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which gave us beautiful views back over the Nashville skyline, before heading home. There was still a bit of parking drama to sort out, but once that was settled, we hit the road, had a quick change and were back out again.
That evening, we headed to The Treehouse in East Nashville to meet up with Mandy and Richie—friends from Highsted who moved to Nashville a few years ago. After a drink, we continued on to Bartaco, a lively spot with fantastic food, then finished the night at their place with a nightcap and a chance to meet their dog, Molly. She was sweet, well-behaved, and clearly very loved—but no, I have not been persuaded to get one of our own! ?
