REMEMBER 2 SMILE

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Nashville: A Day Trip


I recently made a day trip to Nashville, TN, and I must say, it was wonderful.  I thought I'd share the highlights of my adventure with my audience, but first, here are some of my top Road Trip Rules:

1)  Have a plan, but leave some wiggle room for the unplanned
2)  Don't underestimate the fun to be had on the drive to/from your destination
 3)  Make sure you have a fun entourage with you (for this trip, I chose a nice young lady eager to see her first NHL game)


First, the dreary afternoon was screaming, "COFFEE TIME!!!" ... so, off to CREMA it was.  This coffee "brew-tique", as it defines itself, is a quaint and rustic espresso bar and coffee shop.  Opened in 2008, in Rutledge Hill, CREMA definitely knows their coffee.  I'd highly recommend an espresso drink (obviously), especially the Americano.  Check out the above link to their website.
 

Following my coffee excursion, I was in the mood for some more substantial food: Jack's Bar-B-Que.  Frequently hailed as "the best bar-b-que in Nashville, TN," by The New York Times, The Las Angeles Times, Southern Living, and USA Today, it did not disappoint.  The friendly staff, eclectic decorations, and fantastic food perfectly combined for the ultimate dining experience.  A Broadway staple in downtown Nashville since 1976, Jack's serves up huge portions of all-time bar-b-que favorites and sides ... the smoked chicken plate with macaroni 'n' cheese is impeccable. 


What goes better with a hearty dinner than ice cream?  That is correct: nothing.  Head right down Broadway to Mike's Ice Cream and order a scoop of the Red Velvet Cake ... delicious.  The traditional ice cream/soda fountain style provides a little old-school ambiance that is rarely matched in new ice cream joints.


And finally, the reason I came to this great city in the first place: the Detroit Red Wings were in town for a Central Division showdown.  Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators, is actually the 2nd busiest venue in the country and is visually stunning.  Nashville takes its hockey seriously, and even though my Wings lost the game (4-3), it was still a barn-burning good time.

 

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