Best things to do in Nashville

Proudly bearing the nickname Music City, Nashville is best known as the home of country music. But this city is bristling with so much more than the sound of distant (and nearby) guitars.

While you’ll find plenty of venues where you can catch live country music, there’s so much more to see and do. Discover our guide to the best things to do in Music City, with the ultimate fun-filled Nashville itinerary.

Ready? Let’s dive in. 

Ryman Auditorium

116 Rep. John Lewis Way North, Nashville, TN 37219

Ryman Auditorium boasts a long and storied past when it comes to musical heritage. Across its 130-year history, this beautiful setting has grown from a gospel tabernacle to one of the world’s most iconic music and arts venues.

Today, visitors can enjoy some of the very best contemporary music and comedy. The Ryman also offers a collection of tours, including a self-guided tour, where you’ll get to discover the immersive soul of Nashville theater experience and capture a souvenir photo onstage. For those brave enough, there’s also a haunted history tour where you can learn about the story behind unexplained sightings at the Ryman.

Be sure to check out the full list of upcoming shows before your visit and secure tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Plan your visit

Lane Motor Museum

702 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN, 37210

So many of the best things to do in Nashville focus on the city’s musical history. But there’s much more to see. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Nashville, then the Lane Motor Museum is the place for you.

Located around a ten-minute drive from downtown Nashville in your rental car, this unique museum is a haven for car fanatics, with its focus on rare European models.

Expect to see the most unlikely collection of vehicles, including the world’s smallest car, amphibious pickups and chunky military motors. If you visit on a weekend, you may even get to step inside the museum’s cavernous vault, which is home to many other cars that most people never get to see.

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The Parthenon

2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203

Calling all history buffs. This one is for you. Take a trip to the world’s only full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece, the ultimate Nashville sightseeing spot. The Parthenon is an impressive replica that serves as a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical architecture.

Step back in time and experience the artistic flair and majesty of ancient Greece in Centennial Park, around a ten-minute drive from Downtown. Built to celebrate Nashville’s reputation as the ‘Athens of the South’, the structure was originally only meant to be temporary, but its popularity means it now stands as a symbol of creativity in Nashville, hosting a range of exhibits among a calendar of other events that make it well worth a visit.

Plan your visit

Drop into a listening room

Bluebird Cafe: 4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215

Listening Room Cafe: 618 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37210

Looking for fun things to do in Nashville this weekend? Throw yourself straight into Nashville’s music scene by heading to one of several listening rooms dotted across the city. The most popular include the Listening Room Cafe and the Bluebird Cafe, but there are plenty more to choose from.

This is country music at its best, in its rawest form. At these tiny venues, you’ll enjoy intimate sets where performers banish all the frills, lights and pomp of modern music. Here, it’s just a musician, a stool and their guitar. Grab a table and sit back to enjoy music from stars of today and tomorrow in some of the most authentic settings around.

Listening Room Cafe

Bluebird Cafe

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205

Once the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens now serves as a botanic garden, arboretum and museum.

Visit the converted Cheek Mansion museum and explore the restored family rooms showcasing original furnishings and converted galleries. But the real beauty of this gem can be found hidden in the 55-acre grounds.

The gardens are awash with color and bursting with life, home to swathes of vibrant blooms, rare shrubs and native Southern species of plants. Take some time to stop by the Japanese Garden, a truly peaceful space where you can escape the bustle of the modern world. Perfect if you’re looking for romantic things to do in Nashville. Cheekwood can be reached in around 30 minutes from Downtown Nashville.

Plan your visit

Grand Ole Opry House

600 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214

The sole reason many people come to Nashville is to visit the Grand Ole Opry, aka the home of country music. It may not look like much from the outside, but this iconic venue is the biggest stage for country music and is home to legends and aspiring artists. Definitely one to tick off your Naville bucket list.

Starting life as a radio show in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry provides music lovers a chance to connect with their favorite country music stars every week. Visitors can also take a peek behind the curtain at the venue by booking a daytime backstage tour or a post-show backstage tour. There’s even a country duos tour available, where you can explore the Grand Ole Opry’s current and famous former home — the Ryman.

Book tickets

Long Hunter State Park

2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076

Looking for outdoor things to do in Nashville? Hop in your Nashville car rental to Long Hunter State Park.

After a 30-minute drive, you’ll find yourself in 2,600 acres of parkland offering everything from camping to hiking in some of the most peaceful settings around. A time to get back in touch with nature.

If you’re up for a day of stretching your legs and exploring the best Long Hunter State Park has to offer, the Day Loop Trail is a must. The first part of the hike follows the Volunteer Trail, before breaking off to form its own loop[HL1] . Expect to see lots of plants, oak trees and unique rock formations along the way.

Plan your route

So, there you have it, an ultimate guide to fun things to do in Nashville. If you’re looking for fun day trips from Nashville, venture out of the city in your car rental on a country road trip. You can be in Dollywood in under four hours or explore Knoxville in around three hours.

Learn more about Nashville

Music City is a destination like no other. Steeped in the swagger of country music and bristling with tunes, art and activities aplenty, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Tennessee. Make the most of your trip to Nashville with our handy guides on where to stay, eat and drive. 

•        Best hotels in Nashville
•        Nashville Driving Guide
•        Best restaurants in Nashville