Ready to cross Nashville off your travel bucket list? The holiday season is the perfect time to explore this Middle Tennessee city, which boasts mild weather and exciting events year-round.
As a founder of R Public Relations, I am familiar with every hotel, restaurant, and attraction in the city. From partnering with clients throughout Greater Nashville to living and working in the city, I’ve become a pro at curating travel itineraries in Music City. Even locals with guests in Nashville can find fun new places to check out, so read on to discover my bespoke holiday guide to Music City!
Why Visit Nashville Over the Holidays?
Nashville, during the holiday season, offers a harmonious blend of Southern hospitality, musical enchantment, and festive traditions, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a unique yuletide experience. The city’s famed Grand Ole Opry dons its holiday best with the festive “Opryland’s A Country Christmas,” a spectacular celebration featuring more than 3 million lights, festive shows, and the beloved “ICE!” exhibit at Gaylord Opryland Resort. For another taste of classic Nashville, the historic Ryman Auditorium hosts special holiday concerts, bringing timeless Christmas melodies to a venue that has defined the city’s musical legacy for more than 130 years.
You can also embrace the warmth of the season at the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, where the festive Holiday LIGHTS display bathes the botanical gardens in a kaleidoscope of colors. Whether strolling through the twinkling lights of the Opryland Hotel’s indoor gardens or tapping your toes to live holiday tunes on Lower Broadway, Nashville invites you to experience the holidays in a rhythm all its own. With its fusion of timeless traditions and contemporary celebrations, Nashville truly is a must-visit destination for a holiday merriment.
Stay: Noelle & Hotel Fraye
Nashville’s boutique hotels truly excel at providing guests in Nashville with a one-of-a-kind experience through smart theming, luxurious details, and amazing locations.
Noelle was built in 1930, at a time when downtown Nashville was experiencing a boom of new hotels, department stores, and local characters. Sandwiched between Printer’s Alley and Broadway, Noelle has long been at the center of the hustle and bustle that fuels the city.
Now, in its second act, this famed hotel has risen once again. Today, Noelle serves as a gathering place for some of the city’s most interesting voices and makers as it continues contributing to the spirit that makes this place so unique. Multiple bars, including a rooftop terrace with stunning city views and a basement speakeasy, make Noelle an exceptional place to stay or visit while in Nashville.
Hotel Fraye is another exceptional option in Music City. The venue’s outdoor pool, event spaces, and rooftop cocktail bar offer guests multiple ways to relax between honky tonks and exploring the city. Hotel Fraye also boasts two in-house dining experiences: a contemporary American spot and a bold rooftop eatery.
You can expect stunning holiday decor and special seasonal events, bites, and beverages from both top-tier hotels.
Do: Liquor Lab Class & Puttshack
Nashville has no shortage of things to do, but two spots, in particular, make Emily’s list for guests in Nashville every time.
Start your day at Puttshack. Puttshack has redefined the mini-golf experience, taking it to a whole new level. The concept was born out of a brilliant idea to elevate every aspect of mini-golf. By combining the founders’ expertise and passion, the Puttshack team infused this classic pastime with cutting-edge technology, creating an unforgettable and dynamic entertainment destination.
The heart of this extraordinary mini golf experience is the innovative patented Trackaball™ technology. It connects each ball to a specific player, keeping score, tracking progress through each hole, and adding a new layer of excitement to the game. Plus, Puttshack guests can enjoy world-class food and craft cocktails while they play, making this experience fun and filling for the whole family!
Puttshack officially opens on November 24, 2023 – just in time for holiday gatherings!
Later, wind down with a nightcap. The only catch? You have to mix it yourself. Think of Liquor Lab as a venue for cooking classes — that only cooks up specialty sips. Guests can enjoy a unique ”social mixology” experience in a whole new way through interactive craft beer, wine, spirits, and cocktail classes for groups, corporate events, and private parties. While learning about recipe history and preparation, guests shake, stir, and sip delicious drinks.
A category-specific professional leads each instructional session as guests follow along step-by-step and discover the evening’s focus in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Special holiday cocktail classes run just before Thanksgiving and Christmas, alongside classes on espresso martinis, seasonal sips, and more. This boozy education will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit — pun intended!
Eat: Pharmacy Burger, Peg Leg Porker, & Bringle’s Smoking Oasis
Nashville’s food scene has exploded in the past two decades. Still, the city is often associated with smoked and fried meats of every kind.
One of Emily’s favorite spots for casual yet fabulous food when guests visit Nashville is The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden. Pharmacy Burger was founded in 2011 by Cees Brinkman with the goal of bringing the Nashville community together over craft brews and exceptional food. The team behind Pharmacy Burger believes in serving the very best products at the very best value, and this vision still drives them today across all three locations.
Pharmacy Burger uses grass-fed beef for their legendary, unique burgers and 100% pure cane sugar in their sodas. The hard-working kitchen staff grinds, stuffs, and smokes every sausage served at the restaurant. On top of that, the kitchen team crafts condiments from scratch to complement their exceptional entrées. Unsurprisingly, Pharmacy Burger’s beer selection is one of the most unique and meticulously selected in Nashville, and brews from around the world are regularly imported.
Next, stop into Peg Leg Porker, a well-known establishment that was founded by a Nashville native, pitmaster Carey Bringle, back in 2013. Bringle has been competing in barbecue contests for more than 27 years, and he has the blue ribbons to prove it. With a deep southern background built around family values and appreciating a good meal, Peg Leg Porker was quickly named one of the hottest BBQ joints in the country by numerous media outlets, including Food Network, The Travel Channel, BBC, Southern Living Magazine, Texas Monthly, GQ, Garden and Gun Magazine, and many more.
Peg Leg Porker is known for its juicy, smoked-to-perfection pork ribs drenched with a spicy dry seasoning after being smoked. Guests come back time and time again for not only the meat but also the playful made-from-scratch sides like Kool-Aid pickles and pork rind nachos.
Hope you’re still hungry — there’s one more meat-lovers paradise all Nashville visitors need to try! Bringle’s newest concept, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, opened its doors in 2021. Offering the smoke of the Southwest, the menu is stocked with smoked brisket, pulled pork, a Bringle version of beef ribs, and an array of homemade sides like Mexican street corn, chorizo queso, and Texas-style baked beans.
The triangular island-shaped property is located in a former service station and features a spacious, open-air patio, outdoor bar, and even a small, walk-up snack shack that offers its own menu. Perfect for kids and pet-friendly, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis’ outdoor space has become a neighborhood gathering spot for the whole family to relax and enjoy a can’t-miss meal.
No matter how you spend your time in Nashville, you’re certain to fall in love with the city’s historic charm and vibrant community, especially during the holiday season. Cheers!
The post Where to Bring Your Out-of-Town Guests in Nashville appeared first on Grit Daily News.