13 Things To Do In Nashville: Classic Honky Tonks To Music Legends!

Planning a Nashville trip? How exciting! Prepare to be surprised! There are countless things to do in Nashville year round & for all. Friendly, fun and legendary for live music, honky tonk classics and country legends’ bars, this city has a lot more to share beyond bright lights and packed bars!

Nashville is loved for its music heritage, but is also a modern state capital city with a positive energy and a nod to the future.

We include well known and a few hidden music spots, world class museums, great restaurants, beautiful parks, riverside walks, lively bars & shopping tips!

Whether you are coming as a couple, group of friends, or solo, you’re going to love Tennessee’s capital city.

This guide shares everything you need for the best of times in Music City. We list our favourite Nashville spots, along with tried and tested tips on getting around, where to stay, & eat.

Finding the best experiences in Nashville can be tricky if you leave it until you land at the airport, or pull up after a long drive. Tickets can sell out fast, events can overwhelm the city center, especially over weekends in summer.

Rather than just a list of things to do in Nashville, our guide helps you think about how to organize them into a typical 3 day stay making the most of your time.

Nashville Map

This general map is helpful as you decide on your activities and accommodation. It shows the main downtown area, the north east area of Opryland, and to the south west Music Row/The Parthenon District.

More on where to stay later in this post, but these are the 3 areas we recommend.

Quick List Of Things To Do in Nashville

If you want a quick overview of how to take our suggestions for your trip and fit them into 3 days, this summary is for you. Scroll down for all the details you need to book and enjoy each Nashville attraction and experience.

• Day 1: Country Music Hall of Fame; Broadway Honky Tonks
• Day 2: Ryman Tour; Nashville Palace & Grand Ole Opry Show
• Day 3: Johnny Cash Museum, Line Dance Class, Go Dancing!

If you like the sound of hitting all these top spots and more, consider buying a Nashville Access Pass. You can choose from Music, Circle or Fun options, each giving you entry into different experiences and places. Check it out!

13 Things To Do in Nashville – Start Exploring!

Nashville is one of the fastest growing US cities, transformed from its 1779 start in life when it was actually part of North Carolina.

Being by the Cumberland River and well connected to railroad transportation, it grew fast and is still expanding with 600,000+ residents. A walk across the river will give you a unique perspective on the old and new parts of town!

So, let’s dive into our suggestions on what to do in Nashville:

1. Visit Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Spend a morning retracing the steps of music! Plan on spending 3 hours here because there is so much to see over several floors. If you prefer, get an audio guide for $5, but the signage with the exhibits is fairly comprehensive.

As well as the permanent Hall of Fame, and Museum, you will find other exhibitions and workshops. If you have kids with you, let them try writing their own hit song for example!

We suggest you book the package deal which includes the Studio B Tour. It’s short (1 hour) and the studio itself is small and basic, but to stand in the spot where Elvis, Dolly Parton and other music legends recorded their first hits is a top thing to do in Nashville.

When you buy your integrated ticket, you will be asked to meet in the museum lobby. You get on a small bus, along with a guide and then head together to Music Row. They tour you through the recording space. It’s fun!

When you return to the museum after your tour, check out their shop – it’s packed with great souvenirs. Enjoy a coffee or lunch here if you are tight for time.

2. Tour The Grand Ole Opry & See A Show

Having walked through the hall of fame, it’s a must to take in a Grand Ole Opry Show as part of your Nashville itinerary. Artists have been playing at the Opry since 28th November 1925!

We’ve personally listened to artists like Trisha Yearwood, Priscilla Block and Carrie Underwood as well as less familiar names who were simply amazing.

🔍 Check Grand Ole Opry Ticket Availability

You never know who is going to show up on the night, so buy your ticket and go with the flow.

Book an Opry Back Stage Guided Tour to get a first-hand sense of its history and why performers regard performing here as such a privilege. It lasts around an hour. Make time to browse their shop too – it’s packed with country music goodies!

If you choose to come here on a night with a live broadcast (Saturdays & some special events during the year), be prepared for an announcer and some advertising. To be honest, we have done both and prefer going when it’s not a broadcast night!

3. Hit the Bright Lights of Broadway

Whether you spend time here in the afternoon or evening (or both!), you have to experience Lower Broadway Nashville when you visit.

With almost 30 bars in a 5 block area, including many under the names of big stars like Dierks Bentley, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Post Malone, you can dip in and out to enjoy music, food and drinks.

Here’s 5 of our favourite bars on Broadway:

Nudie’s – a Nashville Original!

Originally a tailor’s shop, the 3 story building is 100+ years old, and Nudie (the tailor) created elaborate clothing for the likes of Elvis, Elton John and Bob Dylan. Check out the longest bar in Nashville with its silver dollar coins, then head to the roof top!

Morgan Wallen’s This Bar

This was our first visit to a newer kid on the block, and although we came early afternoon before heading to catch our flight, the music was top notch.

The main bar downstairs is great to sit at with direct views of the stage, and the staff were so friendly.

AJ’s Good Time Bar

Around since 2016, this award winning venue keeps things traditional with live music over 4 floors. You’re in the oldest building in Nashville which once was a hospital!

Take time to walk around and check out some Alan Jackson memorabilia. If you love singing karaoke, this might just be your spot to get discovered 🙂

Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa

If you want a taste of Texas in Tennessee, Casa Rosa on Broadway is your place. Have a cocktail and enjoy the live music as you walk in, then head upstairs for lunch or dinner.

The food is fresh and delicious, portions are huge (share appetizers and salads!), and their margaritas, as good as we’ve had in Houston!

Luke Comb’s Category 10

This is a buzzing place, living up to its name, which was after his song ‘Hurricane”. We joined a line dancing class in full swing – there’s lots of space as this is the biggest dance floor in town!

Enjoy river views from the rooftop, and if you’re a sports fan, the TV screens will likely have your game on!

Broadway Beyond The Bars

But there’s a lot more here than just drinking spots.

Take a Nashville foodie walking tour, make your own chocolate at Goo Goos (delicious), pop into nearby Union Station for lunch and admire its 65 feet stain glass roof.

It’s also a short walk over to our next Nashville attraction not to be missed: The timeless Ryman Auditorium.

4. Tour The Ryman Auditorium

Coldplay declared this ‘the greatest concert venue in the world’, so it’s got to be special! Take a Ryman Auditorim Behind The Scenes Tour and you’ll see that the royalty of music from Rock and Roll to today’s stars like Ed Sheeran have all played here.

We suggest booking the self-guided tour but we have also taken a guided tour. If you do choose this option, you’ll hear a few more stories & tales!

Come back for an evening show, even if you don’t know who the artists are. A couple years back, we showed up at the box office, bought tickets, which turned out to be Lukas Nelson (son of Willie Nelson) and his band. Amazing acoustics and great value.

Some also believe that the ghost of Elvis lives in the basement, unhappy in that he only got to play here one time!

5. Indulge In Breakfast Nashville Style

There are several classic spots for breakfast in Nashville so try and visit one of them while you’re in town. You’re going to find southern comfort in biscuits with traditional hot chicken, along with eggs, bacon.

Hattie B’s is legendary in the hot chicken department.

Our go to is Sun Diner (next to Johnny Cash Museum). As you eat, you can take in many historical moments from the Sun Record archives plastered on the walls. Great coffee, portions are generous and it’s a friendly atmosphere.

Alternatively, for a carb loading indulgence, head to the Pancake Pantry and choose from 20+ varieties of buttermilk fluffy delight. You might have a wait in line but it’s worth it as this place has been serving up pancakes for over 60 years.

First Watch, just off 3rd/Broadway, is less traditional but if you prefer a lighter breakfast menu, this is a good choice. Their avocado toast was delicious.

If you can’t decide, why not head over to the amazing Assembly Food Hall and browse the 30+ eateries. A great spot for lunch too!

6. Spend a Day In Music Valley

In our experience, you can’t visit Nashville without spending time in Music Valley. It’s a little out of downtown (15 minutes drive), but this is classic honky tonk land and we love it!

We prefer to stay in this part of town too. It’s better value for money, even factoring in an Uber ride into downtown.

Listen to live music, take a line dance class, maybe bump into a star after their Opry performance or just enjoy chatting with locals!

Far less touristy than Lower Broadway, you’ll find plenty to fill a day, maybe before you take in an evening Opry show. The strip mall (or village as it’s called) is full of vintage shops so don’t miss them if you love a rummage through the past!

Wicked Ollies’s vintage even has a bus museum inside and it’s free to climb aboard and check out how they toured back in the day!

There’s a museum dedicated to Willie Nelson at the back of the General Store (great choice of souvenirs here), and also another dedicated to the TV Show Dukes of Hazzard.

Here’s the main music venues in Music Valley. All are within walking distances of each other ie. less than 5 minutes apart.

• Nashville Palace – come for dancing, dance lessons, affordable drinks and food. Place where locals hang out too.

• Scoreboard Bar and Grill – perfect for sports fans who also want live music. Their BBQ is popular.

• Music City Bar – about as classic honky tonk as they come in Nashville, come here for a taste of country roots.
• The Troubadour Nashville – quite the variety from classic country music shows to wrestling, and on Sundays, Cowboy Church!
• Nashville Nightlife Theatre – a country themed entertainment show while you enjoy a Southern style dinner!

It’s an easy 20 minute walk (or 5 min drive) from Music Valley over to the Opry Mills Shopping Center.

Come here to explore a wonderland of fashion outlets, whiskey tasting rooms, a cinema complex, a choice restaurants, including Chuys and Rainforest Cafe. This is also home to Nashville’s Madam Tussauds Wax Museum.

11. Nashville’s Madame Tussauds

If you find yourself in Nashville on a rainy day and it’s too early for dancing, why not spend a couple of hours at Madame Tussauds. The wax figures reflect music through the ages and it’s not just country icons on show.

Its quite interactive so feel free to airplay a guitar, sing along with Garth Brooks and sit next to Tammy Wynette!

They have various packages on offer, like the option to combine a tour with wine tasting from local Amber Falls Winery.

7. Discover The Real Johnny Cash (Musuem)

If you love the music of Johnny Cash, the ‘Ring of Fire’ film or just enjoy a walk through times gone by, don’t miss this classic museum.

To be honest, even after several visits to Nashville, I didn’t make it until this last trip and it didn’t disappoint. It’s been voted the Top Music Museum in the USA for the last 3 years, so we’re not alone in loving this experience.

It is small but packed with artifacts, stories, music and insights into the musician’s life. Who knew he acted in Little House on the Prairie or Medicine Quinn starting Jane Seymour 🙂

It is literally next door to Sun Diner, so think about heading for breakfast first and then to the museum when it opens at 9am.

We found that by the time we left, it was packed, so avoid late morning to mid afternoon.

8. Enjoy Nashville’s River Pathway & Parks

Downtown Nashville is a very walkable city, and taking a few hours away from the tourist areas to explore along the river side is fun!

Here’s a route from the Hall of Fame to John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and Cumberland Park.

Walk from the Hall of Fame to Riverfront Park, a city hub for events, concerts, yoga. Check out any events on during your dates in town!

Stop at Fort Nashborough, which is a fascinating replica of the original barracks from 1790s. It’s free to visit.

Continue down past the Riverfront, and cross over the bridge, stopping for great views (& photos) of downtown.

If you fancy a picnic in Nashville, continue on to Cumberland Park, find your spot and enjoy amazing views of the city.

9. Take a Line Dancing Lesson

Line dancing is fun and it’s for everyone. If you want to give it a try, Nashville is the place. Here are our 3 choices:

• Book an 1 Hour Instructor Led Class at Turn Their Heads! They will get your ready to strut your stuff!
• Nashville Palace – they offer lessons most days. If country isn’t for you try a Salsa class!
• Luke Coombes Category 10 – we tried this one! A huge dance floor, fun instructors, if a bit chaotic 🙂 If your travel partners don’t fancy it, they can watch sport on the bars TVs!

10. Take A Nashville Party Bus Tour

There are no free walking tours in Nashville we could find, but you can take a hop-on-hop off bus to check out top sights. Honestly though, sights are fairly close together in either Music Valley/ Opryland or Lower Broadway/Music Row.

So, why not take a tour with a difference: a 90 minutes Party Bus or Tractor Tour.

Alternatively, try a Pedal Tour so at least you’re getting a workout as you check out the town and enjoy a beer or whiskey!

If all that sounds too energetic, you can pop into Jason Aldean’s bar and admire the tractor parked in the bar. Yep – you can probably tell we were raised on a farm!!

🔍 Book Your 90 Mins Tractor Tour!

If discovering local foods is more your delight, there are some excellent food and sightseeing tours in Nashville.

12. Nashville Printers Alley & Speakeasy Fun

Lower Broadway may get more publicity and attention when it comes to nightlife in Nashville. But, spend an evening around Printers Alley for quite a different experience.

Tucked away between 3rd and 4th avenues, we discovered much to enjoy when darkness falls! Have a cocktail and dinner at the acclaimed Skulls Rainbow Room, a top dining experience since 1948. Live jazz and weekend burlesque shows add to the appeal.

Another lesser known speakeasy is Dirty Little Secret, also in Printers Alley, and there are several more unique bars. Many have had big names play at them in the past and present, like the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.

Also if you want more Nashville karaoke options, head to Miss Kelly’s.

Or, why not try a Nashville Murder True Crime Cocktail Tour, starting in the alleyway, and exploring the dark side streets on a hunt for the killer?

🔍 Check Cocktail Murder Tour Availability

A great part of town and we highly recommend you check it out. Just don’t go too early; it won’t come alive until at least 8pm!!

13. Go Shopping: Boots, Hats & More!

We already mentioned the Opry Mills Outlet Mall, but there’s much more shopping to be done around Nashville. At 5th and Broadway you will find a huge selection of stores.

Looking for boots and cowboy hat?? They are on sale everywhere; some Broadway stores offering a 3rd pair of boots free. So if it’s only for fun, take your pick.

For more serious cowboy boot purchases, head to Nashville Boot Company.

Major Events In Nashville

Nashville has year round sporting events from football to baseball, CMA Fest in June, and live music nightly at venues like the Bluebird Cafe.

If you plan to come during a major event or a popular venue, book tickets well in advance (we’re talking months) and check availability before you book flights or hotel rooms!

Getting Around Nashville

Planning to drive in Nashville or going on from here? The best option if you don’t drive here, is to rent a car from the airport on arrival. However, if you plan on spending time mainly downtown, our view is that you’re wasting money renting a car.

An Uber ride from downtown to the Grand Ole Opry (Opryland) is around $15 (one way), so if you plan to have a day here and spend the rest in town, it’s a far cheaper option.

There are Nashville trolley tours (hop on hop off) which is fun to do on a first visit to get your bearings. We have found many Nashville attractions are pretty close to each other in town. So if you can walking is the easiest way to enjoy downtown!

Getting to Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is an unmissable Nashville experience and the good news is that they also run return shuttles from various spots around the city.

We have done this and it’s one of the best ways to get to a performance by shared transport. It might be cheaper taking an Uber if there are 3+ people!

Where to Stay In Nashville Tennessee

Hotels in Nashville are fairly to very expensive. On previous trips we have stayed downtown, and north east in Music Valley or Donelson.

Honestly we prefer staying in Music Valley, but if don’t want to drive, use shuttles or Uber, then city center is your best bet!

FAQs

Nashville – Making It Happen!

If it’s helpful to planning your trip to Nashville here are our recommended resources. We use these ourselves otherwise we wouldn’t suggest them to you!

Nashville Road Trip Option

If you love road trips, then how about one which includes a drive through Tennessee including stops in Nashville and historic Chattanooga.

As part of a 8 day drive from Florida to Colorado check out how to spend a couple of nights exploring both cities.