🏖️ Our favorite beach destinations

🍕 The Best Pizza in Nashville

Who’s got the best pizza in Nashville? On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we share our favorite local pizza places, from the best slices to late-night musts and stomach-tested gluten-free options. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

💰 Judge Rules in Nashville’s Favor

Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must reinstate $14 million in grants awarded to Nashville for infrastructure improvements that include expanding electrical vehicle charging stations and adding protected bike lanes. Nashville joined five other cities and several nonprofits in the lawsuit. A second lawsuit regarding public health funding has yet to be ruled on. [The Tennessean]

🧑‍⚖️ Foster Care Kids Sue State

Thirteen children currently in foster care are suing the state, claiming the Dept. of Children’s Services fails to protect the children under its care, and describing unsafe conditions. There are more than 9,000 children in Tennessee’s foster care system. [NewsChannel 5]

📰 State Executes First Prisoner Under New Protocol

Today, Tennessee will execute its first prisoner since adopting a new lethal injection protocol. Oscar Smith, convicted of murdering his ex-wife and her two teenage sons, received a reprieve from Gov. Lee in 2020 so a different protocol could be developed. Courts are currently considering a lawsuit claiming the new lethal injection protocol is unconstitutional. Lee denied an additional reprieve despite the lawsuit. [Nashville Banner]

Summer is almost here, which means it’s beach season! While Tennessee is landlocked, vacationing at the beach is still a favorite destination. Here are our favorite beaches that take less than 10 hours to drive to from Nashville.

For Gulf Coast beaches, I recommend driving through Alabama, which is faster and has less traffic. Birmingham makes for a nice stop along the way, and I’d put Alligator Alley on your to-do list, if feeding alligators sounds fun to you!

Florida Beaches

Pensacola

Drive time: 6 hours, 51 minutes

This was my first vacation with my spouse, and when we went then, the beach was mostly empty. It’s entirely different now! However, I still love Pensacola’s beaches, and the city’s downtown area is charming. There are lots of locally-owned restaurants to choose from, and I’ve never had any issues finding gluten-free or vegetarian options.

Destin & 30A

Drive time: 7 hours

Destin and beaches along Highway 30A are perhaps the most popular beaches to visit for Nashvillians, in no small part because they’re so close! I see debates online about which 30A beach is best, and honestly, I don’t think it matters much. You’ll likely find yourself traveling up and down the beachfront highway to visit restaurants and attractions that interest you.

Panama City Beach

Drive time: 7 hours, 14 minutes

This is possibly the Gulf’s busiest beach, but it’s also packed with things to do. My sister loves to go here for its bustling nightlife and plentiful shopping, while I like the two state parks.

Port St. Joe

Drive time: 8 hours, 11 minutes

My favorite part of Port St. Joe is the wildlife. I saw so many dolphins, birds, alligators, and other marine creatures on my visit there, and it’s also a quiet beach with tons of seashells. My least favorite part was also the wildlife, namely, a variety of biting insects! If you go here, bring insect repellent, and I recommend a day trip to St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge (which inspired Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach series!).