40+ Things to do in Nashville

Things to Do in Nashville: Music & Downtown Highlights

1. Explore Broadway’s honky-tonks

Location / Neighborhood: Lower Broadway. Best For: Live music, groups, couples, nightlife. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Usually free entry; food and drinks extra.

Start with Nashville’s most famous nightlife district, where live music fills the honky-tonks along Lower Broadway from daytime through late evening. Walk between venues, listen to different bands and take in the neon-lit atmosphere. Insider tip: visit during the afternoon if you want the music without the biggest late-night crowds.

2. Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame

Location / Neighborhood: SoBro. Best For: Music fans, families, first-time visitors. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum traces the story of country music through instruments, stage outfits, recordings, photographs and changing exhibitions. Allow enough time to explore properly rather than rushing through the galleries. Insider tip: combine your ticket with Historic RCA Studio B if music history is a major part of your trip.

3. Visit the Ryman Auditorium

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown. Best For: Music fans, couples, families. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours or an evening. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.

Known as the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium is one of Nashville’s most celebrated venues. Tour its historic auditorium during the day or return for a live performance. Insider tip: if your itinerary allows, seeing a concert gives you a completely different experience from the daytime tour.

4. See a show at the Grand Ole Opry

Location / Neighborhood: Music Valley. Best For: Families, couples, country music fans. Estimated Time Needed: Evening. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.

The Grand Ole Opry brings country stars, established performers and emerging artists together on the same stage. You can also take a backstage tour to learn more about its history. Insider tip: check the lineup before your vacation, but leave room to discover performers you may not already know.

5. Visit the Johnny Cash Museum

Location / Neighborhood: SoBro. Best For: Music fans, couples, older children. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

See costumes, handwritten material, awards, instruments and personal items connected with Johnny Cash at this compact downtown museum. Its central location makes it easy to combine with Broadway and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Insider tip: visit earlier in the day before the surrounding entertainment district becomes busier.

6. Step inside Historic RCA Studio B

Location / Neighborhood: Music Row. Best For: Music history, couples, older children. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

Visit the studio where performers including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Roy Orbison recorded music that helped define the Nashville Sound. Insider tip: pair the tour with the Country Music Hall of Fame for a fuller introduction to Nashville’s recording history.

7. Explore Music Row

Location / Neighborhood: Music Row. Best For: Music fans, walking, Nashville history. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Walk through the neighborhood where record labels, publishers and studios helped establish Nashville as one of the world’s major music centers. Insider tip: Music Row makes more sense when combined with RCA Studio B rather than treated as a standalone sightseeing destination.

8. Hear a songwriter round at The Bluebird Cafe

Location / Neighborhood: Green Hills. Best For: Couples, serious music fans. Estimated Time Needed: Evening. Cost / Entry: $–$$.

For a more intimate Nashville music experience, catch a songwriter round at The Bluebird Cafe, where writers perform their own songs and tell the stories behind them. Insider tip: shows are popular and the venue is small, so plan ahead rather than expecting to walk in.

9. Catch live music beyond Broadway

Location / Neighborhood: Across Nashville. Best For: Music fans, couples, groups. Estimated Time Needed: Evening. Cost / Entry: Free to $$$.

Broadway gets much of the attention, but Nashville’s music scene extends across listening rooms, theaters, clubs and neighborhood venues. Build an evening around the style of music you enjoy rather than staying exclusively downtown. Insider tip: check local listings during your stay — some of the most memorable performances may be at smaller venues.

10. Visit Hatch Show Print

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown. Best For: Art lovers, music fans, families. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $–$$.

Discover Nashville’s distinctive poster-making heritage at Hatch Show Print, one of America’s oldest working letterpress print shops. Its colorful designs have advertised performers and events for generations. Insider tip: combine it with the Country Music Hall of Fame because the attractions are conveniently located together.

Things to Do in Nashville: Food & Neighborhood Highlights

11. Try Nashville hot chicken

Location / Neighborhood: Across Nashville. Best For: Food lovers, couples, groups. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $–$$.

Sampling Nashville hot chicken is almost as essential as hearing live music. The local specialty combines fried chicken with varying levels of spicy seasoning, traditionally served with bread and pickles. Insider tip: start below the highest spice level unless you already know you enjoy seriously hot food.

12. Explore 12 South

Location / Neighborhood: 12 South. Best For: Shopping, couples, cafés, murals. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore.

Spend an afternoon browsing 12 South, a walkable neighborhood filled with boutiques, cafés, restaurants and colorful murals. Insider tip: come earlier in the day for shopping and brunch, then head downtown for live music in the evening.

13. Spend time in The Gulch

Location / Neighborhood: The Gulch. Best For: Dining, shopping, couples, groups. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore.

The former industrial district of The Gulch is now packed with restaurants, boutiques, rooftop venues and street art. Insider tip: visit the famous “What Lifts You” wings earlier if you want a photograph without a long queue.

14. Explore Germantown

Location / Neighborhood: Germantown. Best For: Food lovers, couples, architecture. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore.

Historic Germantown combines Victorian architecture, independent restaurants and a quieter atmosphere than central Broadway. Pair your visit with Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park or Nashville Farmers’ Market. Insider tip: Germantown works particularly well for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

15. Visit Nashville Farmers’ Market

Location / Neighborhood: Near Germantown. Best For: Families, food lovers, local shopping. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to enter.

Browse produce, specialty foods and local vendors before stopping at the Market House for something to eat. If you’re staying in one of our self-catering Nashville vacation rentals, it can also be a useful place to pick up ingredients for a relaxed meal back at your private city retreat.

16. Find Nashville’s famous murals

Location / Neighborhood: 12 South, The Gulch, Downtown and beyond. Best For: Couples, groups, photography. Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Turn sightseeing into an informal art trail by looking for Nashville’s colorful murals across neighborhoods such as 12 South, The Gulch and Downtown. Insider tip: combine mural stops with shopping or restaurants rather than driving across the city solely to photograph individual walls.

Best Things to Do in Nashville with Kids

17. Explore Adventure Science Center

Location / Neighborhood: South Nashville. Best For: Families, younger children, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

Hands-on exhibits, interactive science displays and the Sudekum Planetarium make Adventure Science Center one of Nashville’s strongest family attractions. Insider tip: keep this activity in reserve for a rainy or particularly hot day.

18. Visit Centennial Park and the Parthenon

Location / Neighborhood: West End. Best For: Families, parks, culture. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: Park free; museum admission extra.

Spend time around Centennial Park before stepping inside Nashville’s remarkable full-scale recreation of the Parthenon. Inside, the enormous Athena statue and art galleries turn what might look like a quick photo stop into a fuller family attraction.

19. Explore Cumberland Park

Location / Neighborhood: East Bank. Best For: Younger families, outdoor play. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Cumberland Park gives younger visitors open spaces and play areas alongside views towards downtown Nashville. Insider tip: combine it with a walk across the nearby John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.

20. Visit Lane Motor Museum

Location / Neighborhood: South Nashville. Best For: Families, car enthusiasts, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $–$$.

Instead of a conventional classic-car collection, Lane Motor Museum specializes in unusual automobiles, including microcars, prototypes and rare European vehicles. It is quirky enough to entertain adults while still appealing to children interested in vehicles and engineering.

21. Spend the day at Nashville Zoo

Location / Neighborhood: South Nashville. Best For: Families, younger children, animal lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$.

Make time for Nashville Zoo, where animal exhibits, walking routes and children’s activities create an easy family day away from the downtown music scene. Insider tip: arrive in the morning during warmer months, when temperatures are more comfortable for both visitors and animals.

22. Explore Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Location / Neighborhood: West Nashville. Best For: Families, couples, gardens, art. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

Cheekwood combines botanical gardens, walking trails, art and a historic mansion within landscaped grounds. Seasonal displays add extra interest throughout the year. Insider tip: check the calendar before your trip because flower displays, holiday lights and special installations can significantly change the experience.

23. Try The Escape Game Nashville

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown and other Nashville locations. Best For: Families with older children, groups, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

Solve clues and work together inside immersive themed rooms at The Escape Game Nashville. It is particularly useful for families with teenagers or groups looking for something interactive between sightseeing and live music.

Free & Outdoor Things to Do in Nashville

24. Walk the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown / East Bank. Best For: Couples, families, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes–1 hour. Cost / Entry: Free.

Stretching across the Cumberland River, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is one of the easiest places to take in panoramic views of downtown Nashville. Walk from the East Bank towards the city center for views of the skyline, riverfront and nearby Nissan Stadium, stopping along the way for photographs or simply to enjoy the city from above the water. Insider tip: come around sunset or after dark when downtown’s buildings and signs light up.

25. Relax in Riverfront Park

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown. Best For: Walking, river views, free activities. Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes–1 hour. Cost / Entry: Free.

Set beside the Cumberland River, Riverfront Park gives you an easy place to slow the pace between Nashville’s busier downtown attractions. Take a short walk along the waterfront, enjoy views across the river or simply sit for a while before continuing towards Broadway, the pedestrian bridge or nearby museums. Its central location means you can add it to your sightseeing without making a separate journey, particularly if you are already exploring Lower Broadway or the downtown riverfront.

26. Visit Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Location / Neighborhood: North of Downtown. Best For: Families, history, walking. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park combines open green space with an introduction to Tennessee’s history, geography and culture. Walk across the enormous granite map of the state, follow pathways highlighting Tennessee’s counties and waterways, and explore features designed to tell the story of the state within sight of the Tennessee State Capitol. The park works particularly well if you want an easy outdoor activity that still adds some historical context to your Nashville visit. Insider tip: pair it with Nashville Farmers’ Market and Germantown.

27. Tour the Tennessee State Capitol

• Location / Neighborhood: Downtown.
• Best For: History, architecture, educational visits.
• Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours.
• Cost / Entry: Free.

Add some Tennessee history to your music-focused itinerary with a visit to the Tennessee State Capitol, an impressive Greek Revival building overlooking downtown Nashville. Walk around the landscaped grounds, admire the architecture and learn more about the state’s political history, notable figures and government.

Free guided tours may be available, making this one of Nashville’s most useful budget-friendly sightseeing options. Insider tip: combine your visit with nearby Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and Nashville Farmers’ Market for an easy half-day itinerary.

28. Hike at Radnor Lake State Park

• Location / Neighborhood: South Nashville.
• Best For: Families, couples, wildlife, hiking.
• Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours.
• Cost / Entry: Free.

Trade downtown crowds and live music for peaceful woodland trails at Radnor Lake State Park, one of Nashville’s best places to reconnect with nature. Walking routes wind through forest and around the lake, where you may spot deer, turtles, birds and other native wildlife as you explore. Choose an easy lakeside walk or tackle one of the hillier trails for a more active outing. Insider tip: parking is limited and the park becomes particularly popular on mild weekends, so arrive early and bring comfortable walking shoes.

29. Walk or cycle Shelby Bottoms Greenway

• Location / Neighborhood: East Nashville.
• Best For: Families, cyclists, walkers, nature.
• Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours.
• Cost / Entry: Free.

Explore a quieter side of Nashville along the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, where paved paths and natural trails pass through wetlands, open fields and woodland beside the Cumberland River. It’s a great place for walking, jogging or cycling when you want some fresh air without traveling far from the city center.

The greenway also connects with Shelby Park, giving you plenty of room to extend your outing. Insider tip: rent bikes if you want to cover more ground, or keep things simple with a relaxed riverside walk followed by lunch in East Nashville.

30. Explore Fort Negley Park

Location / Neighborhood: South of Downtown. Best For: History, families, skyline views. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Walk the paths around Fort Negley, a Civil War-era fortification built on elevated ground south of downtown Nashville. Interpretive signs help explain the fort’s role during the war, while the site also explores the experiences of the largely Black labor force used to construct it. The elevated position gives you another perspective over the Nashville skyline and surrounding city. Insider tip: pair Fort Negley with nearby Adventure Science Center, making it easy to combine local history with a family-friendly indoor attraction.

Unique Things to Do in Nashville

31. Visit Belle Meade Historic Site

Location / Neighborhood: Belle Meade. Best For: History, couples, food and drink experiences. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.

Explore the history of Belle Meade, a former thoroughbred horse-breeding estate that became internationally known within the racing world. Guided experiences introduce you to the property, its owners and the enslaved people whose labor was central to life and work on the estate. Depending on the experience you choose, you can also add wine, bourbon or food tastings to your visit. Insider tip: review the different tour options before booking, as each focuses on a different aspect of Belle Meade’s complex history.

32. Cruise the Cumberland River on the General Jackson Showboat

Location / Neighborhood: Music Valley / Cumberland River Best For: Couples, families, groups Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours Cost / Entry: $$$

See Nashville from a different perspective aboard the General Jackson Showboat, a large paddlewheel riverboat offering cruises along the Cumberland River. Selected sailings combine sightseeing with meals and live entertainment, giving you an easy way to enjoy music and city views without spending another evening around Broadway.

Daytime and evening options can create very different experiences. Insider tip: choose an evening cruise if you want skyline views after dark and a more relaxed alternative to Nashville’s busy downtown nightlife.

33. Take a Nashville ghost tour

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown. Best For: Couples, groups, older families. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours.

• Cost / Entry: $$.

Discover a darker side of Music City on a guided Nashville ghost tour, walking past historic streets, landmarks and buildings associated with local legends, unexplained stories and events from the city’s past. Guides typically mix history with folklore, giving you another way to experience downtown beyond its bars and music venues. The atmosphere works particularly well after sunset, when Nashville’s older buildings take on a different character. Insider tip: choose a history-led tour if you prefer storytelling and local heritage over theatrical scares.

34. Try a pedal tavern or party tour

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Nashville. Best For: Adult groups, celebrations. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.

For one of Nashville’s livelier group experiences, book a pedal tavern or party tour through the downtown entertainment districts. Music, sightseeing and a celebratory atmosphere make these tours especially popular for birthdays, reunions and group getaways.

If you’re traveling with a larger party, our Nashville vacation rentals give everyone somewhere to stay together before and after your night out. Insider tip: check individual tour rules before booking, particularly age requirements and policies around drinks.

35. Visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Location / Neighborhood: Hermitage. Best For: History lovers, families. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$.

Explore the former home and plantation of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States, at The Hermitage east of central Nashville. Museum exhibits, historic buildings and landscaped grounds examine Jackson’s life and political career alongside the wider history of the estate.

Interpretation also addresses the experiences of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the property, giving important context to the site’s history. Insider tip: allow time beyond the mansion itself, as the grounds and additional exhibits provide a fuller understanding of The Hermitage.

Best Things to Do in Nashville for Couples

36. Go wine tasting at Arrington Vineyards

Location / Neighborhood: South of Nashville. Best For: Couples, groups, wine lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $$.

Escape downtown for an afternoon of countryside scenery and wine tasting at Arrington Vineyards, set among rolling hills south of Nashville. Sample locally produced wines, relax outdoors and enjoy a slower pace after several days of city sightseeing and live music.

The spacious setting makes it particularly appealing for couples or groups wanting a laid-back afternoon outside the city. Insider tip: make an afternoon of your visit with a picnic rather than treating the vineyard as a quick tasting stop, and arrange transport if everyone plans to drink.

37. Have cocktails at a Nashville rooftop bar

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown, The Gulch and SoBro. Best For: Couples, groups, skyline views. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.

Head above the streets for cocktails and skyline views at one of Nashville’s many rooftop bars. Venues around Downtown, The Gulch and SoBro range from lively music-focused terraces to more polished rooftop lounges, giving you plenty of options depending on the atmosphere you want. A rooftop drink is also an easy way to take a break from the crowds along Broadway without leaving the center of the action. Insider tip: arrive before sunset to secure a good viewpoint and watch Nashville transition from daylight to neon-lit evening.

38. Book a couples’ spa experience

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown and Nashville resorts. Best For: Couples, relaxation, romantic trips. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$.

Balance Nashville’s sightseeing and nightlife with a slower couples’ spa experience. Spend a few hours enjoying massages, facials, wellness treatments and relaxing spa facilities before heading out for dinner or another evening of live music.

If you prefer to unwind in the privacy of your accommodation, our Concierge team can also help personalize your Nashville vacation rental stay with selected wellness experiences. Insider tip: book treatments ahead for weekends, anniversaries and other popular romantic getaway dates.

39. Enjoy a romantic dinner downtown

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods Best For: Couples, celebrations, food lovers Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours Cost / Entry: $$$

Make one evening of your Nashville stay feel extra special with a romantic dinner at one of the city’s more polished restaurants. Downtown and nearby neighborhoods offer everything from historic dining rooms and steak restaurants to chef-led modern Southern cuisine and intimate contemporary spaces. Pair dinner with rooftop cocktails, a Ryman performance or a walk beside the Cumberland River for a complete date night. Insider tip: reserve ahead if you’re visiting for an anniversary, Valentine’s weekend, CMA Fest or another major Nashville event.

40. Watch the Nashville skyline at sunset

Location / Neighborhood: Cumberland River, Downtown or rooftop venues. Best For: Couples, photographers, relaxed evenings. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to $$.

Finish a day in Music City by watching sunset over the Nashville skyline. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge offers broad views across the Cumberland River, while Riverfront Park and downtown rooftop venues provide alternative spots for watching the changing light over the city. As darkness falls, Nashville’s buildings, signs and entertainment districts begin to glow, creating a completely different view from daytime. Insider tip: combine sunset with your existing downtown plans, then continue straight to dinner, cocktails or live music rather than making a separate journey.

Seasonal Events in Nashville

Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival

Usually held in spring, the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival celebrates the writers behind some of Nashville’s biggest songs. Intimate performances take place across several venues, allowing you to hear hitmakers and emerging writers perform their own work and share the stories behind it.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

Usually held in April, the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival brings a colorful celebration of spring and Japanese culture to Public Square Park in downtown Nashville. The free festival features Japanese food, music, dance and martial arts performances alongside cultural exhibits, art, shopping, cosplay and family-friendly activities. A highlight is the 2.5-mile Cherry Blossom Walk, which starts and finishes at Public Square and follows part of the Cumberland River Greenway.

CMA Fest

Held each June, CMA Fest fills central Nashville with country music performances, fan events and entertainment. Major concerts are complemented by smaller stages and experiences across downtown. Insider tip: book your Nashville vacation rental well ahead if CMA Fest is the reason for your trip.

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th

Nashville celebrates July 4th with live music and a huge fireworks show centered around downtown and the Cumberland River. Expect significant crowds and road closures, so staying close to central Nashville or arranging transportation beforehand can make the evening much easier.

Tomato Art Fest

Usually taking place in August, Tomato Art Fest brings art, food, music, costumes and plenty of deliberately quirky entertainment to East Nashville. It is one of the city’s most distinctive neighborhood festivals and particularly good if you want to experience Nashville beyond its country music attractions.

AMERICANAFEST

Typically held in September, AMERICANAFEST brings musicians and music fans together for days of concerts, showcases and industry events. Expect everything from folk and roots music to blues, country and Americana across venues throughout the city.

Nashville Oktoberfest

Held in October, Nashville Oktoberfest brings German-inspired food, beer, live entertainment and festival activities to the city. The fall timing also makes it easy to combine the festival with Nashville sightseeing and cooler-weather outdoor activities.

Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS

From late fall through the holiday season, Cheekwood’s gardens glow after dark with festive lighting, displays and seasonal activities. Insider tip: evening sessions around weekends and Christmas can be particularly popular, so reserve ahead.

Plan your Nashville Trip

Plan your Nashville trip around the Music City experiences that matter most to you. Stay within easy reach of Downtown and Broadway for honky-tonks, museums and nightlife, explore The Gulch and 12 South for restaurants and boutiques, or add Germantown and East Nashville for a more neighborhood-focused side of the city. Families can balance music attractions with Nashville Zoo, Adventure Science Center, Centennial Park and Cheekwood, while longer stays give you time for Radnor Lake, vineyards and historic sites outside downtown.

Our exclusive Nashville vacation rentals range from modern apartments to substantial homes perfect for groups and multigenerational families. Selected properties feature optional private pools, hot tubs, rooftop terraces, games rooms and spacious entertaining areas, giving everyone room to relax together. Our Concierge team can also help personalize your stay with private chefs, grocery delivery, airport transfers, car rental, event tickets and bespoke itinerary planning.

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