Looking for cool & unique things to do in Nashville Tennessee? Here you have my Nashville Travel Guide with the best travel tips to enjoy the country music capital of the world.
If you are thinking of making a short trip to Tennessee’s music city, in this post you have the must see places in Nashville, fun activities for the whole family and best places to eat and sleep.
There are so many things to see and do in Nashville!
Nashville, or better known as Music City, is a fantastic destination not just for music lovers. Its all-inclusive culture and lovely weather is a magnet for visitors from all over the place, and there are so many exciting things to do here besides soaking in the steep music history.
Besides did you know that Nashville is one of the best foodie destinations in the US?
Whether you are here on a road trip or weekend jaunt, there is so much to explore in one of the coolest places to visit in the US.
Let’s dive in to check out the 10 most amazing things you can do in Nashville Tennessee!
✏️ Post content
- Nashville Travel Guide
- Where to stay in Nashville
- 10 Unique Things to do in Nashville TN
- Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Ryman Auditorium
- Explore the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Have a drink at the Oak Bar at Hermitage Hotel
- Go to the Honky Tonk Highway
- Take a walk in a local neighborhood
- Get out of the city and hike, or maybe have a round of golf
- See an iconic Greek building
- Visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a President’s house
- Watch the Nashville Predators
- Where to eat in Nashville
- Best places to visit in Nashville on a Map
- Best Places to Visit Near Nashville
- Final thoughts – Top things to do in Nashville
Nashville Travel Guide
When to visit Nashville
The best time to visit Nashville is when the weather is warm and sunny, which is during the months of April to November. This period of time is also when it is busiest, driving rates up.
During the offseason, you can get discounted rates all across the city, and the mercury doesn’t drop as low as many other cities. November or February would make great alternatives.
To get the most out of the city, it’s best to spend 3 days or a weekend in Nashville, but if you just have 24 hours in Nashville, this fully narrated half-day city tour includes the city highlights plus a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium.
How to get around Nashville
The best way to get around Nashville is by using the public transport system. Driving around can be challenging due to the heavy traffic, plus you don’t want to waste time looking for parking spaces, which can be quite expensive.
Make use of the extensive network of the public bus, or consider using the limited Music City Star Train. This light rail system brings you around the popular spots of the city across 7 stations.
Another popular way to commute these days is by using bicycles. Check out BCycle for more information.
Where to stay in Nashville
Nashville can be an expensive city to visit if you solely look at hotel prices. They have consistently ranked among the most expensive cities for hotels in America. That doesn’t mean there are no good deals.
A good idea would be to stay out of the Downtown area. Here are my recommendations:
Check Rates for other Hotels in Nashville on Booking.com.
10 Unique Things to do in Nashville TN
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
How often do you get to visit a place where legends are celebrated? Even if you are not a country music lover, you will be impressed by the collections of artifacts on display here. It’s one of the best Nashville tourist spots!
A tour will take you through the history of country music and how it came to influence Nashville. Regular shows and events are held here too, so you might be in for a nice surprise on your next visit here!
»» Click to book your Country Music Hall of Fame Tickets here ««
Ryman Auditorium
Catch a live performance at the Ryman Auditorium, one of the unique things to do in Nashville.
When it was built in 1892, it was the single largest building in the area at that time and has since played host to famous performers such as Charlie Chaplin and also became the home of the Grand Ole Opry, a radio station that is synonymous with Nashville.
The iconic red brick building is not to be missed, even if you are not heading in for a show.
»» Click to book your Ryman Auditorium self-guided tour Tickets here ««
Explore the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
For an alternative way to learn more about how Nashville came about and look at the art that represents it, there is no better way than to take a stroll through this massive park, one of the main downtown Nashville attractions.
Filled with fine statues, fountains, and plaques, they tell the city’s stories and as well as offer visitors a great escape to nature.
Cap off the walk with a visit to the Tennessee State Capitol, where you can join guided tours to dive deeper into the history of Nashville.
Have a drink at the Oak Bar at Hermitage Hotel
Enjoy a smoky bourbon while relaxing in the leather armchairs of the Oak Room. It is as old school as it gets.
The heavily wooded interior makes it dark and cozy, making it the perfect place to discuss important subjects like world famine like the Presidents it has hosted before, or maybe not.
You will feel like being transported back to a time forgotten, and the excellent service will make you want to stay longer. One of the best things to do in Nashville at night!
Don’t leave without trying one of its signature drinks. Southern Belle is a great option.
Go to the Honky Tonk Highway
Music is the heart and soul of this city, and nowhere is it more apparent than in Honky Tonk Highway, which consists of Upper and Lower Broadway.
Take your pick from dozens of excellent establishments offering free live music combined with reasonably priced beers and delicious bar food. A personal favorite is Honky Tonk Central, where entertainment is spread across 3 floors, and it’s one of the best things to do on Broadway in Nashville!
Take a walk in a local neighborhood
While it is likely that you will spend most of your time in Downtown Nashville, you should consider taking an hour or two to explore outside of it.
What better way than to cross the street into a local neighborhood?
SoBro is situated just beside Downtown, and this is where you can take a peek into the local’s lifestyles. There are lots of interesting murals in this part of the city, perfect for street art lovers, and you can do well to visit an open-air farmers’ market to support the locals too. Some of the coolest free things in Nashville!
If you want to discover popular street art and murals in Nashville take this 3-hour Sweet Start Murals and Mimosas Tour.
Get out of the city and hike, or maybe have a round of golf
Accessibility is key to exploring this part of Nashville.
Percy Warner Park is a great spot for you to embark on long, peaceful hikes among some of the most beautiful scenery in this city. Pack a picnic and go!
It’s one of the best outdoor activities to do in Nashville and one of the fun things to do in Nashville with kids!
Plenty of events are held here each year, so this is an excellent opportunity to hang out with the locals. This park is also unique due to the fact that it is home to an equestrian facility, which is open at certain times of the year.
Golfers will be happy to know there are 2 decent golf courses located on the same grounds too.
See an iconic Greek building
Ever heard of the Parthenon? Yes, the one standing right on top of the Acropolis in Athens. The cool thing is that there is a replica right in the heart of the city. One of the best things to do in Nashville!
It was built in 1897 and pays homage to the original Greek architecture. Today, you can visit The Parthenon, which currently serves as the city’s art museum, one of the free museums in Nashville. Expect to spend about an hour to explore the art pieces on display.
Visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a President’s house
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States, back in 1829. Widely known as the People’s President, he was highly respected by the community, and today you have a chance to visit the place where he stayed.
It is now a museum and is the best place to learn more about his life, how he fought in the American Revolution as a child, later rising to become a General to his achievements as President. These hallowed grounds are not to be missed.
Watch the Nashville Predators
Ever watched an ice hockey game? It’s an exhilarating experience, cheering alongside thousands of passionate fans. The atmosphere is electric, and the game is exciting.
The Bridgestone Arena is the home ground of the city’s ice hockey team, and when they are not playing, it is the premier location to watch world-class acts perform.
Where to eat in Nashville
Seriously, no one comes to Nashville without doing 2 particular things:
- Music, which we covered earlier, and
- Hot chicken.
Think deep-fried chicken covered in cayenne paste served with fries. How can you possibly go wrong with this combination?
You will find lots of variations throughout Nashville, but the one you have to try out is the original Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack.
Besides, you can visit the hot spots around Nashville and try out the best food in the city with this Taste of Nashville Walking Food Tour.
Best places to visit in Nashville on a Map
Best Places to Visit Near Nashville
There are so many wonderful things to do near Nashville you’ll love, like Mammoth Cave National Park, Stones River National Battlefield or Rock Island State Park.
Besides, here you have some of the best day trips from Nashville:
Visit Memphis and Graceland from Nashville
This 15-hour Nashville to Graceland Memphis VIP Tour includes transportation from Nashville, a VIP access to Elvis Presley’s Graceland, a guided tour of Sun Studios and free time to explore Memphis.
Visit a Rural American Farm
This 5- hour Rural American Farm Tour will take you Rabbit Circle farm just outside of Nashville, and you’ll have the chance to see firsthand how food is grown locally and and enjoy traditional Southern cuisine.
Final thoughts – Top things to do in Nashville
Nashville is a special place in the hearts of many, and even casual music fans will appreciate the diverse and liberal society that it is.
There are so many cool things to do in Nashville! The people are warm and friendly, the food is incredible and there is hardly anywhere you can be as laid back and relaxed as this city is.
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Shang is one half of the couple behind Zip Up and Go, a travel blog that takes you to explore the best nature spots, food places, and watering holes. While not travelling, she dreams about rock climbing in Krabi Thailand. Find us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!
Sara what a beautiful place. We are pretty close to Nashville now. May need to visit.
It’s totally worth it Ryan. You’ll love it!