Things to do in Nashville
Nashville runs on music, and most visitors start there: Honky Tonk Highway, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium anchor a scene that spills int…
Neighborhoods
Nashville runs on music, and most visitors start there: Honky Tonk Highway, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium anchor a scene that spills into bars, cafes, and even barbecue joints. But the city also has museums, parks, and family attractions that fill out a longer stay.
Hot chicken is the local rite of passage, and Hattie B's serves it from mild to very spicy at two Nashville locations. For live music beyond the big stages, intimate rooms like The Bluebird Cafe and The Station Inn book songwriters and bluegrass nightly. Outdoors, Centennial Park surrounds a full-scale Parthenon replica with gardens and a dog park, while Warner Parks offers forested trails. Families can hit the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, escape rooms downtown, or Wave Country's summer water slides.
Frequently asked questions about Nashville
What are the best free things to do in Nashville?▾
Honky Tonk Highway on Broadway is the standout: live music every day with no cover charge, open until 3 a.m. Centennial Park is also free to wander, including the Parthenon replica's exterior and the surrounding gardens and dog park. The Nashville WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural is a quick, free photo stop. Check ahead for any fees at specific exhibits or venues.
Where can I hear live music beyond the tourist strip?▾
The Bluebird Cafe is a tiny, iconic songwriter room where reservations are recommended. The Station Inn hosts bluegrass every night with first-come, first-served seating. For a bigger show, EXIT/IN offers a spacious, multiuse venue with unobstructed views. Rudy's Jazz Room pairs live jazz with Cajun and Creole dishes.
What should I eat in Nashville besides hot chicken?▾
Hot chicken is the essential stop—Hattie B's has two locations and lets you choose your heat level. For barbecue, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint does whole-hog pit-fired meat with a roadhouse feel. The Loveless Cafe serves Southern breakfast and down-home dishes in a country setting, and Puckett's offers a general-store vibe with a live music stage.
Are there good outdoor activities for families?▾
Centennial Park works well for a walk or picnic, with a dog park and the Parthenon replica to see. Warner Parks has hiking and equestrian trails plus bike routes. For a bigger outing, Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort offers a lagoon, water flumes, and zip lines, though it's a resort setting. Wave Country is a summer-only water attraction with slides and wave pools.
What museums are worth visiting in Nashville?▾
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum covers the genre's history with artifacts and interactive exhibits. The Johnny Cash Museum displays memorabilia from the singer's life. For broader history, the Tennessee State Museum traces the state's past with pioneer replicas and Civil War relics. The Parthenon also houses American art galleries inside the replica.
Upcoming events
Early Evening with Taylor Tuke
Grand Ole Opry: OPRY 100
Disciple
Nighttime Set with Ryan Driscoll
Friday Night Karaoke!
65 North Pickers – The Great Outdoors
Zen Selekta
Deana Carter
Noches Norteñas – DJ Junior
Jervis Campbell / Alex Jude
Jacob Beach Live Music Night
Kylie Cantrall Presents: The Valley Girl Problems Tour
Diamond Days – Van Halen Tribute
Karaoke Fridays
Carnitas Carmelo
Flea Market at Plaza Mariachi
Tito’s Saturday Special!
Acoustic Lunch Saturdays
HAPPY HOUR!
Early Set with Nick Fabian
FREE Dinner Show – La Reunión Nashville, Hora Loca & More!
Kathleen Madigan
FREE Nightmare Before Christmas Circus Show
Late Night with Perry Danos
The Jukebox Jam 3!
The Toxhards – Kate Cosentino
BlueAshes Live Music Night
Circuit Circuit, Excide, A Kiss Before Dying, Sheath, AsShePrayedforGod, Soot
Saturday Night DJ
BOOTS & BACHATA – Dance Social with Dailen Martin
Grand Ole Opry: OPRY 100
Norteñitas y Huapangos - DJ Chilango
Carnitas Carmelo
Acoustic Breakfast Sundays
Early Evening with Jeff Alfiero
Sunday Night with Ryan Driscoll
Grand Ole Opry: OPRY 100
Dermot Kennedy with Jonah Kagen and Aaron Rowe
The Beach Boys
Dermot Kennedy
Tate Butts
Advent, Shogun, Officer Down, Killing Floor, Twin Stacks
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Things to do in Nashville
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Grand Ole Opry
Visitors come for daily tours & weekly live radio shows featuring classic & new country acts.
via Google MapsOle Red
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest-themed chain for updated classic fare amid jungle flora & animatronic animals.
Johnny Cash Museum
This red-brick museum displays pictures & memorabilia from the life of music icon Johnny Cash.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Attraction tells the story of popular American music through artifacts & interactive exhibits.
The Parthenon
Built in 1897, this full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon also houses American art galleries.
The Hampton Social - Nashville
Breezy hangout serving seafood & beach-themed cocktails in stylish, nautical surroundings.
The Escape Game Nashville (Berry Hill)
The Escape Game Nashville (Downtown)
via Google MapsBridgestone Arena
Home to the NHL’s Nashville Predators, this airy arena hosts varied sports events, shows & concerts.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
Casual chain featuring egg dishes & other breakfast items, plus brunch sandwiches.
Opry Mills
Vast shopping mall featuring upscale retailers, a large food court, diverse restaurants & a cinema.
Centennial Park
Urban recreation area with a Parthenon replica & museum, plus a band shell, dog park & gardens.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Multiple habitats housing a global array of animals, plus a popular playground for kids.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Big roadhouse-style eatery known for its whole-hog pit-fired BBQ with chicken, tacos, and burgers.
Ryman Auditorium
Known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," this venue hosts diverse concerts & daily tours.
via Google MapsHattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville - Midtown
Mild to very spicy fried chicken, Southern sides and local brews in a casual, counter-service eatery.
via Google MapsNissan Stadium
Large stadium with huge video screens hosts NFL & college football as well as occasional concerts.
The Loveless Cafe
Southern cafe with down-home dishes & a country vibe, plus eclectic on-site shops.