Nashville in the Moment: Why We Chose Music City for New Year’s Eve
We didn’t plan it. We didn’t overthink it. We just knew we wanted to spend New Year’s Eve somewhere we already loved…and for us, that place is always Nashville.
It was December 31st, 2017. The clock was ticking on the year, and instead of staying home or scrambling for big plans, we decided to chase a little adventure. Nashville had everything we wanted: comfort, good food, great coffee, and a familiar spark. Within a few hours, we were packed up and on our way.
We even used Chase points to book our hotel, which somehow made the whole thing even more fun. Free stay? Yes, please. That’s what I like to call girl math…where saved money turns into permission to do a little more (and enjoy it a lot more).
Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don’t plan at all. This was one of them.
Five Points Pizza & Hilton Brentwood: Kicking Off the Night in Style
We kicked off our spontaneous New Year’s Eve trip the best way we know how…with pizza from Five Points. It’s a classic Nashville staple for us, and we couldn’t resist starting and (spoiler alert) ending the trip with a slice.
From there, we checked into the Hilton Brentwood/Nashville Suites, and let me just say…this wasn’t your average hotel room. We used Chase travel points to book our stay, which made it feel even more special (and technically, free). Yes, that’s girl math. And yes, we’re counting it.
Our executive suite came with access to the Executive Lounge, where complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres were just the beginning. The room itself felt more like an apartment than a hotel room:
A king-sized bed, two TVs, and a chaise by the window
A dining table, desk, kitchenette, and a full living room setup
Stunning views of the Tennessee hills
A bathroom big enough to feel like a spa
It was spacious, calm, and felt like the kind of place you actually want to spend time in…especially on a night like New Year’s Eve.
Marble Slab Creamery & Marathon Music Works: Sweet Treats and Sound Shifts
After settling into our suite, we headed out for a little dessert at Marble Slab Creamery, which some may still remember as Maggie Moo’s. It felt nostalgic, fun, and perfectly indulgent for a New Year’s Eve treat. Ice cream before a concert? Absolutely.
We made our way to Marathon Music Works for the Papadosio NYE show, featuring Zoogma and Push/Pull. We thought we’d be into it, but once we arrived, the vibe just didn’t feel like ours. The music was good, but the atmosphere was a little too much for what we were looking for that night.
Instead of trying to force the experience, we gave ourselves permission to pivot. We got back in the car, drove through Downtown Nashville, and caught a glimpse of the city’s massive New Year’s Eve celebration from a distance. Lights, music, and crowds filled the streets. It was magical to witness without needing to be in the thick of it.
We realized we didn’t need front-row seats to the party. Sometimes the best decision is the one that feels right, even if it means skipping what everyone else is doing.
Downtown Nashville & Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve: The Countdown Our Way
Driving through Downtown Nashville on New Year’s Eve was a spectacle. The streets were packed, the lights were bright, and the music echoed through the city. You could feel the buzz from inside the car. We rolled the windows down just enough to let the sound in but stayed tucked away from the chaos.
We had our moment of “Should we park and join the party?” but quickly realized we were happier watching it all unfold from afar. It was enough to see it, to know it was happening, to feel part of it without needing to be in the crowd.
Back at the Hilton Brentwood, we settled in for the kind of New Year’s Eve that felt true to us. We grabbed some snacks, curled up on the couch, and turned on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve. As the ball dropped in Times Square, we toasted to the end of one year and the beginning of another.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t loud. But it was peaceful, warm, and exactly what we needed. We looked at each other and smiled. This is how we wanted to start the year. With each other. With rest. With joy.
Biscuit Love: A Cozy New Year’s Brunch
We started New Year’s Day the best way possible…with brunch at Biscuit Love. If you’ve been, you already know. If you haven’t, just imagine fluffy biscuits, perfectly brewed coffee, and a cozy, welcoming space that smells like home.
There’s something extra comforting about starting a fresh year with familiar favorites. Whether it’s the East Nasty or the Southern Benny, everything on their menu feels like a warm hug. We sat, we sipped, we lingered a little longer than usual. There was no rush and no pressure to make the day anything more than it already was…simple, slow, and good.
Brunch at Biscuit Love has become one of our Nashville traditions, and beginning 2018 this way felt like hitting reset with a full heart and a full plate.
Mall at Green Hills & The Soda Parlor: Nostalgia and a Little Retail Therapy
After brunch, we made our way to the Mall at Green Hills for a slow stroll and a little window shopping. It was the perfect kind of quiet New Year’s Day activity. The mall was calm, the stores were still twinkling with post-holiday decor, and we enjoyed just being out and about with nowhere we had to be.
Next, we headed to a spot that held a special place in our hearts…The Soda Parlor. It was one of those places that felt like a hidden gem, known for delicious floats, arcade games, and that nostalgic mix of old-school fun and creative flair. We each got a float and found a seat while soaking in the quirky, joyful vibe.
Sadly, The Soda Parlor isn’t around anymore, and that makes this memory even more meaningful. It was one of those rare places that didn’t take itself too seriously but still left a lasting impression. We’re grateful we got to experience it while it was still part of Nashville’s landscape.
Five Points Pizza (Again): Ending on a High Note
We couldn’t end the trip without one more stop at Five Points Pizza. Yes, we started there. And yes, we were absolutely happy to return.
There’s something really satisfying about bookending a trip with the same comfort food. It made the whole experience feel complete. We were a little tired, a lot grateful, and still riding the quiet joy of a new year beginning. Pizza was the perfect final touch.
We sat, we reminisced, and we let the moment linger before heading back home. It wasn’t a big trip or a grand adventure. But it didn’t need to be. It was personal, unhurried, and packed with the kind of memories that stick…not because they’re loud, but because they’re real.
Final Thoughts: Nashville Memories That Still Matter
This last-minute New Year’s getaway wasn’t planned or polished, but that’s what made it so special. It was full of little decisions that added up to something meaningful…from scoops of ice cream to floats at a soda shop, from a suite with a view to skipping the crowds downtown.
We didn’t do everything Nashville had to offer, but we did just enough to mark the moment. We chased what felt like us, not what looked best on paper. And somehow, that made this trip more memorable than many we’ve planned in advance.
Sometimes all you need to welcome a new year is good food, a little music, and the right person beside you. Nashville gave us that and more.
