By Anna Truss
From coffee shops and breakfast spots to dancing and shopping, LaunchTN’s staff have the insider info about how to enjoy The Music City while you’re in town for our annual entrepreneurial festival, 3686.
Music
Nashvillians know that Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival is the hometown favorite. Happening for nearly a decade now, Pilgrimage is music and more. This year, The Lumineers and Zach Bryan are headlining, and there are a ton of opportunities to experience Southern food, makers and craft beer.
Plan your trip to the two-day festival.
Dancing
If there’s one place that native Nashvillians and Nashville tourists mix, it’s on the dance floor. We asked our LaunchTN staff members for their favorite spots to hit the dance floor and included them below.
- Wildhorse Saloon – line dancing lessons and sessions
- Plaza Mariachi – merengue and salsa lessons
- Flamingo Cocktail Club – dance parties
Get coffee or breakfast
Our LaunchTN staff love a good coffee shop. Luckily, Music City is blessed with a wealth of excellent small businesses to pick up your coffee.
- Retrograde Coffee – an East Nashville coffee shop that sells delicious sandwiches & pastries, as well as coffee
- Sip Cafe – an East Nashville classic that has a drive through for morning convenience and sells ice cream as well
- Steadfast Coffee – a Germantown coffee shop just around the corner from the LaunchTN office
Popular staff breakfast locations include a Nashville classic or two, as well as some smaller, more intimate spots.
- Monell’s – a Germantown classic that serves Southern staples, including skillet fried chicken
- Loveless Cafe – the Loveless Cafe serves Southern staples every day on the outskirts of town near the Natchez Trace Parkway
- Red Bicycle Coffee – Red Bicycle has several locations that serve excellent coffee and delicious crepes of all types
Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks
LaunchTN lunch recommendations included options across the city, but we’ll keep our recommendations short and sweet. Two of these options are extra popular amongst the staff – see if you can guess which ones!
- Little Hats Italian Market – a Germantown based market and restaurant, selling fresh pasta and delicious sandwiches
- Greko – an East Nashville based Greek family owned restaurant that specializes in authentic Greek food
- Prince’s Hot Chicken – the original Nashville hot chicken restaurant with several locations, including one in downtown Nashville
Our staff was sure to include a dinner option close to this year’s 3686 location – the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. The other restaurants will give you a chance to explore the greater Nashville area, if you so wish.
- Twelve Thirty Club – a classy downtown Nashville bar and restaurant that provides a unique experience
- 5th & Taylor – a community oriented restaurant located in the Germantown area, with foods reminiscent of family meals
- Lockeland Table – an East Nashville based restaurant with an elevated East Nashville experience
These popular spots to grab a drink come recommended by several LaunchTN staff members each.
- Mother’s Ruin – a popular Germantown spot for unique drinks
- Rosemary & Beauty Queen – an East Nashville favorite with Instagram-worthy drinks
- EG&MC Cocktail & Tapas Bar – a black owned Germantown spot with unique drinks
Shopping
If you find yourself with a bit of free time and want to do some shopping, check out the options below. You’ll be sure to find a good souvenir for people back home.
- Green Hills Mall – mall located in Green Hills that houses several luxury brand locations
- Fatherland District – the Fatherland District is an East Nashville neighborhood that contains many small businesses
- East Nashville Antiques – an East Nashville based antique store with many unique finds
Tourist Attractions
If you arrive early on Tuesday or leave late on Thursday, we’ve included our favorite Nashville tourist attractions below. You’ll be able to learn more about the history of the city and have a memorable experience while you’re at it!
- National Museum of African American Music – museum in downtown Nashville dedicated to preserving & celebrating African American contributions to music
- The Parthenon – a replica of the Parthenon in Greece located in Centennial Park with a museum inside
- Frist Art Museum – downtown Nashville based art museum with rotating exhibits and an area dedicated to creative expression called ArtQuest
Murals to Find
A great way to memorialize your time in Nashville could be photos with famous local murals. We’ve included some special ones below, so be sure to check them out and tag us if you post them.
- I Believe In Nashville at 2700 12th Ave S – features the classic I Believe In Nashville mural
- *Special Note – 12 South is a hub of many murals, so try to find them all!*
- What Lifts You Wings at 302 11th Ave S – features a 20-foot tall mural of wings in the Gulch
- Go Slay All the Dragons at 1224 Meridian St – features lyrics from a song by Nashville based band, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
