If you love country music, delicious southern food, and vibrant nightlife — you’ll love spending a fun-filled week or weekend in Nashville, TN. I’ve been to Nashville multiple times (at least 4–5 in the past few years!), and I think it’s the perfect destination for a girl’s trip, a family vacation, a bachelorette weekend, or a romantic couples’ getaway.
Nashville, TN, is one of my favorite cities in the United States, so I am super excited to share some of my recommendations of the best things to do in Nashville with you. This guide is created for first-time visitors in mind, so if it’s your first time visiting Nashville — have a ton of fun checking these iconic Nashville attractions off your bucket list!
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Ultimate List of Things to Do in Nashville
1. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Nashville is known for one thing, and one thing only — country music! While you’re here, you can’t miss the chance to learn about country music history and the country stars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
While you’re here, you must visit the Hall of Fame Rotunda, featuring plaques of country music legends who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, such as Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire. You can also see rotating exhibits about current country stars, learn about country music history, and see award-winning records in the museum.
I recommend visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum on a Sunday, so you can attend the Musician Spotlight. These performances showcase up-and-coming artists, and they are entirely free to attend with the purchase of a ticket to the museum!
2. Go bar hopping on Broadway Street
People come to Nashville from around the country (and even the world!) to visit Broadway Street — where you’ll find all the honky-tonks and country bars in Nashville. Nashville has recently been nicknamed “Nashvegas” because of the vibrant nightlife the city is known for!
Popping in and out of the best bars on Broadway Street is a fun way to spend a night out (or, let’s be honest, a few nights out) in Nashville. There are no cover charges, the bars are open every night of the week (with live music playing pretty much 24/7), and you can easily walk from bar to bar, making it convenient to enjoy a night out. You can also take a night trolley tour to soak in the sights.
Jason Aldean Kitchen + Bar is a great option to visit for the fabulous rooftop bar on a warm spring or fall day. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is a must-visit historical venue that has hosted famous musicians like Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline.
3. Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running radio show in country music. In fact, it’s even known as the “home” of country music.
The broadcast began in the 1920s and has been broadcast live every Saturday night since then, so, of course, visiting the Grand Ole Opry is one of the most iconic (and most fun!) things to do in Nashville — whether you catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry or go on a backstage tour!
Before your trip to Nashville, check the calendar to see which artists will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry. If you aren’t in town during a show, definitely book a backstage tour of the Opry.
I’ve been to a show at the Grand Ole Opry and done this backstage tour of the Opry, and I highly recommend doing both during your trip to Nashville — the show was incredible and the backstage tour was so informative and fun (especially if you’re a country music fan!).
4. Explore the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a huge hotel in Nashville with tons to see and do inside, including a beautiful tropical garden, a massive waterpark, and 15+ restaurants and bars. You can even take a boat ride on the river that snakes through the hotel. It’s kind of like a resort in Vegas — further proving that Nashville is, indeed, “Nashvegas.”
It’s smart to book a room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort so you can have plenty of time to explore all the resort has to offer, but even if you visit for the day, you’re sure to have a great time exploring the massive hotel. Don’t miss exploring the Gaylord during a trip to Nashville — it’s a can’t-miss attraction (and right across from the Opry!).
5. Try Nashville Hot Chicken at Hattie B’s
Nashville is known for good ‘ole fashioned southern cooking, so one of the staple meals you must try here is Nashville Hot Chicken. Nashville Hot Chicken is like fried chicken — but better. It’s coated in spicy seasoning, so it’s like fried chicken with a kick. You can usually order it on a sandwich, meal, or chicken strips.
Though it’s not hard to find Nashville Hot Chicken throughout the city, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is by far the most popular place to order this local favorite. This local chain has several locations, including one on Broadway Street if you’re looking for a late-night meal after a night out. Out of all the hot chicken places in Nashville — Hattie B’s is my favorite!
6. Get brunch at Biscuit Love
Another one of the best places to eat in Nashville is Biscuit Love. Biscuit Love is a brunch chain in Nashville with a few locations around the city. They serve breakfast biscuits with gravy, fried chicken, and other tasty southern meals.
However, the one thing you have to try at Biscuit Love are the “bonuts” — donuts made with biscuit dough. They’re served up with cream cheese frosting, lemon curd, and blueberry compote, and they’re so good. Get an order for the table. You won’t regret it (and might even end up ordering more — no shame!).
7. Take a day trip to Franklin
Franklin, TN, is an adorable town just a short 20-minute drive from Nashville, filled with Civil War history, antique shops, cute boutiques, and fabulous eateries — it’s definitely one of the best day trips or weekend trips from Nashville!
If you’d like to trade city life for a day in the countryside, you will love Franklin. While you’re here, enjoy some of the best things to do in Franklin, like shopping at the Factory at Franklin, visiting Arrington Vineyards, touring Carter House (the location of the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War), and heading to Noble Springs Dairy to hold a baby goat.
8. Listen to emerging artists at The Bluebird Café
The Bluebird Café is a popular music venue and restaurant in Nashville where several famous artists have performed and were discovered over the past 40+ years. It’s where Taylor Swift was discovered and landed her first record deal, and other artists, like Garth Brooks and Faith Hill, have had career-defining moments here.
So, pretty much, if you’re a country music lover or a Swiftie (and I’m both!) — you have to stop here!
9. See the Parthenon at Centennial Park
Centennial Park has been around for centuries but was officially named in 1897 to celebrate the state’s centennial. There are tons of awesome things to do at Centennial Park, but the one thing you can’t miss (literally — it’s huge) is the replica of the Parthenon right in the park’s center.
Nashville’s Parthenon is a real-size replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Though it’s impressive to admire from the outside, it’s equally as impressive to tour on the inside as well. Inside, you’ll see a 42-foot-tall sculpture of Athena, the Greek goddess. This is the largest indoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere. The museum also contains permanent and temporary exhibits, including replicas of the Parthenon Marbles housed in the British Museum.
10. Try biscuits at The Loveless Cafe
The Loveless Cafe is another one of the most iconic places to eat in Nashville. Though it’s a bit far from Downtown Nashville — if you have a car, the food is worth the drive!
The Loveless Cafe serves breakfast and dinner. They are well-known for their “world-famous” biscuits that come with every meal (breakfast, lunch & dinner!). They serve traditional breakfast food, like eggs, bacon, and pancakes, and for dinner, you can enjoy salads, sandwiches, fried chicken, and other delicious southern meals.
11. Snap photos of the murals & street art
Nashville is well-known for its fabulous murals and street art — 100+ murals, to be exact. One of the most fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee, is to go on a mural scavenger hunt and take photos in front of the murals, or you can go on a guided tour with a professional photographer to get professional photos in front of your favorite murals!
Some of the most popular murals in Nashville are found in 12 South, The Gulch, and Hillsboro Village. Some of my personal favorites include “I Believe in Nashville,” “Looking Pretty, Music City,” “What Lifts You – Wings,” and “Drippy Lips,” — follow my Nashville mural guide to find all my favorite murals (and more!).
12. Walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge at sunset
Nashville has a beautiful skyline, so one of the most fun things to do in Nashville is to cross the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge at sunset to admire the views and snap a photo.
The bridge crossing is just a short walk from Lower Broadway Street, so it’s easy to reach before a night on the town. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Cumberland River and connects to Nissan Stadium, where the Tennessee Titans play, so if you’re in town for a football game, you’ll cross this bridge to get to the game!
13. Explore the 12 South Neighborhood
12 South is one of the most adorable neighborhoods in Nashville, filled with charming boutiques, trendy restaurants, and colorful murals. Though it’s recently become very touristy, it is still a fun place to explore!
There are tons of fun things to do in 12 South Nashville, but a few places you can’t miss (in my opinion!) include grabbing coffee at the Frothy Monkey, enjoying ice cream at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (the best ice cream ever!), shopping at Draper James, taking photos in front of the “I Believe in Nashville” and “Looking Pretty, Music City” murals, and checking out the 12 South Farmer’s Market at Amelia’s Flower Truck.
14. Explore the Cheekwood Estate & Garden
Cheekwood Estate & Garden was once a private residence in Nashville, but it is now a stunning public botanical garden, museum, and arboretum that is open to the public.
Although the beautiful gardens filled with plants and flowers are one of the most popular places to visit at Cheekwood Estate & Garden, you can also tour the art galleries and historic rooms inside the mansion. This beautiful estate is one of the most fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee, if you love history and architecture — they also have fun seasonal events, so be sure to check the calendar to see what’s happening at Cheekwood before your trip to Nashville!
15. Stay at the Graduate Hotel Nashville
The Graduate Nashville is one of the coolest places to stay in Nashville, especially for a girls’ trip or a bachelorette party… and even if you don’t stay here, you need to stop by to check out the colorful lobby and grab a coffee at Poindexter Coffee!
Some other highlights at the Graduate Nashville include the chic rooftop pool and bar themed after Dolly Parton called White Limozeen and the animatronic karaoke bar. You’ll love the vibrant, retro feel of this fun hotel in Nashville, and it’s located right between Centennial Park and Broadway — making it the perfect place to stay on a Nashville vacation!
16. Tour the historic Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium is another one of the most iconic music venues in Nashville. The Ryman was the former home of the Grand Ole Opry before the show moved to its current location, so this building has been around for 130+ years!
The Ryman Auditorium draws performers and musicians from all genres of music, from country and pop to classical and rock ‘n’ roll. Check the calendar to see who’s performing during your trip to Nashville and snag tickets to a show, or buy tickets to tour the Ryman Auditorium during your trip to Nashville, Tennessee.
17. Travel back in time at the Andrew Jackson Hermitage
Have you ever visited a former president’s home before? If not, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the perfect place to visit during your trip to Nashville, TN. This historic house and farm were owned by the seventh president of the United States — Andrew Jackson — and now, the property is open for the public to explore.
When you’re here, you can visit Natchez Hills Winery and Vineyard to enjoy a glass of wine or lunch or dinner at FKS Kitchen. Be sure to book your grounds pass to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage ahead of time to enjoy a discounted wine tasting after exploring the property. I would consider myself a history buff, so I loved this experience!
18. Explore the Johnny Cash Museum
You’ll probably see and hear lots about Johnny Cash during your time in Nashville — after all, he is one of the greatest country music artists of all time! However, if you want to learn more about the “Man in Black” himself, head to the Johnny Cash Museum just off Broadway Street.
This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to Johnny Cash. After touring the museum, you can head next door to enjoy a barbecue lunch or dinner at Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ.
19. Wander through the Frist Art Museum
If you love art, one of the most fun things to do in Nashville is touring the Frist Art Museum. The Frist Art Museum opened in 2001, and since then, it has invited tourists and locals to enjoy beautiful artwork in the heart of Nashville.
The Frist Art Museum is a non-collecting museum, which means that you’ll see new exhibits on display each time you visit. They usually have 12+ artwork exhibits on display at a time and rotate them with new exhibits every two to three months.
20. Enjoy a southern meal at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant is a Tennessee staple that’s been around since the 1950s. They have locations in Nashville, Franklin, Chattanooga, and Pigeon Forge, so grabbing a southern meal here is a must during your trip to the South.
You can visit Puckett’s Grocery & Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll find Southern favorites on the menu, like Pimento Cheese Bites and Fried Pickles, and entrees like Southern Fried Chicken. For dessert, order the “Cobbler of the Day,” made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
21. Explore Radnor Lake State Park
If you want to get outside and enjoy the beautiful terrain that Nashville, TN, offers, head to Radnor Lake State Park. This popular state park is located right outside the city, and it’s filled with trails perfect for hiking, birding, and exploring.
While in Radnor Lake State Park, keep your eyes peeled for critters like beavers, river otters, and white-tailed deer. It’s common to see these animals (and others!) during your visit to the park. If you’re looking for another spot to get outside and explore, head to Warner Parks, two beautiful parks located nine miles from Downtown Nashville.
See the Best of Music City with This List of Fun Things to Do in Nashville
Whether you want to enjoy the nightlife on Broadway Street, take photos in front of the gorgeous murals, or enjoy a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, you’ll indeed find something from this list of the most fun things to do in Nashville, TN! I hope you have an incredible time in Nashville — it’s truly one of the most exciting cities to explore in the USA!
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