The Music City is experiencing a landmark moment, and you absolutely need to be part of it. The legendary Grand Ole Opry radio show recently celebrated a hundred years since its first broadcast, and the grand Opry 100 celebrations continue throughout 2026. It’s the perfect time to visit Nashville USA, as every concert brings surprises and guest stars you wouldn’t experience otherwise.
If you love live music, Nashville will instantly captivate you with its energy and endless entertainment options. The main strip called Broadway works on a simple principle: you don’t pay any cover charge at the legendary honky-tonk bars. Music plays from late morning until late at night for free, with your only unwritten obligation being to throw generous tips into the band’s bucket.
At the same time, I must add that this city offers much more than just country music and loud night parties. You’ll find a stunning replica of the Athenian Parthenon, top-notch art museums, and a fantastic culinary scene that caters wonderfully to devoted vegetarians. The tourism boom is currently huge, with millions of visitors flocking to the city annually, so let’s take a look at how to plan your trip as effectively as possible.
TL;DR
- Century celebrations: The Opry 100 program runs throughout 2026, which means this year’s concerts are packed with star guests and major musical surprises.
- Free music: On the famous Broadway street, you don’t pay any cover charge, so you can freely hop from bar to bar, but remember to bring plenty of cash for tipping the performing bands.
- When to go: The most pleasant weather and manageable crowds await you in April through May and then in September and October.
- Vegetarian paradise: The local specialty Nashville hot chicken is now commonly prepared with cauliflower or tofu, so you definitely won’t miss out on the legendary spicy experience even without meat.
- Quieter alternatives: If the idea of an overcrowded downtown scares you, head to neighborhoods like East Nashville or Germantown, where you’ll find a great local atmosphere.
- Historical gems: Don’t miss visiting The Parthenon in Centennial Park, which offers a perfect escape from the musical mayhem.
The full destination guide: USA Travel Guide — guide and what to see
When to Visit Nashville
Planning the right time is crucial for visiting the music capital. The most pleasant conditions for exploring the city are offered by the spring months of April and May or the autumn months of September and October. During these periods, you’ll avoid extreme weather fluctuations, can comfortably walk between different neighborhoods, and the tourist crowds are somewhat more bearable than during the peak summer season.
If you’re considering a trip during the summer holidays, factor in the local climate. July and August bring enormous humidity and heat, which can be exhausting when spending all day walking around attractions. Additionally, the massive CMA Fest takes place in June, which is a major event for die-hard country fans, but accommodation prices rise significantly during this period and the city is packed.
A completely specific chapter is the weekend scene in the city center, which has very clear rules. Nashville has become one of the main American destinations for bachelor and bachelorette parties in recent years, so from Friday through Sunday, Broadway is flooded with groups of celebrating people. Anyone who wants to experience great music and avoid the biggest crowds should aim their downtown visits more toward quieter weekdays.
The tourist boom is currently strong, as confirmed by official numbers. In recent years, according to the local tourist board, around 17 million visitors come here annually. This leads to one important lesson for your trip: you must reserve all tickets and hotels well in advance, otherwise you simply won’t get into the best places and you’ll unnecessarily overpay.
Where to Stay in Nashville
Choosing the right location for your stay depends primarily on what type of experience you actually expect from the city. If you want to be right in the center of the music scene, look for accommodation in the Downtown area, from where you can reach Broadway in a few minutes on foot. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere and local cafés, the artistic East Nashville neighborhood or the industrial and modern The Gulch will suit you much better.
Even more important than distance from Broadway is the noise from it. A hotel directly on Broadway or with windows facing it means that on Friday and Saturday, live music and bachelorette parties will play into your windows until morning. A hotel two to three blocks north or in The Gulch has the same walking distance but much more peace and quiet.
Prepare a fairly generous accommodation budget, because due to the enormous tourist interest, hotels within walking distance of Broadway are among the more expensive ones. When searching for the ideal hotel, I recommend focusing on verified places with excellent reviews and not leaving your reservation until the last minute.
If you want to stay right in the center, the best combination of high ratings and large number of reviews is offered by Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown with a rating of 4.8 from 1,827 reviews. The price here typically includes breakfast and evening refreshments, which you’ll appreciate given Nashville prices.
History lovers will appreciate The Union Station Nashville Yards with a rating of 4.5 from 2,097 reviews. The hotel is housed in a historic railway station building from 1900 with a stained-glass ceiling and ranks among the most beautiful hotel interiors in the city.
The highest rating from the entire selection goes to The Russell with 4.9 from 1,318 reviews. It’s a hotel in a converted church in East Nashville, meaning in peace across the river, and part of the proceeds goes to charity.
For those of you traveling on a more limited budget, I have some unpleasant news: Nashville currently doesn’t have any functioning hostel. The most sensible budget option right in the center is therefore Holiday Inn Express Nashville Downtown Broadway with a rating of 4.3 from 4,454 reviews and breakfast included.
💡 On this map you can compare what’s currently available — you’ll immediately see how much the price changes a few blocks away.
22 Tips for What to See and Do in Nashville
Let’s now take a detailed look at the most interesting places that shouldn’t be missing from your itinerary. I’ve prepared a complete overview of music clubs, historical landmarks, and relaxation zones that will help you discover all the faces of this diverse city. I recommend choosing a different neighborhood each day to fully enjoy the varied atmosphere.
1. Grand Ole Opry
This place is the heart of the entire music scene and is often called the longest continuously running radio show in U.S. history. Its famous history began back in 1925, and at the end of 2025 the show celebrated a hundred years since its first broadcast. In 2026, the grand Opry 100 celebrations continue, so every concert is packed with energy and special star guests you wouldn’t normally see on one stage.
The venue boasts a fantastic rating of 4.8 from over 33 thousand reviews and represents the best-rated place in the entire city. Tickets in 2026 range from about $45 to $109, which converts to approximately €40 to €100. If you want to save a bit, go to shows from Tuesday through Friday, when you can usually get tickets for $45 to $75. Saturday evenings are naturally the most sought-after, which is why prices logically climb to the $75 to $109 range for the best seats in the house.
When planning your visit, you must factor in that the current modern Opry House doesn’t sit right in the city center, but is located in the sprawling area near the Opryland shopping complex. The trip from downtown takes about twenty minutes by car, so don’t forget to leave yourself plenty of time for transportation and possibly finding a parking spot in the adjacent garages.
💡 Tip: If you want to peek behind the scenes of this legendary show, definitely book the special backstage tour, which takes you right into the luxury dressing rooms of the most famous artists.
2. Ryman Auditorium
This beautiful red brick building is often affectionately nicknamed the Mother Church of Country Music, because it originally was built in 1892 as an actual house of worship. This is where the legendary Grand Ole Opry was based from 1943 to 1974 and helped define an entire American musical generation. The interior with original wooden pews still maintains a magical and sacred atmosphere that you simply won’t experience anywhere else, which is confirmed by the excellent 4.8 rating from over twenty thousand visitors.
The biggest treasure of this hall, however, is its acoustics, which have no competition in the city, thanks to which artists from around the world still come here to record. Interestingly, during the winter season the famous Opry regularly returns here, so you have a unique chance to experience the famous radio show right in its original historic building in the heart of downtown.
Even if you’re not planning to attend an evening concert, definitely don’t miss the daytime guided tour. You can stand right on the famous wooden stage where the biggest stars in history stood, and learn the stories about the birth of the entire music industry. The exhibits in the hallways are full of rare photographs and original glittering costumes.
💡 Tip: If you manage to snag tickets for a winter Opry show at the Ryman, buy them as far in advance as possible, because the capacity is much smaller than in the new hall and tickets disappear very quickly.
3. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
If you want to truly dive deep into American music history, you simply can’t skip this enormous museum in the very heart of the city. The building itself is an architectural gem, as from a bird’s eye view it resembles a huge bass clef and its windows are arranged exactly like keys on a piano. With an outstanding rating of 4.6 from over twenty thousand visitors, it’s one of the most popular stops in the entire region.
Inside, you’ll find a rich collection of everything related to country music, from shiny historic guitars and extravagant costumes to personal automobiles of famous stars. The exhibits are very modern and interactively designed, so even if you don’t know every historical performer by name, you’ll be amazed by the sophistication of the entire music industry and its evolution.
Touring all the floors will take you at least two to three hours, so ideally plan your visit for early morning when it’s least crowded. A huge advantage is that the museum is just steps from noisy Broadway, so you can easily escape here after lunch from the scorching afternoon sun and tourist crowds.
💡 Tip: At the main entrance you can purchase a very advantageous combination ticket that includes bus transportation and a tour of the nearby historic RCA Studio B.
4. Honky Tonk Highway (Lower Broadway)
This iconic street full of glowing neon signs is the main reason the city is jokingly nicknamed Nashvegas. The entire area works on a simple principle: none of the local honky-tonk bars charge a cover, so you can sample several fantastic bands during one evening. Live music echoes from open windows starting in late morning and doesn’t quiet down until long after midnight, while the entire street maintains an excellent 4.7-star rating.
In recent years the street has undergone a huge transformation and today is dominated by mega-bars owned by current music celebrities. You’ll definitely be impressed by the 32 Bridge establishment owned by Luke Bryan, which offers six floors and eight different bars full of fun. Also worth mentioning is Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk with capacity for nearly two thousand people. If you love views of the nighttime city, head straight to the Goodnight Nashville venue by singer Jelly Roll, where you’ll find the highest rooftop bar on the entire street.
When you come here, factor in one important thing about payment. The tip you toss to the performing band into their bucket is essentially your entrance fee that you didn’t pay at the door, so definitely don’t forget it and have dollar bills ready. Also be prepared that in the evening the entire street is extremely loud, overcrowded, and full of noisy bachelor and bachelorette parties, so if you’re looking for quieter music listening, you’d better come right after lunch.
💡 Tip: For the best evening photos of the iconic neons, head to the intersection of Broadway and 5th Avenue, from where you’ll have the entire glittering promenade right in front of you like on the palm of your hand.
5. Johnny Cash Museum
Although it’s a relatively small space compared to large museum halls, this place offers one of the most intense personal experiences in the city. The collection here is said to be the largest public exhibit of memorabilia dedicated to Johnny Cash’s life and work, which naturally attracts devoted fans from around the world. Most visitors leave thrilled, which is clearly demonstrated by the excellent 4.6 rating from over eleven thousand reviews.
While walking through individual rooms, you’ll learn in detail the entire life story of this man in black, from his humble beginnings through famous prison concerts to his touching and deep relationship with June Carter. You’ll find original handwritten song lyrics, iconic black suits, and his personal musical instruments on which he composed his hits.
The entire space is designed very dark and atmospherically, so it perfectly suits the character of the singer himself. At the end of the tour you can sit down in a small screening room where the moving video for the song Hurt plays, which rarely leaves anyone unmoved after viewing the entire exhibition.
💡 Tip: The museum is fairly cramped and the aisles between display cases are narrow, so I warmly recommend coming right at opening time so you can view all the exhibits without squeezing through crowds.
6. Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
While most regular tourists head straight to the big country music hall of fame, this somewhat smaller museum represents a real hidden gem for true connoisseurs. The entire exhibit is dedicated to the genius studio players and backing musicians who actually recorded the most famous hits in music history, even if you might not know their faces from magazine pages. With a 4.7 rating, it’s one of the best-rated museums in the city.
During your visit you’ll walk among exhibits that map in detail the famous recording studios across America, from Memphis through Detroit to Nashville itself. You can examine up close the musical instruments on which the most famous guitar riffs were created and hear stories about how recording technology evolved over the years.
The atmosphere here is much more intimate and relaxed than in the packed downtown, so you can read all the information panels at your leisure and absorb them. It’s an ideal place for musicians and all admirers of the technical side of music who want to truly understand how a perfect radio song is actually created.
💡 Tip: Set aside enough time for the interactive zone where you can try playing various musical instruments yourself and record your own short musical snippet as a keepsake.
7. The Parthenon (Centennial Park)
If you urgently need a break from the constant musical bustle, you’ll definitely be delighted by a visit to the enormous Centennial Park, where one unexpected architectural gem is hidden. Standing here is The Parthenon, an ancient structure that’s said to be the only replica of the Athenian Parthenon in full scale in the entire world. Thanks to its enormous number of universities and classical architecture, the city has earned the proud nickname Athens of the South, which this building with a 4.6 rating perfectly underscores.
This unique structure originally rose here in 1897 on the occasion of the grand celebration of the centennial of Tennessee’s admission to the union. When you enter through the main gate, you’ll see the gilded statue of the goddess Athena, which reaches all the way to the ceiling itself and inspires enormous respect in every visitor.
Besides the golden statue itself, the interior space also functions as an excellent art museum that regularly changes its exhibitions of American painters. The surrounding area with a huge green park and pond is an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic and rest under mature trees far from noisy roads.
💡 Tip: The most beautiful photos of the entire structure can be taken in the early evening or very early morning, when the stone columns beautifully reflect on the calm surface of the adjacent pond.
8. Frist Art Museum
Visual art lovers definitely shouldn’t miss this fantastic gallery, which occupies the renovated building of the former main post office built in art deco style. The marble entrance vestibule alone represents one of the most beautiful examples of 1930s architecture in the entire city. With an outstanding rating of 4.6 from nearly five thousand reviews, the museum has won the hearts of many local residents and international tourists.
The biggest interesting feature of this modern museum is that it has no permanent collection whatsoever, but instead constantly hosts the best traveling exhibitions from around the world. Thanks to this, the range of exhibits regularly changes every few months, so each visit you’ll discover something new, from classical European masters to modern American installations.
Besides the main exhibition halls on the ground floor, the creative zone on the upper floor is also worth visiting, which is primarily designed for families with children but will entertain everyone. You can try painting, printing, or working with ceramics yourself and take home your own small handmade souvenir.
💡 Tip: Before your visit, always check the current program on their website to know which specific exhibitions are currently running and whether there’s any special guided tour happening.
9. RCA Studio B
This seemingly unassuming brick building hides one of the most sacred places in American music history, because right within these small walls legendary Elvis Presley recorded his biggest hits along with the famous Dolly Parton. When you step into the dim period studio, you’ll feel the authentic atmosphere of the 1960s, when the true, smoother Nashville Sound was born here.
During the fantastic guided tour you’ll learn many funny and touching stories from the recording of the most famous songs and you’ll be able to examine up close the original recording consoles and old microphones. Guides often turn off all the lights and play you the original recording in the exact spot where it was created decades ago, which gives goosebumps even to jaded listeners.
When planning, you need to keep in mind that tours of this famous studio don’t start on site, but always depart by special small bus from the main Country Music Hall of Fame building. It’s a very intimate and deeply emotional experience that no true fan of the golden age of rock and roll and country should miss.
💡 Tip: The capacity of the small shuttle bus is very limited, so book your combination ticket with the studio online several weeks in advance, otherwise there most likely won’t be space available for you.
10. Music Row
If you want to take a peaceful stroll through the places where most of the music production still happens today, head out for a pleasant afternoon walk to the neighborhood known as Music Row. This charming and very quiet area is full of old family houses lined with trees, where independent music publishers, small recording studios, and agencies representing the world’s biggest artists still hide away today.
While walking these quiet streets, you’ll often encounter young musicians with guitars on their backs, rushing between recording sessions. You won’t find any noisy bars or flashing billboards here, but it’s precisely this calm, creative spirit that makes this neighborhood a unique place where new music history is written every single day.
During your wanderings, you’ll also come across several smaller specialized museums and historical monuments that subtly commemorate important figures from the local scene. It’s an ideal area for a quiet Sunday morning, when you can simply admire the architecture with coffee in hand and soak up the creative energy.
💡 Tip: Stop by the famous roundabout with the large bronze sculpture called Musica, which celebrates the diversity and power of the local music community, and take a beautiful commemorative photo here.
11. Bluebird Cafe
From the outside it looks like a completely ordinary shop in an unassuming suburban shopping center, but inside hides one of the most famous independent clubs in all of America. Concerts here are performed in a very specific style called in the round, where four singer-songwriters sit in a circle in the middle of the room, take turns singing, and tell intimate stories about how their songs were actually created. It’s a rare glimpse into the very process of musical creation.
The atmosphere here is quiet and reverent, because the club’s rules strictly require complete silence during the entire performance, so you can hear every breath the performer takes. It was on this small, unassuming stage that the then-unknown Taylor Swift began her career, and to this day a whole host of major world hits continue to emerge from this magical place.
Getting inside, however, requires an enormous amount of patience and speed, because tickets sell out online within minutes of going on sale. If you want to experience this magical evening, you need to carefully track the dates when online reservations open and be ready at your computer with credit card in hand.
💡 Tip: Even if you don’t manage to snag your dream reservation, you can try your luck and join the so-called walk-up line before the show starts, because a few spots sometimes become available at the very last minute.
12. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
If you’ve had your fill of music for a while or you’re traveling with small children, this enormous zoo offers the perfect escape into beautiful nature. With an excellent rating of 4.5 from more than twenty-one thousand visitors, it ranks among the most popular outdoor attractions in the entire wider area, and rightly so thanks to its innovative layout.
The entire complex is built on the vast grounds of a historic farm, so the animal enclosures are spacious and naturally set within mature shady forest. The biggest draw for curious visitors is the fantastic kangaroo enclosure that you can actually walk into, or the massive interactive playgrounds full of climbing structures where kids will reliably tire themselves out.
The zoo is located about twenty minutes’ drive south of the main center, so you’ll need to get here either by rental car or using local taxis. I recommend setting aside at least three to four hours for the entire visit, because the grounds are really extensive and constantly expanding with new exhibits.
💡 Tip: If you’re planning to visit during the hot summer months, head out first thing in the morning when the zoo opens, when the animals are most active and you’ll safely avoid the worst midday heat.
13. Nissan Stadium and the Cumberland River Bridges
The Cumberland River divides the city into two halves and creates a beautiful water backdrop for the iconic city skyline that you know from all the promotional postcards. On its eastern bank towers the massive football temple Nissan Stadium, which is home to the local Titans team and regularly hosts the biggest stadium concerts by world music stars.
By far the best views of the city, however, come from taking a stroll across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which is reserved exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists. This massive historic structure rises high above the river surface and offers the best elevated spot for photographing the entire glittering city panorama.
A walk across the bridge is a pleasant experience at any time of day, but it gains its true magic at sunset, when the glass skyscrapers turn orange. It’s a very popular spot for evening dates or quiet contemplation after a busy day full of music and monument-hopping.
💡 Tip: Grab an excellent coffee and cross the bridge toward the football stadium, from where you can take the side stairs down to a pleasant park right on the riverbank.
14. East Nashville and Vegetarian Discoveries
When local residents want to have fun but are terrified of the crowded neon Broadway, they almost always head across the river to this hipster neighborhood. East Nashville is a bohemian area full of independent vinyl shops, vintage boutiques, and stylish cafes where young artists, musicians, and alternative culture lovers regularly meet.
This is also where you’ll find a real culinary paradise for all vegetarians and vegans who want to enjoy great Southern cuisine without meat. Even though the city is famous for meaty delicacies like traditional Southern BBQ or the legendary spicy Nashville hot chicken, local establishments make that famous spicy coating on luxurious fried cauliflower or tofu too. I definitely recommend visiting Sunflower Bakehouse with an excellent rating of 4.7 stars, or the fantastic restaurant Graze Nashville, which also has 4.7 and offers perfect plant-based versions of Southern classics.
In the evening, the entire neighborhood comes alive with pulsating energy and you’ll find a whole range of smaller, informal music clubs where local bands play all possible genres from rock through indie to jazz. It’s the ideal place for an authentic evening among locals, where you won’t have to shout over crowds of tourists and you’ll enjoy a fantastic relaxed atmosphere.
💡 Tip: If you love collecting old records, definitely set aside at least an hour to explore the legendary shop Grimey’s, which offers a huge selection of rare vinyl treasures.
15. The Gulch and the Iconic Angel Wings
This luxury modern neighborhood was built on the site of a former industrial rail yard and today ranks among the most prestigious addresses in the entire city. The Gulch is full of glass skyscrapers, luxury boutiques, and top-notch restaurants that attract visitors with modern American gastronomy and fantastic evening cocktails.
The biggest magnet for visitors from around the world, however, is the phenomenal mural called What Lifts You, which depicts enormous black and white angel wings painted directly on a brick wall. This piece is the most photographed wall in the entire city, and at almost any time of day you’ll see a patiently waiting line of people who are longing for the perfect social media shot.
Even though the neighborhood is overall more expensive than the rest of the city, it’s definitely worth an afternoon stroll and admiring the modern architecture. Those looking for plant-based food can find, about ten minutes’ drive from here, the restaurant AVO with a 4.7 rating in the oneC1TY complex.
💡 Tip: If you want to photograph the famous wings without having to stand in line for an hour, get up early and head to the mural in the early morning hours right after sunrise, when it’s usually quiet.
16. 12 South
This pedestrian avenue, less than a kilometer long, offers the best concentration of shopping and relaxation in all of South Nashville. The 12 South street is dotted with small independent boutiques by local designers, stylish bakeries, and cute houses that exude that true, slow Southern charm that you won’t find in the crowded center.
During your walk, you definitely can’t miss another legendary wall mural with the inscription I Believe in Nashville, which has become the unofficial symbol of local residents’ pride. It’s another fantastic stop for taking a commemorative photo, and there usually aren’t as crazy crowds here as at the angel wings in The Gulch, so you can take your time getting your shot.
The area is ideal for long lazy Sunday brunches or afternoon lounging with iced coffee at one of the many outdoor patios. It’s a very safe and clean neighborhood with an exceptionally friendly atmosphere, where entire families head out on weekends for long walks with their dogs.
💡 Tip: If you love sweets, stop by the famous window at Five Daughters Bakery and buy their legendary giant croissant donuts, which often have long lines stretching across the entire street.
17. Germantown
North of the main center lies Nashville’s oldest suburb, which has retained its charming historic character to this day. Germantown is full of picturesque brick houses with Victorian elements, tree-lined avenues, and old factories that have been sensitively converted into luxury apartments and top restaurants.
From a gastronomic perspective, this neighborhood represents the best restaurant scene outside the center itself, and gourmands regularly come here from far and wide. For those of you looking for solid plant-based food, a bit north of here, on Buchanan Street, you’ll find the establishment Vegelicious with an excellent 4.8 rating, where you can taste vegan versions of traditional Southern comfort foods.
The neighborhood has a very calm and sophisticated atmosphere that sharply contrasts with the noise of tourist promenades and neon lights. It’s the perfect place for a romantic candlelit dinner or evening strolls through narrow streets that breathe the old history of European immigrants.
💡 Tip: During your visit, also check out the beautiful expansive grounds of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, which forms a sort of green entrance gateway to this entire historic neighborhood and offers many interesting monuments.
18. Centennial Park and Shelby Park
If you need to clear your head from the constant hustle, this city fortunately offers several huge green oases where you can easily forget you’re in the middle of a noisy metropolis. We’ve already talked about Centennial Park with the Parthenon, but the expansive Shelby Park offers an equally fantastic relaxation experience, located on the eastern bank of the river and offering much more peace and quiet.
It’s to this park that the beautiful natural area Shelby Bottoms Greenway connects, which is a huge protected wetland crisscrossed by kilometers of paved trails. It’s the best place in the city for a morning run or long bike ride, during which you’ll be constantly surrounded by dense forest and birdsong, far from road traffic.
These expansive parks are a popular refuge for all sports-minded local residents who regularly come here to walk their dogs, play frisbee, or just relax with a book in the grass. On hot summer days, the mature trees also provide much-needed shade and enormous relief from the scorching concrete streets downtown.
💡 Tip: Rent a bike and ride the entire long scenic loop along the river, which is flat and really anyone can manage.
19. Tennessee State Capitol and State Museum
Many tourists often forget that Nashville isn’t just a city of music, but also the important capital of the entire state of Tennessee. On a prominent hill in the city center stands the proud Tennessee State Capitol building, which dates from the 1850s and is ranked among the oldest continuously functioning capitols in the USA, making it an amazing historic landmark.
Right below this government hill you’ll then find the enormous state museum, which also offers completely free admission. Inside you’ll learn everything essential about the turbulent history of this region, from the days of its original inhabitants through the devastating Civil War to the modern industrial development of the entire state, all in very modernly designed exhibits.
It’s a very pleasant and educational stop that will help you understand the broader historical context of why the American South was shaped in this specific way. The museum is very modernly arranged, spacious, and full of interesting artifacts, so you can easily spend several hours here.
💡 Tip: If you head to the Capitol building itself, definitely walk around its entire outdoor terrace, from which there’s a really beautiful panoramic view of the modern glass downtown.
20. Historic Recording Venues and Live Music Beyond Broadway
When you ask local musicians where they go to listen to music in their free time, they probably won’t send you to busy Broadway. The real legends and most talented players gather in smaller, tucked-away clubs scattered farther from the center, where there’s a much more intimate atmosphere and people come here really for the music, not for cheap beer and partying.
If you love fast tempos and acoustic instruments, don’t miss the famous establishment Station Inn, which is considered the mecca of bluegrass music. Rock and alternative fans, on the other hand, should head to the legendary club Exit/In or the cult venue The Basement East, where the best independent bands from around the world still perform today.
These clubs often look very unassuming from the outside, even run-down, but as soon as you step inside, you’re immediately engulfed by that true, raw musical energy. It’s the ideal choice for those of you who want to experience authentic local culture without the glitter of shiny neons and unnecessary tourist traps.
💡 Tip: Always check the schedule of these smaller clubs on their websites in advance, because unlike Broadway, there’s often a regular admission fee for a specific band and the more popular ones sell out very quickly.
21. Belle Meade and Cheekwood
If you have a car at your disposal and want to take a pleasant half-day trip beyond the noisy center, head out to explore the beauty of the wealthy Southern suburbs. Here you’ll find the beautiful historic Belle Meade estate with its own winery, which will give you detailed insight into the lives of wealthy plantation owners as well as the difficult fates of people who had to work here in the past.
Just a bit farther you’ll then find the fantastic Cheekwood botanical garden, which spreads across the vast grounds of another former aristocratic estate. During a long walk you’ll come across beautifully maintained themed gardens, flowering meadows, and magnificent exhibitions of modern art that are cleverly integrated right into nature and create amazing scenery.
It’s a place made for lovers of flowers, architecture, and tranquility, which will show you a completely different, aristocratic face of the American South. I recommend planning your visit especially for the spring months, when the entire garden blooms and plays with all colors.
💡 Tip: The garden grounds are really huge and full of various hills and paths, so definitely wear your most comfortable shoes, because during the tour you can easily walk several kilometers.
22. Whisky and Tennessee
When you say Tennessee, most people think not only of ubiquitous guitars but also of the characteristic amber liquid that has historically and inseparably belonged to this region. Even though the most famous distillery is located in Lynchburg, right in the city you can visit the legendary Nelson’s Green Brier distillery, which offers insight into the history of local whisky production.
During guided tours you’ll learn everything about the specific process of filtering through maple charcoal, which makes local production so exceptional and distinguishes it in flavor from traditional Kentucky bourbons. You’ll walk among wooden barrels and smell that unmistakable sweet aroma of aging alcohol that floats everywhere in the air.
At the end of each tour, there’s naturally also a much-loved tasting of various samples, during which experts will explain all the subtle nuances of individual vintages. It’s a very popular afternoon activity even for those who don’t usually drink hard alcohol, because the historical story of family distilleries and the entire process is tremendously interesting.
💡 Tip: If you’re not driving and want to fully enjoy the tasting, use the ubiquitous rideshare services Uber or Lyft, which will get you back to your hotel safely and quickly.
Where to Go Next from Nashville
If you’re planning to spend more days in the region and are looking for interesting day trip ideas, definitely drive to the historic town of Franklin, which lies just south of the capital. You’ll find a beautifully preserved main square full of antique shops and cafes that looks as if time has completely stopped here in the nineteenth century.
For those of you planning a longer American road trip and wanting to explore other major cities as well, there are excellent air and road connections heading north. If you’re drawn to big-city architecture, amazing museums, and the windy shores of the Great Lakes, definitely check out our article Chicago, USA: what to see and do, where you’ll find lots of other useful tips.
When planning your entire stay, you also definitely shouldn’t underestimate choosing the right location for your hotel, because it will fundamentally affect your overall impression. For a detailed comparison of individual neighborhoods and specific tips for every budget, check out our comprehensive guide Where to stay in Nashville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee for clubs on Broadway?
No, the vast majority of honky-tonk bars on Broadway charge absolutely no entry fee, so you can freely move between venues. The bands here play for tips that are tossed into prepared buckets, so always have plenty of small dollar bills on hand, because that’s your unwritten ticket for a great music experience.
Will I eat well in Nashville as a vegetarian?
Absolutely, even though the city is famous for meaty BBQ and spicy chicken, most better establishments will make the famous hot chicken spices for you on cauliflower or tofu. You can rely on traditional Southern meatless treats like mac and cheese or cheese biscuits, and the so-called meat-and-three restaurants are also great, where you simply choose three vegetable sides as your main course.
Where is the famous Grand Ole Opry located?
The current Opry House building is not located in the city center on Broadway, as many people think, but sits about twenty minutes’ drive away in a huge complex near Opryland. During the winter season, however, this legendary show occasionally returns to its historic home at Ryman Auditorium, which you’ll find right in the heart of the center itself.
When is the best time to visit the city?
In terms of weather and bearable crowds, I recommend going in the months of April to May, or alternatively in September and October. In summer, specifically July and August, you’ll be tormented by huge humidity and heat, and on top of that prepare for extreme overcrowding during the June CMA Fest or during popular holidays like New Year’s Eve, when accommodation prices rise significantly.
Is Nashville a safe city for tourists?
The city center around Broadway and main tourist districts like The Gulch or 12 South are among the safe parts of the city. The only major issue you need to watch out for are huge crowds of drunk people during weekend bachelor/bachelorette parties, so it pays to be cautious and avoid dark, deserted side streets off the main drags.
What does the nickname Athens of the South mean?
The city earned this elegant nickname thanks to its enormous number of universities and long tradition of classical education, which locals are very proud of. Subsequently, this image was further reinforced when a replica of the Athenian Parthenon was built in Centennial Park at full scale, which to this day remains one of the biggest attractions of the entire surrounding area.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes, around seventeen million visitors come to the city annually, so definitely don’t count on last-minute ticket purchases. Concerts at Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, or entry to the legendary Bluebird Cafe often sell out weeks or even months in advance, so ideally start planning and buying right after purchasing your flights.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified rental cars in the United StatesSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in the United States →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (simple monthly subscription) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
