Summer in the south is here y'all! Between evening firefly shows, lake days, and long warm nights, there is something infectious about this season. Even though it is hot as hell some days, Nashville is the place to BE in the summer. The streets flood with people day drinking on patios and get a piece of the summer concerts! But what else is there to check off your ultimate Nashville summer bucket list, besides the usual Broadway? Check out my list I am checking my way through in 2021!

Pool Day

When it comes to hittin' the pool in Nashville, there are a couple of options that will surprise you. First, ResortPass. There is an online "pool rental" option where you can unlock access to some rooftop hotel pools and the resort amenities at the W Hotel and Opryland. Some hotels also offer day passes for purchase, like the Governor's Pool at White Limozeen and the Dive Motel. And best of all, Pinewood Social has two free mini pools to lounge by! You can reserve them here for a time block or just show up and snag a chair next to their Airstream bar. If you are staying in an Airbnb that doesn't have a pool or are a local who needs a pool to hang at, these are all solid options!

Parks and Rec

Nothing screams summer in the south like a morning walk in the park with your doggo before the swamp ass takes over for the day. Wanna know the best places & Nashville events to sprawl those legs out? Radnor Lake, Centennial Park, or Edwin Warner Steps are all great parks that offer views and a full scale replica of the Parthenon in Greece. There are so many other events to check out too that have food trucks, vendors, and awesome opportunities to kick it picnic style. Our go to site to check what events are happening for the week is Nashville Guru. Click here to see their full calendar!

Waterfall Hikes

Hiking in Tennessee tops bucket lists around the world so you are in for a treat if you get out and explore. Especially the hikes that end with waterfall swims at the end! Some of my favorite places to go are Rock Island State Park, Foster Falls, and Cummins Falls. Stay tuned for a future blog post on the FULL list of the best waterfalls in TN. But for now, check out this list from the State Park guys!

Patio Hop

This is what Nashville has perfected in the summertime, the patio hang. Between the countless rooftops around downtown to the standard restaurant patio, theres nothing standard about these spots. Some of my favorite rooftops are LA Jackson and The Pool Club at the Virgin Hotel.

U-Pick Berries and Flowers

In Tennessee, there are loads of family farms that offer self service U-Pick produce and flowers. Summer offers blueberries, peaches, apples and strawberries. Late July/early August is when most of the flower field are open for wildflowers, sunflowers, and lavender. Some of the best farms in the area to do self pick are…. Wanna full list of where to catch the sunflowers this summer?! Check out this list!

Kayak the Harpeth

Nashville is surrounded by rivers and lakes just begging for a float. Grab your friends and head to the Harpeth for the closest river to float down. It is great for kayaking, tubing, and canoeing, with a bunch of sandbars to pull off at. Just watch for no trepassing signs since the land the river cuts through is the back end of private properties. Kayaks are available for rent at Foggy Bottom, Tip-A-Canoe, or Canoe Music City. There are tour options, featuring 2-5 hour floats, or self rent, with pick up and drop off included. This is a must do for locals or people planning a long weekend!

Cold Treats

Next on my ultimate Nashville summer bucket list is cold treats! Summer isn't complete without ice cream. For a 50's style diner slash soft serve joint, check out Elliston Soda Shop or Bobbie's Dairy Dip. Or the recently opened, Soft Service Station across from Cafe Roze. Ice cream cookie sandwiches from Baked Bear are a must. For the best scoop in town, JENI'S! My mouth's watering just thinking about these spots.

Outdoor Concerts & Movies

One of the biggest draws to Music City is obviously our music scene. The summers are consumed by outdoor concerts at places like, Ascend Amphitheater, Whiskey Jam's outdoor series, Musician's Corner, and festivals, like CMAfest, Live on the Green, and Bonnaroo. There are also stages set up on Broadway for different events, like 4th of July and NFL draft. Artists such as Brad Paisley and Chris Young played on those stages for the fireworks party on the 4th this year. And you just never know who is just gonna show up and surprise ya with a show in this town!

The outdoor movies are another massive summer bucket list item in Nashville. Nightlife 615 hosts weekly 21+ and over outdoor movie nights in Bicentennial Park, featuring food trucks, craft brews, and unrated classics like The Dark Knight, Superbad, and Bridesmaids. If you wanna get outta town and head to a classic drive in, there are a couple options: Stardust Drive-in (Watertown, TN) and Moonlite Drive-in (Woodbury, TN). And for our friends with kiddos, there are dive-in movies at the Soundwaves waterpark, where you can lay in the wave pool and watch movies all July long!

Sounds Games

The Nashville Sounds are Nashville's baseball team. Their park, First Horizon Park, is home to the Sounds located in Germantown. I loooooove summer games here. They have all sorts of themed nights and even dog friendly games. Get general admission tickets or a box! We usually just grab GA tickets and hang at the Band Box. The Band Box is in right field, hosting a full service bar, yard games, and much more. Nothing better than a ball park hot dog and bourbon slushie!

PhotoWalk Nashville

They take you on a one hour walking tour around the Gulch, one of Nashville's most colorful neighborhoods. Not only do they show you where to go and what to see, they also snag amazing photos to help you remember your Music City vacation. Locals hit this up too! You'll learn a thing or two about your own town or hear about a fun place you haven't been yet. And get hot pics lol!

Farmers Markets

No summer is complete without a backyard BBQ with friends. Stock up for the party at the next item on our Nashville summer bucket list, the farmer's markets. There are several different options depending on day of the week and neighborhood. Check out the full list here. But there is a year round Nashville Farmers Market in Germantown! They are the most fun to check out in the summer on weekends, when all the vendors are present. Enjoy picking out your fresh local produce and plant shopping while supporting the local community. They also host a night market the third Friday of every month from May-November.

And there you have it loves... my ultimate Nashville Summer Bucket List! I hope you have an amazing end to your hot girl summer. If you wanna check out any other events happening, click here to see a full list! I'll be making my way through this bucket list too so catch ya around town! And can't wait to see you on a tour with me! Not visiting in summer? Check out my spring, fall and winter bucket list blogs too!