Ladies, have you ever gone on vacation with your girlfriends? If not, I highly recommend you do; it’s a wonderful way to reconnect and recharge. But where should you go? While laughter, shopping and bonding are key ingredients in the perfect girls’ trip, add a dash of Nashville and you’ve got a winning recipe! With rocking music venues, great street art and an enviable food scene, Tennessee’s capital is the perfect destination for your next girlfriend getaway. Here’s why.
It’s Super Easy to Get to ... and Navigate
According to the Washington Post, Nashville International Airport has over 540 daily inbound and outbound flights, making it a great option for even a quick weekend getaway with the girls. Once you arrive at Nashville International Airport (BNA), you and your girls can head to Terminal 1 to pick up your rental car and make the less than 10-mile drive into Nashville’s city center.
You Can Dance the Night (and Day Away) With Your Best Friends
Nashville is nicknamed “The Music City” and it’s not difficult to see why. Home to an impressive number of talented songwriters and instrumentalists, a visit to the city will quite literally be “music to your ears.” While there is a diverse range of live music venues around town, with performers playing everything from pop to hip hop, you and your girls must see the area known as the “Honky Tonk Highway.” Why? This legendary strip in downtown Nashville is lined with honky tonks bars that play live country music day and night (my favorite is the Bootleggers Inn). The best thing? Honky tonks don’t typically charge cover, making it a suitable option if you and your girls are looking to cut a rug on a budget.
You Can Get Your Fill of Culture (and Country Music) at the Grand Ole Opry
Speaking of country music, a trip to Nashville with your girlfriends isn’t complete without taking in a concert at the Grand Ole Opry. Known as “the show that made country music famous,” this historic music venue is Nashville’s top attraction and is where world renowned artists like Dolly Parton got their start in the industry. Concerts at the Opry honor the past and celebrate the present of country music, with nightly lineups comprised of both legendary and up-and-coming acts. Round up your girl crew, get matching 10-gallon hats, and head to the Opry for the ultimate evening of singalongs and sisterhood.
There’s a Lot of (Highly Instagrammable) Street Art
If you don’t “do it for the ‘gram” with your girlfriends, is it even really a girls’ trip? Luckily, even the most social media-shy among your crew will appreciate all the colorful street art Nashville has to offer. Music City has a plethora of eye-catching murals around town, with more springing up on a seemingly monthly basis. While there are too many Insta-worthy tableaus to name, the “I Believe in Nashville” mural in the Marathon Village District is an excellent spot for a commemorative group shot.
You Can Eat to Your Heart’s Content
Mealtimes are a prime opportunity to gossip and catch up on girl talk, and Nashville doesn’t disappoint when it comes to great eats. Nashville’s status as an emerging foodie city is only bolstered by its famous “hot chicken,” a Music City staple. But just what makes it so “hot?” Well, it’s made of chicken that’s been breaded, smothered in cayenne pepper, and then fried to perfection. Served with white bread and pickles, this flavorful dish will definitely give you and your girlfriends something to talk about. Hattie B’s and Prince’s Hot Chicken are two of the top spots to indulge in this local specialty.
The Shoe Shopping Is Out of This World
Retail therapy with your best friends is the perfect coda to your girls’ getaway, am I right? While Nashville has tons of great shopping, its extensive spread of shops selling western-themed footwear is what really sets it apart. Go shopping for cowboy boots at one of the many shops located downtown and bond with your girls over your shared shoe fetish. Boot Country, located at the corner of Broadway and 3rd Avenue, often has great deals, but not to worry-- window shopping is just as fun if you’re tight on cash.
While traveling with family or your significant other can be fun, there’s really nothing better than hitting the open road with your best girlfriends. Girlfriend getaways are a great opportunity to not only reconnect, but also to fulfill your sense of wanderlust in great company. With Nashville being such an exciting destination to explore, there’s no question that your girls’ trip will be one you’ll treasure for years to come!
