Nashville Winter Bucket List
Have you been dreaming about Nashville but don't wanna brave the summer heat? Are you a local Nashvillian who needs some ideas on what to do this winter season? Let's get in the holiday spirit with my recommendations for a Nashville Winter Bucket List.
It goes without saying that most of these activities are centered around the Christian holiday of Christmas. I love this season of tradition for the excitement of getting together with loved ones, sweet treats, smell of firewood burning, and and beautiful decorations. Just know that when you come to Morgo Goes, all are welcome and can enjoy these recommendations. No matter what religion you practice.
Camp Bobby Igloos
Photo Cred: Bobby Hotel
This years theme for the rooftop igloos of the Bobby Hotel is Camp Bobby. Every year they set up these insulated domes and a couple of heated cabins open for reservations. This is absolutely a must do if you are here when they are up! The prices are kind outrageous. So just pop in during the times and hang in between the igloos. There is a walk up bar you can order from and enjoy the fires, ice skating rink, or 70's inspired camp area. If you are in town for NYE, this is the perfect hotel to stay in for the evening downtown. Pet friendly and close to all the action!
Themed Pop Up Bars: Nashville Winter Bucket List
Along with the igloos at Camp Bobby, there are so many local bars converting their space into winter wonderlands, Apres Ski Lounges, and Misfit Toy Islands. Listed below are the themes and where they are located.
Babes in Toyland Pop Up at Virgin Hotel Rooftop- Virgin Hotel
Christmas Vacation Pop Up at Hidden Bar- Noelle Hotel, opens November 24th
Chalet 27 Pop Up Bar- French Apres-ski vibe, L27 on top of the Westin Hotel
Reindeer Games Pop Up Bar- HQ Beercade until Jan 1st
Elf Themed Pop Up Bar- Parlour Bar in the Dream Hotel
Candy Cane Jane's- Jane's Hideaway in Printers Alley until Christmas Eve
Miracle Pop Up Bar- Pearl Diver
Snow Birds- Rare Bird on the Noelle rooftop
Holiday Tiki Bar- Chopper in East
An Ol Fashioned Christmas at the Holston House
A Caked Christmas Movie Series at Layer Cake
Grand Ol' Opry
Photo Cred: Visit Music City
The main event everyone thinks of during Christmas time is The Opry. Gaylord Opryland Resort gets all decked out in lights and decor every year. This year, they have Opry Country Christmas, a concert series for the Christian holiday of Navidad aka Christmassss. They also have ice skating, ice bumper cars, and tubing. Lights are up until January 3rd and free to just walk around! And if you’re looking for a kid friendly option for little ones, head to ICE, a Rudolf themed room completely made of ICE! Click here to learn more about the team they brought in from China to build it.
Staycation at Urban Cowboy
My favorite time of year to visit Urban Cowboy is in the winter. They deck OUT their lounge/bar rooms and keep the fireplaces rolling. The smell of firewood continues outside to their bar in the back where they sling winterized cocktails and NOW Roberta’s wood-fire pizza. Check out my full blog post about my staycation at Urban Cowboy!
Holiday Lights
If you are a light lover, check out these amazing events that are, for the most part, drive thru events. Here is also a shuttle service that will take you around to all of them so you can catch a buzz.
Drive Thru- Hendersonville (November 28-December 20th)
Franktown Festival of Lights in Franklin
Dancing Lights of Christmas in Lebanon
Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo
Holiday Shopping
Tis the season for gift giving. I usually try to gift experiences or some sort of memory building. But in the chance that we exchange gifts, I like to buy local. Wanna know the best places to grab gifts from small businesses around town?! Check out this gift shopping guide here.
Santa's Pub
Photo Cred: On The Grind Blog
Santa’s Pub is a Nashville classic. This year round karaoke, cash only double wide is known well by the locals. It's always a good time as you can imagine. Open everyday from 4pm-2:30 am. Maybe you'll get lucky and get to meet Nashville's real Santa! Not into drinking?! I don’t blame you, take it more PG with Tea with Santa at the Holston House.
Catch a Predator's Game
Photo Cred: Bridgestone Arena
If you haven't been to a hockey game in your life, do yourself a favor and go! I had never been to a hockey game until moving to Nashville and I can say this is one of those things that makes Nashville unique. Even if you aren't a sports guy... the energy alone is contagious... and there's beer…
LOCAL TIP: Check out the Gametime app for last minute ticket sales or book a general admission ticket. The general admission tickets are only $20, and most games are not full. Spend the first half catching the game from the upper level bars that are open to watch standing. Then creep down into the lower level towards the end of the game for prime seats, aka the season ticket holder's seats who didn't attend this specific game.
Ice Skate at Ford Ice Center
Photo Cred: NHL
Wanting to ice skate, but don't want to pay Opryland prices?! Check out the Ford Ice Center . This is the same rink that the Predators (Nashville's NHL team) use to practice on! So, grab your ungraceful friends, $10, and yo fleece lined leggings to watch people wipe out haha. There is usually free skate options at Centennial Sportsplex as well.
Christmas Tree Farm
I am a real tree lover. I grew up with live trees in the house, and nothing makes it feel more like the season than the smell of pine sap. Here are a few tree farms you can visit during the holiday season…
Rhonda & Chris's Treeland- Watertown, TN (47 min from downtown)
Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm- Murfreesboro, TN (40 min from downtown)
Other spots offering already cut trees- 12 South patch next to Frothy Monkey and White Bridge Road across from Target
Go Skiing
Photo Cred: Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide
Obviously, Nashville is not in a mountain town. If it snows, it rarely sticks. So, there is no good skiing within the immediate region. I have asked a few avid ski friends what ski resorts are in driving distance to Nashville and this is what she told me…
Ski Beech Mountain Resort- Beech Mountain, NC (5ish hr drive)
Cataloochee Ski Area- Maggie Valley, NC (4 1/2 hr drive)
Paoli Peaks- Paoli, IN (3 1/2 hr drive)
Sugar Mountain- near Beech Mountain, NC (5ish hr drive)
Coffee Shop Hop
I spend a lot of the winter checking out different coffee shops in town. They usually have fires going and nothing warms the bones like a cold cup of go go juice. Check out my full list of Nashville's best coffee shops here.
Other Events: Nashville Winter Bucket List
Photo Cred: Christmas Market Guides
One of my favorite things about living in Nashville is that there is always something to do. Here are a list of ones I would hit up but check out the full list of what is going down on Nashville Guru’s Event page here.
Holiday Events
Non-Holiday Events
Nashville Scene Taco Week- December 6th-12th
Other tips I have for visiting Nashville in the winter are to bring layers (could be 50 degrees one day and then -20 the next), pack an umbrella, and have the best time celebrating the season with your loved ones/on your Nashville trip! And there you have it.. my Nashville Winter Bucket List. If you missed winter, check out all the other seasons bucket lists!
