Nashville surprised me! Known as Music City USA and the home of country music, this city is much more than that. It’s one of the best places for live entertainment in the United States.
You’ve got downtown Nashville’s honky tonk scene, the Grand Ole Opry across the river, plenty of food options, rooftop bars and enough shopping to keep you amused for days.
There are endless ways to have a great time here – and you don’t need to be a country music fan to love it either. Although be warned, there are cowboy (girl) boots everywhere you look, and if you’re not careful you might go home with a pair.
The first time I visited, we’d arrived bleary-eyed having flown from Hawaii via Los Angeles – hubby, mum, dad and me, with few expectations except wanting to experience the famous honky tonk row.
Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise! Legendary Lower Broadway is where we hung out, but also we had a car, so explored some hidden gems in East Nashville.
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The Best Way to Get Around Nashville
You don’t need a car if you just want to hit the hot spots around Lower Broadway, Midtown, and the various museums. We used taxis to get to the Opry, although there is parking there if you have a car.
Most attractions are walkable, and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge offers stunning views of the Cumberland River and city skyline. We also used Ubers when we didn’t want to drive.
But since Nashville was the start of our “Music Road Trip” we picked up our family-size rental from the airport and had two nights here before heading to Memphis then in New Orleans for a family reunion with my brother and his family (who live in the Cayman Islands).
Where to Stay in Nashville
We stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza, in Midtown for two nights. It’s opposite Vanderbilt University, which was alive with baseball fans attending a home game. A gas fire behind glass in the outside wall created a perfect Instagram pic and the hotel has cool touches of vintage Nashville memorabilia blended with contemporary design. It’s not walkable to downtown though.
So the second time I returned, I wanted to be closer to the action and be able to walk to Lower Broadway, downtown, so we chose AC Hotel by Marriott. It was perfectly fine, one block behind the Country Music Hall of Fame, a nice rooftop bar with an outdoor patio, and they did a good breakfast too. It has a guest laundry onsite too.
Renaissance Nashville, also super close to the action. It has an excellent on-site restaurant and fitness facilities and it connected to Fifth + Broadway where there’s a great food court and some shopping. It’s a five-minute walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, across Broadway.
Moxy Nashville Downtown has a playful vibe that we’ve come to expect from the Moxy brand. It’s in the heart of downtown Nashville with industrial-chic design and a lively bar-meets-check-in lobby. It’s a 4-star, and part of the Marriott group. The rooms are compact but prime location makes it ideal for travelers looking for a trendy, affordable stay.
Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown delivers the basics with clean, spacious rooms and free breakfast. It’s two blocks from Broadway and a five-minute walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but you’re paying more for location than luxury. Think reliable chain hotel – nothing fancy, but gets the job done for downtown exploring.
Hilton Nashville Downtown stands out with all-suite rooms – a rarity in the city center. Prime spot next to Bridgestone Arena and steps from Broadway’s honky-tonks, plus four on-site restaurants. You’re paying a premium for the location, but if you need space to spread out and don’t mind the higher price tag, it’s one of downtown’s best options.
Omni Nashville is another superbly located hotel right beside the Country Music Hall of Fame. It has a rooftop pool, five onsite restaurants and a spa and wellness center, when you need to take a break from the hot mess of Broadway.
My picks for the best things to do in Nashville
Ok, let’s go! Here are the most fun things to do in this great place – from iconic music venues to family attractions!
Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway
For music lovers, the honky tonks along Lower Broadway are the best part of Nashville. We grabbed an Uber from Midtown (about $12) the first time we visited, but just walked, thanks to our fabulous downown location, the second time.
I’ve listed a bunch of downtown hotels to check out if you want to be in the thick of it and just be able to walk home.
Even at mid-day all the bars are open (usually from about 10 or 11am) and live music, sometimes on multiple levels, fills the air as a cacophony of artists cover everyone from Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift, and some played their own music, in bar after bar.
The highlight for my dad (and me actually) was the Big Bang Piano Bar with two grand pianos and incredibly talented musicians taking requests. You might hear anything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Garth Brooks, to your favorite Billy Joel tune. (Note: it’s currently closed but due to reopen in March 2025).
Fun Nashville Tours & Activities
Rent a Pedal Tavern : You’ll see these hilarious mobile bars being cycled around downtown. Great fun for a group. They don’t serve alcohol on board, but you can take your own. Oh and you have an actual driver making suree no one crashes!
Jack Daniels Distillery Tour : This Jack Daniels day trip was highly rated by some of the girls on my last tour who did it. You’ll be picked up at 9am in town and head out along scenic back roads to the famous distillery for some whiskey tastings and the stories of how it all began. Must be over 21.
Sip and Shop Walking Tour : Join a local guide on this shopping tour, who knows where all the gfrat shops are. Start with a cocktail (included), shop in The Gulch. Complimentary drinks included along the way, plus discounts in many stores.
Iconic Music Venues in Nashville
Friends in Low Places
Speaking of Garth Brooks, I went twice to his new three-level bar that he and wife Trisha Yearwood have opened smack in the middle of Broadway. I’d binge-watched the making of their bar Oasis on Amazon. He paid $50 million for the building that he’s named Friends in Low Places, and has fitted it out over three levels with two music stages and hospitality, plus a private members lounge – that we were not privvy to!
It was my favorite bar on Broadway, the rooftop Oasis bar that is. I found the music to be a little more country and mellow than the huge sound from Roberts Western World or Kid Rock or Johnny Cash’s bars.
But it honestly just depends what time you show up and which band is playing. They also serve Trisha’s family recipe of breaded chicken tenders and fries. They’re good, but you don’t go for the food!
Casa Rosa
Miranda Lambert’s bar has a little rooftop balcony (on the third floor) where we managed to comandeer a couple of tables, and put our name down to eat at the second floor restaurant. It’s Mexican and the food was good. I’d recommend it for a drink and bite.
Acme Feed & Seed
This bar is located at the very end of Lower Broadway and 1st Ave, overlooking the river and views up Broadway from the corner table on the roof. My friend Jo visited here and loved it. You might want to check it’s open though as they host lots of private functions up there on the third level.
Jo was told that Keith Urban had walked in the night before and joined the band for a jam on stage! (It’s always the night before, isn’t it?)
The Grand Ole Opry
The most famous of Nashville’s concert venues, the Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show and grew into country music’s biggest stage. Located in the Opryland area, this 4,372-seat venue hosts performances Tuesday through Saturday, featuring both legendary performers and rising stars.
It still broadcasts live, so in between acts (multiple singers perform each night) you’ll have the MC announce commercials and then wave his hands so we in the crowd all cheer at the right moment.
They have a huge gift store which is open after the show too to grab your Dolly Parton shirt or Opry water bottle.
Pro tips for visiting the Opry – taxis/Ubers are a shambles to find at the end of the show. Next time I would choose one of these two options: I would either plan to walk across to Opry Mills, the shopping mall just one minute from the Opry. Maybe get a drink there, or at least find a quiet location to call an Uber.
OR I would go Gaylord Opryland Resort, maybe before the show to get some dinner. They have free shuttle buses to take you to the Opry, or you could walk (depending on the weather – it’s nearly a mile). Then walk back there after the show, have a drink or dessert in one of the restaurants in the vast open lobby complete with waterfalls and bridges, and wait for the chaos to die down.
Ryman Auditorium
Known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the Ryman Auditorium is former gospel tabernacle and a National Historic Landmark in downtown Nashville. It was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 and has hosted countless legends and continues to be a great place to catch performances from top artists.
The acoustics are so incredible even a whisper from the stage feels like magic. It’s not all music performed here either. You can catch the ballet or comedy. Check the Ryman schedule here.
The Ryman oozes history from every wooden pew, with its stained glass windows and intimate atmosphere making modern concerts feel extra special. Even if you’re not catching a show, there is a self-guided tour with an immersive theater experience that is worth it to stand on the same stage where Johnny Cash met June Carter and get a souvenir photo of your own Opry moment.
Bridgestone Arena
Located right on Honky Tonk Highway, Bridgestone Arena is both the home of the Nashville Predators NHL team and a premier concert venue hosting major touring acts throughout the year.
Best Nashville Museums
A great thing about Nashville is its incredible concentration of historic music venues and museums with permanent exhibits. History buffs and music lovers alike will find plenty to explore:
Johnny Cash Museum: This is just opened the day before we arrived the first time. Now it has a rocking live music bar attached to it. Inside you’ll find the Man in Black’s stage outfits, personal items, listen to recordings of him and June, and an impressive wall of gold records.
Country Music Hall of Fame: This is really something you shouldn’t miss in Nashville. It’s amazing to see just how many great musicians got their starts in country music. There’s clips playing, costumes on display, stars you’ll recognise from yesteryear. A great opportunity to explore the history of country music through the interactive exhibits on a self-guided tour. Don’t miss Elvis’s car with its quirky TV and antenna!
RCA Studio B: Studio B is a must-do addition to your Country Music Hall of Fame ticket! It’s a guided tour through this still working studio where Elvis recorded 250 songs, and countless other legends like Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton created music history.
I sat at the original Steinway grand piano that has belted out many an Elvis Presley hit. You’ll hear all the amazing stories, like Elvis insisting on recording “Love Me Tender” with only red lights for atmosphere, and making his musicians work at midnight!
Musicians Hall of Fame: Celebrates all genres of music and the session musicians behind the greatest hits. If you’ve seen the Country Music Hall of Fame, you might not need to visit this one, but music fans will want to put it on their list.
National Museum of African American Music: This museum covers all the genres of African American music from jazz to rhythm and blues to gospel, rap, hip hop and big brass bands, celebrating legends like Quincy Jones and Cissy Houston, and the profound influence of African American artists on American music. Allow about 90 minutes.
Tennessee State Museum: Free entry to a compelling journey through the state’s rich history. Its modern exhibits bring Tennessee’s story to life – from Native American heritage and Civil War battles to the Civil Rights Movement and music legacy – with impressive artifacts like prehistoric fossils, Andrew Jackson’s belongings, and Civil War flags. Located in the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park area near the Nashville Farmer’s Market.
Opry Mills for outlet shopping, and right across the road from the Grand Ole Opry – which is a 20-minute drive from downtown Nashville. An idea would be to come over here the afternoon before a show, then (depending on how heavy-laden you are!) go to the show.
Fifth + Broadway is downtown Nashville’s sleek new entertainment complex that’s way more than just another tourist trap. The massive open-air development dishes up local food favorites at Assembly Food Hall’s 30+ eateries, while adding some actual shopping to downtown with stores like Free People and Ray-Ban. The real gem is the National Museum of African American Music on the upper level, making this spot a solid mix of tourist-friendly and actually-worth-visiting for locals – though prepare for Broadway-level crowds during peak times.
The Gulch has transformed from an old railroad terminal to Nashville’s trendiest district, packed with upscale boutiques, buzzy restaurants, and luxury high-rises. This is where you’ll find Instagram shots such as the famous “What Lifts You” angel wings mural (expect lines for photos) and like Biscuit Love. It’s got some of the city’s best shopping like Two Old Hippies and e.Allen.
While it’s definitely got a see-and-be-seen vibe that can feel a bit pretentious, the neighborhood’s walkability and mix of high-end dining and cool coffee shops make it worth exploring when you need a moment away from the chaos of Broadway.
Nashville Farmers Market is open daily and is a great spot for picking up fresh produce and delicious food cooked in front of you. There are over 30 local businesses here, some run from small shops in the Indoor Market House, which includes a pop-up kitchen of a rotating roster of chefs. Fresh produce and food is sold from two farm sheds, so no worries about the weather, and there’s live music (of course, you’re in Nashville)!
Nashville Parks and Gardens
When you need a break from the music scene, Nashville’s green spaces offer a peaceful retreat. The city has numerous walking trails and outdoor attractions:
Centennial Park: Home to the bizare, full-scale Parthenon replica (yes, from Greece!) and beautiful water features
Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Gardens: Stunning in any season, especially during the holiday season
Fannie Mae Dees Park: A unique park known for its dragon sculpture
Nature Center: Perfect for family activities and enjoying a sunny day
Hidden Gems and Local Favorites
Bluebird Cafe: An intimate live music venue where many country stars got their start
Pucketts: For classic Southern dishes, located about two blocks from Broadway
Loveless Cafe: Worth the 25-minute drive for authentic Southern breakfast complete with a smoker out the side churning out all the meats to go with your mac n cheese or grits
Hatch Show Print: A historic letterpress print shop that’s now a working museum
L&L Market: A trendy shopping and dining destination
Frist Art Museum: Houses world-class art exhibitions in a stunning Art Deco building
State Capitol: A beautiful historic site with impressive architecture
Food trucks: Look out for them scattered throughout the city offering local cuisine
The Tavern: Great spot in Midtown – try the lobster sliders and tableside s’mores
Nashville was the perfect place to start our Music Road Trip, and I’m thrilled we began here! Next stop: Memphis, where we’ll explore even more music history, including the iconic Graceland!
*Note: While this guide is my personal experience, for the most up-to-date information about hours, cover charges, and tour availability, please check the respective venues’ websites and privacy policy pages.
