Travel Tennessee 33 Best Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee The ultimate guide for a trip to the Music City. By Kristin Luna Kristin Luna Kristin Luna is a travel writer and photographer with 20 years of magazine experience writing about food, travel, home design, and public art. The Tennessee native started her career in New York in the early 2000s at Newsweek, Time Inc., and Conde Nast; she has since written 15 guidebooks and contributed to more than 50 national titles, including Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Garden & Gun. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 14, 2024 Close Photo: ROBBIE CAPONETTO Nashville’s Honky Tonk culture makes it a favorite among bachelorette parties, friend groups, and those who simply travel for a good time. With live music pulsing through the city 24/7—no really, there’s rarely a time you’ll stroll the streets without live music emanating from Broadway’s many multi-level bars, restaurants and honky tonks—it’s the perfect destination for those looking for round-the-clock fun. But there’s more to Music City than the thrum of Lower Broad and Downtown. The city’s tourist draws have spilled over into neighboring commerce districts like East Nashville, with its plethora of concept bars and indie shops, and Wedgewood-Houston, home to tech hubs, SoHo House, and plenty of spots to quench your thirst—Diskin Cider, Nashville Craft Distillery, and Jackalope Brewing Co.’s The Ranch, to name a few. The Nations has long been a bastion of more affordable housing for young families and entrepreneurs, but it’s now a place to eat, drink, and see art too. Its adjacent Charlotte Avenue corridor could not be more vibrant thanks to the evolution of adaptive re-use developments like L&L Market and Sylvan Supply. All that, and Nashville’s food scene is absolutely not to be missed. The Best Time To Visit Nashville For Every Type Of Traveler 01 of 33 Attend A Live Show At The Opry Tony R. Phipps / Contributor / Getty There are few experiences that are more Nashville than attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry, which bears the distinction of being the longest-running radio broadcast in the world and has multiple shows a week year-round. Formatted like a variety show, the Opry puts musical royalty like the Oak Ridge Boys and Carrie Underwood on the lineup alongside newcomers, many taking the circle for the first time. It’s a great opportunity to see your favorites while learning about the next generation of country stars. Grand Ole Opry; 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214; (615) 871-6779 02 of 33 Visit The Mother Church Of Country Music Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Built in 1892 as the home of the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Ryman Auditorium remains relatively unchanged in appearance and ambiance with its iconic pews holding as much history as the building itself. The home to the Opry in winter months, the Ryman also hosts shows from world-renowned acts like Foo Fighters and Harry Styles, comedians like Trevor Noah on tour, and live lectures and readings from visiting authors such as Michelle Obama. It’s also open to visitors daily. Ryman Auditorium; 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219; (615) 889-3060 03 of 33 Cover The City By E-Bike Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Getty While public transportation in Nashville is hard to come by, if you don’t have access to a car, you can easily rent a pedal-assist BCycle bike at one of 30+ docking stations and use the city’s growing number of bike lanes and paths to see Nashville from a different angle. 04 of 33 Go To A Dolly Parton-Themed Bar White Limozeen, a Dolly Parton-inspired rooftop bar at the Graduate Nashville hotel, is as fun and feminine as the icon herself. From the playful cocktail menu to the pink patio umbrellas and patio furniture, to the city views, the bar is practically begging for you to put it on Instagram. 05 of 33 See A Full-Scale Replica Of The Parthenon Chuck Koehler / Contributor / Getty One of Nashville’s greatest architectural marvels, the Parthenon is a replica of the Athens original that was built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition. It’s now the centerpiece of the 132-acre Centennial Park, which spans a walking trail, Lake Watauga, sports facilities, and gardens. The Parthenon; 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 862-8431 06 of 33 Enjoy A Free Outdoor Show Rick Diamond / Staff / Getty Visitors to Nashville get a front-row seat of all manners of music—from country and Americana to pop and gospel—and among the many outdoor concert options is Musicians Corner, a series of free shows in Centennial Park in late-spring and early-fall. Musicians Corner; 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 07 of 33 Take A Selfie In Front Of The State Capitol Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Getty Perched on a hill overlooking the downtown core, Tennessee’s State Capitol opened in 1859 and bears the distinction of being one of the oldest working capitols in the country. It’s open for guided tours on weekdays. Equally impressive to architecture buffs is the Neoclassical War Memorial, a concert venue that sits adjacent to the capitol. Tennessee State Capitol; 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 360-4326 08 of 33 Honor Civil Rights Heroes Paul Natkin / Contributor / Getty Pivotal to the civil rights movement, Nashville was the site of many sit-ins and protests. The stately downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library lays claim to a Civil Rights Room where you where you can read protestors’ Ten Rules of Conduct and learn more about the influence of key leaders like the late Congressman John Lewis. Nashville Public Library; 615 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219; (615) 862-5800 09 of 33 See The Witness Walls Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Art is a powerful storyteller, and the events that took place during the civil rights movement following the segregation of Davidson County Schools are visually depicted through the Witness Walls at Public Square Park beside the Historic Metro Courthouse. Witness Walls; 1 Public Sq, Nashville, TN 37201 10 of 33 Learn About Local History At The Tennessee State Museum Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Getty The interactive Tennessee State Museum, next to the farmers’ market and just blocks away from the State Capitol, features permanent exhibits that tell the stories of the First Peoples and take viewers through times of conflict like the Civil War and Reconstruction. Take a stroll along Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park out back to unwind when you’re done at the museum. Tennessee State Museum; 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208; (615) 741-2692 11 of 33 Sip Your Way Through The Tennessee Whiskey Trail NGBD Linking the state’s deep distilling history to its modern-day whiskey culture, the 28-stop Tennessee Whiskey Trail weaves its way from Memphis in far West Tennessee to Bristol up at the Virginia border. There are a handful of stops in Nashville—including the largest and recently upgraded Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery—that you can visit without ever leaving the city’s confines. Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery; 1414 Clinton St, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 913-8800 12 of 33 Learn About African American Music Makers Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Opened in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music offers a look at how African American trailblazers shaped and paved the way for more than 50 musical genres. The sprawling 56,000-square-foot museum sits right in downtown Nashville on Broadway. National Museum of African American Music; 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 301-8724 13 of 33 Peruse Art Exhibits At The Frist John Schweikert In a city more dominated by music than visual art, the Frist Art Museum filled a much-needed void when it opened in 2001 and started bringing world-class exhibits—from vintage automobiles to the works of greats like Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo—to Nashville. Housed in the opulent old Art Deco post office, the art on the walls aren’t the only stars of the show here. Frist Art Museum; 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 244-3340 14 of 33 Stroll Across The Pedestrian Bridge View from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Getty Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge connects downtown Nashville to Nissan Stadium on the east side of the Cumberland River. For those attending a concert, a Titans game or the annual CMA Fest each June, the footpath is a convenient way to reach the stadium while avoiding traffic. Visiting during the day? The bridge offers one of the best perspectives of the city skyline. 15 of 33 Soak Up The Sun In The City’s Many Green Spaces Rick Diamond / Staff / Getty Nashville may be a big city, but it’s still got green space in spades. In Davidson and adjoining Williamson County, you’ll find parks aplenty; among them, Harpeth River State Park, Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, Centennial Park, Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary, Bells Bend Nature Park, Montgomery Bell State Park and Radnor Lake. Traveling with kids and stuck downtown? You can walk over to the other side of the river to the 6.5-acre Cumberland Park with playground equipment and water features. Cumberland Park; 592 South First Street, Nashville, TN 37213 16 of 33 Check Out The City’s Mural Scene Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Nashville’s public art has come a long way since the famed “I Believe in Nashville” in 12South was the only mural in town. Now, the city brims with public art from international artists like Guido van Helten (check out his 160-foot-tall Silo mural in the Nations) and hometown favorites like Mobe, who painted the city’s longest mural for the Tennessee Titans right across from the Music City Center on Korean Veterans Boulevard. 17 of 33 See The Seasonal Exhibits At Cheekwood Courtesy of Cheekwood Estate and Gardens Nashville’s botanical garden, Cheekwood, is situated among the leafy lawns of Belle Meade, one of Nashville’s oldest and most stately neighborhoods. Among the 55 acres of garden, you’ll find a model train, a permanent art museum and rotating seasonal exhibits, like tulips every spring and pumpkins in the fall. Cheekwood; 200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205; (615) 356-8000 18 of 33 Take Home A Concert Poster From Hatch Show Print Robert Alexander / Contributor / Getty Nashville’s ultimate souvenir? A letterpress concert post from Hatch Show Print, a Nashville icon for more than 140 years. The shop that was originally a Broadway staple moved into the Country Music Hall of Fame a handful of years ago and now has a much larger studio space that can accommodate both shoppers and those who want to take a letterpress class. Hatch Show Print; 224 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 577-7710 19 of 33 Make Your Own Goo Goo Goo Goo Cluster Nashville’s century-old candy brand, Goo Goo Chocolate Co. has a storefront right off Broadway that has undergone a major renovation in recent years. In addition to buying Goo Goo-themed merch like the popular “What a Cluster!” Tees, you can pick up treats only available at the store and even make your own Premium four-ounce candy at electronic stations that allow you to choose what ingredients you sandwich among the chocolate and nougat. Goo Goo Chocolate Co.; 116 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201; (615) 490-6685 20 of 33 Catch A Bluegrass Jam At Station Inn Erika Goldring / Contributor / Getty While many of Nashville’s storied haunts have shuttered as the city’s growth explodes, Station Inn has remained untouched and true to its roots. Go for the weekly Sunday night Bluegrass Jam, in which a mishmash of pickers and players take the stage for the ultimate jam session; all are welcome to bring an instrument and participate. Bonus: It’s free to attend, and you never know who might show up. Station Inn; 402 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 255-3307 21 of 33 Time-Travel Back Through Country Music History Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Whether you consider yourself a country music scholar or are merely an enthusiast, you’re guaranteed to learn something—or maybe simply gawk at costumes and memorabilia from your favorite artists—at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The CMHOF also manages RCA Studio B—known as the birthplace of the Nashville sound and where Elvis Presley once recorded—and Hatch Show Print and offers a combo tour pass to all three attractions. Country Music Hall of Fame; 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 416-2001 22 of 33 Visit The Nashville Farmers’ Market Raymond Boyd / Contributor / Getty For a taste of everything the city has to offer under one roof, the Market House at the Nashville Farmers’ Market is open seven days a week and features a variety of food from bulgogi bibimbap at Bowl & Roll to Chicago-Style Gyros to Bubble Love tea. Be sure and check out the outdoor farm sheds where more than 150 farmers, bakers, and makers from all walks set up shop several days a week. Nashville Farmers’ Market; 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208; (615) 880-2001 23 of 33 Go To Space Via The Adventure Science Center Adventure Science Center The Adventure Science Center is not just for kids (though, of course, it’s got plenty for them, too!). The museum’s Sudekum Planetarium soars with laser shows, skies that change with the seasons and educational films lighting up its 63-foot dome theater. Adventure Science Center; 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 862-5160 24 of 33 Test Your Taste Buds With Nashville Hot Chicken COURTESY OF HATTIE B'S HOT CHICKEN A deep-fried bird, smothered in spices and served on white bread, Nashville hot chicken has become a global sensation, spotted on menus in cities around the world. While Prince’s is oft-credited with making Nashville hot chicken a household name, Bolton’s and 400 Degrees also are worthy contenders. Prince’s; 5814 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211; (615) 810-9388 Bolton’s; 624 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206; (615) 254-8015 400 Degrees; 3704 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218; (615) 244-4467 25 of 33 Find Your New Favorite Barbecue Spot COURTESY OF PEG LEG PORKER Chicken not your jam? There’s no shortage of barbecue in Nashville either. If you love brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, you’ll likely have decision paralysis when deciding where to go. Peg Leg Porker is a perennial favorite, Edley’s, Martin’s, Jack’s, Whitt’s, and Central BBQ are just a few that consistently get top marks from visitors and locals alike. Peg Leg Porker; 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 829-6023 Central BBQ; 1601 21st. Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212; (615) 610-3440 Martin’s; multiple locations Jack’s; multiple locations Whitt’s; multiple locations 26 of 33 Indulge In Nashville’s Ultimate Tasting Experience Minnie Morklithavong BBQ and hot chicken are great and all, but the ultimate foodie adventure can’t arrive in Nashville without having booked a table at Tailor, Chef Vivek Surti’s supper club-turned-restaurant. Four nights a week, the first-generation American guides diners through Indian dishes he grew up on—with his own spin. The result is one unforgettable and intimate journey through culture and cuisine via a dozen or so courses. Tailor; 620 Taylor St, Nashville, TN 37208 27 of 33 Check Out The Vintage Cars At Lane Motor Museum Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Boasting 150 cars and motorcycles on its showroom floor, Lane Motor Museum is home to the United States’ largest collection of European cars. This working museum aims to keep all its cars in running condition, and a daily demonstration at 11am is included in the price of admission. Lane Motor Museum; 702 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210; (615) 742-7445 28 of 33 Explore Nashville’s International Corridor JOHNNY AUTRY; PROP AND FOOD STYLING: CHARLOTTE L. AUTRY Head down Nolensville Road, and you’ll find international restaurants galore, as well as the largest Kurdish population in America. Start your culinary adventure with fresh-baked good from Azadi International Food Market, then craft a taco crawl among the many stands and trucks that pepper the neighborhood. Azadi International Food Market; 391 Elysian Fields Ct, Nashville, TN 37211; (615) 315-0940 29 of 33 Sample Nashville’s Craft Beer Scene ANDREA BEHRENDS Nashville’s beer scene has long been on the rise thanks to the OGs like Yazoo, established way back in 2003, and the many others who followed like Fat Bottom, Southern Grist, and Jackalope, which was named one of the South's best breweries. Jackalope; 429B Houston St, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 873-4313 Southern Grist; multiple locations Fat Bottom; 800 44th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209; (615) 678-5715 30 of 33 Take A Day Trip Along The Natchez Trace Parkway Odinn Media Nashville is the northern terminus of the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway that ends in Natchez, Miss. Even if you don’t have the time to make the multi-day trip, it’s less than 10 miles from the start to one of the parkway’s most photographed scenes: the double-arch Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge. While you’re already in Williamson County, you might as well browse the art galleries of Leiper’s Fork and explore Franklin’s historic Main Street. 31 of 33 Try The Biscuits At Loveless Café ROBBIE CAPONETTO Right next to the start of the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Loveless Café has been slinging up steamy plates of country ham and the very best buttered biscuits since it first opened in 1951. Even if you don’t have time for a full sit-down breakfast—and the line is often long, especially on weekends—stop by the on-site country market and take some goodies to go. Loveless Café; 8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221; (615) 646-9700 32 of 33 Rent A Paddleboard On Percy Priest Lake Mickey-Bernal Nashville’s a rare big city that’s flanked by both rivers and lakes, Percy Priest being one of the most popular recreational spots for water sports during warmer months. For more than a decade, Nashville Paddle Company has been getting people out on the water, both via board and kayak rentals, as well as classes like SUP Yoga and guided group paddles. Nashville Paddle Company; 2901 Bell Rd, Nashville, TN 37217; (615) 682-1787 33 of 33 See A Professional Sporting Event Wesley Hitt / Contributor / Getty No matter the time of year, Nashville has a pro team taking the turf, pitch or field. The Tennessee Titans play at Nissan Stadium during football season, the Nashville Predators take the ice at Bridgestone Arena during hockey months, and Nashville SC breaks out the cleats at GEODIS Park. Spring months also see the Triple-AAA Nashville Sounds step up to the plate at First Horizon Park right in the heart of downtown. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit