What’s New in Nashville: 5 Ways to Celebrate Fall
Autumn is officially here! From fall-forward menus to farmers' markets stocked with seasonal produce, Music City is helping us celebrate the season. Image: Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
No matter the time of year, Nashville offers its share of stellar activities to help us salute the season β but particularly when it comes to celebrating the crisp, cool days of autumn. From fall festivals and farmersβ markets to specialty fall beverages and local restaurant offerings brimming with seasonal produce, autumn in Music City is something to get excited about! Here are six ways to make the best of this beautiful season.
Head to the Fairlane Hotelβs Fall Penthouse Pop-Up.
The penthouse pop-up at the Fairlane is back and better than ever, featuring all the cozy goodness of the season β the foliage, the harvest decor, and yes, a whole lot of pumpkin spice! Dubbed βFalling for Fairlane,β you can expect sweet and savory menu items like goat cheese and pear tartlet, pumpkin-spiced donut holes, and mini candy corn tiered cake. And the cocktails. Oh, the cocktails! With catchy, kitschy names like βApple-Y Ever After,β βNot Your Motherβs Mulled Wine,β and a seasonal shot called βB-Autumns Up,β youβll be amused and satisfied at the same time. Plus, the space is ideal for fall photoshoots, and the Fairlane has thought of that, too. To check availability and pricing, reach out to Fairlaneβs Events and Sales Coordinator, Jordi Tornatore, at [email protected]. The fall pop-up runs through October 31, and the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sample seasonal menu offerings.
Thereβs no shortage of local restaurants transitioning into their fall menus, and weβre here for it. From butternut squash to cozy caramel, indulge in all of the seasonal flavors your heart desires. Plus, you can find the perfect bite no matter your location, from the corn and scallop spaghetti at Nickyβs Coal Fired in The Nations to the lamb ragout and sage ravioli at Yellow Porch in Berry Hill. Additionally, you can find other fall-inspired indulgences like the whole fried fish with raw salsa verde at Zeppelin, the Harvest Risotto at Ellingtonβs, the baby back ribs with squash BBQ, pumpkin seeds, and pecans at Husk, and the mascarpone cheesecake with pumpkin-caramel sauce at Deaconβs New South. Not to mention, the brand new Church & Union offers beautiful fall dishes such as burrata, asparagus, and country ham with pistachio pesto and peperonata. It appears the Music City restaurant scene is as obsessed with autumn as we are, so get out and take advantage of it!
RELATED: 4 New Nashville Restaurants & Concepts + 2 Coming Soon! (Updated September 2021)
Take a tour of seasonal brews.
Whether youβre embracing the chill with a cup of coffee or staking your claim on an outdoor patio so you can sip seasonal craft beer and watch the leaves fall, Music City is the perfect place for both types of brew. Wrap your hands around a Campfire at Dusk Latte from The Loading Dock (featuring graham crackers), a Lumberjack Latte from Just Love Coffee (a blend of maple, cinnamon, and caramel), or the Autumn Toffee Latte from District Coffee. Equally exciting and cozy, Red Bicycle wows with both the pumpkin cream cold brew and the βchaider,β a comforting blend of chai latte and apple cider. If youβre looking to kick back and relax with a flavorful local craft brew, head to Southern Grist for the Listen Up, Butternut, a butternut donut-inspired milk stout, Fat Bottom Brewery for the Smoked Pumpkin Porter, or Yee-Haw Brewingβs Yee-Haw Oktoberfest. At Yahoo Brewing, you can savor a Goo Goo Ale brewed with cocoa nibs, peanut butter, and vanilla beans to channel the flavors of the legendary local sweet treat Goo Goo Clusters. New Heights Brewing offers a coffee and cream ale, and if youβre a cider fan, Diskin Cider is serving up Resolution, a cinnamon spice option thatβs tasty whether youβre drinking it hot or cold.
Marvel at Cheekwood Harvest.
Experience Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in all its autumn glory at Cheekwood Harvest, which runs until October 31. The festival offers fall fun for all ages with life-sized pumpkin houses, scarecrows, and gardens filled with chrysanthemums. Attend activities such as the Halloween Pooch Parade and costume contest on October 23, as well as the El DΓa de Los Muertos celebration on October 30 and 31. Plus, you can listen to live music in the beer garden, hit up the local food trucks, participate in art and garden workshops, and enjoy the beautiful weather by signing up for an outdoor wellness class. Visit cheekwood.org to purchase tickets and learn more about Cheekwood Harvest, sponsored by CapStar Bank.
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Hit up the Hunters Community Market for some fall produce.
The East Nashville Hunters Community Market is the perfect place to support local artisans and chefs and find seasonal goodies galore. On the first Saturday of every month, you can head out to 975 Main Street to browse farmersβ market vendors, hear live music, and shop gorgeous produce. Thereβs even a spot for families to peruse pumpkins and take fall photos. If youβre hungry, you can grab everything from Japanese BBQ to pizza, and the selection of baked goods is out of this world.Β Try the Hot Somali Sambusas and chai from The Horn Coffee, hot apple cider from cold-pressed juice company Roots Juice and Pops, and pick up a pumpkin whoopie pie with salted buttercream from Mountain Laurel Bake Shop. Talk about a great way to spend your fall afternoon! Of course, Nashville has plenty of other farmersβ markets around town, too, from Richland Park to Donelson. For additional local options, check out our 2021 Guide to Nashville Farmersβ Markets.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.