Good coffee, a little art, and the pleasure of your own company.
MYNASHVILLE MAGAZINE | LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
There is something quietly wonderful about taking yourself on a date. No coordinating schedules, no debating where to eat, and no pressure to make the day particularly exciting. Just a few hours to yourself, doing exactly what you feel like doing.
In a city like Nashville, where there’s almost always somewhere to be and something happening, it’s easy to forget how lovely an ordinary afternoon can feel. We spend so much time making plans with other people that we sometimes overlook the pleasure of exploring our own city alone. And while Nashville is known for its lively music scene and bustling social calendar, some of its best experiences are the quieter ones.
Whether you’re looking to romanticize your weekend, reconnect with yourself, or simply enjoy a Saturday without an agenda, consider this your invitation to take yourself out.
9:30 AM | Start With a Really Good Coffee
Every good solo date deserves a slow morning, preferably with a latte and absolutely nowhere to rush off to.
Start at Frothy Monkey, a familiar Nashville favorite with locations throughout the city. Order your usual, find a comfortable seat, and give yourself permission to stay a little longer than necessary. Bring a book you’ve been meaning to finish, write a few thoughts in your journal, or simply enjoy your coffee without reaching for your phone every five minutes.
There’s something especially comforting about being surrounded by the gentle hum of a coffee shop while having no obligation to participate in anyone else’s conversation. It’s a small luxury, but one worth making time for.
The best part of a solo coffee date is that you get to set the pace. Order another cup if you want one. Stay for breakfast. Take the long way home. For once, the morning belongs entirely to you.
11:00 AM | Get Lost in a Bookstore
Once you’ve finished your coffee, make your way to Parnassus Books in Green Hills. An independent Nashville bookstore with a devoted local following, Parnassus is the kind of place where an intended fifteen-minute visit can easily become an hour.
Browse the fiction shelves, pick up a beautiful hardcover, or explore a genre you wouldn’t normally reach for. There’s no need to arrive knowing exactly what you’re looking for. In fact, that’s part of the fun.
Bookstores have a way of making an afternoon feel a little more intentional. They encourage us to slow down, become curious, and enjoy discovering something simply because it interests us.
Treat yourself to a new book, even if you already have three waiting at home. Consider it a souvenir from a very good date.
1:00 PM | Spend the Afternoon With Art
One of the loveliest things you can do alone is visit an art museum. There’s no need to move through the exhibits at anyone else’s pace, explain why you like a particular painting, or pretend to understand something that doesn’t resonate with you.
For an afternoon of art and inspiration, visit the Frist Art Museum in downtown Nashville. Known for its rotating exhibitions and beautiful Art Deco architecture, the Frist offers an opportunity to experience something different with each visit.
Take your time wandering through the galleries. Read the descriptions that interest you, skip the ones that don’t, and allow yourself to linger in front of whatever catches your attention. You might discover a new favorite artist, find inspiration for a creative project, or simply enjoy an hour away from the noise of everyday life.
And if you’re in the mood for something a little less structured, Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood is another wonderful place to explore the city’s creative side. Home to galleries and artist spaces, the area offers a glimpse into the local art community beyond the city’s famous music scene.
Sometimes, the most memorable part of a solo date is discovering something you never would have thought to look for.
3:30 PM | Take the Scenic Route
After a few hours indoors, give yourself a little fresh air.
Nashville has plenty of beautiful places to wander, but Centennial Park is especially lovely for an unhurried afternoon. Walk around the lake, admire the Parthenon, or find a quiet bench and open the book you picked up earlier.
You don’t need to turn your walk into a workout or worry about how many steps you’ve taken. Let it be exactly what it is: a chance to move your body, clear your mind, and enjoy the city around you.
If you’re feeling particularly reflective, leave your headphones in your bag. Listen to the sounds of the park, notice the changing seasons, and enjoy the rare pleasure of having nowhere else you need to be.
It’s amazing how restorative an ordinary walk can feel when you’re not treating it as another task to complete.
6:00 PM | Make a Dinner Reservation for One
There’s a certain confidence that comes with sitting down at a restaurant and asking for a table for one.
Not because dining alone needs to be some grand act of independence, but because there’s something genuinely enjoyable about choosing a restaurant simply because you want to eat there.
For a relaxed evening, consider Barcelona Wine Bar in Edgehill, where the tapas-style menu makes it easy to build a dinner around a few things you’re craving. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, explore one of Nashville’s neighborhood restaurants and find a comfortable spot at the bar.
Order an appetizer. Try something new. Enjoy dessert if you feel like it.
And most importantly, resist the urge to spend the entire meal scrolling through your phone. People-watch a little. Enjoy the atmosphere. Appreciate the fact that you don’t have to entertain anyone, make conversation, or rush through your meal.
A good dinner doesn’t require company to be memorable.
8:00 PM | End the Evening on Your Own Terms
Perhaps you stop for ice cream on the way home. Maybe you take a short drive through your favorite neighborhood with the windows down and a good playlist. Or perhaps you head straight home, change into something comfortable, and spend the rest of the evening watching a movie.
There’s no perfect way to end a solo date, which is exactly what makes it so enjoyable.
You can make the day as elaborate or as simple as you’d like. Spend the entire afternoon exploring Nashville, or choose just one stop and call it a success. The point isn’t to fill every hour with an activity. It’s to remember that your own company is worth making plans for.
A Little Reminder to Date Yourself More Often
It’s easy to associate our favorite experiences with the people we share them with. Dinner dates, weekend adventures, coffee runs, and trips to the museum often become things we wait to do until someone else is available.
But Nashville is just as beautiful when you experience it on your own.
There are books waiting to be discovered, galleries worth wandering through, new restaurants to try, and familiar streets that look a little different when you’re not rushing somewhere.
So the next time you find yourself with a free afternoon, don’t feel obligated to fill it with errands or wait for someone to join you. Put on an outfit you love, take yourself somewhere nice, and enjoy a few hours in your own company.
You might be surprised by just how good of a date you can be.