If you’re planning a family trip to Nashville, let me tell you, 72 hours is just enough to fall in love with the city. Between iconic Southern food, live music culture, and neighborhoods full of personality, Nashville is one of the best U.S. destinations for a quick food-focused getaway.

Here’s how we spent our 72 hours in Nashville with family, eating our way through the city while still keeping it fun for kids.

Day 1 — Biscuits, Scooters & Broadway Energy

We arrived early in the morning and went straight to brunch at Biscuit Love — and honestly, this is one of the best ways to start a Nashville trip.

Biscuit Love is famous for its Southern biscuit-focused menu and became nationally known after appearing on food TV shows. One of their signature items is the famous “Bonuts” (biscuit donuts), which helped put them on the map and made them a must-visit brunch spot in Nashville. 

After brunch, we grabbed scooters and explored the neighborhood. This was such a fun way to see Nashville’s vibe — and my nephew LOVED it. If you’re traveling with kids or teens, scooters are a great way to cover more ground while still feeling part of the city.

Next stop: Broadway Street — the heart of Nashville’s music culture.
This is where you’ll see the famous honky-tonk bars, live country music, and the full Nashville bohemian energy. Many venues allow kids with parents earlier in the day (often until early evening), making it possible to experience the music scene as a family. Broadway has been the center of Nashville’s live music culture for decades and is known worldwide for its nonstop performances.

If you’re looking for great live music, drinks, and rooftop views, you have to check out JBJ’s Nashville. Located right on Broadway, this multi-level live music bar brings high-energy performances all day and night, plus a fun party vibe that really feels like Nashville. The rooftop is one of the best parts — amazing views of Broadway and downtown, perfect for sunset drinks or late-night music with friends. It’s a great spot if you want that classic Nashville experience with live bands, good cocktails, and a lively crowd.

Day 2 — 12 South: Food, Shopping & Local Favorites

If you visit Nashville, you HAVE to spend time in 12 South.
This neighborhood is known for local boutiques, coffee shops, murals, and some of the city’s best restaurants. It’s walkable, stylish, and perfect for a relaxed brunch or shopping day. 

Urban Grub Brunch

We ended up having brunch at Urban Grub (because we couldn’t get into Buttermilk Ranch — more on that in a second).

Urban Grub is known for modern Southern cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood, high-quality meats, and elevated comfort dishes in a rustic-industrial space. It’s upscale but still very relaxed — perfect for a family brunch that feels special. 

Buttermilk Ranch (Book Ahead!)

This was our first choice, but the wait was 2.5 hours — yes, really.
The vibe looked amazing, so next time I’m 100% booking in advance.

Five Daughters Bakery — MUST STOP

Five Daughters Bakery is famous for their 100-Layer Donut, which is basically a croissant-donut hybrid made over multiple days. They focus on high-quality ingredients and creative flavors, which is why they’ve become one of Nashville’s most famous bakeries. 

Of course… we brought donuts back to Kansas City.

Day 3 — Culture, History & Photo SpotsThe Parthenon (Yes — In Nashville!)

Egg Drip — Korean Breakfast You Need to Try

One of my favorite surprises in Nashville was Egg Drip.This Korean-style breakfast spot is known for fluffy eggs, soft milk bread, and flavorful breakfast sandwiches inspired by Korean street food trends. It’s fast, comforting, and SO good — especially if you want something different from traditional Southern breakfast. 

We visited the Parthenon in Centennial Park, and it’s honestly stunning.It’s a full-scale replica of the original Greek Parthenon, originally built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Today it’s one of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks and perfect for photos. 

Vanderbilt University Area

We also stopped by Vanderbilt.Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt is one of the most respected private universities in the U.S. and adds a beautiful historic and academic vibe to the city. The campus and surrounding area are great for walking, coffee stops, and local shopping. 

Nashville Family Travel Tips

✔ Book brunch spots early — Especially Buttermilk Ranch
✔ Visit Broadway earlier in the day with kids
✔ Don’t skip 12 South — Food + shopping + photo spots
✔ Mix classic Southern food with new concepts (like Egg Drip)

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Final Thoughts — Quick Trip, Big Memories

This trip was quick but SO much fun. Nashville has this amazing mix of food, music, culture, and family-friendly experiences that makes you want to come back immediately.

We actually spent a lot of time enjoying the house where we stayed — and I’ll share that in my next blog post 👀

If you enjoyed this guide, I hope you like and share this blog post — and save it if you’re planning a Nashville trip.

I already can’t wait to go back and explore even more of this city.