Welcome to Nashville, Tennessee, a city as sweet as iced tea.
It’s known for its charming Southern twang, hearty foods, warm hospitality, and, of course, the home of country music.
It’s no surprise, then, that those who love a good time with amazing food, music, and electric nightlife should find themselves in Music City.
Nashville has beautiful sights and exciting adventures waiting to be unlocked.
And you’ve got the keys with these best things to do in Nashville, Tennessee!
Don’t forget to pack your best dancing shoes. It’s your turn to fall in love with this incredible city — like the saying goes, “I followed my heart, and it led me to Nashville.”
Check this out: 695 Best Travel Captions For Instagram (Short, Funny + Quotes)
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Nashville Essentials
Top Experiences & Tours in Nashville
While there are a ton of fun things to do in Nashville, you might not have all the time in the world to experience them all.
So, guided tours are the perfect solution that allow you to see all the top sights and attractions in a limited time.
Try this hop-on hop-off trolley tour, a music city nighttime trolley tour or a sightseeing cart tour.
Where To Stay in Nashville
You’re going to need a place to stay while taking on all these Nashville activities. You can’t go wrong with these hotels.
($) The Iris Motel — If you want a budget hotel, you’ll love this one as it’s modern, bright, and airy. Click here to check availability!
($$) Placemakr Wedgewood-Houston — Stay at this chic, four-star hotel, which offers stellar amenities like a bar, rooftop lounge, and fitness room. Click here to check availability!
($$$) The Hermitage Hotel — If you want to splurge a little, I can’t recommend this luxurious five-star hotel enough. It features grand architecture and opulent interiors and is centrally located near many attractions. Click here to check availability!
How To Get Around Nashville
Besides guided tours, there are many ways you can get around Nashville if you haven’t traveled to the city with your own car.
The most obvious option is to get a rental car in Nashville.
However, there are more than enough ways to get around Nashville without a car.
Ride services like Uber and Lyft, public transportation systems such as We Go Public Transit, and bike or scooter rentals are all available.
Remember, if you’re short on time, try this hop-on hop-off trolley tour, a music city nighttime trolley tour or a sightseeing cart tour.
1. Have Breakfast and Visit an Art Museum in The Gulch
The Gulch is a bustling up-scale neighborhood near Downtown Nashville.
This area is dotted with high-end boutiques, chic hotels, colorful street murals, and excellent eateries.
It’s a great place to start your day with a lovely breakfast and a bit of sightseeing.
Biscuit Love is a dog-friendly restaurant for outdoor dining, serving tasty breakfast centered around southern biscuits.
Then, the trendy Milk & Honey coffee shop is a popular breakfast place with a two-hour waiting period for a reason — so be sure to arrive early.
The neighborhood is also home to one of the top Nashville attractions: The Frist Art Museum.
This striking art deco art exhibition center has a wide range of artworks, from Picasso to American folk art, which you can admire after breakfast.
2. Enjoy Live Music on the Honky Tonk Highway
No trip to Music City would be complete without going to Lower Broadway between First and Fifth Avenues, known as the Honky Tonk Highway.
This iconic strip is a row of buzzing honky-tonks pumping live music from 10:00 am to 3:00 am.
Side Note: A honky-tonk is a rowdy bar or club with a stage, cold beer, and a dance floor.
Nothing beats the atmosphere here, and if you’re a music lover, all you need to do is walk the five blocks until you hear something that suits your taste.
There are over 40 bars and music venues, but you simply can’t miss Tootsies Orchid Lounge, a world-famous honky-tonk.
If you could travel back in time, you’d find Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, and other famous patrons performing or hanging out here.
3. Pop in at the Johnny Cash Museum and Sun Diner
The “Man in Black”, Johnny Cash, is a legendary singer-songwriter and one of the top recording artists in country music.
It makes sense why Music City would want to honor his life and music with a museum.
It houses the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia, so it’s safe to say you’ll have lots to see.
Visit the Johnny Cash Museum daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and general admission is $25.95 + tax.
4. Discover a Few Hidden Alleys in Downtown
Here’s a little secret: there are more things to do in Downtown Nashville than just Honky Tonk Highway.
So, if you decide to wander off onto the many hidden alleys Downtown, you’ll be in for a fun time.
Printer’s Alley is somewhat of a hidden gem, as many tourists overlook it, but this is your new hang-out spot to experience the vibrant nightlife away from the hectic crowds.
The narrow alley is between Union and Church Street adorned with bright lights and neon signs, making it very Instagrammable, too.
Also, walk down Ryman Alley, located between Ryman Auditorium and the back entrance of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
Why? Well, to follow in the footsteps of country music legends who used to sneak out the Ryman Auditorium backdoor along this alley for a drink at Tootsies.
5. Have Brunch With the Girls
A fun fact is that Nashville is known as the Bachelorette capital.
As you can imagine, it’s a hotspot for girls-only trips, and you’ll often see signs of bachelorette parties all over Broadway.
And what’s the one thing we ladies always do on a trip?
That’s right, a brunch with the gals. I know the perfect place for a fabulous brunch occasion dripping in luxury: the White Limozeen.
This stylish rooftop bar is an all-pink venue inspired by the queen of country music, Dolly Parton.
They serve cocktails like Bloody Marys and exotic mimosas, seafood, and small bites.
Note: Reservations are required 14 days in advance, but the patio is available for walk-ins.
6. Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B
Nashville might not be the birthplace of country music, but it sure raised it to become what it is today.
That said, a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame is like a walk through memory lane.
You’ll get a glimpse of country music’s origin all the way to current country stars.
Its extensive collection includes priceless artifacts, instruments, stage wear, films, and even Elvis Presley’s gold Cadillac limousine.
After exploring the Hall of Fame, move on to a tour of RCA Studio B, the recording studio that gave birth to the Nashville sound.
Pro Tip: I suggest doing a combo tour of the two attractions to cover both in one day.
7. Go Cowboy Boot Shopping
Yes, walking around Nashville in cowboy boots and a hat is a “touristy” thing, but it’s something I’ll sign up for any day.
So turn up the sass and start rocking them boots, especially if you’re going to join a line dancing class *wink*.
Boot shopping is a fun and unique way to explore the city while finding some of the most quirky and fascinating boots ever.
There are plenty of shops you can go to on Broadway, but Planet Cowboy stands out for their quality hand-crafted cowboy boots.
Nashville Boot Co. is another popular option for quality leather boots.
8. See Up-&-Coming Artists at the Iconic Bluebird Café
Bluebird Café is a quaint and intimate listening room and live music venue.
Here, you’ll see up-and-coming and experienced songwriters do their thing in the most personal and authentic way.
They also have a small menu, so you can enjoy a snack and a drink while watching the performances.
Taylor Swift performed here for the first time in 2004 when she was just 14 years old.
Other well-known artists who got their start at The Bluebird include Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, and Garth Brooks.
The tickets go on sale at 8:00 am, one week in advance for most shows, and they sell like hotcakes, so hurry up!
9. Try Out Nashville’s Famous Hot Chicken
Did you even go to Nashville if you didn’t eat some hot chicken?
Nashville’s hot chicken is traditionally marinated, drenched, breaded, fried, and coated in a vinegar-less cayenne sauce.
This dish can get so hot and spicy that it brings some to tears, but don’t worry — there are milder options for those who can’t handle the heat.
The natural question is, “Where can one find the best hot chicken in Nashville?”.
Hattie B’s and Prince’s Hot Chicken are competing for the number one title, so either one of these is a go-to spot for many.
10. Go Brew Hopping in East Nashville
If you want to catch a breather from the busy Honky-tonk vibe of Downtown, you can go over to East Nashville.
Located across Cumberland River, this neighborhood has an offbeat feel to it, with street art, upbeat bars, and trendy restaurants.
What better way to explore this idyllic neighborhood than a hop-on, hop-off brewery tour in a vintage trolley?
Offered by Music City Brew Hop, this once-in-a-lifetime experience involves seeing Nashville’s top breweries in a single day in an enjoyable and memorable way.
11. Catch a Concert at the Grand Ole Opry
Spend at least one of your nights at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry.
It’s not just a concert venue but a live radio show that’s been airing since 1925.
You can catch a show performed by the biggest names in the country genre, from legends to rising stars, like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and 49 Winchester.
Then, you also have the option to go backstage allowing you to absorb all the sounds, sights, and stories that take place behind the scenes.
Get a glimpse of the artist entrance, dressing rooms, and the WSM studio itself.
Next Up: Nashville is just one of the many amazing summer vacation spots in the USA to add to your next trip!
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