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Discover Nashville: Music City’s Guide to the Best Things to Do

Explore the best things to do in Nashville, from Lower Broadway’s honky-tonks and live music to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and Music City’s legendary food and nightlife scene.

Tourism Tickets United States Nashville

Neighborhoods

Downtown & Lower Broadway, The Gulch, Germantown

East Nashville, 12 South, Midtown & Music Row

The Gulch or Downtown for first-time visitors

Signature Sights

Catch a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium, dive into the Country Music Hall of Fame, visit the Johnny Cash Museum, walk the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway, marvel at the full-scale Parthenon in Centennial Park, and experience the legendary Grand Ole Opry.

Best Time Windows

Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Nov) bring mild temperatures and ideal sightseeing weather. Summer is festival season with CMA Fest and packed patios, while winter offers fewer crowds, lower prices, and cozy live music indoors.

Getting Around

Downtown and Lower Broadway are highly walkable

WeGo buses and the free Music City Circuit cover the core

Rideshare is easy; a car helps for suburbs and day trips

Food & Nightlife

Nashville hot chicken, smoked BBQ, meat-and-three, and steakhouses

Lower Broadway, The Gulch, and East Nashville dining districts

Honky-tonks, live music venues, rooftop bars, and late-night patios

Seasonal Highlights

Spring blooms, patios, and the build-up to festival season

Summer CMA Fest, rooftop bars, and outdoor concerts

Fall foliage and festive holiday lights along Broadway

Side Trips

Franklin, Leiper’s Fork, and Lynchburg (Jack Daniel’s)

Memphis and Chattanooga road trips

Great Smoky Mountains and Mammoth Cave

Famous Nashville City Spots

Adventure Science Center Tickets
Country Music Hall of Fame Tickets
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Tickets
National Corvette Museum Tickets

Things to Do in Nashville

Live Music & Honky-Tonks on Lower Broadway

There's no better place to start than Lower Broadway, where neon-lit honky-tonks pour out live country music from morning until late night. Bar-hop between iconic spots like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, catch up-and-coming artists, and soak up the energy that earned Nashville the nickname Music City.

Country Music History & Museums

Trace the roots of American music at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, step inside the legendary Ryman Auditorium, and explore the Johnny Cash Museum on Lower Broadway. A short drive away, Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry complete Nashville's story as the heart of country music.

Hot Chicken, BBQ & Southern Food

Nashville's food scene is a destination in itself. Dig into fiery Nashville hot chicken at spots like Hattie B's and Prince's, savour slow-smoked BBQ, and try a classic meat-and-three. Round it out with Southern steakhouses, brunch favourites, and the famous Pancake Pantry.

Art, Culture & the Parthenon

Beyond the music, Nashville surprises with rich culture. Visit the Frist Art Museum's rotating exhibitions, stroll Centennial Park to see the world's only full-scale replica of the Parthenon, and explore the Adventure Science Center and historic sites that reveal the city's deeper heritage.

Nightlife, Rooftop Bars & Music Venues

After dark, Nashville keeps the party going. Sip cocktails at rooftop bars overlooking the skyline, catch a headline act at the Grand Ole Opry or a downtown music venue, and explore the bars of Broadway and East Nashville for everything from line dancing to indie shows.

Nashville Neighborhoods

Downtown & Lower Broadway

The buzzing heart of Music City, Downtown and Lower Broadway are lined with neon honky-tonks, live music, and big-name attractions. Stay here for easy walking access to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the riverfront.

The Gulch

A sleek, walkable district just south of Broadway, The Gulch is known for its trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, boutique shopping, and the famous What Lifts You angel-wings mural. It's ideal for first-time visitors who want a central, modern base close to the action.

East Nashville

Hip, creative, and full of character, East Nashville is the city's go-to for indie music venues, craft cocktail bars, vintage shops, and some of the best independent restaurants in town. Cross the river for a more local, laid-back side of Music City.

12 South

One of Nashville's most photogenic neighbourhoods, 12 South is packed with boutiques, coffee shops, popular brunch spots, and famous murals. Its walkable, tree-lined streets make it a favourite for shopping, people-watching, and easygoing afternoons.

Germantown

Nashville's oldest neighbourhood blends historic architecture with a celebrated food scene. Germantown is home to acclaimed restaurants, cozy cafés, the Nashville Farmers' Market, and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, offering a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.

Midtown & Music Row

Close to Vanderbilt University, Midtown buzzes with bars, restaurants, and nightlife, while neighbouring Music Row is the historic centre of Nashville's recording industry. It's a lively area for visitors who want to be near both the music business and the social scene.

How to Get to Nashville

Nashville is served by Nashville International Airport (BNA), the city's main gateway with direct flights from across the United States and a growing number of international routes. Located about 9 miles (around a 12-minute drive) southeast of downtown, it's one of the fastest big-city airport transfers in the country. Getting from the airport to the city:

  • WeGo Route 18 The only public bus to downtown's WeGo Central, about 40–55 minutes for $2.00
  • Taxi / Rideshare Roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown depending on traffic
  • Rental Car On-site rental counters; handy if you plan day trips
  • Hotel Shuttles Many downtown and airport-area hotels offer shuttle service

Nashville is not served by Amtrak intercity passenger trains, so most visitors arrive by air, car, or bus. There is, however, a local commuter rail option for getting around the region. Local rail: WeGo Star

  • WeGo Star commuter rail links downtown's Riverfront Station with eastern suburbs toward Lebanon on weekdays
  • Amtrak Thruway connecting buses serve Nashville from the downtown bus station to rail hubs such as Chicago and St. Louis
  • The nearest Amtrak station with direct train service is in Memphis, about a 3-hour drive away
  • For most trips, flying into BNA or driving is the most convenient option

Long-distance coach services connect Nashville with cities across the South and beyond, often at budget-friendly prices for travellers arriving from nearby states.

  • Main bus station Greyhound Station at 709 5th Avenue South, near downtown and the convention center
  • Greyhound and FlixBus offer affordable routes from cities like Memphis, Atlanta, and Louisville, with WeGo local buses available for onward travel.

Nashville sits at the crossroads of several major interstates (I-40, I-24, and I-65), making it an easy and popular road-trip destination from across the South and Midwest.

  • Typical driving times Chattanooga: about 2 hours Louisville: about 2.5–3 hours Memphis: about 3 hours Atlanta: about 3.5–4 hours
  • Downtown parking can be limited and pricey, especially on event nights and weekends.
  • Many visitors park their car and rely on walking and rideshare once in the city centre.

Plan your perfect Nashville City itinerary

Nashville in 3 Days

We recommend: Nashville in 3 Days

  • Explore Lower Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash Museum
  • Balance live music, museums, hot chicken, and neighbourhoods like The Gulch and 12 South
  • Ideal for first-time visitors wanting to experience Nashville's highlights
Visit Nashville

Music Lover's Nashville

We recommend: Nashville Music Itinerary

  • Catch shows at the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry, and Lower Broadway honky-tonks
  • Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, and historic Music Row
  • Perfect for country music fans and live-music lovers

Nashville Food & Nightlife

We recommend: Nashville Food & Nightlife Itinerary

  • Sample Nashville hot chicken, BBQ, and a classic meat-and-three
  • Hit rooftop bars, The Gulch, and East Nashville's craft cocktail and live music scene
  • Ideal for foodies and travellers chasing Nashville's nightlife

Beyond Nashville: Tennessee Day Trips

We recommend: Best Day Trips from Nashville

  • Discover Franklin, Lynchburg (Jack Daniel's), Memphis, and Chattanooga
  • Combine small-town charm, whiskey country, and scenic Tennessee landscapes
  • Perfect for extending your Nashville trip with memorable regional experiences

Nashville Arts, History & Culture

We recommend: Nashville Cultural Itinerary

  • Visit the Frist Art Museum, the Parthenon in Centennial Park, and the Adventure Science Center
  • Explore historic neighbourhoods, local galleries, and Tennessee heritage sites
  • Great for art lovers and travellers interested in the city beyond country music

Beyond Nashville City: Best Day Trips & Nearby Escapes

Franklin

Just 30 minutes south of Nashville, historic Franklin charms visitors with its beautifully preserved Main Street, Civil War history, antique shops, and acclaimed restaurants. It's an easy, picture-perfect escape from the city.

Lynchburg & Jack Daniel's

About 90 minutes from Nashville, the small town of Lynchburg is home to the world-famous Jack Daniel's Distillery. Tour the historic distillery, learn the art of Tennessee whiskey, and soak up classic Southern small-town atmosphere.

Memphis

A 3-hour drive west, Memphis is a music pilgrimage in its own right. Visit Graceland, walk legendary Beale Street, and explore the soul and blues heritage that, together with Nashville, defines Tennessee's musical legacy.

Chattanooga

Around 2 hours southeast, Chattanooga is an outdoor lover's playground. Ride the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain, see Ruby Falls and Rock City, and enjoy the scenic riverfront, making it a great nature-focused day trip.

Great Smoky Mountains

For a longer escape, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and gateway towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge lie about 3.5 hours east. Expect misty mountain trails, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife in America's most-visited national park.

Mammoth Cave

Just over 90 minutes north in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park protects the longest known cave system in the world. Guided tours through its vast underground passages make for an unforgettable day trip from Nashville.

FAQs About Visiting Nashville City

What is the best time to visit Nashville?

The best time to visit Nashville is during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when temperatures are mild and ideal for exploring. Summer is lively with festivals like CMA Fest but can be hot and humid, while winter brings fewer crowds, lower prices, and plenty of indoor live music.

How many days do you need in Nashville?

Most travellers find that 3 to 4 days in Nashville is enough to experience the highlights, including Lower Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the city's hot chicken and nightlife scene. Add extra days if you plan day trips to Franklin, Memphis, or the Great Smoky Mountains.

What are the top attractions to visit in Nashville?

Some of the best things to do in Nashville include exploring the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway, visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, seeing a show at the Ryman Auditorium, touring the Johnny Cash Museum, and admiring the full-scale Parthenon replica in Centennial Park. The Grand Ole Opry and the Frist Art Museum are also popular stops.

Is Nashville expensive for tourists?

Nashville can range from affordable to pricey depending on timing. Hotel rates and attraction tickets rise during major events, festivals, and weekends, while weekdays and the off-season offer better value. Booking attractions and accommodation in advance helps visitors secure the best prices.

What is the best way to get around Nashville?

Downtown Nashville and Lower Broadway are very walkable, and the free Music City Circuit buses plus WeGo Public Transit cover the central area. Rideshare services are widely available, while renting a car is useful if you plan to explore the suburbs or take day trips outside the city.

What are the best day trips from Nashville?

Popular day trips from Nashville include historic Franklin, the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, the music city of Memphis, outdoorsy Chattanooga, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. These offer a mix of small-town charm, whiskey country, music history, and natural scenery.