Hi! Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday. This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same. Today I'm reflecting on our recent trip to Nashville. We had roughly 24 hours in the Music City and made the most of it!
My friend Debbie and I are both huge Ed Sheeran fans, so the minute he announced his Loop Tour, we started looking at the schedule to figure out which city would work best for us. After comparing dates and locations, Nashville quickly rose to the top of the list. We decided it would be even more fun to turn it into a little getaway, so we invited our husbands to come along. Before long, all the pieces had fallen into place, and our 24-hour Nashville adventure was officially on the calendar!
Nashville is only about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from our house, making it the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway. The plan was simple: hit the road Saturday morning, enjoy everything we could fit into our time in Music City, and head home Sunday afternoon. With just about 24 hours to explore, eat, laugh, and soak it all in, we were determined to make every minute count!
Our first stop was the iconic
Loveless Cafe, a Nashville landmark that's been serving Southern comfort food since 1951. Famous for its made-from-scratch biscuits, homemade preserves, and legendary fried chicken, it's one of those places that's worth visiting for the experience alone. We couldn't pass up the fried chicken, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and paired with all the classic Southern sides, it was a meal to remember. Of course, no visit to Loveless is complete without one of their warm, buttery biscuits slathered with homemade jam. It was the perfect way to begin our 24 hours in Music City.
After lunch, we headed to the hotel to get checked in and fresh up before the main event - the concert! We stayed at the
Motto Hotel by Hilton, a boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown Nashville. One of the biggest perks was its location; we were able to walk to the stadium, which made getting to and from the concert incredibly easy.
The rooms were definitely on the smaller side, but they were thoughtfully designed and had everything we needed for a one-night stay. Since hotel prices in downtown Nashville can be pretty steep, we felt like we found a great value. The combination of a clean, comfortable room and such a convenient location made it the perfect home base for our quick 24-hour Nashville adventure.
The concert started early and had three opening acts. We made our way to the stadium and had plenty of time to both enjoy two of the three openers and scope out the concessions and souvenirs. There's always something fun about the atmosphere before a big concert. Thousands of fans wearing Ed Sheeran T-shirts filled the stadium, everyone buzzing with anticipation and counting down the minutes until the main event. It was the perfect chance to grab a snack, snap a few photos, and take it all in before the lights dimmed and the real show began.
Before long, the lights dimmed, the crowd leaped to its feet, and Ed Sheeran appeared on stage. The stadium instantly erupted with cheers as thousands of fans sang, screamed, and welcomed him with deafening applause. It was one of those moments that gives you goosebumps.
He was everything we had hoped for and more. With just his guitar, his incredible loop pedal, and an endless amount of talent and energy, he captivated the entire stadium from the very first song. His vocals were flawless, his storytelling between songs felt genuine and personal, and he had a way of making a stadium full of people feel like an intimate performance. Every song had the crowd singing at the top of their lungs, and it was impossible not to smile while taking it all in. It was one of those concerts that reminds you why live music is such a special experience.
After an incredible three-hour performance, we walked out of the stadium even bigger Ed Sheeran fans than when we walked in. Every minute of the show was packed with hit after hit, and his energy never seemed to fade. It's amazing to watch one person command a stadium with nothing more than extraordinary talent, a guitar, and a loop pedal.
As we joined the sea of happy concertgoers making their way through downtown Nashville, we couldn't stop talking about our favorite moments and songs. The entire trip had been worth it for those three unforgettable hours. If Ed ever announces another tour within driving distance, you can bet we'll be trying to get tickets again. It was a concert we'll be talking about for years to come.
We kicked off Sunday morning with breakfast at another one of our Nashville favorites—Puckett's. Whenever we're in town, it's one of those places we always hope to visit. The welcoming atmosphere, Southern hospitality, and hearty comfort food make it the perfect way to start the day. After the excitement of the concert the night before, it was nice to slow down, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and relive all our favorite moments from the show.
After breakfast, we made our way to the
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. We'd walked past it countless times on previous trips to Nashville but had never taken the time to go inside. This visit finally gave us the perfect opportunity, and we're so glad we did.
The museum is a dream for anyone who loves country music. We spent our time wandering through the exhibits, taking in the incredible collection of memorabilia, stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, instruments, awards, and artifacts that tell the story of country music through the decades. It was fascinating to see pieces connected to so many legendary artists, as well as today's biggest stars. Every turn seemed to reveal another display that made us stop, read, and reminisce about songs and performers we've loved over the years.
If you've never been inside, I highly recommend adding it to your Nashville itinerary. Even if you're only a casual country music fan, the museum does an excellent job of showcasing the history, artistry, and impact of the genre.
Before heading home, we made one final stop in Nashville's charming 12South District for a little retail therapy. With its locally owned boutiques, colorful murals, and inviting atmosphere, it's one of my favorite neighborhoods to stroll. Even if you don't buy a thing, it's a fun place to wander and soak up the Nashville vibe.
Sometimes you don't need a week-long vacation to make wonderful memories. Our 24 hours in Nashville were packed with delicious food, great shopping, incredible music, and lots of laughter, but the very best part was getting to share it all with dear friends. From singing along at the top of our lungs during the Ed Sheeran concert to chatting over breakfast and exploring the city together, every moment reminded me that it's the people you're with who make a trip truly special. Nashville gave us another unforgettable weekend, and I'm already looking forward to the next adventure we can take together!
Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!
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