This Nashville travel guide covers everything you need to plan a great trip to Nashville, Tennessee. 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.
Whether you are flying in for a long weekend or building a bigger road trip, this guide covers access, timing, neighbourhoods, costs and insider tips.
Nashville travel guide: quick facts
| Nashville at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tennessee |
| Nearest airport | Nashville International (BNA) |
| Getting there | About 3.5 hours to the Great Smoky Mountains; 3 hours to Memphis |
| Best time to visit | April to May and September to October |
| Time needed | 3 days |
| Best for | Music lovers, groups and foodies |
Why visit Nashville
Nashville is ideal for music lovers, groups and foodies. Its headline experiences include Lower Broadway, Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Grand Ole Opry, and it pairs well with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville and New Orleans. It is a place that rewards slowing down rather than rushing between sights.
How to get to Nashville
- By air: Nashville International (BNA).
- By road: About 3.5 hours to the Great Smoky Mountains; 3 hours to Memphis.
- Rental cars: available at Nashville International (BNA); book early for summer and holiday weekends.
Getting around Nashville
A car is useful for day trips, but the central districts are walkable and well served by rideshare. Rideshare apps work everywhere, and many downtown hotels charge high nightly parking fees, so think twice before keeping a car for city days.
Top things to do in Nashville
Lower Broadway
Honky-tonks with live music from morning to late night.
Ryman Auditorium
The “Mother Church of Country Music”. Book ahead in peak season.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The story of country music. Combine it with a nearby café or viewpoint.
Grand Ole Opry
The longest-running radio show in US history. Allow at least an hour or two here.
The Parthenon
A full-scale replica in Centennial Park. Sunset is especially beautiful here.
The Gulch and 12 South
Murals, shops and restaurants. Go early to beat the crowds.
Johnny Cash Museum
Memorabilia of the Man in Black.
RCA Studio B
Where Elvis and Dolly recorded.
Other favourite experiences include live music, hot chicken tasting, distillery tours, Opry shows and bachelorette weekends. See our full list of things to do in Nashville.
Before you go: gear checklist
- Best travel backpacks BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Top-rated wireless earbuds VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
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Best time to visit Nashville
The best time to visit Nashville is April to May and September to October. Here is how the seasons compare:
| 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. |
Shoulder seasons usually offer the best mix of weather, prices and crowds.
Where to stay in Nashville
- Downtown: Walk to Broadway.
- The Gulch: Trendy and central.
- Midtown: Bars and restaurants.
- East Nashville: Local and creative.
Typical nightly rates:
| 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 |
Book early for summer weekends and holidays, and compare total prices, including taxes and any resort or parking fees.
What to eat in Nashville
Don’t leave without trying hot chicken, barbecue, meat-and-three and biscuits. Reserve popular restaurants ahead on weekends.
Suggested 3 days in Nashville
- Day 1: Lower Broadway and Ryman Auditorium.
- Day 2: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Grand Ole Opry.
- Day 3: The Parthenon, The Gulch and 12 South, Johnny Cash Museum and RCA Studio B.
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.
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.
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.
Accessibility and family travel
Most major attractions, museums and transit systems are wheelchair accessible, though older buildings and historic districts can have steps and uneven sidewalks. Families will find plenty of stroller-friendly parks and child-friendly museums, and many attractions offer discounted tickets for children and seniors.
Practical tips
- Broadway is busiest on weekends; weekdays are calmer.
- Book Opry and Ryman shows early.
- Summers are hot and humid.
- Tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
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.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
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.
Hit the road prepared
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby places to add to your trip
- 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.
- Asheville: Asheville is an artsy mountain city on the Blue Ridge Parkway, known for the Biltmore Estate, craft breweries and fall colours.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Nashville?
Plan 3 days to see the highlights without rushing, and add a day for day trips or hikes.
What is the best time to visit Nashville?
The best time is April to May and September to October.
How do you get to Nashville?
Fly into Nashville International (BNA). By road, it is about 3.5 hours to the Great Smoky Mountains; 3 hours to Memphis.
How much does a trip to Nashville cost?
Hotels typically cost $180–300 a night for mid-range rooms, and most travellers spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Is Nashville good for families?
Yes. It suits music lovers, groups and foodies, and families do best with a central base, early starts and a mix of sightseeing and downtime.
Final thoughts on Nashville travel guide
Nashville rewards travellers who plan the essentials and leave room for surprises. Book key stays and timed-entry or tour reservations early, travel in the shoulder seasons if you can, and give yourself time to enjoy the places that charm you most.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Things to Do in Nashville: Top Experiences and Local Tips
- Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide: Hikes, Scenic Drives and Wildlife
- Asheville Travel Guide: Biltmore, Breweries and Blue Ridge Parkway
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips