30 Best & Fun Things To Do In Nashville (Tennessee)

Known for its energy and vibrancy, Nashville is one of the most famous music destinations in the world.

It’s actually nicknamed “Music City” because of its significance to the biz.

Its streets are filled with bars, clubs, concert halls, music studios and more recording stations than you can shake a microphone at.

If you’re looking for the most awesome things to do in Nashville, Tennessee, here are just a few suggestions for your bucket list!

1. Grand Ole Opry

Grab your stetson. Pull on your spurs. It’s time to visit the Grand Ole Opry.

Hailed as “the show that made country music famous,” the Grand Ole Opry has been running for almost a century.

It offers all of the latest and greatest in country, folk, gospel and bluegrass music, and it’s easily one of the best things to do in Nashville.

Catching a show is almost like a rite of passage in the South!

Check details, prices and reviews here.

Address: 2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States

2. Broadway

Broadway is the beating heart of downtown Nashville.

Covering several neon-lit blocks, it’s a neighborhood where there are bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, saloons and honky-tonks as far as the eye can see.

During the day, Broadway serves as one of the more typical tourist attractions of Nashville.

Visitors can enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing as they hop on old-fashioned trams and trolleys and explore the streets.

At night, Broadway transforms into something else entirely.

Live music spills out of dozens of bars and pubs.

Rooftop bars glitter with everything from lights to swimming pools.

You can find places to eat, drink, dance, sing karaoke, ride a mechanical bull or try on a jumpsuit covered in rhinestones.

3. Parthenon

The Parthenon functions as an art museum and cultural center.

It hosts a number of paintings, texts, statues and sculptures from the classical era.

It’s one of the major points of interest in Nashville, especially for patrons of the arts; you can often find theater troupes performing Greek plays on the front steps.

Address: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

4. Cumberland Park

Nashville has beautiful views of the Cumberland River, a 700-mile waterway that winds through Tennessee and Kentucky.

Officially called a “riverfront play space,” Cumberland Park is basically a stomping ground for families who want to have fun both in and out of the water.

Its biggest attraction is a gigantic splash pad where you can cool off on hot summer days, but there are also bike paths, climbing structures and butterfly gardens.

There’s even an amphitheater for outdoor concerts that are held in Nashville.

Address: 592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213, United States

5. Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center

You’ve never seen a hotel like the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Not only does it offer luxury suites in the most hopping, bopping parts of downtown Nashville, but it’s also home to activities and amenities that make it a vacation destination in its own right.

For starters, the resort is filled with pools, plants, gardens, fountains and waterfalls in a glass atrium.

Boat tours are available if you want to drift along the water and enjoy all nine acres of the indoor jungle.

There’s also a spa, gym, golf course and several different ballrooms for banquets and other special events.

More than a dozen bars and restaurants line the corridors if you work up an appetite.

Address: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States

6. Music Row

Music Row is the single most famous street in Nashville.

Packed with record labels, radio stations, recording studios and music production companies, it offers a top to bottom look at the thriving music scene of the city.

Lots of tours are available for recording booths and radio towers, and there are several local landmarks for sightseeing, including the statue of a famous producer in front of a grand piano.

It can also be fun to play “spot the star” with street names: Many avenues are named after country singers.

If you’re willing to venture a little outside of the neighborhood, Music Row is centrally located enough that many stores and restaurants are within walking distance.

Address: 16th/17th Ave. South – Division Street and Music Square, Nashville, TN, USA

7. Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory

It’s easy to spot the large white dome of the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.

It’s one of the biggest astronomy centers in Tennessee, and it stands on top of a large hill that provides clear, unobstructed views of the night sky.

Tours and telescopes are open to the public if you want to learn a few constellations while you’re in Nashville.

Address: 1000 Oman Dr, Brentwood, TN 37027, United States

8. Nashville Zoo

Located about 6 miles south of downtown Nashville, Nashville Zoo was a standard farm home in the 1800’s on a land that was later donated to the city by the Croft family.

The standard home, that paved way for the country’s 9th largest zoo, still stands on the property and available for tours.

There are approximately 3,000 animals in total, that represent about 350 different species.

With everything from a rich history to a delightful menagerie of animals, it’s one of the top places to visit in Nashville.

Address: 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211, United States

9. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Many award-winning athletes have come out of Tennessee, including Daren Bates, Reggie Grimes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates them all, and it’s conveniently located in downtown Nashville.

Browse the displays and exhibits that showcase the history of the state’s finest sportsmen.

Let your kids dress up in jerseys, helmets and pads for photo ops.

There are even a few rides that will keep your little ones entertained while you read up on all of the Olympic champs that have come from the Volunteer State.

Address: 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

10. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

You can’t miss Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

It has a bright purple building located in downtown Nashville, and at night, the line stretches down the entire street.

Everyone wants to toss back a drink at the oldest honky-tonk bar in Tennessee!

Tootsie’s has a long, colorful history in the country music scene.

Patsy Cline and Waylon Jennings were among its most famous customers.

Willie Nelson got his first gig after performing on its live stage.

It’s even been featured in a documentary called Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began.

Address: 422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

11. Warner Parks

The Warner Parks are actually twin parks, Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park, that span thousands of acres in the wilderness near Nashville.

Their beautiful lush hills are filled with everything from nature trails to picnic areas.

You can walk, tour, hike, bike or even go horseback riding among the sights.

If you like working up a sweat, check out the playgrounds, golf courses, tennis courts and mountain bike trails.

If you prefer more low-key activities, stroll to the top of an observation point and see for miles as the leaves fall and the sun sets.

Address: 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, United States

12. Hatch Show Print

Hatch Show Print is a letterpress print shop that has been making posters for local musicians since the turn of the century.

Some of its earliest works have become famous for advertising young stars that grew into legendary figures; these posters are now priceless collector’s items.

Visitors to Hatch Show Print can tour the facilities and see how the old-fashioned printing machines work.

They’re still functional, and for a fee, they can print your own customized posters to take home.

Check details, prices and reviews here.

Address: 224 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

13. Tennessee State Prison

You’ve seen the Tennessee State Prison even if you’ve never been there before.

Looking like a medieval castle with its spiked towers and chamber windows, it’s been featured in countless movies, including The Green Mile, Against the Wall and Ernest Goes to Jail.

In its heyday, inmates at the Tennessee State Prison were subjected to harsh manual labor and long periods of solitary confinement.

They were even forced to wear striped uniforms like they really were in the movies.

Today, the Tennessee State Prison is an abandoned facility.

You aren’t allowed to go inside, but you can drive up to the fence and take pictures, or you can sign up for marathons and ghost tours that are given permission to operate on the grounds.

Address: 6404 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209, USA

Planning a road trip around Tennessee? Be sure to check out our list of things to do in Tennessee!

14. Hermitage

As the home of former president Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage is a stunning example of grandiose, plantation-style architecture, and it’s been carefully preserved as a testament to the way that wealthy Nashville residents used to live.

It’s also an uncomfortable look at how the slave trade was normalized in the South in the 1800s.

Andrew Jackson owned dozens of slaves, and they were housed in log cabins behind the estate.

It’s beautiful and culturally significant, but at the same time, it doesn’t let you forget about its dark past.

The best history lessons are ones that show you both sides of the story.

Check details, prices and reviews here.

Address: 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States

15. Radnor Lake

With sparkling waters that lap sandy shores and jagged rocks, Radnor Lake is considered a Class II Natural Area because of its beautiful, rugged scenery that’s protected from commercial development.

Activities at Radnor Lake are mostly centered around sightseeing.

Wildlife is abundant, so if you like observing animals in their natural habitats, you’ll be in for a treat.

Turtles waddle in the dirt; red-tailed hawks soar in the sky; deer can always be seen darting through the trees.

Swimming in the lake is prohibited because of its protected status, but you can arrange for special, supervised canoe trips in the springtime.

Address: 1160 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN 37220, USA

16. Adventure Science Center of Nashville

If you’re traveling to Nashville with kids, you won’t want to miss the Adventure Science Center.

It’s an interactive, hands-on museum where learning is done without tests and textbooks.

Instead, children are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild with things like painting classes, building stations and excavation exercises!

Adults can have fun at the Adventure Science Center as well.

The planetarium hosts “yoga classes under the stars” on the weekends, and there are workshops on the science of beer or the creation of famous movie monsters.

The whole family can have a good time, and if you play your cards right, your kids might even learn something new.

Address: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

17. Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary

Despite the name, there are a lot more than just owls at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary.

It’s a protected area for many species of Tennessee wildlife, including birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.

If you want to go exploring, tours are available through the crunchy leaves of its nature trails.

If you like more structured activities, you can sign up for a basket-weaving class or a sunny picnic in the grass.

If you’re interested in special events in Nashville, you can swing by during a seed sale or a “movie in a meadow” feature.

All proceeds go towards conservation.

Address: 545 Beech Creek Rd S, Brentwood, TN 37027, United States

18. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum  boasts one of the largest musical collections on the planet, so not only is it a worldwide marvel, but it’s also a distinctive hallmark of Nashville, Tennessee.

There are also some famous sites at the museum, including the historic RCA Studio B.

Everyone from Dolly Parton to Elvis Presley has recorded there, and you can take a tour of the studio like you’re the next artist in line.

Check details, prices and reviews here.

Address: 222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

19. Bootleggers Inn

Tucked away near several other buildings in downtown Nashville, Bootleggers Inn is a quiet, dimly-lit bar that might not catch your eye right off the bat.

It isn’t painted purple or flashing with neon lights. You might need to circle the block before you even find it.

Once you’re inside, however, Bootleggers Inn will offer an extremely atmospheric vibe that befits Nashville’s underground music scene.

Its wooden tables soak in low lighting from vintage chandeliers.

Its crowd is very casual, and its live music comes in the form of guitar strummers and indie crooners.

Another nice thing about Bootleggers Inn is that it’s one of the only places in Nashville that sells moonshine, so if you’ve always wanted to try the real deal from a Southern speakeasy, this is the place to do it.

Address: 207 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201, United States

20. Honeysuckle Hill Farm

Located a few miles north of Nashville, Honeysuckle Hill Farm is one of the best places to visit when you’re looking for clean, family-oriented entertainment.

People of all ages and genders can find something fun to do!

Toddlers can shriek with laughter when they take a hayride or feed an animal at the petting zoo.

Kids will enjoy running around the fun house, getting lost in the corn maze or picking out pumpkins for arts and crafts.

Adults will appreciate sweet but healthy refreshments like candied fruits and ciders.

There’s nothing like bobbing for apples to put you in an autumn mood!

Address: 1765 Martins Chapel Church Rd, Springfield, TN 37172, United States

21. Nashville Shores

Offering a waterpark and a treetop adventure course, Nashville Shores will provide hours of fun whether you’re soaring on top of the world or diving deep into underwater pools.

The waterpark uses more than one million gallons of water in slides, rivers, wave pools and splash pads.

The treetop adventure course offers everything from ziplines to rope ladders and cargo nets that stretch between canopies.

Something to note about Nashville Shores is that it isn’t open year-round.

If you’re headed to Tennessee during the off-season for tourist attractions, make sure to book your tickets for this weekend!

Address: 4001 Bell Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States

22. Sri Ganesha Temple

With a beautiful temple that showcases everything from botanical gardens to bejeweled elephant statues, the Sri Ganesha Temple will dazzle you as soon as you walk through its doors.

Things only get more impressive on the inside; drums pound, disciples pray and homemade charms wave in the wind.

Visitors are encouraged to wander the grounds and learn more about the Hindu way of life.

A canteen will feed you if you’re hungry, and tour guides can explain the meanings of various shrines and statues.

If you go on a weekend, you might be able to sign up for a dance class or a dinner event.

Address: 527 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209, United States

23. Johnny Cash Museum and Cafe

You can’t talk about country music without talking about Johnny Cash.

He’s an absolute legend in the industry, and if you don’t believe that fact before you walk into the Johnny Cash Museum and Cafe, you’ll believe it afterwards.

Photos, records and artifacts tell his story.

Listening stations have samples of his most famous songs and demos.

Priceless guitars are protected in glass cases underneath wall-to-wall posters.

When you’re done with the displays, a live band covers Johnny Cash songs in a cafe near the museum.

Address: 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201, United States

24. Printer’s Alley

Originally the home of newspaper stands and publishing companies, Printer’s Alley has transformed itself into a busy area for Nashville’s nightlife.

No one is quite sure how it happened, but it might’ve had something to do with the dark, gritty atmosphere of the alley or the way that many local restaurants smuggled in liquor during the Prohibition era.

Today, however, Printer’s Alley is home to all kinds of bars, clubs and burlesque joints.

Their lights glitter through the darkness and beckon people to come and visit.

No cars are allowed in the alley, so there’s always a crowd.

Address: Between 3rd Ave N & 4th Ave N, An alley from Union St to Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37201, USA

25. Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Towering above downtown Nashville with white columns and ornate clerestory windows, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a pillar to the community.

It’s most famous for its violin concertos and string orchestras, but it also welcomes other types of performers.

It isn’t uncommon for the venue to host jazz shows, ventriloquists, drum lines, mariachi bands or Disney musicals.

Address: 1 Symphony Pl, Nashville, TN 37201, United States

26. Long Hunter State Park

Home to the annual NAIA Education Pow Wow, Long Hunter State Park is known for the mounds and relics of its original Native American inhabitants, and the pow wow brings together thousands of people each year to celebrate that fact.

You can find all kinds of lectures, workshops, demonstrations and souvenirs when you visit.

Another nice thing about Long Hunter State Park is that it offers a full roster of activities even when special events aren’t being held.

You can hike, swim, boat, bike or camp among the nature sites.

Address: 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States

27. Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation covers more than 30 acres and is filled with 18th and 19th century hallmarks, including cabins, stables, carriage houses, mausoleums and slave quarters.

You can tour the grounds at your leisure or stop at the visitor’s center for a more guided experience.

A winery is nearby if you want to take in the sights while sipping on a red.

Some of the plantation’s points of interest are fun, like the carriage house that stored everything from plain picnicking carriages to elaborate Victorian carriages meant for showing off within the city.

Other points of interest are uncomfortable but necessary, like the educational exhibits on the slaves that built the estate from the ground up.

Address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205, United States

28. Timothy Demonbreun House

If you’re hankering for grits and gravy, the Timothy Demonbreun House is one of the best bed-and-breakfast joints in Nashville.

It offers soft, comfortable rooms in a vintage-style mansion, and its menu is filled with all of the Southern cuisines that you can eat!

Romantics, you should also know that the Timothy Demonbreun House is renowned as a wedding and honeymoon destination in Nashville.

It sits on beautiful, picturesque fields of vibrant green grass, and the white neoclassic mansion is a favorite backdrop for engagement photos.

Book a room at the Timothy Demonbreun House if you’re looking for nice places to visit in the greater Nashville area.

Address: 746 Benton Ave, Nashville, TN 37204, United States

29. Shelby Bottoms Greenway

Shelby Bottoms Greenway boasts forests, swamps, streams, fields and wetlands, so there’s something beautiful to see during every season.

It’s also home to more than five miles of paved trails, so you can enjoy the sights on foot or with a bike or skateboard.

Tennessee has some of the most gorgeous scenery in the South, so make sure to visit the Shelby Bottoms Greenway when you’re in Nashville.

It isn’t the only place to stop and smell the roses, but it’s one of the best.

It’s worth a day trip to experience it all.

Address: 1900 Davidson St., Nashville, TN 37206, USA

30. Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant

Housed in a blocky building straight out of the 1950s, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant is one of the oddest Nashville attractions that you’ll ever visit.

On one hand, it’s a grocery store where you can stock up on the essentials.

On the other hand, it’s a restaurant where you can order plate lunches and ice-cold pitchers of beer.

On the other other hand, it’s a music hall where you can enjoy live performances from local rock and country bands.

Despite its identity crisis, however, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant is a hot destination in Nashville.

People come from all over to enjoy its barbecue platters and music shows.

Address: 500 Church St, Nashville, TN 37219, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Nashville

These are just a few of the most fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee.

Whether you’re interested in high-energy concerts or low-key nature retreats, this city has it all.

Happy travels!