100 Things To Do in Nashville
Nashville, TN, aka Music City, is home to one of the largest growing cities in the country. The draw of this town is insane because of the amount of things to do here! There are always events going on bringing in the crowds, so... WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ON YOUR TRIP?! Well, here's 100 things to do in Nashville! Take your pick!
Touristy Things to Do
BROADWAY DAY OR NIGHT
PLANTATIONS- Belle Meade, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, Belmont Mansion
BUS TOUR- hop on hop off tours available through lots of different tour companies, private or public. Here is one lead by a local on Airbnb Experiences.
CHEEKWOOD ESTATE- gardens
TOPGOLF
PARTY BUS/TRACTOR
NASHVILLE ZOO- check calendar for event like Brew at the Zoo
BOWLING AT PINEWOOD SOCIAL
HELICOPTER RIDE OVER THE CITY
AXE THROWING AT DOWNTOWN SPORTING CLUB
LEARN TO MAKE COCKTAILS AT LIQUOR LAB
PHOTOWALK NASHVILLE- #1 AIRBNB EXPERIENCE
ARCADE GAMES AT Headquarters Beercade
MUSIC CITY INDOOR CARTING
DUCK BOWLING AT PINS MECHANICAL
ARRINGTON VINEYARDS
Free Things to Do
WALK THE JOHN SEIGENTHALER PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
POOLS AT PINEWOOD SOCIAL
PICNIC AT LOVES CIRCLE
WHISKEY JAM- EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY AT WINNERS
NASHVILLE FARMERS MARKET
DRIVE NATCHEZ TRACE- SEE THE BRIDGE
MURAL HUNT (SEE THIS BLOG POST FOR ALL MY FAVORITE NASHVILLE MURALS)
Museums
Photo Cred: Frist Art Museum
TOUR THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM
JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME
GRAND OL OPRY
FRIST ART MUSEUM
ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER- check out their events for adult nights, good for kids**
On the Water
KAYAK THE HARPETH- many different companies for rentals or bring your own. CLICK HERE for a unique tour on the Harpeth through Airbnb Experiences.
POOL AT THE DIVE
CANOE THE CANEY
KAYAK THE CUMBERLAND
RENT A BOAT ON HENDERSONVILLE LAKE
GO FISHING!
KAYAK TO LUAU ISLAND
ANDERSON PARK BEACH AREA (ON PERCY PRIEST)
Events/Seasonal
Photo Cred: NHL
PREDATORS GAME
TITANS FOOTBALL GAME
NASHVILLE SOCCER CLUB GAME- stadium being built!
SOUNDS BASEBALL GAME
NASHVILLE FLEA MARKETS- closed until June 2021
POP UP SHOPS- some regulars are cacti from Varnish and Vine, East Nash Night Markets, etc. Check out Go to Nashville's Instagram for all pop up info!!
CMA FEST
Photo Cred: Kayak
FIRST SATURDAY ART CRAWL DOWNTOWN- Make sure to stop at 21C Hotel and check out their 24/7 gallery
CHECK NASHVILLE GURU'S PAGE FOR EVENTS WHILE IN TOWN
WINE TRAIN
OKTOBERFEST
GOAT YOGA- Try Shenanigoats
TOMATO FESTIVAL
TRIVIA NIGHTS- Check out this list of all scheduled trivia!
Day Trips
LYNCHBURG FOR JACK DANIELS TOUR
WALK DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN
CHATTANOOGA
KNOXVILLE
SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
MEMPHIS
Where to Catch a Show
They don't call it Music City for nothing! Check out my suggestions below for open mic nights, free concerts, shows for a small fee, or songwriter nights! You never know who you'll see pop in for a free concert!
STATION INN- Debbie and Doyle Show recommended
BELCOURT TAPS
ANALOG AT THE HUTTON
THE LISTENING ROOM
MERCY LOUNGE AT CANNERY ROW
WINNER'S- head out on Monday's and Thursday's for hand selected up and coming artists
BLUEBIRD CAFE
THIRD AND LINDSLEY
MARATHON MUSIC WORKS
THE BASEMENT EAST
DAWGHOUSE- Sunday Funday staple in town featuring the band, The Spazmatics (popular parody cover band)... FUNNY STORY about Dawghouse, I've seen a celebrity here for years and one time I finally got the balls to say what's up without feeling like I was being "that motherfucker". When I finally asked him, "Whats up, man?!" He responded, "Hey." and really awkwardly averted his eyes. I WAS MORTIFIED and pissed cause I was looking real hot that night haha. Sooooo IIIIII juuust walked away heh. DM me to know who it was!!
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER- outdoor
ZANIES- stand up comedy instead of music
Shop
THIRD MAN RECORDS
HILLSBORO VILLAGE- POSH, UAL
THE GULCH- Uncommon James, Two Old Hippies, E. Allen, KITTENISH. Check out this neighborhood guide to the Gulch for more details!
PLANT SHOPPING AT HEWITT
12S- White's Mercantile, Imogene + Willie, Savant Vintage.
AMELIAS FLOWER TRUCK- Peep their Instagram for where they will be that day
SHOPS AT FATHERLAND
L&L MARKETPLACE- many boutiques!
ANTIQUING- future blog post on best antique malls
Parks/Hikes
Long Hunter Stake Park on Percy Priest Lake
PERCY WARNER STAIRS
RADNOR LAKE
CENTENNIAL PARK- Full scale replica of the Greek Parthenon and paved walking trails.
BICENTENNIAL MALL PARK
FORT NEGLEY HISTORICAL SITE
LONG HUNTER STATE PARK
HARPETH RIVER OVERLOOK
SHELBY BOTTOMS GREENWAY
CORNELIA AIR PARK- An abandoned small plane airport converted into a walking path on the runways!
Waterfalls
Most of the waterfalls listed below are >1hr drive from Nashville. 10/10 recommend renting a car or hitting up one of your local friends to get a group to go! Most hikes are easy to moderate and allow dogs. Some places need permits so do your research for all details before you drive out!
FALL CREEK FALLS
CUMMINS FALLS- permit required
GREETER FALLS
FIERY GIZZARD
Eats
Nashville's food scene is insane and full of all the southern cookin' you could ever ask for. I would definitely consider Nashville an eatin'/drinkin' town, making this a topic for a whole other post. There will be future blog posts here laying out specific options for all meals and types of cuisine. Making eating is one thing to do here in Nashville! If you are interested in a food tour, here are three on Airbnb experiences that would be amazing:
Food Tours
– Music City walking food tour
Drinks
This is a whole hobby when it comes to Nashville. Nightlife is queen here so again, stay tuned for my top places to get a drink... until then though, here's my top 4 suggestions for unique options outside of Broadway!
OFF BROADWAY ROOFTOPS- future blog post on all my personal favorites!
LOSERS- best house band in town
SANTA'S PUB- cash-only karaoke in a double wide. The most Nashville experience out there lol.
And there you have it, 100+ (and some extras cause I couldn't help myself) things to do in Nashville! It doesn't have to be said that 2020 has limited a lot of our options as far as things to do. Always do your research on limited hours, closures, and events being postponed. Can't wait to see what y'all add to your lists! Leave comments below of your FAVORITE Nashville things to do!
