Trip Tips: Kelsea Ballerini’s Guide to Nashville

By Katie Quine

Kelsea Ballerini didn't travel too far from her East Tennessee home when she moved to Nashville to pursue country music at the age of 15, but make no mistake, her journey to becoming one the genre's most successful breakout artists was hard-won. As the only female country artist in history to have three consecutive No. 1 hits on a debut album, she has not just carved out a space for herself in Music City, but for other women, too. Here are her favorite things to do around Nashville.   

IT'S DATE NIGHT! WHERE’S A FUN PLACE TO GO?

Morgan and I love trying new places when we are both in town for a date night. Our go-to is Virago — best sushi in town!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOODS TO VISIT?

12South is great because it's a little bit of everything in one place: restaurants, bars, shopping, a park, etc.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HONKY-TONK?

I haven't spent much time on Broadway, but I did hear a band cover "Peter Pan" at The Stage one time, and that was pretty awesome.

IN YOUR EYES, WHAT MAKES NASHVILLE UNIQUE?

It’s such a creative community! Being the heart of country music, I feel it brings a lot of powerful and creative people together, from actual musicians to directors to designers.

YOUR FRIENDS ONLY HAVE ONE DAY IN NASHVILLE. WHERE SHOULD THEY GO?

Be a total tourist! Go see live music somewhere, grab a drink on Broadway, stroll through the Country Music Hall of Fame, see a Preds game ...

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HIDDEN GEM IN NASHVILLE?

Franklin. It's only 30 minutes outside of downtown but feels like you're in another part of the country. So quaint and history-rich.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOUTIQUES?

Posh is my one and only. It has the cutest and trendiest stuff all in one place.

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GRAB A DRINK IN NASHVILLE?

There are so many cute little bars popping up around town. I feel like the trendy "scene" place is the L.A. Jackson rooftop, but I also love Patterson House and Henley for craft cocktails.

WHERE WOULD YOUR FANS MOST LIKELY RUN INTO YOU IN NASHVILLE?

At the park with my pup or just around Music Row writing and such.

OPRY ASIDE, WHAT MUSIC VENUES DO YOU ENJOY?

I love going to songwriters’ nights at The Bluebird or The Listening Room. It really inspires me when I hear people’s different perspectives through their songs.