No matter the time of year, Nashville offers its share of stellar activities to help us salute the season — but particularly when it comes to celebrating the crisp, cool days of autumn. From fall festivals and farmers’ 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.
Nashville has plenty of fall activities to dig into! Image: Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
Head to the Fairlane Hotel’s 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 — the foliage, the harvest decor, and yes, a whole lot of pumpkin spice! Dubbed “Falling for Fairlane,” 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 “Apple-Y Ever After,” “Not Your Mother’s Mulled Wine,” and a seasonal shot called “B-Autumns Up,” you’ll 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 Fairlane’s 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.
Fall in love with the season at the Fairlane Hotel penthouse pop-up. Image: Casey Jason for the Fairlane Hotel
Sample seasonal menu offerings.
There’s no shortage of local restaurants transitioning into their fall menus, and we’re 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 Nicky’s 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 Ellington’s, the baby back ribs with squash BBQ, pumpkin seeds, and pecans at Husk, and the mascarpone cheesecake with pumpkin-caramel sauce at Deacon’s 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!
A seasonal spread, like this one at Ellington’s, is sure to get you into the seasonal spirit. Image: Instagram
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Take a tour of seasonal brews.
Whether you’re 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 “chaider,” a comforting blend of chai latte and apple cider. If you’re 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 Brewing’s 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 you’re a cider fan, Diskin Cider is serving up Resolution, a cinnamon spice option that’s tasty whether you’re drinking it hot or cold.
A cozy fire and a seasonal brew? Yes, please!
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 Día 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.
Cheekwood welcomes fall in all its glory. Image: Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
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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 farmers’ market vendors, hear live music, and shop gorgeous produce. There’s even a spot for families to peruse pumpkins and take fall photos. If you’re hungry, you can grab everything from Japanese BBQ to pizza, and the selection of baked goods is out of this world. 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 farmers’ markets around town, too, from Richland Park to Donelson. For additional local options, check out our 2021 Guide to Nashville Farmers’ Markets.
Shop pumpkins and gourds, pick up a fall flower arrangement, take a few family portraits, and feast on fantastic food at Hunters Community Market.
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