Kimberly Garvey
From the Publisher:
I have a special announcement to share.
I am happy to introduce you to our new Editor, Nicole Brown. Nicole has worked with the magazine for more than five years, starting as an intern and working her way up through the editorial ranks. She has written for pretty much every department of our magazine, including some of our best cover features. I am so proud of her, and I cannot wait to see how she makes her mark on the magazine in the years to come. I can say that we are lucky to have her!
We have a new cover topic for you this month, too. You may wonder why a magazine about Nashville would do a feature on Franklin. Well, our Southern sister suburb is very much a part of our culture in Music City. Franklin makes up one of our largest subscriber bases, as well. I think that people in Franklin want to know what’s going on in Nashville. So, we thought it would be fun to return the favor by sharing our favorite Franklin attractions with our readers at large.
I hope this serves as a guide for you to spend a day exploring in Franklin. There’s a ton to see, and this is a great way to build your itinerary. Personally, I think downtown Franklin has a charm you cannot beat. In college, I house-sat down there regularly and really got to know the area. It feels like going back in time with its big sidewalks and the town square — it is a real slice of Americana. With wonderful restaurants and shopping, there are plenty of great ways to spend a spring Saturday. But there’s even more beyond downtown! Don’t miss Leiper’s Fork, which has long been a celebrity destination. Plus, Cool Springs and McEwen have more shopping than you can imagine. There are parks and historic homes to explore, too. We hope these pages inspire you to get out, explore, and send us your thoughts!
Thank you for reading!
Brian Barry
Kimberly Garvey
From the Editor:
You’re probably curious about the new face here, and with that I’d like to [very excitedly] introduce myself as the new Editor of Nashville Lifestyles! Although my title is new, if you’re a reader of our magazine you’ll likely recognize my name from the bylines. I’ve had the pleasure of writing for Nashville Lifestyles since I first began my career as an intern back in 2019. From there, I worked my way up to Assistant Editor and have fallen in love with this city that I call home in ways beyond my wildest dreams by writing about remarkable Nashvillians, incredible local businesses, all the latest happenings, and even some Music City-dwelling celebrities.
When I first moved to Nashville from Michigan nearly a decade ago, I never could have anticipated how much this city would evolve over the years, and how much I would grow with it (both personally and professionally). Nashville and the people who inhabit it inspire me every day. This city helped shape my own life story, and I could not be more honored to have this new role in sharing the stories of our city with all of you.
In the spirit of new beginnings, spring is in full bloom! And our May issue is full of ways to help you make the most of these warm weather days. For the ultimate nearby day trip, make the short drive to Franklin. In this issue, we’re bringing you some of the many things we love about this picturesque town — more than 100 of them, in fact. From shopping and dining to historic sights and small-town charm, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking to travel a bit further outside of town, we’ve got you covered with two gorgeously reimagined historic hotels, Hotel Bardo Savannah and The Hotel Chalet in Chattanooga. Both just an easy drive or a short flight away, these hotels provide an unforgettable stay for the perfect spring getaway. There are plenty of Music City happenings to fill your season with as well. In these pages, you’ll find new music, unbeatable eats, and some signature Nashville spring traditions like the annual Iroquois Steeplechase. We’ve also rounded up a few of our favorite margaritas in town to keep you cool as you soak up the sun. Plus, prepare for cuteness overload as you peruse our adorable Top Pet Photo Contest entries and meet this year’s sweet winner, George!
Enjoy this season, enjoy this issue, and be sure to share what you’d love to hear more of!
Nicole Brown