Nashville Travel Guide, United States

If you are planning things to do in Nashville, music is the obvious starting point. The capital of Tennessee is closely tied to country music, and live performances happen in venues from famous halls to small bars, often every night of the week.

The city sits on the Cumberland River in the central part of the state and has grown quickly in recent decades. Downtown holds the main music landmarks, while nearby districts offer food, independent shops and quieter streets. You can see a lot on foot in a few days, with rideshares for the rest.

Besides music, Nashville offers museums, historic homes, parks and a food scene known for hot chicken and Southern cooking. Weekends can be busy and loud downtown, so plan ahead if you prefer a calmer trip.

These are the usual highlights. Check hours and book ahead where possible, as shows and tours can sell out at weekends.

Live music on Broadway

Lower Broadway has a long strip of honky-tonks with live music, often from late morning until late at night. Allow an evening. Many venues do not charge entry, though you should check, and tipping the performers is customary. It is busiest on weekend nights, so go earlier for space.

Ryman Auditorium

This historic venue is known as a former home of the Grand Ole Opry and is a beautiful place to see a show. Tours are available when there is no performance. Allow around an hour for a tour, and book a show in advance if you want a seat at a particular concert.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

A large museum covering the history of country music, with instruments, costumes and recordings. Allow two to three hours. Buy tickets ahead for popular times, and consider combining it with a visit to a nearby historic recording studio tour if one is offered.

Grand Ole Opry

The long-running radio show is performed in a venue outside downtown. Shows vary by season and line-up, so check the calendar. Allow a full evening, and consider a backstage tour if available. Plan transport in advance, as the venue is some distance from Broadway.

The Parthenon in Centennial Park

A full-scale replica of the Greek temple stands in a large city park and houses an art gallery. Allow an hour for the building and more for a walk around the park. It is a good morning stop, and it is especially photogenic in good weather.

The Gulch and 12 South

These two neighbourhoods suit a relaxed afternoon of shops, cafes and street art. Allow two to three hours. Walk between them where possible, or use a rideshare, and look for local murals for photos. Restaurants fill up at weekends, so reserve ahead.

Hot chicken and Southern food

Nashville hot chicken is a local speciality, served at spicy levels from mild to very hot. Start mild. Also try meat-and-three lunches and barbecue. Expect queues at popular places, and check opening hours, as some close on certain days.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures that suit walking and outdoor music. April and May are usually pleasant, and September and October bring cooler evenings, though conditions vary year to year.

Summer is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms possible, and it is busy with visitors. Winter is cooler and can be cold with occasional ice, but crowds are lighter and hotel prices tend to drop. Large events and festivals can push prices up at any time of year, so check the calendar before booking.

Most visitors fly into Nashville International Airport, which is usually a short drive from downtown by taxi or rideshare. Many others arrive by car along the interstates, and long-distance buses also serve the city. There is no major passenger rail service, so plan around flights or driving.

Downtown is walkable, and the main music venues and museums are close together. For other neighbourhoods, rideshares are the easiest option, and local buses cover some routes, though they are less frequent than in larger cities. If you drive, parking downtown can be costly and scarce on weekend nights, so check garages in advance. Scooters and bikes are available in some areas, subject to local rules.

Nashville has a lot of hotels downtown and growing options in nearby neighbourhoods. Book early for weekends, big events and festival periods, as rooms can be scarce.

• Downtown and the Gulch: the most convenient for music venues and museums. It suits first-time visitors, bachelor and bachelorette groups and short stays, though it is loud at night.
• Midtown and Music Row: a little quieter but still close to the action. Good for travellers who want proximity without the noise.
• East Nashville: residential and creative, with independent restaurants and a local feel. Suits repeat visitors who want a calmer base and are happy to take a rideshare in.
• 12 South and the Green Hills area: leafy, relaxed and good for families and those who prefer cafes to bars.

Three days is enough for most visitors, covering the music highlights and a bit of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Two days works for a quick trip, and four days lets you add the Opry, a historic home or a day trip. Pace yourself on late nights if you plan to fit in a lot.

1. Day 1: Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium and an evening on Lower Broadway.
2. Day 2: The Parthenon and Centennial Park in the morning, then The Gulch and 12 South, with hot chicken for dinner.
3. Day 3: The Grand Ole Opry or a historic home, then a show in East Nashville or a songwriter night.

Nashville is a useful base for a few short trips, and for longer journeys through the South.

Franklin

A historic town south of Nashville, usually around 30 to 45 minutes by car. It has a walkable main street, shops and Civil War history. Allow half a day, and check events, as the town hosts festivals through the year.

Lynchburg

A small town known for its whiskey distillery, roughly an hour and a half away by car. Tours are the main draw. Book ahead if you want a tour, and nominate a driver, as the road is rural.

Great Smoky Mountains

This national park is a longer drive of several hours east of Nashville, so it suits an overnight rather than a day trip. It is known for hiking, scenic drives and autumn colour. Check road and trail conditions before you go.

Memphis and Atlanta

Both cities are a few hours from Nashville by road, with their own music and food scenes. Memphis is the closer to the west. Check drive times for the day, and consider a separate trip rather than a day out.