One of the most well-liked cities in the unique things to do in Nashville, dubbed the Music City of America. The best live music scene in the country draws tourists from all around the United States and the globe. Even while, for many, that is the main attraction, visitors to Nashville quickly find that there are many other things to do. A filling brunch starts the day, and there are plenty of afternoon activities to go on. Because the city is compact and the free city bikes may take you farther out, getting about is simple. The sounds of cowboy boots and six-string guitars fill the air early on Honky Tonk Highway, signalling the beginning of yet another thrilling Nashville night.
Experience Hot Chicken
Originating in Nashville, Tennessee, hot chicken has grown to be a popular meal known for its intense flavour profile. To give this dish its characteristic heat, fried chicken is liberally coated in a unique combination of spices that includes paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. The dish’s allure is in its delectable texture contrast; the crispy outside covering beautifully balances the juicy, soft beef inside. Foodies love hot chicken since this duality improves the whole eating experience. Hot chicken is unique in its versatility. Although traditional versions come in mild to very intense spiciness, contemporary versions have increased the possibilities of the dish.
Hot chicken sandwiches, tacos and even pizza toppings are available these days, each with a distinctive take on this timeless staple. The hot chicken fad has been embraced by several eateries around the country, each of which has added their own flair and culinary knowledge to their renditions. Indulging in hot chicken promises a fantastic experience that will send your taste senses tingling with bliss, regardless of your level of spice enthusiast or just looking for an enjoyable culinary adventure.
Attend a Songwriter’s Night
At one of Nashville’s legendary venues, The Bluebird Cafe or The Listening Room Cafe, catch a songwriter’s night to experience the vibrant core of the city’s famed music scene. Songwriters can present their original works in a close-knit setting against the ideal backdrop of its comfortable ambience and superb acoustics. As gifted musicians weave profoundly felt stories via their music, get ready to be intrigued.
The Listening Room Cafe, situated in the energetic SoBro neighborhood, provides songwriters with a modern yet friendly environment. Taking in a songwriter’s night in Nashville is an experience that encapsulates Music City itself. Experienced music fans or anyone curious to learn more about Nashville’s musical history will find these locations to be remarkable. So curl up and allow the stories and tunes to take you to the center of Nashville’s rich musical fabric.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Having one of the most significant musical collections in the world, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is well-deserved in its reputation. It is a unique selling point and a great excuse to come to Nashville in the first place. Learn more about the pioneers and best of country music by seeing the nicely maintained museum. Big names like Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Alan Jackson are included. Unique artefacts in the Hall of Fame include the guitar of Jimmie Rodgers and the solid gold Cadillac limousine of Elvis Presley. Many interactive displays allow guests to learn about the fantastic history of country music while posing with musical instruments.
Nashville Zoo
Definitely visit the Nashville Zoo if you’re looking for a fun family adventure and your group includes animal enthusiasts. Offering a remarkable diversity of wildlife, you may anticipate seeing around 3,000 animals and 350 distinct species. There is enough native and foreign fauna to amuse everyone, from clouded leopards to alligators. Are you seeking something a little more daring? Savour is one of the numerous interactive displays in the zoo. A popular choice is Kangaroo Kickabout, which allows you to interact directly with Roos and Joeys. Another is called Lorikeet Landing, where you may see and feed parrots. Should either of them still leave you wanting more excitement, take an actual bird’ s-eye perspective of the park and animals by riding the zipline.
Radnor Lake State Park
Ten miles south of Nashville, at Radnor Lake State Park, you can get away from the busy downtown. The family things to do in nashville, the park provides a tranquil and soothing diversion from the lively night walking, biking, and running routes that let you see the surroundings and appreciate unspoiled views of Radnor Lake. See Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Centre if bird watching is one of your interests. Comprising interactive displays and providing ranger-led activities, this aviary is a fascinating site well worth seeing. Daily hours for the trails are 6 a.m. until 20 minutes after dusk. See the Tennessee State Park website for trail maps and other information.
Cheekwood
Are you in need of some fresh air and tranquillity? Choose Cheekwood Estate & Gardens without searching any further. The estate has a vast, ornate botanical garden. One might quickly become lost in the tranquillity of its twelve different gardens and woods walking track. Depending on the time of year you come, see what seasonal events the gardens are holding. “Cheekwood in Bloom” continues over the holidays. You really should not miss this show, which has over 150 thousand blooming bulbs and the well-known Cheekwood lights.
Tennessee State Museum
The Tennessee State Museum offers a comprehensive exploration of Volunteer state history. The museum houses many ongoing exhibits highlighting the state’s distinctive past. Nothing is left uncovered, from natural history to sporting history to the Civil War. Are you travelling with kids? There are plenty of displays designed primarily to keep them occupied as you take in all the sights.
Adjacent to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the museum is in a prime location. Famous locations like the Musicians Hall of Fame, several stores, and eateries are within walking distance away, making this an easy choice for your stay in Nashville.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
Top on the list for music fans looking for a singular experience should be the Musicians Hall of Fame. This is the only museum that covers everyone involved in the free things to do in nashville creation of some of your all-time favourite recordings, even if many others honour music legends.
Though everyone is aware of Elvis, did you know that his drummer Hal Blaine also performed on songs by Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys? You ought to list that on your CV! The process of producing the songs we have enjoyed for decades is quite astonishing when you go behind the scenes at the Musicians Hall of Fame. More than simply educational, the displays feature some of the very instruments that were used to record famous songs.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge links East Nashville with Nashville’s historic centre. Previously called Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, it was built between 1907 and 1909. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places—these days.
Since 1998, vehicles have been prohibited, allowing tourists to walk or cycle comfortably across the bridge. Four distinct overlooks strewn over the promenade allow people to pause and take in the cityscape. Because of its convenient position, walking back to the centre of downtown is simple.
Locals suggest seeing the bridge at night. Fewer people mean that you can see a lit-up Nashville. Go at a full moon for extra credit!
RCA Studio B
If you’ve had enough history and music at the Country Music Hall of Fame, see RCA Studio B. Operating as a museum under the direction of the Hall of Fame, which is a famous and historic recording studio. Greats of country music have recorded records at this studio, including Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, and even Carrie Underwood.
The studio is not available for solo tours; guided tours are available every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Expert and interesting guides will explain how Nashville became known as a global recording centre and how the RCA studio became famous for its “Nashville Sound.”
For those who enjoy Chet Atkins, a little-known truth is that he ran and produced hundreds of singles at RCA!
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Though everyone is familiar with Andrew Jackson from the $20 currency, you may visit his Hermitage to have a complete picture of his life. He is now designated as a National Historic Landmark; a tour of this Greek Revival estate offers a preserved look into President Jackson’s private life.
It was well known that Jackson enslaved people while in office. Tours will take you through the cramped quarters of the more than 150 enslaved people owned by the former president, setting the generosity of Jackson’s enormous estate against it. A tour with a wagon ride across the cotton fields of the estate is also available. See where the enslaved people worked for many hours and learn more about their stay in the Hermitage here.
Belle Meade Plantation
Belle Meade Plantation used to house the largest thoroughbred horse farm in the country. A tour of the plantation, which was formerly home to the most affluent family in Nashville, will take you back in time to the Civil War. See the vast estate, stroll around the ancient architecture, and discover the depths to which this family exploited their slave population to amass a fortune.
Finding out about one enslaved person’s path to liberation is an eye-opening glimpse into old Southern society. To complete the picture, your enlightening guides don period attire.
Because of its explicit material, the tour is limited to 12 years old. Nevertheless, many family-friendly events are available.
Nashville Parthenon
Do not panic if, after a big night in Nashville, you wake up and believe you are in a “Hangover”-style dream. Instead, you have arrived at the stunning Centennial Park in Nashville. It will take some time to get over the fantastic full-size replica of the Parthenon, and remember that Tennessee is not Athens.
Strolling along Centennial’s various walking paths, you can see all sides of the Parthenon, which is as unexpected as stunning. Housed within the building is an art museum with works by American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. The 42-foot-tall gold-leaf Athena statue in the middle of the Parthenon is not to be missed.
Ryman Auditorium
Tucked away in the centre of downtown Nashville, the Ryman Auditorium was formerly the Grand Ole Opry’s residence. Many renowned acts, such as Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and Trace Adkins, still choose Ryman even though it no longer hosts the Opry.
Every day, Ryman Auditorium tours are available. You can spend most of the day interested in the self-guided choices, films and exhibitions that show the auditorium’s building. Locals will tell you that attending a show at Ryman is the best way to truly appreciate the venue. Check the concert hall website often to see whether your favourite musician will be performing when you come.
Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum is the place where the most extensive Johnny Cash collection of memorabilia and artefacts in the world is kept. To appreciate their time at this exhibition, visitors do not have to be die-hard Cash fans. The biography of Cash is a compelling read, covering everything from his modest upbringing to love affairs and some of his most revolutionary performances.
There is not much you cannot learn about the country music hero here, including his handwritten lyrics, instruments, and even his marriage certificate to June Carter Cash. Nothing will be lost if you have to take a break for lunch or coffee. The cafe adjacent to the museum features a live band performing Johnny Cash covers.
Broadway
Without seeing Broadway, the actual centre of Nashville, no vacation to Nashville is complete. There is room for everyone on the Honky Tonk Highway; it’s a vibrant, varied, and generally entertaining area. Enjoyed by many for its profusion of live music establishments and events, the music begins early and continues all night.
Broadway is a terrific destination any time of day because it has so many places to dine, drink, shop, and even sing karaoke. It is the location of places like the Stage, Honky Tonk Central, and Tootsies World Famous Orchid Lounge, so get ready for a fantastic time and put on your dancing shoes.
Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens
More than simply a hotel, the Gaylord Opryland Resort offers opulent suites, pools, a spa, and a host of activities. Still, you really should see the four different areas of the hotel’s grounds, even if you’re away. Combining them offers guests a range of lavish waterfalls, ornate fountains, and indoor boat rides.
The Delta is the primary area of the magnificent indoor gardens, covering half of them. Here, you can take a riverboat cruise and see several acts with a watery theme. After that, wander over to the Garden Conservatory, which has two patio-style eateries, tropical gardens and waterfalls.
Cascades comes next, ideal for releasing the children into the inner forest. Magnolia, which takes you near the thrilling attraction Soundwaves, is the final section. Magnolia has a range of eateries, recording studios, and stores.
Grand Ole Opry
It’s hard to believe that in 1925, the venerable Grand Ole Opry was just a modest radio programme. The oldest radio programme in the United States is still going strong today.
Nashville expanded along with the Opry in popularity. The city’s ascent to the status of the Country Music Capital of the World was primarily fueled by the legendary venue. No visit to the city would be complete without seeing a live performance. For performers, though, it goes beyond just phoning their agent. It takes invitations from Opry veterans, which makes coming here to play a fantastic accomplishment.
If you’re pressed for time to see a performance, take a backstage tour to stand in the famous circle and discover everything that goes on behind the scenes.
