How to Plan the Perfect Girls’ Weekend in Nashville

The charming, up-and-coming Germantown neighborhood, just north of Downtown, has gained attention thanks to its red hot food scene and cool indie B&Bs. This quaint six-suite inn is one such hidden gem, which blends a funky, colorful design with historic elements. The home’s original 19th-century architecture has been meticulously maintained, and each room—named after former U.S. presidents—is filled with vintage furniture and rare goods. Yet rugs, curtains, and throws in pops of slate blue and magenta liven up the vibe, while nightly free wine hours in the courtyard or on the rooftop terrace draw in a young, vibrant crowd.

Originally a pop-up venue, Little Octopus moved to a permanent space in The Gulch last January, where it became instantly popular for its Caribbean-inspired menu and rum-infused cocktails. The minimalist design—a bright, airy atrium of lush plants, blonde wood furniture, and pink marble countertops—mirrors the ethos behind the cooking itself, which focuses on fresh ingredients and simple but savory Southern fare. Opt for the shrimp ceviche and plantains, the mussels with vadouvan curry, or the whole grilled fish and charred bean salad.

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A bowling alley may seem like the last place you’d want to bring the gals, but trust us—Pinewood Social isn’t your typical lane. A far cry from Broadway’s boozy bars, this former trolley barn has been reimagined into a mixed-use bowling alley, cocktail den, and retro restaurant. Order the Dirty Work drink (Old Tom Gin, lemon, strega, black tea cordial, strawberry), and when hunger strikes, don’t miss the pork sugo and polenta or the sunburst trout with cauliflower, herb brown butter, and pine nuts.

Some things just never go out of style—and Biscuit Love is one of them. This Southern institution made waves as a food truck and has been garnering long lines since it debuted its brick-and-mortar brunch outpost three years ago. Pair the fluffy golden biscuits with fried chicken and cheddar, or shrimp and grits. Even the plain jane order of butter, jam, or sausage gravy will blow you away.

In a picturesque park near Germantown, local purveyors, artisans, and chefs gather at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. Wander the stalls filled with flowers and fresh produce, and pick up creamy goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy, pottery from Gardens of Babylon, and ghost pepper salsa from Ousley Ouch. Inside the market hall, you can also explore pop-up food stations serving everything from bibimbap to BBQ and Venezuelan-style empanadas to Mississippi-style chicken and waffles with green chili rice.

There’s no doubt that Nashville is in a building boom, with hotels like the Thompson, the Kimpton, and the Westin opening one after the other. But the 21c Museum Hotel Nashville stands out from the pack thanks to its tony Arts District address, its in-house, 10,500-square-foot contemporary art gallery, as well its hip eatery helmed by chef Levon Wallace. Grab creative cocktails and locally-sourced light bites (the smoked catfish dip is a must) at Gray & Dudley restaurant, named after the century-old building in which the hotel is now housed.

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For ladies' night out, head to Henley, a tapas restaurant by executive chef Daniel Gorman. The cozy interiors have personal touches, including a collection of black-and-white photos, antique gramophones, and rare books, while the family-style menu serves small plates like tempura fried squash and duck hand pies, plus shareable platters piled with chicken or short rib. Fancy a drink? Belly up to the bar to taste small-batch Tennessee bourbons and Nashville-based craft beers.

If Wilder looks like a boutique straight out of Brooklyn, that’s because it is. The husband-and-wife team behind the eclectic shop moved west to open this design-forward store in Germantown. Browse eclectic items like Alpaca throws, playful prints, and handmade ceramics by local artisans to find the perfect souvenir to take home.

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Music City may be known for its meat—from fried chicken to smoked BBQ—but Henrietta Red is the seafood-centric restaurant that’s shaking up the scene. The inviting space is kitted out with white-washed brick walls, communal tables, and a wood-burning oven that is expertly used for seasonal dishes like wood roasted oysters and smoked mackerel toast. But the main draw here is the impressive raw bar, which features freshly shucked oysters, clams, and mussels from across the country.