GREEN HILLS
When I booked our Airbnb for Nashville, I chose one that was about 15 minutes outside of the city as A) We really enjoy visiting the city but prefer residing in the outer city limits and B) It is equal distance to all boroughs of Nashville. Bonus: It's beaming with Scandinavian design features and modern touches like a marble backsplash + subway tile bathroom and a 100% goose down duvet. Apart from the lushness of our beautiful Airbnb, we were fortunate to stay in what's referred to as the Green Hills area of Nashville. While I was unfamiliar with this area prior to our trip, it quickly became one of my favorite areas.
Percy Warner State Park
Our lovely Airbnb host, Rachel and Jack, spilled out countless recommendations our way, one of which was Percy Warner Park. Since we visited Nashville over the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to opt outside for Thursday to A) burn extra calories prior to our Thanksgiving meal and B) take advantage of the outdoor adventures while most of the shops were closed. The drive was unparalleled to any other drive imaginable — winding roads were filled with autumnal foliage and deer greeted us alongside the road. Percy Warner Park peaks with vast hiking trails, but the most notable feature is the grand stairway that leads to an overlook above lush green lands and muted fall colors. You might recall, it's the staircase Taylor Swift stood in front of and posted a picture to Instagram right before releasing the Red album. Apart from its iconic features and breathtaking scenery, it's such a relaxing retreat and a optimal place to take a walk and soak in the vast nature Nashville has to offer. Perhaps it sounds like such a simple place, but that's what I love most about it - the lack of complexity and opportunity to think clearly in a wide open space.
Radnor State Park
We drove from one nature site to another — Radnor State Park. Yet another recommendation by our sweet Airbnb hosts, Radnor glistening with beauty. On the approach, the popularity of the destination is unmistakable as cars line with narrow street and others wait for visitors to leave to snag a parking spot. You'll take a gravel lined walking path down to an glistening facade — Radnor Lake itself. Here it sits, front and center, greeting you with shimming ripples in the water and bright rays of sun over head. Although you'll approach the lake rather quickly, take full advantage of the ample trail paths, lined with flaxen trees that are fading from golden and vibrant orange to almost a burn color signaling the coming of winter. Especially in the fall, the view from Radnor is unprecedented. It's the optimal spot to catch a sunrise over the lake, take an afternoon hike, and embrace nature.
The Bluebird Cafe
On a very different end of the spectrum is The Bluebird Cafe. Located in a quaint strip mall, you'd never know it was there unless you were on the lookout for it. In fact, I knew of its general description and I was still in complete shock when I saw it — a literal diamond in the rough, The Bluebird Cafe sits proud amongst several rundown shops with a small parking lot that has maybe 20 spaces. The area inside the cafe is just as hard to come by, hence why only a handful of tickets go on sale for shows and a cover fee is required when purchasing tickets. If you have the chance to plan out your vacation in advance, mark your calendar for when tickets go on sale so you can snag a coveted seat inside the intimate cafe where Taylor Swift was discovered, and maybe you'll come face to face with the next Artist of Year. While The Bluebird Cafe is known as "the" place to be discovered, I am still astound at its exterior.
Fortunate is the most accurate word to describe our chance to stay at an Airbnb in the Belle Meade/Green Hills area of Nashville. Soulful music and rustic nature come together to create the ultimate wonderland of bliss in this area of Nashville. Whether you opt to stay in the Green Hills area or you take a day to explore the area, it's a destination worth fleshing out.
