If you’ve never been to Nashville, you need to book a trip ASAP. And if you have been before, it’s probably time to plan another visit to Music City. Before you do, check out this list of our favorite things to do, see, and eat. There just might be a surprise or two on the list!
Here Are The Best Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee!
Where to Eat & Drink
Black Rabbit
Location: 218 3rd Avenue N
Located in historic Printer’s Alley, Black Rabbit is an ode to old Nashville and the storied past of the area in which it resides. Nashville chef Trey Cioccia has crafted a creative cocktail list and menu reminiscent of early 1900’s speakeasies. The historic building dates back to the 1890s and was once the law offices of Frank Ragano, legal counsel for Jimmy Hoffa and other notable figures of mafia notoriety. They left many of the original details intact in order to preserve the old-school energy and there are even some nods to some of the most notorious gangsters throughout the space.
Assembly Food Hall (5th + Broadway)
Location: 5055 Broadway Place
Assembly Food Hall opened in early 2021 above the Fifth + Broadway complex. Featuring more than 30 artisanal eateries, nine uniquely themed full-service bars, two full-service restaurants and three live performance stages, Assembly Food Hall is a place for everyone. As if the food options aren’t enough, the space also offers a stunning view of the Ryman Theater.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Location: 1414 Clinton Street
105 years after Prohibition forced the closure of one of the nation’s most prolific whiskey producers, two young descendants of Charles Nelson have opened the doors to their revived Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson are keeping their family legacy alive with a modern-industrial distillery that offers tastes of their award winning small-batch Belle Meade Bourbon, limited edition Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Cask Finish, and Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee White Whiskey, developed from the original family recipe. There’s also a restaurant featuring distillery-inspired cuisine and a full-service bar that serves up a selection of flights from a wide range of Nelson’s products, as well as imaginative cocktails.
Biscuit Love in the Gulch
Location: 316 11th Avenue South
What began as an Airstream® food truck has become a hometown hot spot. There are two Biscuit Love locations in Nashville and two in nearby Franklin. They serve breakfast and lunch every day until 3 p.m. If you love biscuits and other tasty baked treats, this is definitely a place for you!
Nashville Farmer’s Market
Location: 900 Rosa L Parks Boulevard
Founded in the early 1800s, the Nashville Farmers’ Market is located adjacent to the Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Mall State Park. Don’t let the name fool you. This spot is so much more than a farmer’s market. It includes two covered open-air sheds, a 27,000 square-foot garden center, a culinary incubation center, and international food hall that includes some 20 restaurants and shops.
Loveless Cafe
Location: 8400 TN-100
Located about 30 minutes from downtown, the Loveless Cafe is another stellar breakfast spot. For more than 70 years, the cafe has been offering scratch-made Southern fare like country ham with eggs and gravy, country fried steak, and, of course, a variety of biscuits. Oh, and snapping pics with the sign is a must!
Where to Stay
Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
Location: 708 Demonbreun Street
This all-suite, full-service hotel is located steps from Bridgestone Arena, Country Music Hall of Fame, Lower Broadway, and more. Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown is designed to deliver what matters most to make a difference in your Nashville experience. In addition to amenities like a rooftop bar, pool, coffee shop, and patios on select suites, the hotel offers impressive views of Nashville’s skyline.
W Nashville
Location: 300 12th Avenue S.
The W Hotel Nashville is the kind of hotel you will never forget. Taking center stage in The Gulch neighborhood, the luxury hotel gives you easy access to nearby attractions in Midtown, SOBRO, Music Row, the Arts District, and more. If you’re looking for nightlife, look no further than the rooftop bar and club that features upscale cocktails and stellar views.
What to Do
Honky Tonk Highway!
Location: Lower Broadway
You can’t travel to Nash and not hit up Honky Tonk Highway. There are dozens of options, including well known bars like Tootsie’s and The Stage, and celebrity hot spots from the likes of Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert. But our personal fave is Robert’s Western World. The undisputed home of traditional country music, Robert’s serves up all the drinks you’d expect plus, a small bar menu that includes the “Recession Special.” For just $6 you can get a fried bologna sandwich, chips, moonpie, and ice cold PBR.
Nashville City Tour with Gray Line of Tennessee
Book Online
Looking for a way to see it all in a short amount of time? Consider booking a tour. There are various options that will show you downtown and the surrounding areas, stars’ homes, historic plantations, and more. This is the perfect way to kick off your trip!
Parthenon
Location: 500 West End Avenue
Located in Centennial Park, The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece. It was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. You can drive by to simply see the structure but we recommend checking out the inside. There’s a permanent are collection that includes 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists.
Frist Art Museum
Location: 919 Broadway
The Frist Art Museum is a world-class, family-friendly art museum and educational facility. Even thu building itself is work of art. The art-deco structure is a former U.S. Post Office building and has well established itself as a mainstay of Nashville’s arts community. The exhibit on display during our visit included multiple pieces by Austin artist Deborah Roberts.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Location: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music.” This place is packed with the best artifacts from country music stars from today and back in the day. The Objects Collection includes nearly 500 musical instruments, more than 1,900 items of stage wear, personal clothing, and accessories, and thousands of other objects, including our fave, Elvis’s limo.
Historic RCA Studio B
Location: 1611 Roy Acuff Place
Speaking of Elvis, Studio B was his favorite place to record. Nicknamed “The Home of a Thousand Hits,” the studio became famous in the 1960s for producing what has come to be known as “The Nashville Sound.” Other artists who recorded there include Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, and our hometown hero, Willie Nelson.
National Museum of African American Music
Location: 510 Broadway
Opened in January 2021, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is located near The Assemble Food Hall in the Fifth + Broadway complex. There is SO much to see in the 56,000-square-foot museum. From classical to country to jazz, hip hop and pop, NMAAM integrates history and interactive technology to share the untold story of more than 50 music genres and subgenres.
Ryman Auditorium
Location: 116 5th Avenue N
A National Historic Landmark, Ryman Auditorium is known as the Mother Church of Country Music. It is the former home of Grand Ole Opry (1943-1974). While it still operated as a concert venue (with over 200 shows per year), it’s also open for daytime tours year-round. You may even catch someone rehearsing during your tour. We visited when the Americana Music Awards were happening and got to witness Allison Russell rehearsing her set. Fun Fact: owner Ryman Hospitality also owns ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
The Listening Room
Location: 618 4th Avenue S
At the Listening Room, you experience the hits you hear on the radio in a way you’ve never heard them before because the songs are performed by the writers themselves. There are two live shows a night and you can expect an acoustic set featuring anyone from up-and-coming songwriters to number one hit makers.
Grand Ole Opry Backstage Show and Tour
Location: 600 Opry Mills Drive
Experience where the legends, stars and country music make history every week live on the Opry. You never know who may pop up on stage. The headliner of our visit was Lady A! If you want an even more unique experience, book a guided backstage tour. You just might see the artists up close and personal.
Third Man Records
Location: 623 7th Avenue S
Launched by Jack White in Detroit in 2001, Third Man Records opened its current Nashville location in 2009. It houses a record store, novelties lounge, label offices and distribution center, photo studio, and the world’s only live venue with direct-to-acetate recording capabilities. It’s a really unique experience and we highly recommend for all music fans.
12South
Location: Half Mile Stretch of 12th Avenue
One of the best places to shop, as well as mural hunt, is 12South. The street is home to Draper James, Made in Tennessee, Imogene & Willie, and many more of the cutest boutiques in town. There are also ample options of places to pop in for coffee, wine, and a meal.
White Limozeen
Location: Graduate Nashville, 101 20th Avenue N
Though this is a place to eat and drink, we’re listing White Limozeen here because it’s more of an experience! That’s because the rooftop restaurant is Dolly Parton themed. Located in the Graduate Hotel, this is a very instagram worthy spot and perfect for any Dolly fan!
