Nashville surprised me! Known as Music City USA and the home of country music, this city is much more than that. It\u2019s one of the best places for live entertainment in the United States.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve got downtown Nashville\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
There are endless ways to have a great time here \u2013 and you don\u2019t 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\u2019re not careful you might go home with a pair. <\/p>\n
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The first time I visited, we\u2019d arrived bleary-eyed having flown from Hawaii via Los Angeles \u2013 hubby, mum, dad and me, with few expectations except wanting to experience the famous honky tonk row. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This post contains some afiliate links. That means if you make a purchase from one of them I may make a commission, at no cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n You don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t want to drive.<\/p>\n But since Nashville was the start of our \u201cMusic Road Trip<\/a>\u201d we picked up our family-size rental from the airport<\/a> 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<\/a>).<\/p>\n We stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel <\/a>at Vanderbilt Plaza, <\/strong>in Midtown for two nights. It\u2019s 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\u2019s not walkable to downtown though.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/strong>. It was perfectly fine, one block behind the Country Music Hall of Fame<\/a>, a nice rooftop bar with an outdoor patio, and they did a good breakfast too. It has a guest laundry onsite too.<\/p>\n Renaissance Nashville<\/a><\/strong>, also super close to the action. It has an excellent on-site restaurant and fitness facilities and it connected to Fifth + Broadway where there\u2019s a great food court and some shopping. It\u2019s a five-minute walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, across Broadway.<\/p>\n Moxy Nashville Downtown<\/a><\/strong> has a playful vibe that we\u2019ve come to expect from the Moxy brand. It\u2019s in the heart of downtown Nashville with industrial-chic design and a lively bar-meets-check-in lobby. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown<\/a><\/strong> delivers the basics with clean, spacious rooms and free breakfast. It\u2019s two blocks from Broadway and a five-minute walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but you\u2019re paying more for location than luxury. Think reliable chain hotel \u2013 nothing fancy, but gets the job done for downtown exploring.<\/p>\n Hilton Nashville Downtown<\/a><\/strong> stands out with all-suite rooms \u2013 a rarity in the city center. Prime spot next to Bridgestone Arena and steps from Broadway\u2019s honky-tonks, plus four on-site restaurants. You\u2019re paying a premium for the location, but if you need space to spread out and don\u2019t mind the higher price tag, it\u2019s one of downtown\u2019s best options.<\/p>\n Omni Nashville<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Ok, let\u2019s go! Here are the most fun things to do in this great place \u2013 from iconic music venues to family attractions!<\/p>\n For music lovers, the honky tonks along Lower Broadway<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The highlight for my dad (and me actually) was the Big Bang Piano Bar<\/strong> 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:<\/em> it\u2019s currently closed but due to reopen in March 2025).<\/p>\n Rent a Pedal Tavern<\/strong> : You\u2019ll see these hilarious mobile bars being cycled around downtown. Great fun for a group. They don\u2019t serve alcohol on board, but you can take your own. Oh and you have an actual driver making suree no one crashes!<\/p>\n Jack Daniels Distillery<\/strong> Tour<\/strong> : This Jack Daniels day trip<\/a> was highly rated by some of the girls on my last tour who did it. You\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n Sip and Shop Walking Tour <\/strong>: Join a local guide on this shopping tour<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Speaking of Garth Brooks,<\/strong> I went twice to his new three-level bar that he and wife Trisha Yearwood<\/strong> have opened smack in the middle of Broadway. I\u2019d binge-watched the making of their bar Oasis on Amazon. He paid $50 million for the building that he\u2019s named Friends in Low Places, and has fitted it out over three levels with two music stages and hospitality, plus a private members lounge \u2013 that we were not privvy to!<\/p>\n It was my favorite bar on Broadway, the rooftop Oasis<\/strong> 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\u2019s bars.<\/p>\n But it honestly just depends what time you show up and which band is playing. They also serve Trisha\u2019s family recipe of breaded chicken tenders and fries. They\u2019re good, but you don\u2019t go for the food!<\/p>\n Miranda Lambert\u2019s bar <\/strong>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\u2019s Mexican and the food was good. I\u2019d recommend it for a drink and bite.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s open though as they host lots of private functions up there on the third level. <\/p>\n Jo was told that Keith Urban had walked in the night before and joined the band for a jam on stage! (It\u2019s always the night before, isn\u2019t it?)<\/p>\n The most famous of Nashville\u2019s concert venues, the Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show and grew into country music\u2019s biggest stage. Located in the Opryland area, this 4,372-seat venue hosts performances Tuesday through Saturday, featuring both legendary performers and rising stars.<\/p>\n It still broadcasts live, so in between acts (multiple singers perform each night) you\u2019ll have the MC announce commercials and then wave his hands so we in the crowd all cheer at the right moment.<\/p>\n They have a huge gift store which is open after the show too to grab your Dolly Parton shirt or Opry water bottle. <\/p>\n Pro tips for visiting the Opry \u2013<\/em><\/strong> 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<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n OR I would go Gaylord Opryland Resort<\/strong>, 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 \u2013 it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Known as the \u201cMother Church of Country Music,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n The acoustics are so incredible even a whisper from the stage feels like magic. It\u2019s not all music performed here either. You can catch the ballet or comedy. Check the Ryman schedule here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n Johnny Cash Museum:<\/strong> 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\u2019ll find the Man in Black\u2019s stage outfits, personal items, listen to recordings of him and June, and an impressive wall of gold records.<\/p>\n Country Music Hall of Fame:<\/strong> This is really something you shouldn\u2019t miss in Nashville. It\u2019s amazing to see just how many great musicians got their starts in country music. There\u2019s clips playing, costumes on display, stars you\u2019ll recognise from yesteryear. A great opportunity to explore the history of country music through the interactive exhibits on a self-guided tour. Don\u2019t miss Elvis\u2019s car with its quirky TV and antenna!<\/p>\n RCA Studio B:<\/strong> Studio B is a must-do addition to your Country Music Hall of Fame ticket! It\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n I sat at the original Steinway grand piano that has belted out many an Elvis Presley hit. You\u2019ll hear all the amazing stories, like Elvis insisting on recording \u201cLove Me Tender\u201d with only red lights for atmosphere, and making his musicians work at midnight!<\/p>\n Musicians Hall of Fame:<\/strong> Celebrates all genres of music and the session musicians behind the greatest hits. If you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n National Museum of African American Music:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Tennessee State Museum:<\/strong> Free entry to a compelling journey through the state\u2019s rich history. Its modern exhibits bring Tennessee\u2019s story to life \u2013 from Native American heritage and Civil War battles to the Civil Rights Movement and music legacy \u2013 with impressive artifacts like prehistoric fossils, Andrew Jackson\u2019s belongings, and Civil War flags. Located in the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park area near the Nashville Farmer\u2019s Market.<\/p>\n Opry Mills<\/strong> for outlet shopping, and right across the road from the Grand Ole Opry \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Fifth + Broadway<\/strong> is downtown Nashville\u2019s sleek new entertainment complex that\u2019s way more than just another tourist trap. The massive open-air development dishes up local food favorites at Assembly Food Hall\u2019s 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 \u2013 though prepare for Broadway-level crowds during peak times.<\/p>\n The Gulch<\/strong> has transformed from an old railroad terminal to Nashville\u2019s trendiest district, packed with upscale boutiques, buzzy restaurants, and luxury high-rises. This is where you\u2019ll find Instagram shots such as the famous \u201cWhat Lifts You\u201d angel wings mural (expect lines for photos) and like Biscuit Love. It\u2019s got some of the city\u2019s best shopping like Two Old Hippies and e.Allen. <\/p>\n While it\u2019s definitely got a see-and-be-seen vibe that can feel a bit pretentious, the neighborhood\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Nashville Farmers Market<\/strong> 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\u2019s live music (of course, you\u2019re in Nashville)!<\/p>\n When you need a break from the music scene, Nashville\u2019s green spaces offer a peaceful retreat. The city has numerous walking trails and outdoor attractions:<\/p>\n Centennial Park:<\/strong> Home to the bizare, full-scale Parthenon replica (yes, from Greece!) and beautiful water features<\/p>\n Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Gardens:<\/strong> Stunning in any season, especially during the holiday season<\/p>\n Fannie Mae Dees Park:<\/strong> A unique park known for its dragon sculpture<\/p>\n Nature Center:<\/strong> Perfect for family activities and enjoying a sunny day<\/p>\n Bluebird Cafe:<\/strong> An intimate live music venue where many country stars got their start<\/p>\n Pucketts:<\/strong> For classic Southern dishes, located about two blocks from Broadway<\/p>\n Loveless Cafe:<\/strong> 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<\/p>\n Hatch Show Print:<\/strong> A historic letterpress print shop that\u2019s now a working museum<\/p>\n L&L Market:<\/strong> A trendy shopping and dining destination<\/p>\n Frist Art Museum:<\/strong> Houses world-class art exhibitions in a stunning Art Deco building<\/p>\n State Capitol:<\/strong> A beautiful historic site with impressive architecture<\/p>\n Food trucks:<\/strong> Look out for them scattered throughout the city offering local cuisine<\/p>\n The Tavern:<\/strong> Great spot in Midtown \u2013 try the lobster sliders and tableside s\u2019mores<\/p>\n Nashville was the perfect place to start our Music Road Trip, and I\u2019m thrilled we began here! Next stop: Memphis<\/a>, where we\u2019ll explore even more music history, including the iconic Graceland!<\/p>\n *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\u2019 websites and privacy policy pages.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe Best Way to Get Around Nashville<\/h2>\n
Where to Stay in Nashville<\/h2>\n
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My picks for the best things to do in Nashville<\/h2>\n
Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway<\/h3>\n
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Fun Nashville Tours & Activities<\/h2>\n
Iconic Music Venues in Nashville<\/h2>\n
Friends in Low Places<\/h3>\n
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Casa Rosa<\/h2>\n
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Acme Feed & Seed<\/h3>\n
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The Grand Ole Opry<\/h3>\n
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Ryman Auditorium<\/h3>\n
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Bridgestone Arena<\/h3>\n
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Best Nashville Museums<\/h2>\n
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Nashville Parks and Gardens<\/h2>\n
Hidden Gems and Local Favorites<\/h2>\n
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