What Should I Do in Nashville?
Whether traveling solo or bringing a group, here’s your on-ramp to tons of Nashville attractions including live music, museums, dining, and much more. Get your intel from a living, breathing fourth-generation Nashvillian instead of a AI bot.
Got kids? Hop to 50+ Activities for Families.
Gotta have some live music. It’s the #1 reason people come to Nashville.
- Broadway Honky Tonks: The Complete Guide Yep, I went door-to-door to profile them.
- Off-Broadway honky tonks and clubs Just a little off the beaten path.
- Songwriter showcases Yes, there’s the Bluebird Cafe but it’s not the only place hosting songwriter rounds.
- Americana, roots, and bluegrass A little more organic that current country.
- Blues and Jazz Because we’re Music City, not Country Music City.
- Definitely not country Your go-to for rock, alternative, emo, and more.
- Hidden Treasures Some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path music spots.
- Live music venues Your link to stadiums and mid-size concert halls.
Live Music for Visitors Under 21
Looking for live music but members of your group aren’t yet 21? Nashville has plenty of options for you! This post will guide you to great spots to experience live music without an age restriction.
Yes, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the most famous but it’s one of a half-dozen engaging museums covering a surprising spectrum of genres. Click on “Museums” above to learn about our explorations of gospel, Motown, blues, jazz, and more.
Check out the living history of the Ryman Auditorium, the free Tennessee State Museum, and Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, plus many other options.
The National Museum of African American Music is covers everything from early gospel to the latest urban sounds.
Tons of options–make your own customized Goo-Goo candy bar, record a song, learn to two-step, enjoy southern-style tea service, take a train to a quaint rural town, and yes, you can bring your party aboard a bus, pontoon, or pedal tavern.
Historical to hysterical, plenty of tour options whether you want to explore our city’s rich history or just have a rolling dance party.
From delicacies to downhome country cooking, consult the link above or one of the options below.
- Hot chicken Where to find it and how to eat it
- Not just hot chicken Broader menus for those less daring
- Meat-and-threes Uniquely Nashville restaurants serving southern fare
- Barbecue It’s not our speciality but we have truly tasty options
- Foodie favs I lean toward locally owned restaurants rather imports
- Breakfast favorites Pastries to brunch spots
- Local favorites Places locals have loved for years
Not very photogenic but my hot chicken pick is Red’s next to Centennial Park. His signature crunchwrap is served with crispy bacon and mac’n’cheese in a grilled tortilla. Don’t tell your cardiologist.
Walkable Attractions
Catch the tigers at the zoo, visit the Parthenon at Centennial Park, stroll the immaculate gardens of Cheekwood, spot a bald eagle at Radnor Lake–that’s only the beginning.
South Nashville. Watch the gibbons performing acrobatics in the trees. Catch the Andean bears prowling their massive habitat. Get a close-up view of tigers and rare clouded leopards.
Belle Meade. Explore the luscious gardens and woodlands of the Cheekwood estate, enjoy the seasonal decorations, tour the mansion, and delight in their TRAINS! exhibit celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Germantown. At just 19 acres, it is our smallest state park but there’s a bunch of interesting stuff there. Take a walk through Tennessee history, trace the rivers of the state, listen to the 95-bell carillon play “The Tennessee Waltz” on the hour and visit its neighbor, the free Tennessee State Museum.
Next door is Nashville Farmer’s Market with more than a dozen merchants and eateries as well as seasonal crops fresh from the fields.
Forest Hills. Among the most popular destinations. Take the peaceful walk around the lake and maybe spot a bald eagle or deer.
We’re blessed with parks, greenways, nature centers, golf courses, bike and hiking trails, picnic shelters all over the county. Click above for an overview menu.
Particularly from spring through fall, Metro Parks hosts a number of special events ranging from music performances to guided hikes.
Considered a Nashville must-see, Centennial Park is home to the Parthenon, a museum, a variety of festivals, concerts, and more.
Make a splash at one of our three waterparks. Kayak up the Cumberland. Enjoy dinner aboard a paddlewheeler. Rent a boat, paddleboat, or canoe. So many choices to get relief from Nashville’s hot and humid summers.
Lots of fun for all ages at Nashville Shores water park.
⇒Use the pull-down menu and search bar.
They’ll take you to info on parking and lodging, tips on staying safe, navigating big events, and a whole bunch of intel from a fourth-generation Nashvillian.
