What To Do In Nashville? An In-Depth Guide to Activities and Things To Do in Music City

Music City, U.S.A. is one of the greatest cities in the United States and there are tons of things to do if you decide to visit. From art festivals and brewery tours to world-class cuisine and music venues, Nashville is jam packed with attractions for the travelers looking for a great experience. This guide covers some of the best things to do in Nashville, and what pleases music lovers, country fans, foodies, and sightseers alike.

The Music

Perhaps the premiere reason to visit Music City, one of the first things that come to mind when you think of Nashville is music. Music theatres, festivals, and live shows abound throughout the city.

• The Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium – Located in downtown Nashville, the Ryman Auditorium has seen some of the greats perform on the iconic stage including Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and most recently, Taylor Swift. The Ryman Auditorium puts on several shows a night showcasing up and coming talent, country all-stars, bluegrass bands, and more.
• CMA Fest – Every June sees the Country Music Association Fest held in downtown Nashville. With over 400 acts it brings an impressive list of country music’s biggest names to town for one weekend of incredible shows.
• Listen to Live Music at Honky Tonks – The place where country music was born is still alive and well in downtown Nashville. Many famous music venues line 5rd Street and beyond where you can listen to live music in most cases every day of the week.

Food

If you’re visiting Nashville for the first time, you’ll certainly want to experience some of the city’s world-class cuisine. For something classic, there are hot chicken spots like Hattie B’s and Prince’s offering Nashville’s signature fried chicken. To sample some of the region’s finest BBQ, check out Martin’s Barbecue Joint or Peg Leg Porker. Despite being made famous worldwide by its hot chicken, Nashville has much more to offer in terms of food offerings. Some noteworthy spots include:

• Wild &Scenic at Vanderbilt – This casual sushi joint is perfect when you’re after some rolls with a twist. Interior design elements inspired by nature as well as a contemporary selection of signature rolls make Wild & Scenic a great option for a unique lunch or dinner experience.
• The 404 Kitchen – Sitting atop the 404 Hotel building, The 404 Kitchen offers a stunning view of downtown Nashville along with Mediterranean influenced farm-to-table fare.
• City Winery – If you’re looking for an amazing meal that also includes an unmatched selection of wines (harvested from all over the world), City Winery is worth checking out.

Tours & Activities

Nashville offers plenty of attractions that make great experiences for groups and families including historic tours, outdoor surprises and much more.

• Nashville Food Tour – Explore Music City on a Nashville Food Tour. Spend up to three hours visiting six complementary restaurants while samples traditional southern dishes. Have a great time learning history as you eat your fill – all while traveling with a friendly tour guide who knows all there is to know about Nashville’s hidden dining scene.
• Nashville Ville All Inclusive Pub Crawl – What better way to explore Music City than to embark on a pub crawl? Join a local guide for an evening of music and beer tasting at some of the best Nashville bars around. Introduce yourself to local musicians, experience Nashville’s bustling nightlife, and try specialty beers you may never have heard of before – this is your chance to immerse yourself in everything the city has to offer.
• Nashville Sightseeing Tour – See historic sites, explore downtown hot spots, and learn about the exciting history of Nashville on a guided sightseeing tour. Cruise in style around famous locations and attractions such as Music Row, Music Square Park, Vanderbilt University and much more.
• Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum – Pay homage to Nashville’s rich musical history at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum which houses millions of artifacts including instruments, photos, outfits, recordings and much more related to country music’s legendary artists.

Nashville lies within easy reach of numerous outdoor activities that let you explore nature while taking advantage of ample entertainment opportunities that the city offers. The great outdoors is never too far away in Music City!

• Kayak the Harpeth River – Spend an evening among nature navigating around treacherous bends on the Harpeth River with nothing but a kayak. This guided tour follows professional instructors past meadows and other natural habitats that eventually flow through downtown.
• Pedal Tavern Tour – Take a spin around downtown Nashgville on a Pedal Tavern tour – a unique way to explore Music City without breaking a sweat! These bike tours take 15 riders on a multi-stop adventure throughout downtown that includes a list of amazing craft breweries and pubs where you can kick off or cap off your Pedal Tavern Tour.
• Tennessee Brew Works Tours – Get an in-depth glance into the brewing process while exploring Tennessee Brew Works’ seven-barrel brewing system. This local brewery offers a variety of lagers, pilsners, pale ales and more styles as well as food items.
• Warner Parks Hiking Tour – Experience nature first hand by ascending beautiful trails right outside downtown Nashville. Choose your trail difficulty level with everything from leisurely strolls through the park taking in rich foliage to more challenging hikes up hillsides with spectacular views.

Nashville is home to a slew of local art galleries, making it a great destination for art lovers. Park Gallery is a perfect pick from classic photography to modern day abstract oils spread across its two floors – choices abound at this residence-like gallery. Local art also flows from The Arts Company which specializes in exhibiting an ever-growing list of regional artists as well as international shows from other galaxies too. Fisk University’s Carl Van Vechten Gallery provides beautiful works from faculty of this prestigious university located northwest of downtown’s central hub. These are but a few options for discovering art when visiting Music City so make sure to check out some if this is high on your list!

Nashville may be best known as the Birthplace of Country Music but it has so much more than just music to offer. There’s great food, outdoor activities, historic sites, arts and culture – something for everybody. So if you’re searching for an incredible city where beauty meets culture and creativity meets muscle then look no further than Music City – there’s no better place that encapsulates everything America stands for than Nashville!

Finally, take your experience in Music City one step further with Nashville Ville All Inclusive Pub Crawl. This epic bar crawl includes visits to the best bars in town – from rocking honky tonks to chill beer gardens – each stop offering unique vibes that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Music City! Plus for all your private drinks included in this tour there’s no better experience for trying out some of Nashville’s most popular brews! So if you’re looking for more than great music – try out the ultimate Nashville experience with this pub crawl – you won’t regret it!