Looking for the best things to do in Nashville? Nashville, Music City, is the home of country music, with honky-tonks on Broadway, legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium and a booming food scene. This list mixes famous landmarks with local favourites and easy day trips, with practical tips on timing, tickets and costs for American travellers.
Best things to do in Nashville
1. Lower Broadway
Honky-tonks with live music from morning to late night. Bring a refillable water bottle.
2. Ryman Auditorium
The “Mother Church of Country Music”. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
3. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The story of country music. Allow at least an hour to enjoy it properly.
4. Grand Ole Opry
The longest-running radio show in US history. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
5. The Parthenon
A full-scale replica in Centennial Park. Arrive early for the best light and fewest people.
6. The Gulch and 12 South
Murals, shops and restaurants. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
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Film snorkelling, ziplines and mountain biking hands-free.
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7. Johnny Cash Museum
Memorabilia of the Man in Black. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
8. RCA Studio B
Where Elvis and Dolly recorded. Wear comfortable shoes; you will walk more than you expect.
9. Live music
One of the most popular ways to experience Nashville; ask your hotel or a local outfitter for current options and prices. Book tickets online to skip the line.
10. Hot chicken tasting
One of the most popular ways to experience Nashville; ask your hotel or a local outfitter for current options and prices. Combine it with a nearby café or lunch spot.
11. Distillery tours
One of the most popular ways to experience Nashville; ask your hotel or a local outfitter for current options and prices. Allow at least an hour to enjoy it properly.
12. Opry shows
One of the most popular ways to experience Nashville; ask your hotel or a local outfitter for current options and prices. Sunset is a particularly good time.
13. Bachelorette weekends
One of the most popular ways to experience Nashville; ask your hotel or a local outfitter for current options and prices. Check opening hours before you go, as they change seasonally.
14. Take a day trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited national park, with misty ridges, waterfalls, historic cabins and black bears. Read our Great Smoky Mountains National Park travel guide. Check opening hours before you go, as they change seasonally.
15. Take a day trip to Asheville
Asheville is an artsy mountain city on the Blue Ridge Parkway, known for the Biltmore Estate, craft breweries and fall colours. Read our Asheville travel guide. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
16. Take a day trip to New Orleans
New Orleans is unlike any other American city: jazz drifting from doorways, Creole and Cajun cooking, historic architecture and festivals almost every week of the year. Read our New Orleans travel guide. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.
17. Eat your way through the local food scene
Try hot chicken, barbecue, meat-and-three and biscuits. Food tours are a fun way to sample several places in one afternoon. It is great value for families.
When to go
The best time to visit is April to May and September to October.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm and pleasant, 60–80°F; the best season for most visitors. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot and humid, often 90°F+, with afternoon storms. |
| Fall | September–November | Warm early, comfortable by October; hurricane risk on the coast until November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild, 40–60°F, with occasional cold snaps. |
Where to stay
- Downtown: Walk to Broadway.
- The Gulch: Trendy and central.
- Midtown: Bars and restaurants.
- East Nashville: Local and creative.
| Style | Typical price per night | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $110–170 | Motels, hostels, simple inns and campground cabins |
| Mid-range | $180–300 | Comfortable hotels and B&Bs, often with breakfast |
| Luxury | $350–700 | Resorts, historic hotels and boutique properties |
For more detail, read our Nashville travel guide.
Tips for visitors
- Broadway is busiest on weekends; weekdays are calmer.
- Book Opry and Ryman shows early.
- Summers are hot and humid.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to cover every neighbourhood in a day: cluster sights by area instead.
- Renting a car you will barely use and paying high overnight parking fees.
- Eating only in the main tourist zone, where prices are higher and quality lower.
- Skipping reservations for popular restaurants, tours and observation decks on weekends.
- Underestimating walking distances: bring comfortable shoes.
Sample 3-day budget for two
| Item | Mid-range estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotel (3 nights) | $540–$900 |
| Food and drink | $540–$864 |
| Activities and entry fees | $140–$280 |
| Local transport or car | $180–$270 |
| Total | $1,400–$2,314 |
Estimates exclude flights and assume a mid-range hotel; travelling in shoulder season can cut accommodation costs by a third or more.
What to pack for Nashville
- Breathable clothing and a sun hat
- High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
- Sandals and comfortable walking shoes
- A light rain jacket for afternoon storms
- Insect repellent
For a complete checklist, see our road trip packing list.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Travel gear we trust
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Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Nashville?
For most first-time visitors it is Lower Broadway: honky-tonks with live music from morning to late night.
How many days do you need in Nashville?
Plan 3 days to cover the highlights at a relaxed pace.
What is the best time to visit Nashville?
April to May and September to October.
Is Nashville good for families?
Yes. Many of the top attractions suit children, and Nashville is popular with music lovers, groups and foodies.
What should I eat in Nashville?
Try hot chicken, barbecue, meat-and-three and biscuits.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Nashville Travel Guide: Music, Food and Where to Stay
- Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide: Hikes, Scenic Drives and Wildlife
- Asheville Travel Guide: Biltmore, Breweries and Blue Ridge Parkway
- New Orleans Travel Guide: Jazz, Food and the French Quarter