Written By Courtney McMahan, RD

One of the most fun ways to spend a summer day is taking a day trip to explore a new city. If you’re planning a trip to Nashville this summer, here is your guide to making the most of your time. 

Food

Coffee and Breakfast: Fido

Whether you need to get some caffeine in your system to start an early morning or you’re rolling out of bed after a night out for “breakfast” at 11:30 am, Fido has you covered with their all day breakfast menu. This cafe was previously a pet shop, hence the name. Taylor Swift, who lived in Nashville from age 14 to 25, named Fido as one of her favorite restaurants that she frequented before she became famous. Their smoked salmon scramble is my go-to. It’s served with herbed cream cheese, capers, and roasted red onions with a side of breakfast potatoes. 

Lunch: Subculture Cafe

This is a New American restaurant that draws inspiration from various types of street food. Their meats are locally sourced, and their breads are baked fresh daily. Your only issue will be deciding what to order as they have options from empanadas to burgers to ramen. My recommendation is to go with a Nashville classic: hot chicken. There are other options for places to eat this city staple like Prince’s or Hattie B’s, but those places are typically swamped by tourists. So if you want to skip the lines wrapped around the building, go to Subculture for your hot chicken fix. You’ll get just as much flavor, and they serve it in various forms like hot chicken tacos and hot chicken ramen. 

Dinner: Avo

After a heavier, more indulgent lunch, end the day off on a lighter, yet still delicious, note. Avo is a great option for those who have food intolerances or dietary restrictions because the menu is 100% vegan and almost every item is gluten free. Start the meal off with some cauliflower wings with your choice of buffalo, lemon pepper, or gochujang sauce. For the main course, I highly recommend the pesto primavera; I was still thinking about the pistachio walnut pesto for weeks after I ate here. Also, if you save room for dessert, make sure to try the chocolate avocado tart—the perfect amount of sweetness and it melts in your mouth. 

Activities

Take a hike at Radnor Lake State Park. 

If you are visiting on a day with nice weather, a trip to Randor Lake is one of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. It’s located around eight miles away from downtown Nashville and has a number of trails to choose from. If you have a bit more time, opt for the Radnor Full Lake and Ganier Ridge Trail Loop. This 5.1 mile loop is considered moderately challenging and takes you around the entire lake. If you are looking for something shorter, the Radnor Lake Trail is a beautiful lakeside trail. In terms of difficulty, it is considered easy, and it is a 2.7 mile loop. 

Catch a Live Performance at The Bluebird Cafe

This venue frequently features new and upcoming local artists as well as huge stars like Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift. Nashville is called “Music City” afterall, so what better way to experience it than enjoying some live music?

Shopping in East Nashville

If you’re in search of unique handmade jewelry, locally designed fashion, and vintage apparel, head over to East Nashville for an array of fun shops.