Jason & I love to travel, but sometimes it’s just not feasible. This summer we are heading out in and around Nashville, to discover some local eats, treats and interesting finds off the beaten path. There are so many things just 30 miles from us that we have yet to explore. I can’t wait to get started! Won’t you join me as I become a Tourist in My Hometown…

I started out grabbing a bite of lunch at Vui’s Kitchen. It’s a Vietnamese restaurant located in the Berry Hill neighborhood, at 2832 Bransford Ave. in close proximity to 100 Oaks and I-65. Their second location is on 1120 4th Ave. N. Ste 101. Their food was fresh, fast and very flavorful. I ordered the lettuce wraps with tofu (I wished I had more of that yummy filling!), and the vegan pho with tofu. It was so fragrant and delicious! I would definitely eat that on a cold winters day…well any day really! The bowl was huge and they give you lots of food!

They also sell smoothies, juice, wine and beer as well as soft drinks (or “fizzies” as Jason & I like to call them), and coconut water in a whole coconut. Their hours are 11AM-9PM Mon-Sun. and make sure to get there early! Parking is limited and street parking is non-existent.

After lunch, I was in the mood for a sweet treat. I headed over to Historic East Nashville to The Pied Piper Creamery. They are located at 114 South 11th Street, Nashville, TN.

The Pied Piper is located in a cute house with squeaky wooden floors. Once inside I saw funky artwork, and several Rowdy Roddy Piper toys.

Some of the flavors on rotation are: Batter Up! — Brownie Batter ice cream with brownie chunks and walnuts, Blondes Have More Fun — White Chocolate custard with Blondie Brownie bites, Blutopia — Blueberry Cheesecake, Campfire Cobbler — Vanilla with a Peach-Raspberry cobbler swirl, Charmed, I’m Sure — Vanilla with White Chocolate Lucky Charms pieces, Chocolate Sorbet, Doh! — Vanilla with Cookie Dough bits, Extra Krispy — Vanilla with Rice Krispies Treat pieces, The Hot Light Is On! — Sherbet with Krispy Kreme donut pieces, How Dew You Dew? — Mountain Dew Sorbet , Snoop Dizzle Sorbizzle — Gin & Juice sorbet, Trailer Trash — Vanilla with Oreo, Twix, Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch, Snickers, M&Ms, and Reese’s Pieces, Vegan Coconut, and Ziggy Starcrunch — Chocolate with Little Debbie Star Crunch pieces and a caramel swirl. (flavors and descriptions per the Pied Piper Creamery website). The Pied Piper shares space with FairyTales. A book, toy, and arts & crafts store. It’s a perfect place to grab a fun book or toy.

I decided to get the strawberry basil sorbet on a sugar cone & it was delicious! It hit the spot in the Tennessee heat & humidity!

Parking is scarce. That’s kind of a given for East Nashville. I parked on the street two blocks away, and was in and out quickly.

Located just two blocks from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital at 2400 Blakemore Ave, is Fanny Mae Dees Park, also known as Dragon Park. It’s free and open to the public. It’s a great place to have a picnic lunch, or just walk around and admire the giant dragon slithering inside the playground. Here you will find picnic tables, pavilions, clean restrooms, tennis courts and a playground accessible for all abilities including swings that are wheelchair accessible.

And last, but certainly not least, check out Five Daughter’s Bakery. Their Nashville doughnut shops are located in the 12 South area at 1110 Caruthers Ave, Nashville, TN 37204, and in East Nashville, at 1900 Eastland Ave Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37206. Their hours are:

Monday – Friday: 7am – 10pm (or till sold out)

Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 10pm (or till sold out)

*They do have locations elsewhere such as Franklin, and Georgia & Florida, but the focus this summer is Nashville).

They have several seasonal flavors such as 100 layer Strawberry and Chocolate Eclair (think of those ice cream bars you used to get when you were in school), and lemon poppyseed. They also have Vegan and Paleo items. Usually 3-4 different flavors each, but call ahead for those as they do run out quickly. They also sell cinnamon buns, cookies and popovers.

Pictured L-R: 100 layer strawberry eclair, vegan lemon poppyseed, 100 layer chocolate eclair & vegan strawberry iced.

I hope you enjoyed the first week of Nashville, in my 2019 summer series.

It doesn’t cost much, and you never know what you will find. So get out, and become a tourist in your hometown!©

xoxo,

Neely