A person sits at a metal table indoors in Nashville, sipping a drink from a red cup with a straw. Red benches, umbrellas, and string lights are visible in the background.

A Perfect Nashville Day Trip: Burgers, Hiking, and Hot Chicken

Y’all, I have to tell you about our latest Nashville adventure! We packed so much goodness into one day – from mouthwatering meals to an incredible hike that had us feeling like we were in a fairytale.

A person stands on a large tree stump in a green Nashville forest, arms raised, looking upward toward the sky.

Starting Our Day at The Pharmacy

Let me tell you about lunch at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden – this place never disappoints! Here’s a pro tip: if you’re not in the mood for a heavy burger, go for their ground chicken patty. It’s seriously incredible and might be one of the best-kept secrets on the menu. And don’t even get me started on their tater tots – they’re absolutely perfect with that crispy outside and fluffy inside. We always make sure to grab a spot here when we’re in Nashville.

Two people smiling and sitting closely together inside a cozy Nashville restaurant or café with warm lighting and wooden decor.
A Nashville-inspired cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and tomato served with tater tots and a cup of cheese sauce on a paper-lined tray.
A Nashville cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato is served with a side of tater tots and a cup of dipping sauce on a paper-lined tray.
Two clear plastic cups of water with "The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden" logo sit on a wooden table in a Nashville restaurant setting.
A smiling man and woman take a selfie outside a building in Nashville with a sign reading "The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden.
A Nashville-style sliced chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomato is served with tater tots on a branded paper-lined tray. Two cups of water and a glass bottle are in the background.
A Nashville-style sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and bacon is served with a side of tater tots, a cup of cheese sauce, and a plastic cup of water on a lined tray.

The Main Event: Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner Park

After filling our bellies, we headed to Percy Warner Park for what turned out to be quite the adventure! The Mossy Ridge Trail is this gorgeous 5.1-mile loop with an 830 ft elevation gain. Y’all, when I say this trail is special, I mean it – it was even named one of the top seven hiking trails in the nation by Fodor’s Travel Guides!

The Hiking Experience

Oh. My. Goodness. This trail is no joke! We consider ourselves in okay shape, but this one definitely had our hearts pumping. There are some crazy steep spots that’ll have you questioning your life choices (kidding… kind of!). But let me tell you – it’s worth every step. The trail feels like something straight out of a storybook, especially around the dripping springs area.

Quick heads up – wear proper hiking shoes! This isn’t your casual park walk, and your feet will thank you later. While there were quite a few people on the trail, everyone was super nice about letting others pass. The trail is really well marked too, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

Trailhead information board for Percy Warner Park - Chickering Trailhead in Nashville, featuring a map, visitor responsibilities, emergency info, and images of local plants.
A man wearing a black NASA t-shirt and gray pants stands on a dirt trail in a green, wooded forest near Nashville.
A woman stands smiling next to a tree in a wooded area near Nashville, wearing a green shirt, black pants, and a light jacket tied around her waist.
Map of Edwin Warner Park in Nashville showing hiking, horse, and multi-use trails with a "You Are Here" marker, trail distances, parking areas, picnic shelters, and a legend in the lower left corner.
Large tree with textured bark in a sunlit Nashville forest; a red trail marker is painted on a nearby tree, and a dirt path runs through the wooded area.
Close-up of a tree trunk in a sunlit Nashville forest with green foliage and scattered undergrowth on the forest floor.
A man stands on a large fallen tree trunk in a forested area near Nashville, surrounded by green trees and sunlight.
Two people smiling and posing for a selfie in a wooded outdoor area near Nashville, with trees and greenery in the background.
A dirt trail with exposed tree roots winds uphill through a dense, sunlit Nashville forest filled with vibrant green foliage.
A rocky dirt trail leads uphill through a dense forest near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through green leaves.
A dirt hiking trail with exposed tree roots runs through a densely wooded area near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through green leaves.
A man and woman smile for a selfie in a wooded area near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through the trees. The man wears a black NASA shirt and sunglasses around his neck.
Close-up of a large tree trunk in a sunlit Nashville forest, with textured bark and green foliage in the background.
Two people smiling for a selfie in front of a small wooded area with greenery and a rocky outcrop in the background, capturing a cheerful moment near Nashville's scenic nature.
A small stream of water trickles over a rocky ledge into a shallow pool, surrounded by green plants and scattered branches in the tranquil outskirts of Nashville.
A small stream of water trickles over a concrete ledge into a muddy, rocky area surrounded by green plants in Nashville.
A person stands on a wooded trail near Nashville, surrounded by trees and large exposed roots, with fallen logs and rocks along the path.
Water seeps through a moss-covered rock ledge in a Nashville forest setting, forming thin streams that drip into a shallow pool below.
A thin stream of water trickles over a rocky ledge, creating a small waterfall into a shallow pool surrounded by greenery and fallen branches—capturing the tranquil beauty often found near Nashville.
A moss-covered rock formation surrounded by trees and leafy ground cover in a forested area near Nashville.
A grassy field bordered by trees in Nashville, with a hill covered in lush green foliage under a partly cloudy sky. A paved path curves through the serene landscape.
A smiling couple poses for a selfie in a lush, green forest near Nashville. The woman has a purple towel draped over her shoulders, and the man is wearing a black NASA t-shirt.
A dirt path winds through a dense, green forest near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through the leafy trees and shrubs on both sides.
Wooden signpost reading "DRIPPING SPRINGS BY-PASS" with a right-pointing arrow, surrounded by forest foliage near Nashville.
A person with long hair and a smartwatch explores a Nashville forest, pointing at a small purple flower growing among green plants on the forest floor.
Close-up of pale purple wildflowers with delicate petals and green leaves in the background, capturing the natural beauty found in Nashville’s scenic landscapes.
A person with long hair smiles and points at a small cluster of light purple flowers among green leaves outdoors in Nashville.
A dirt path winds through a dense, green forest near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
Two people smiling for a selfie in front of a tall stone monument surrounded by green trees in a wooded Nashville area.
A tall, old stone fireplace or chimney stands alone in a wooded Nashville forest clearing with green trees in the background.
A woman stands in front of a tall stone chimney structure in a wooded area with green trees and plants near Nashville.
Wooden sign reading "Quiet Point" with an arrow, set on a dirt path in a green Nashville forest.
A tall stone chimney stands alone on a concrete foundation amid dense green forest near Nashville, with no roof or walls remaining from the original structure.
A person stands near a tall, old stone chimney surrounded by green trees in a Nashville forest setting, with the ground and some rocks visible in the foreground.
A dirt hiking trail winds through a dense green forest with trees and underbrush on both sides, offering a peaceful escape just outside of Nashville.
A tall, stone chimney stands alone in a forest clearing near Nashville, surrounded by green trees and a dirt ground.
A woman with a blue towel draped over her shoulders smiles while standing on a forest trail surrounded by green trees near Nashville.
A small trickle of water flows over mossy rocks and plants beside a shallow, clear creek in a wooded area near Nashville.
A narrow dirt trail winds uphill through a green forest near Nashville, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
Dirt trail winding through a dense, green forest with tall trees and patchy undergrowth, just outside Nashville.
A woman stands on a large fallen log in a forest near Nashville with arms raised, wearing a "Love Pink" sweatshirt, black pants, and blue shoes. Sunlight filters through the green trees.
A dirt trail curves through a green Nashville forest, with tall trees and scattered leaves on the ground.
A man wearing a NASA t-shirt stands smiling on a dirt trail surrounded by tall trees in a green forest near Nashville.
A large tree in a Nashville forest has split and fallen, leaving a jagged, broken trunk and scattered wood debris on the ground.
A view through tall trees in a dense Nashville forest, with green foliage and distant hills visible beyond the tree line.
Two people stand smiling on a wooded trail near Nashville, surrounded by green trees and sunlight, with a fallen log on the right side of the dirt path.
A dirt trail with exposed rocky sections winds through a green, wooded area near Nashville, sunlight filtering gently through the trees.
A dirt path winds through a dense, green Nashville forest with sunlight filtering through the trees.
A dirt path winds through a dense forest with tall trees and lush green grass on both sides under daylight, evoking the serene beauty of the Nashville countryside.
A smiling couple takes a close-up selfie on a forest trail surrounded by green trees near Nashville.
Close-up of layered sedimentary rock with some scattered soil, small rocks, and green moss in a natural outdoor Nashville setting.
A rocky dirt trail with uneven stone steps leads uphill through a forest of green grass and tall trees, reminiscent of the scenic hikes near Nashville.
A dirt trail winds through a dense, green forest near Nashville, with tall trees and scattered underbrush on either side.
A dirt and rock trail leads uphill through a Nashville forest, with green trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A dirt hiking trail with exposed tree roots and sunlight filtering through a dense, green Nashville forest.
A gravel path curves along a grassy field bordered by trees under a Nashville sky, where large, dramatic clouds drift above.
A gravel path curves through a grassy field bordered by trees under a partly cloudy Nashville sky.
Two people smiling and posing for a selfie on a forest trail near Nashville, with green foliage and trees in the background.
A woman stands on a rocky, mossy trail in a forest near Nashville, wearing a blue shirt, black pants, light blue shoes, and a sweatshirt draped over her head and shoulders.
A park scene in Nashville with people on a grassy field, trees with green leaves, cars parked on the right, and an American flag on a pole under a partly cloudy sky.
A smiling couple poses for a photo on a gravel path beside a green field near Nashville, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Close-up of a rough, textured rock surface with patches of soil and small bits of vegetation around the edges, capturing the rugged natural beauty often found in the Nashville area.
A tall stone chimney stands on a concrete foundation amidst a green Nashville forest, surrounded by trees and dense foliage.
A man in a NASA t-shirt stands on a large fallen log in a forest near Nashville, flexing his arms and smiling. The scene is bright and surrounded by green trees.
A tall, stone outdoor fireplace or chimney stands alone in a green forest near Nashville, surrounded by trees and dense vegetation.
Dirt hiking trail in a Nashville forest, with exposed tree roots and layered rock formations along the path, surrounded by green trees.
A dirt trail winds through a green forest near Nashville, with tall trees and dense vegetation on both sides under natural daylight.

Ending with a Bang at Hattie B’s

After years of hearing about Hattie B’s, we FINALLY made it there – and wow, just wow! Rich got their chicken sandwich while I went for the tenders, and that breading? Absolute perfection!

Now, y’all know me – I’m what Rich lovingly calls his “side chick” because I could honestly make a whole meal just out of sides. We tried the fries, baked beans, and potato salad, and every single one was amazing. But hold onto your hats, folks – the banana pudding for dessert? Heaven in a cup!

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a light purple hoodie and dark shirt, sits at a table in a casual Nashville dining area, smiling at the camera.
A man sitting at a metal table in Nashville holds a red drink cup and smiles. Behind him are red picnic tables, umbrellas, and string lights in an indoor setting.
Crinkle-cut fries and a Nashville fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and pickles sit atop red checkered paper, served with a black plastic fork and a red cup.
A Nashville fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and pickles, crinkle-cut fries, and a container of ranch sauce served on a red-and-white checkered paper-lined basket.
A person sits at a metal table indoors in Nashville, sipping a drink from a red cup with a straw. Red benches, umbrellas, and string lights are visible in the background.
Nashville-style fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and pickles on a bun, served alongside crinkle-cut fries in a red and white checkered basket.
A serving of Nashville fried chicken on toast with pickles, baked beans in a red cup, and a bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley on a gray table.
A tray with Nashville fried chicken on white bread, two pickle slices, a cup of baked beans, a cup of applesauce, and plastic utensils on red checkered paper.
A hand holds a cup labeled "Hattie B's Hot Chicken" filled with classic Nashville banana pudding, vanilla wafers, and a spoon scooping out a portion.
A cup of banana pudding with a black spoon sits next to two drink cups on a table at Nashville’s Hattie B’s Chicken restaurant.
A person holding a partially eaten piece of Nashville fried chicken, showing the white meat and crispy breading.

This day trip was seriously one for the books! If you’re planning your own Nashville adventure, definitely put these spots on your list. The combination of amazing food and that gorgeous hike made for the perfect day. We’re already planning our next trip back! We started our day with some mouthwatering brunch at a local hotspot, and then we headed to the trails where the breathtaking views took our breath away. To top it all off, this trip also served as a memorable 30th birthday celebration in Nashville, making it even more special. We’re already reminiscing about the live music and vibrant culture, and can’t wait to explore even more on our next visit!

And trust me on this one – put Hattie B’s at the top of your must-try list. You can thank me later! 😉

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