Work With Us

Other pages

Work With UsFollow Us
Two people stand in front of a colorful Nashville mural featuring a large peace sign and tie-dye background on a brick wall.

Nashville Overnight Adventure: Cambria Unexpected Luxury Downtown and More

Abigail Toy

There’s something magical about Nashville that keeps pulling us back…the music, the food, the incredible energy that makes even a quick overnight trip feel like a complete escape. Back in March 2018, we decided to pack our bags and head to Music City for what turned out to be one of those perfectly spontaneous getaways that creates lasting memories.

Two people stand in front of a colorful Nashville mural featuring a large peace sign and tie-dye background on a brick wall.

Lunch at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden (The Perfect Start)

We kicked off our Nashville adventure the way any good trip should begin, with exceptional food. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden became our first stop, and honestly, it set the tone for everything that followed. Their burgers are nothing short of spectacular, with that perfect balance of creativity and comfort that makes you understand why Nashville’s food scene has gained such recognition. The beer garden atmosphere creates this relaxed, welcoming vibe that immediately makes you feel like you’re part of the Nashville experience rather than just observing it.

A cheeseburger with a bite taken out is held above a plate of golden tater tots and another half of the sandwich on brown paper.
A cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato sits on branded paper next to a small plastic cup of pasta salad on a wooden table.
A cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato sits on branded parchment paper next to a small plastic cup of pasta salad in a restaurant setting.
A cheeseburger with bacon and crispy onion, served with tater tots on brown wax paper, with a drink cup and a camera in the background.
A Sony camera and a paper cup labeled "The Pharmacy" sit on a wooden table near salt and pepper shakers and a red condiment bottle.
A man and woman smiling at a restaurant table with condiment bottles and utensils in the foreground; other patrons are visible in the background.
Glass window with white, ornate lettering that reads “The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden;” parking lot and buildings are visible in the reflection.

CoolSprings Galleria Retail Therapy

After fueling up, we ventured to CoolSprings Galleria for some shopping. There’s something uniquely satisfying about exploring a mall in a different city, discovering familiar stores alongside local finds, hunting for that perfect deal, and simply enjoying the act of browsing without any particular agenda. CoolSprings delivered on all fronts, offering that perfect mix of retail therapy and people-watching that makes shopping feel less like a chore and more like entertainment.

A person wearing blue jeans and a tan leather dress shoe with laces standing on a gray textured carpet.
Shopfront with a large display window featuring clothing and accessories, brick and wood decor, and plants hanging above the window.
A storefront for Altar'd State in a mall, featuring a brick facade, window displays with clothes, and a person entering through the main door. A bicycle is parked outside.
Person holding a framed sign that reads, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders," in a store with clothing and decor items in the background.
Tiered gray and blue seating with cushioned benches arranged in steps in a public indoor space.
Two fitting room curtains with small chalkboard signs labeled "Abigail" and "Andie" hanging outside each. A metal cart stands nearby.
Two people smile at the camera in a store, both wearing "jasper & company" shirts. The woman holds a sign that says, "Marry the one who gives you the same feeling you get when you see food coming at a restaurant.

The Cheesecake Factory (Dinner and Dessert)

For dinner, we opted for The Cheesecake Factory. Sure, it’s a chain, but sometimes you crave that enormous menu and the promise of a slice of cheesecake that defies all reasonable proportions. And let’s be honest…after a day of exploring, sometimes familiar comfort food hits different. The dessert alone was worth the visit, providing that sweet ending to our day of adventures.

Two slices of cheesecake on plates, each topped with caramel sauce and served with whipped cream. One slice is in the foreground, while the other is in the background.

Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown (The Unexpected Luxury)

Here’s where our trip took an unexpected turn toward the extraordinary. Checking into the Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown, we encountered the kind of hospitality that restores your faith in customer service. The gentleman at the front desk was genuinely kind…not just professionally courteous, but authentically welcoming. When he offered us a room upgrade simply because we were patient and friendly, we found ourselves in a corner King room that felt like we’d accidentally stumbled into a boutique hotel experience.

Nighttime cityscape of downtown Nashville with illuminated office buildings, including the AT&T building, and streets lit by streetlights.
Nighttime cityscape of Nashville with illuminated buildings, including the AT&T tower on the left, and street lights visible under a dark sky.
Wooden planks of varying heights are arranged vertically on a patterned orange wall, resembling a city skyline.
A construction crew works at night on a lit concrete foundation surrounded by equipment and vehicles, with buildings partially visible in the foreground.
A clock tower displays the time 7:30 in front of illuminated buildings at night, with piles of rubble and construction equipment at its base.
Neon signs illuminate bars and restaurants along a city street at night, with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.
A framed poster with vintage cameras and the text “EXAMINE YOUR SELFIE,” featuring a drawing of a person in the bottom corner.
Close-up of a black, glossy horse sculpture indoors, with brown patterned curtains and a light source above its head in the background.
View of a city skyline at night through a window, with illuminated buildings and a camera on a tripod capturing the scene in the foreground.
Nighttime cityscape of downtown Nashville featuring illuminated buildings, including the AT&T Building, and the curved roof of the Music City Center in the foreground.
A nighttime cityscape featuring a large historic building in the foreground and modern high-rise buildings illuminated in the background.
Nighttime cityscape view from a window, showing illuminated office buildings and a tower with two lit spires against a dark sky.
Night view of the AT&T building in Nashville seen through a window, with its spires lit up against the dark sky and a small camera on a tripod visible in the corner.

The room itself was a masterpiece of design and comfort. Behind the bed, a striking stereo and speaker print wall created an artistic focal point that perfectly captured Nashville’s musical essence. The Bluetooth bathroom mirror (a revelation we didn’t know we needed) added a touch of modern luxury, while the walk-in shower and ACCA KAPPA amenities made us feel far fancier than our budget suggested we deserved.

Two hotel key cards on a dark surface; one orange card reads "lead the way," and the other white card displays the "CAMBRIA" hotel logo with a tagline.
A hotel room with a large bed, speaker-themed accent wall, lamp, open closet with hangers, wooden dresser, and a sliding barn door leading to the bathroom.
A modern hotel room featuring a bed with white linens, two bedside tables with lamps, and a wall decorated with a speaker-themed mural.
A close-up view of a wall decorated with various vintage speaker fronts and audio equipment arranged in a grid pattern.

But the real luxury was the view. Multiple windows wrapped around the corner room, offering breathtaking panoramas of downtown Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, the Batman Building standing tall against the skyline, the historic Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, and the neon-lit energy of Broadway stretching out below us. For just over $200 with tax, it felt like we’d discovered Nashville’s best-kept secret. While prices have certainly increased since 2018, deals like this remind you that sometimes the best experiences come from unexpected moments of generosity and good fortune. And hey, there is always a chance you might be able to score a deal like this if the timing is right.

View through a window showing downtown Nashville, including the AT&T Building, city buildings, and part of the Bridgestone Arena under a clear blue sky.
View of a cityscape with modern and historic buildings, seen through a window with reflections, under a clear blue sky.
A hotel room with unmade bed and city view through large windows, including modern skyscrapers and the AT&T building in the background.
A cityscape view of downtown Nashville, featuring modern skyscrapers, the AT&T Building, and the white-roofed Bridgestone Arena under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of downtown Nashville, featuring the distinctive AT&T Building, Bridgestone Arena with its white roof, and surrounding high-rise buildings under a clear blue sky.

Brunch at Biscuit Love (Morning Perfection)

The next morning brought us to Biscuit Love, a spot that’s earned its reputation as both a tourist destination and a local favorite. Yes, it’s popular for a reason, sometimes the hype is completely justified. We’ve returned multiple times since that first visit, and each experience reinforces why this place has become such an integral part of the Nashville food scene. Their biscuits are extraordinary, but it’s the overall experience…the atmosphere, the attention to detail, the way they’ve elevated comfort food to an art form that keeps us coming back.

A partially eaten dessert with cream, fried dough, blueberries, and sauce on a white plate with a spoon.
Man smiling and holding a glass bottle of Coca-Cola, standing indoors near a window.
Man in a black shirt smiling and holding a glass bottle of Coca-Cola in front of a modern, well-lit indoor setting.
A biscuit sandwich filled with fried chicken, topped with sausage gravy and shredded cheese, served on a white plate.
A fried chicken biscuit sandwich topped with creamy gravy is served on a white plate, with a glass of water and another plate in the background.
A bottle of Coca-Cola and a clear plastic cup labeled "Biscuit Love" on a table with plates of food, and a person sitting in the background.
Three fried dough balls topped with whipped cream sit on a white plate with blueberries and sauce, next to a metal spoon.
A man in a black shirt holding a Coca-Cola glass bottle and wearing a smartwatch looks to the side inside a bright room.
A hand with rings holds a fork over a plate of sugar-coated doughnuts topped with cream and blueberries, next to a cup on a wooden table.
Woman with light brown hair holds and drinks from a large yellow cup while sitting outdoors at a café; buildings and barriers are visible in the background.
A young woman with light hair smiles while holding a fork, sitting outdoors with construction barriers and cars in the background.
A woman smiling at the camera holds a spoon with a white substance, sitting outdoors with buildings and parked cars in the background.
Two metal spoons rest on a mostly empty plate with purple and white food smears, likely from a dessert.

Exploring Nashville’s Distinctive Neighborhoods

The remainder of our time was spent discovering what makes Nashville’s neighborhoods so special. Hillsboro Village offered that perfect blend of local charm and indie spirit, with unique shops and a laid-back atmosphere that invites lingering. 12th South presented a different energy entirely…trendy, artistic, and vibrant, with murals, shops, and restaurants that capture Nashville’s creative soul.

A colorful dragon mural is painted on the side of a building in Hillsboro Village, with parked cars lining the street and storefronts visible nearby.
A brick and stone sign reads "Vanderbilt University Medical Center" near a sidewalk, with trees and a building under construction in the background.
A vertical street sign reads "Hillsboro Village" attached to a pole under a clear blue sky. A small label with text is also on the pole.
A modern chandelier with multiple exposed bulbs hanging from long black cords attached to a white ceiling.
Two people stand holding hands in front of a white brick wall with blue stripes, next to a large sculpture of red lips with a colorful tongue.
Rows of ornamental cabbages with green and purple leaves grow in a planter, with a brick wall in the background.
Four metallic planters with copper accents are stacked on a wooden surface, with an air plant placed in the top planter.
A row of industrial-style pendant lights hangs from the ceiling in a modern interior with large windows and an exit sign.
Several pyramid-shaped objects in black, white, and gold are arranged in a row on a wooden shelf against a tiled and wooden wall.
Large white letters spelling "HELLO NASHVILLE" are displayed on a green, leafy background.

The Mall at Green Hills provided a more upscale shopping experience, while Hill Center offered those final opportunities to discover something unexpected. Each neighborhood tells a different story about Nashville’s personality, and the easy transitions between them remind you why this city feels both cosmopolitan and authentically Southern.

Large circular chandelier with multiple exposed light bulbs hangs from a high ceiling beneath a round skylight with blue sky visible.
A close-up view of a tiled surface featuring a repeating pattern of brown four-petal shapes on a white background.
Ornamental grass with green and reddish plumes in front of a geometric stained glass window with textured and frosted panels.
Close-up view of a chandelier with multiple clear, rectangular crystal prisms reflecting light and creating rainbow patterns.
A black shirt features an illustration of a cat with glasses and the text "You are stressing meowt!" printed above and below the cat.
A row of brass keys hanging on metal chains against a white surface, with the word "CUTHS" visible on one key in focus.
A brown leather chaise lounge with a ribbed cushion sits on a wooden floor next to a tree stump side table and a bookshelf.
Close-up of a decorative chandelier with crystal beads in the foreground and a modern glass pendant light in the background.
A close-up of a circular chandelier with hanging crystal prisms, lit bulbs, and rainbow light reflections, in a modern showroom with fabric samples in the background.
A man in a black coat stands inside a well-lit store with plants, books, and clothing on display in the background.
A woman with a purple bag smiles while standing indoors near a variety of green plants and a table with items on it.
A woman wearing a navy coat and pink shoulder bag browses clothing racks in a boutique with hanging plants and dresses on display.
Close-up of an ornate, metallic decorative trim with floral patterns and mirrored rectangular tiles on a curved piece of furniture.
Close-up view of a textured stone wall with irregularly shaped, multi-colored stones stacked and cemented together.
A close-up of a wire basket containing metallic gold floral headbands, with a blurred background of a shop interior.
Close-up of three metal fire department connections with chains attached, mounted on a brick wall in an outdoor setting.
A wooden block with text reads: "Marry the one who gives you the same feeling you get when you see food coming at a restaurant.
Framed print with a sentimental letter titled "Beautiful Darling," offering encouragement, advice, and expressions of love and support to the reader in typewriter font.
A beige sunhat with black pom-pom trim and the words "Just Married" embroidered on the brim rests on display indoors.
Gray t-shirt with pink lettering that reads, "NOBODY UNDERSTANDS ME LIKE MY CAT.

Reflections on Nashville’s Magic

Looking back on that overnight trip, what strikes me most is how Nashville has this remarkable ability to make even the briefest visits feel substantial. The combination of exceptional food, genuine hospitality, stunning views, and diverse neighborhoods created an experience that felt much longer than our actual time there.

Nashville has this way of welcoming you like an old friend while simultaneously surprising you with new discoveries. Whether it’s an unexpected room upgrade, a perfect meal, or simply the energy of the city itself, Nashville consistently delivers those moments that transform a quick getaway into a cherished memory.

If you’re considering your own Nashville adventure, don’t hesitate to mix the classic must-sees with spontaneous discoveries. Sometimes the best experiences come from saying yes to the unexpected, being kind to the people you meet, and staying open to the magic that seems to happen naturally in Music City.

We can’t wait to return and create new memories in this incredible city that never fails to surprise and delight.

A colorful artistic illustration of the Nashville skyline with the word "Nashville" in white capital letters across the center.

Other Travel Experiences

View all

Work With Us

We’re thrilled that you’ve found Explore This City!

We’d love to help tell your destination’s story in a way that inspires real travel and drives measurable results.

Whether you’re launching a new campaign, hosting a press trip, or looking for long-term brand advocates, let’s create something authentic together.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Learn More About Us
This field is required.
This field is required.
Type(s) of Collaboration
This field is required.
Tell us more about your proposal, ideas, or questions.
This field is required.
Join Our Newsletter!

Come along with Rich and Abigail as we explore this city together!

Your Ultimate Guides to Authentic Local Experiences and off-the-beaten-path Road Trip Adventures

Review Your Cart
0
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Checkout