What I Packed: Cold Weather in the South (Nashville, TN)

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Ashley Rossi traveled to Nashville courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

Where: Nashville, Tennessee

When: November 18-23

Packing Challenge: I wanted to make sure I only took a carry-on as I was flying with United, and didn’t want to pay the checked bag fee, so my challenge was fitting a variety of outfits in just a carry-on.

Weather: Nashville is typically mild this time of year; however, it was colder in Nashville than it was Boston during my trip. The first day had monsoon-like rain, which luckily subsided shortly after I landed, but temperatures ranged from 30 to 55 degrees, with nighttime temperatures dipping just below freezing. During daytime in the sun, the days were pleasant; however, it was definitely unseasonably cold.

Type of Trip: I needed to pack for potential rainy days, walking tours, business causal dinners, nightlife, a play, two music shows, and travel days.

How Long: Four days on the ground with two half days spent traveling on either end.

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Mouse over the photos below for detailed explanations of the items I packed. Any time you see the Thinglink icon on a photo (bottom right), you can mouse over it to interact with the image.

What I Should Have Left Behind: As we were traveling by car I didn’t really need my rain jacket or umbrella, but the coat was a nice layer to have as I didn’t pack a proper winter jacket since the weather forecast did not predict temperatures as cold as they were.

What I Should Have Packed: A warmer jacket, gloves, and a winter hat as I was pretty cold walking around at some points in the day, and especially at night. I also wish I had packed an extra bag to check since we visited three whiskey distilleries and I would have loved to bring back a few bottles for Christmas gifts.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Things You Should Never Pack in Your Checked Bag
• The Ultimate Packing List
• 7 Ways to Protect Your Luggage

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ashley_stravel for more advice on travel hacks and destination ideas.

(Photos: Ashley Rossi)

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