Things To Do In Nashville
Why Nashville?
There are major U.S. cities, such as New York City on the East Coast and Los Angeles on the West Coast, that attract millions of visitors each year. In the south, there’s Nashville. More than just a country music hot spot, Nashville is a “small town trapped in a big city” that makes tourists curious about all that it has to offer. If you’re not sure whether or not to add this Tennessee city to you travel list this year, let us convince you with these reasons.
The list of things to do is endless
Being the artistic city that it is, Nashville offers visitors plenty of things to see and do. If you’re traveling solo or as a family, there are tons of museums, a lengthy list of places to shop, and several honky-tonks for listening to and dancing to classic country songs. Whether you’re interested in art, history, music, or architecture, you’ll stay busy during every minute of your time in Nashville.
There is always live music to enjoy
All over Nashville, there are great places to listen to live music. From lesser known music venues to the larger scale sites such as the Ryman Auditorium and Ascend Amphitheatre, you can catch local, regional, and nationally known musicians on almost every stage in the city. These performers don’t just play country music. You will find Rock, Blues, Pop, and Christian acts, both big and small, showcasing their talents.
- Ryman Auditorium
(6.0 mi) 116 5th Ave North Nashville, TN - Grand Ole Opry
(3.7 mi) 1-800-SEE-OPRY - Marathon Music Works
1402 Clinton St, Nashville - Schermerhorn Symphony Center
(5.5 mi) 1 Symphony Pl, Nashville (615) 687-6400 - 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill818 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN (615) 259-9891
- Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
422 Broadway, Nashville, TN (615) 726-0463 - Honky Tonk Central
329 Broadway, Nashville, TN (615) 742-9095 - Legends Corner
428 Broadway, Nashville, TN (615) 248-6334
- Roberts Western World
416 Broadway B, Nashville (615) 244-9552 - Nashville Palace
2611 McGavock Pk, Nashville (615) 889-1540 - The Basement East
917 Woodland St, Nashville (615) 645-9174 - Acme Feed & Seed
101 Broadway, Nashville (615) 915-0888 - Bluebird Café
4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville (615) 383-1461 - Exit In
2208 Elliston Pl, Nashville (615) 321-3340 - Station Inn
402 12th Ave S, Nashville (615) 255-3307
Cultural Landmarks are all over the city
Historical sites, museums, art galleries, and prominent music venues contribute to Nashville’s charm. The diversity of the city goes beyond its residents’ cultural backgrounds and extends into the places that attract tourists from across the globe. Places like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Tennessee State Museum are just two examples of the landmarks frequented by curious visitors.
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC)
505 Deaderick St, Nashville, TN (615) 782-4040 - Frist Center for the Visual Arts
919 Broadway, Nashville, TN (615) 244-3340 - Cheekwood Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN (615) 356-8000 - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
(5.5 mi) 222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN (615) 416-2001 - Johnny Cash Museum
119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN (615) 256-1777 - Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
401 Gay St, Nashville, TN – (615) 244-3263 –
- RCA Studio B
1611 Roy Acuff Pl, Nashville, TN – (615) 416-2001 - Music Row
- Patsy Cline Museum
119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN – (615) 454-4722 - Fort Nashboro
170 1st Ave N, Nashville, TN (615) 862-8400 - Nashville Zoo
3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN
More Historic Southern Mansions than you will have time to see
- The Hermitage Historical Plantation and Museum
4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage 615-889-9289 - Two Rivers Mansion
3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville (615) 885-1112 - Belmont Mansion
1700 Acklen Ave, Nashville - Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville - Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike, Nashville
- Oaklands Mansion
900 N Maney Ave, Murfreesboro - Carnton Plantation
1345 Eastern Flank Cir, Franklin - Rippavilla Plantation
5700 Main St, Spring Hill - Historic Rock Castle
139 Rockcastle Ln, Hendersonville - Historic Rosemont
810 S Water Ave, Gallatin
It’s easy to make new friends
Everyone in Nashville is very friendly. Even if you’re only in the city for a day, you’ll leave with at least one new friend. Nashvillians love showing visitors around and are extremely helpful with offering traveling advice. They’ll tell you all about the most popular places to see, where to grab great local food, and let you know what events are worth checking out during your visit.
You may run into celebrities
Unlike other major cities, celebrities in Nashville don’t have to worry about being hounded by photographers. Most VIPs blend right in with Nashville residents, so there’s a good chance you’ll run into a local celebrity at the grocery store, the mall or a popular restaurant. More often than not, these famous people are happy to snap a photo or share a story with fans.
There’s an amazing selection of food
Nashville has some of the best restaurants around. If you’re looking for a place to try locally made Southern comfort food, you’ll find it. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat there’s a bakery for that. Just need a sip of sweet tea? You won’t have a problem getting one. Every variety of cuisine is represented in Nashville. You won’t go hungry while you’re in Nashville.
- Darfons Restaurant & Lounge
2810 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville (615) 889-3032 - Once Upon a Time in France
1102 Gallatin Ave, Nashville (615) 649-8284 - Urban Grubb
2506 12th Ave S, Nashville (615) 679-9342 - House of Cards
119 3rd Ave S, Nashville (615) 730-8326 - Kayne Prime Steakhouse
1103 McGavock St,, Nashville – (615) 259-0050 - Bourbon Steak House
201 8th Ave S 34th floor, Nashville (629) 208-8440 - Mortons, the Steakhouse
618 Church St, Nashville (615) 259-4558 - The Catbird Seat
1711 Division St, Nashville (615) 810-8200 - Adele’s
1210 McGavock St, Nashville (615) 988-9700 - Arnold’s
605 8th Avenue South, Nashville (615) 256-4455 - Barcelona Wine Bar (Tapas)
1200 Villa Place Suite 110, Nashville – 615-327-0600 - The 404 Kitchen
404 12th Ave S, Nashville (615) 251-1404 - The Mockingbird
121 12th Ave N, Nashville (615) 741-9900 - Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
500 Church Street, Nashville (615) 770-2772
- Etch Restaurant
303 Demonbreun St, Nashville – (615) 522-0685 - Merchants
401 Broadway, Nashville (615) 254-1892 - Husk
37 Rutledge Street, Nashville (615) 256-6565 - Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
300 4th Ave N, Nashville (615) 434-4300 - The George Jones Rooftop Eatery and Bar
128 2nd Ave N, Nashville (615) 818-0128 - Von Elrods
1004 4th Ave N, Nashville (615) 866-1620 - The Bluebird Café
4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville (615) 383-1461 - City House
1222 4th Ave N, Nashville (615) 736-5838 - Rolf & Daughters
700 Taylor St, Nashville (615) 866-9897 - Giovanni Ristorante
909 20th Ave S, Nashville (615) 760-5932 - Monelle’s 1235 6th Ave N, Nashville (615) 248-4747
- Fifth & Taylor
1411 5th Ave N, Nashville (615) 242-4747 - The Stillery
113 2nd Ave N Nashville (615) 942-8080 - Hattie B’s
112 19th Ave S, Nashville (615) 678-4794
You’ll experience Southern Hospitality
Not only are people in Nashville friendly, but they are also very welcoming. Even if you’re a stranger, many Nashvillians are willing to open up their homes and businesses to you. People in Nashville love hearing fascinating stories and are well mannered, allowing them to listen to you with an open set of ears. If you’re cold, they’ll offer you a coat. If you’re thirsty, someone will buy you a drink. The hospitable residents of Nashville make sure that everyone who visits never wants to leave.
Incredible outdoor scenery and hiking
Mother Nature is sure to impress when you visit Nashville. Between the rolling hills, the fall colored leaves and the bodies of sparkling water, the great outdoors have never been more beautiful. Day or night, the Nashville landscape is a masterpiece. Drive down any back road, and you’ll likely pass gorgeous greenery and a clear blue sky or a radiant sunset and a silhouette of the downtown skyline.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s windows light up at night to look like giant piano keys. There are several spots downtown where you can capture this view in all of its glory. With the sparkling city lights spread out behind the venue, it’s like looking at an oversized piano among a sea of stars
The atmosphere is laid-back and relaxing
If you’re coming to Nashville to get away, you’re coming to the right place. There’s no pressure to “see it all” or “do it all” because the atmosphere is slow going. People really do want to “stop and smell the roses.” That’s why so many Nashvillians have rocking chairs and benches on their front porches. If you enjoy moving at a fast pace, nobody will stop you, but it’s most likely that you’ll see that Nashville is all about taking your time to enjoy every moment.