Nashville is the capital city of the state of Tennessee and is known as the music city as well. That is the reason Nashville attracts thousands of tourists every year and becomes heaven for travelers. In fact, people flock here every year to tap their feet to some crazy tunes. Think rock and roll and pop and rock kind of music.
The city has its own Broadway which is definitely one of its biggest attractions. There is a lot more to Nashville than just its music though. In fact, there are loads of things to do in the city and you will probably find something for all ages.
If this city is a part of your bucket list and you are wondering, what will you do there? These are some of the top things to do in Nashville.
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Quick Resource Guide To Nashville, Tennessee
Aside from checking out all the amazing things to do in Nashville, you will also need to check out accommodation, transport, food etc. This quick resource guide will help you find everything you need in one place.
Accommodation In Nashville, Tennessee
Luxury: Hayes Street Hotel Nashville, Dream Nashville, La Quinta Inn & Suites
Mid-range: Waymore’s Guest House, BentoLiving Chestnut Hill
Budget: Fairfeild Inn & Suites, Element Nashville Airport
Best Tours In Nashville, Tennessee
Explore the city: Nashville Hop On And Hop Off Tour (Great way to see the sights), Jack Daniel’s Distillery bus tour (includes whiskey tasting), Home of stars tour (takes you to 30+ celebrity homes), Golf cart tours around Nashville.
Party Tours: Party tractor tour (Unique and fun way to party),
Unique Experiences: Helicopter tour of downtown Nashville, Line dancing classes,
Food Tours: Nashville walking tasting tour (small group), Pub crawl tour (includes moonshine, cocktails and craft beer), Underground donut tour.
Things To Do In Nashville: Table Of Content
- Get Entertained At The Ryman Auditorium
- Witness The Legends Of Country Music
- A Sneak Peek Into Old Greek
- Have A Meal At The Loveless Café
- Spend An Evening At The 12th Avenue
- Have A Drink At Nashville Union Station
- Take A Tour Of The Frist Art Museum
- Visit The National Museum Of African American Music
- Learn About The State’s History At Tennessee State Museum
- Explore Science At The Adventure Science Centre
- Spend A Day In Nature At The Radnor Lake State Park
1. Get Entertained At The Ryman Auditorium
Visiting the Ryman Auditorium is one of the top things to do in Nashville.
Ryman Auditorium is one of the most known and visited places in the entire Nashville. It is said that Ryman is where pop culture lives. It is not only visited by the tourists as a spot where the legends have once performed. It is also visited by the regionals and art lovers. There are regular events that keep happening here that keep this historical place alive.
The history of the auditorium goes back to 1892 and has been home to a lot of events since then. Even if you don’t want to attend a concert, the history of the auditorium would leave you astonished.
The auditorium is in its ideal shape with numerous seats and a small stage where you can see a lot of notable performances and can witness the power of music played on these walls. It has 2362 seats in total. All you need to do is to book your tickets.
You can find the list of the upcoming events online or on the official website of the auditorium. Browse through it and narrow down on which event fits perfectly into your top things to do in Nashville.
2. Witness The Legends Of Country Music
One of the epic things to do in Nashville is to visit the Hall of Fame of Country Music.
A huge wall filled with golden and silver records with the names under them which you probably might be familiar with. If Nashville is the city that celebrates music, then this small building is dedicated to all the artists who helped in keeping those rhythms alive.
The Hall of Fame of Country Music is a unique place in the entire state. If you are a music lover, specifically country music then this place is where you can get yourself inspired. The museum does not only preserve what has been created but also researches the deep ocean of vernacular music.
Here you will find the birth of country music and the many changes that have been done to it by various artists and instruments thus giving birth to what we hear today. It is also known for having the world’s most expensive music collection. If you love music then this is a must on the list of things to do in Nashville.
3. A Sneak Peek Into Old Greek
If you are looking for an European experience among the top things to do in Nashville then you won’t be disappointed. Yes, you can see a part of Greece in America.
In the centennial Park of Tennessee, there is a Greek-styled structure which is a replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. You would recognize this building from far away by looking at the huge pillars that go all the way to the slanted triangular ceiling. But it is not a complete replica of the Greek Parthenon.
Inside, there is a series of galleries that displays paintings and artifacts from Europe and the entire United States of America. You would even remember the giant idol of Goddess Athena in front of the entrance of the building which was also featured in the latest Percy Jackson movie.
But above all, it is meant to give the unmissable experience of a lifetime and you would love to walk through these galleries.
4. Have A Meal At The Loveless Café
If you want to try some good food then try the Loveless café. It is one of the top things to do in Nashville.
One of the oldest shops in the city run by generations that pride itself in serving people the best of the best food. The history of the café goes back to 1951 when the loveless couple started the hotel on a highway to feed the travelers and passersby.
Today, almost 65 years later, that hotel or café has extended its table to welcome more and more guests and people to enjoy their food. Though their old recipes still tingle the eaters’ tongues. They have extended their menu to a wide variety of snacks and drinks.
The warm environment, a lot of memorabilia on the walls of the café and soothing hospitality is the sign of love and laughter that this place spreads. You can see why this is one of the popular things to do in Nashville.
5. Spend An Evening At The 12th Avenue
12th Avenue is the crowded downtown of the city. It is also the tourist’s favorite and a must visit in any Nashville itinerary. The numerous shops around the street and the graffiti on the walls make it one of the best places where visitors go to take some quirky pictures for their Instagrams.
It is also the place where people go for a walk during the evening or do some window shopping. You can have your shopping thirst quenched here as the place has a variety of goods. Also, some local boutiques would take care of all your fashion needs no matter your taste.
12th Avenue is a wonderful place to visit in Nashville during winters too when the streets are lit up with festive lights. It is one of the coolest things to do in Nashville.
6. Have A Drink At Nashville Union Station
Nashville Union Station is one of the unique things to do in Nashville.
Speaking of Insta-worthy pictures, there is another spot that would offer your pictures of the royal look of the palace as well as some cocktails that would enhance your experience of the city.
Nashville Union Station might not sound like a place where you would get it all. But don’t go by the name. The name is historical but the place has turned into a royal experience. It is truly one of the unique things to do in Nashville.
Nashville Union Station has turned into a hotel now but the drinks that would be served to you on the ground floor would make you fall in love with this place even more.
7. Take A Tour Of The Frist Art Museum
At a distance of 2 minutes from Nashville Union Station, there is a heaven of fine arts in the city of music. It is known as the Frist Art Museum.
The best part of the museum is that it does not hold a permanent art collection and the paintings and the works of art on display keep changing.
So, it might depend upon the time at which you visit the museum but it would display different works at different times. It would also have the creations of new artists hence you can look at the deep perspective of the paintings through their eyes.
8. Visit The National Museum Of African American Music
If you are not interested in fine arts and just want to explore music. Then you can take your inspiration from the National Museum of African American Music.
Considering that it is the only museum that has dedicated itself to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created and influenced and inspired by African Americans.
Here you would realize how beautifully the African American community has influenced the music in different genres. It tells the perfect tale of the amalgamation of history displayed by technology to motivate future generations.
9. Learn About The State’s History At Tennessee State Museum
Being the capital of Tennessee, Nashville also has a state museum where you will find all the memorandums of the history related to the state of Tennessee. The museum consists of old paintings, photographs and the history of the people who once lived in the capital and the state.
You will find here the stories of the civil war and the renovation after that. You will get to know the day-to-day living of the people of the historical times and more.
Entry to the museum is free. You can take your time to indulge in the history and culture of the old times here at this place.
10. Explore Science At The Adventure Science Centre
If you love science then the Adventure Science Center is one of the top things to do in Nashville.
Do you know what can bring music to life and give it new wings? Physics. And to know more about the physics behind the sound of resonance and vibrations, you need to understand science. This could be one of the reasons why Adventure Science Center is another most visited place in the city of Nashville.
It is the perfect place for children if you are planning your visit to the city with your family. Or you can visit it too to look at the ways of science from the beginner’s perspective.
You can know the old dinosaurs here and discover the undiscovered science of space and the dark universe. You can know the intricacies of human anatomy and give a visit to the nebula at the planetarium.
If all of these things are too childish for you, then there are special hours set aside for adults. When you can know all about the art of brewing different kinds of beer and tasting them as well. You can know all about it on their official website.
11. Spend A Day In Nature At The Radnor Lake State Park
If you love the outdoors then the Radnor Lake State Park is one of the best things to do in Nashville.
After roaming among the bricks and mortar throughout your visit to the city, you might need the natural touch of Nashville. For the same, you can visit Radnor Park which is spread over 1,368 acres of area and is one of the quaintest places in the entire city.
You can plan a picnic here and it is the perfect place for some wildlife viewing opportunities. The lake at the park and the site of the oak hill makes the park one of a kind to be a part of.
The lush green surroundings and the open sky could be other reasons you want to spend some time here, especially at sunset or on a nice quiet evening.
And there you have it. These are the top things to do in Nashville. How many things have you covered during your visits? Are there any other things to do in Nashville that you would suggest? Drop us a line in the comments below and let us know.
About The Author
Anjali Wadhwa is a travel blogger on Cheerful Trails, where she shares her passion for exploring the world. She loves writing about destinations, travel tips, and itineraries to inspire readers to venture on their own journeys.