Like many other longtime Nashville residents, my husband and I talk often now about leaving the city for good. The Nashville we knew and loved is dead and gone, God rest its soul, and I’ve cycled through all the stages of grief over this truth, only recently landing on acceptance. Right about now, I feel […]

Think you know all there is to know about Franklin, Tennessee? Think again. A new downtown hotel has changed the tourism game here, whether you live nearby and are looking for an easy, fun staycation or you want to add a Southern charm-filled few days to your Nashville vacation. Dennis and I spent a weekend […]

After months of anticipation, Justin Timberlake’s Twelve Thirty Club is finally open for business in downtown Nashville. But does it live up to the hype?  I really struggle when out-of-towners ask me for restaurant recommendations in Nashville. Most of them are staying downtown and don’t want to have to drive or Uber somewhere — but […]

My husband and I have been hiking Middle Tennessee’s many trails for the last two decades and we’re finally coming to the end of the line. There are very few trails within a two-hour drive from Nashville that we haven’t tried at least once, which is kind of a downer, but I suppose it had […]

Old Nashville meets New Nashville at Mother’s Ruin, an NYC-based Germantown hotspot that combines speedy free pour cocktails with next-level bar food.   “I keep hearing about Mother’s Ruin,” I told my husband a few weeks ago. “I think we should go there.” “What makes it so great?” he asked. “Well, here’s what I know,” […]

Hidden deep in the forests surrounding Chattanooga are blue holes — crystal clear blue pools of water fed by underground rivers. Want to see and even swim in one yourself? Read on! We hiked a mile and a half through a forest just outside Chattanooga before arriving at one of Tennessee’s elusive blue holes, a […]

Fruity, rum-filled drinks, a retro Polynesian vibe… and robots. This East Nashville tiki bar has more than a few fun surprises. A few years ago, a man had a dream. “The dream I had last night was so weird,” he told a friend the next day over coffee. “The only thing I really remember now […]

Looking for the best Nashville hikes out there? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve made it my mission over the years to hike all of the Nashville area’s trails and I’m happy to report there are some fantastic ones to choose from. On the trails I’ve listed below, you’ll find amazing scenic views, old […]

I think of Gatlinburg as a rite of passage for every American traveler. Snuggled up against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the bustling town offers a colorful juxtaposition to the ancient mountains beyond. Enter Gatlinburg and you’ll find yourself immersed in a dizzying swirl of pancake houses, souvenir shops, tourist attractions, and hordes of […]

Drive a few hours north from Nashville and you’ll encounter a delightful surprise nestled in the hills of southern Indiana: two turn-of-the-century grand hotels, painstakingly restored to their former glory. ‘We need to go somewhere for our anniversary,’ a friend texted me recently. ‘We need something fun.’ ‘Have I told you about French Lick?’ I […]