Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a birthday getaway, or simply looking for a weekend away together, Nashville is one of my favorite destinations for couples. Less than four hours from Memphis, it’s close enough for a quick getaway but has more than enough to fill an entire weekend with incredible restaurants, live music, boutique hotels, and unique experiences.
Matt and I have visited Nashville countless times over the years, and every trip looks a little different. Sometimes we are there for a concert, sometimes we are exploring a new restaurant and other times we simply want a relaxing weekend away together. On our most recent trip, we stayed in East Nashville, met up with friends, tried two new restaurants and spent plenty of time listening to live music and dancing. No matter the reason for our visit, we always leave planning our next one.
Where to Stay
Fairlane Hotel
If you love staying in the heart of downtown, Fairlane Hotel is one of my favorite places to stay in Nashville. We’ve stayed here several times over the past few years, and it has quickly become our go-to hotel whenever we’re visiting downtown. The location is fantastic and within walking distance of Broadway, Bridgestone Arena, and so many great restaurants. The rooms are spacious, the beds are incredibly comfortable, and the bathrooms are just as impressive. We also love grabbing coffee before heading out for the day, and the staff has always been so friendly and welcoming. If you’re planning to spend most of your weekend exploring downtown Nashville, I highly recommend staying here.
The Russell
On our most recent trip, Matt and I stayed at The Russell in East Nashville. This colorful boutique hotel is located inside a beautifully restored historic church, and it is easily one of the most unique places we have stayed in Nashville. The original stained-glass windows, bold décor and individually designed rooms give the entire property so much personality.
We stayed in a Classic King room and loved using the hotel as our home base for the weekend. The East Nashville location is convenient to local restaurants, coffee shops, shopping and live music, but the hotel is tucked into a quiet neighborhood away from the crowds and noise of downtown. It also has a complimentary guest parking lot directly across the street, which is a major perk in Nashville.
I also love that a portion of every stay supports local organizations serving people experiencing homelessness through the hotel’s Rooms for Rooms program. If you want a quiet, memorable boutique hotel that is still convenient to downtown Nashville, The Russell is a wonderful choice.
Where to Eat for Dinner
The Optimist
If I could only recommend one restaurant for date night, it would be The Optimist. This is always our favorite spot in Nashville for seafood, and we make it a point to eat here almost every time we’re in town. Everything we’ve ordered has been incredible, and the oysters are always a must. The atmosphere is upscale without feeling stuffy, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or celebrating a special occasion.
The Twelve Thirty Club
Located right on Broadway, The Twelve Thirty Club is one of our favorite places to grab dinner or drinks. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is lively, and they often have live music. If the weather is nice, head upstairs to the rooftop for beautiful views of downtown Nashville. It’s a fun place to continue your evening after dinner or before catching a concert.
Drusie & Darr
We tried Drusie & Darr during our most recent Nashville weekend, and the setting alone makes it an incredible date night choice. Located inside The Hermitage Hotel, the restaurant combines the history of the hotel with a beautiful contemporary dining room and seasonal cuisine from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Dinner here gave us the perfect excuse to dress up and spend a little time exploring The Hermitage Hotel before our meal. I especially recommend it for an elevated dinner before a show or a special evening downtown. Complimentary valet parking is available for restaurant guests, which makes the experience even easier.
More Restaurants to Try
If you’re staying for a few days, here are a few more restaurants that are worth adding to your list:
Best Brunch Spots
One of my favorite parts of a weekend getaway is enjoying a slow brunch before heading out to explore.
Some great brunch spots to add to your itinerary include:
Things to Do
See a Concert at Bridgestone Arena
One of the reasons we love visiting Nashville is the music. We’ve seen artists like Jason Aldean and Chris Stapleton at Bridgestone Arena, and every concert has been an amazing experience. The venue is in a great downtown location, making it easy to grab dinner before the show or walk to Broadway afterward. If your favorite artist is in town while you’re visiting, I definitely recommend making it part of your weekend.
Experience the Grand Ole Opry
If there’s one Nashville experience I recommend to everyone, it’s seeing a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. We’ve been twice now, and every visit has been memorable. The mix of legendary performers and rising artists makes every show unique, and the backstage tour is absolutely worth adding if you have the time. It’s a true Nashville tradition.
Visit Bluebird Cafe
The Bluebird Cafe is another Nashville classic that’s well worth experiencing. This intimate venue has launched the careers of countless songwriters and musicians, and seeing a performance here feels completely different from a large concert venue. Tickets often sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead if it’s on your list.
Go Wine Tasting at Arrington Vineyards
One of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon is at Arrington Vineyards. The wine is excellent, the scenery is beautiful, and the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. Grab a tasting, enjoy the live music on weekends, or bring a picnic and spend a few hours taking in the rolling hills. It is always one of our favorite stops when we’re in the Nashville area.
Take a Dinner Cruise on the General Jackson Showboat
If you’re looking for a unique date night, don’t miss the General Jackson Showboat. I took the dinner cruise a few years ago, and it completely exceeded my expectations. Between the live entertainment, beautiful river views, and delicious meal, it was such a memorable evening and unlike anything else we’ve done in Nashville.
Catch a Nashville Predators Game
If you’re visiting during hockey season, catching a Nashville Predators game is another fun date night idea. The atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena is always exciting, and it’s a great way to experience another side of Nashville’s sports scene.
Go Dancing and Listen to Live Music
You cannot plan a Nashville weekend without making time for live music. On our most recent trip with friends, we spent part of the weekend dancing, and it ended up being one of the most fun parts of our getaway.
Broadway has plenty of options, but you can also find smaller venues and neighborhood spots throughout the city. Whether you prefer country line dancing, two-stepping or simply listening to a great band, leave a little room in your schedule for an unplanned music stop.
More Date Night Ideas
If you have extra time during your trip, here are a few more places worth exploring:
- Walk along Broadway and enjoy the live music.
- Explore the shops and restaurants in 12 South.
- Visit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
- Browse local boutiques in The Gulch.
- End the evening with rooftop drinks at White Limozeen or L.A. Jackson.
Tips for Planning a Nashville Couples Getaway
- Stay downtown if you want to walk to restaurants, Broadway, and Bridgestone Arena.
- Make restaurant reservations ahead of time for popular spots.
- Purchase concert, Bluebird Cafe, or Grand Ole Opry tickets in advance.
- Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll likely do quite a bit of walking.
- Plan at least two or three days if you want to experience both downtown Nashville and some of the surrounding attractions.
Final Thoughts
Nashville is one of those cities we never get tired of visiting. Every trip gives us a chance to discover a new favorite restaurant, experience another unforgettable concert or return to the places we already love. Our latest weekend introduced us to The Russell, Drusie & Darr and The Hampton Social, but it also reminded us how much we enjoy simply spending time with friends, listening to live music and dancing. Whether you are celebrating something special or simply need a weekend away together, Nashville has plenty of ways to make the trip your own. You can plan every detail around an incredible dinner and a show or leave space to see where the music takes you. Either way, it remains one of my favorite romantic getaways from Memphis.
What is your favorite Nashville spot for a date night or couples weekend?
