20 Best Things to Do in Nashville, TN

Plan a quick weekend getaway or stay for a week – in Nashville, Tennessee you won't get bored. Take a tour of the historic RCA Studio B where Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded their tunes, shop at the vibrant Nashville Farmers Market, and explore the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Other top things to do in Nashville include the Johnny Cash Museum and the Fontanel Mansion, and a theater or music performance at one of the city’s famous venues. Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/Fotolia

Built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle and later renamed the Ryman Auditorium after steamboat captain and founder Thomas G. Ryman, this historic live performance venue is located at 5th Avenue in Nashville and is one of the city’s greatest landmarks.

The venue is renowned for being the home of the famous Grand Ole Opry, which was broadcast from the auditorium from 1943 until 1974. Even when the Opry moved to its new home, Opryland USA Theme Park, the Ryman Auditorium continued to attract visitors.

The auditorium was also featured in a number of major motion pictures, including the Oscar-winning Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) and Honkytonk Man (1982), and has been voted Theater of the Year four times by Pollstar magazine. Since then, the Ryman has become inseparably linked to the country genre and dubbed “The Mother Church of Country Music”.

116 Fifth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219, Phone: 615-889-3060 Photo: Dave Newman/Fotolia

The Nashville Farmers' Market has been a vital part of Nashville life since its inception in the early 1800s.

Today, the market features homegrown, locally sourced and sustainable products from artisans and crafters, farmers and flea merchants, restaurateurs, and shop-owners throughout the year. Two vast covered farm sheds display farm-fresh items from ranchers, dairies, cheese-makers, and vegetable farmers, with a variety of seasonal produce available according to the season.

The indoor Market House is where the fresh produce turns into delicious cuisine: here you will find sixteen restaurants, cafés, stalls, and vendors selling every type of food from pizza to tacos to barbecue. Market-goers can find local and regional craft brews at the Picnic Tap and Batch Nashville, while the bakers at Village Bakery & Provisions make fresh bread to take home.

Nashville Farmers Market’s Craft & Flea Shed is open on Friday and Sunday only, and offers a wealth of handcrafted, vintage and upcycled items, as well as local and international street foods. If you are wondering what to do in what to do in Nashville with kids on a sunny day, this is a great place to visit.

900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37208, Phone: 615-880-2001 Photo: 14ktgold/Fotolia

Located on the first floor of the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum honors all musicians from the time that recorded music was introduced to present day.

Artists are nominated by the American Federation of Musicians and other music industry professionals, including songwriters, singers, producers and engineers, and are inducted into the Hall of Fame regardless of genre or instrument.

Visitors to the museum can learn about the history of the famous hall and browse through photographs and biographies of each of the musicians who have been inducted into the museum thus far.

The venue can also be rented out for private functions and special events with a personalized marquee, special tours of the museum and even a red carpet. The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum is one of the top Nashville, Tennessee attractions.

401 Gay Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, Phone: 615-244-3263 Photo: Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

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Visited by thousands of people every year who come to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, walking trails and recreational facilities, Centennial Park is Nashville's favorite green space.

Located on West End and 25th Avenue North, the park spans 132 acres and features a fantastic array of things to see and do. Walk or hike the attractive one-mile walking trail or head to the unique exercise trail if you want to jog or run.

Explore the iconic Parthenon and other historical monuments dotted around the park, take in some local art at the Centennial Art Center, or spend a day with the kids at the art activity center. Have a romantic picnic in the stunning sunken garden, or work up a sweat with a game of volleyball.

On warm summer days, hit the water on Lake Watauga for some boating, kayaking or paddling. If you are looking for fun things to do in Nashville with kids, Centennial Park is a beautiful place to visit for couples and families.

2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, Phone: 615-862-8400 Photo: dmcgill71/Fotolia

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Located in downtown Nashville in the Encore Tower, Etch offers a fine dining experience created by Chef Deb Paquette who designed a menu that takes your taste buds on a memorable journey.

The restaurant features a contemporary design, complete with an open kitchen that lets you observe the chef at work. If you are celebrating a special occasion, ask for one of the two private dining rooms for additional privacy.

Must-try dishes include prime-cut steak, Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, cobia and Tempura Oyster Mushrooms. The excellent menu at Etch is accompanied by a diverse selection of wine and cocktails.

303 Demonbreun St., Nashville, Tennessee 37201, Phone: 615-522-0685 Photo: Etch Restaurant

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Occupying a prime position in the James K. Polk Cultural Center in downtown Nashville, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is the state’s premier theater venue.

Situated opposite the Tennessee State Capitol, the large-scale performing arts center is made up of three different stage facilities and the Tennessee State Museum. The three stages are named after the three American Presidents who hailed from Tennessee: Andrew Jackson Hall (2,472 seats), the James K. Polk Theater (1,075 seats), and the Andrew Johnson Theater (256 seats).

TPAC produces beloved Broadway shows, special events and engagements, and a variety of educational workshops and programs. The Center is also home to three of Nashville’s top performing arts organizations-- the Nashville Opera, the Nashville Ballet, and the Nashville Repertory Theater-- whose performances are independent of the TPAC. If you are looking for romantic things to do in Nashville, watch a show at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

505 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, Phone: 615-782-4000 Photo: furtseff/Fotolia

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is a beautifully preserved plantation house and museum just a short drive from downtown Nashville.

Once owned by seventh President of the United States Andrew Jackson, who lived here permanently after he retired from public life, the colonial-style mansion is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can step back into history and take a stroll through Andrew Jackson’s life with a trip to this magnificent abode.

The museum features an excellent array of exhibits and displays documenting the heritage of the home and the President’s life. The variety of tours around the property include Lantern Evening Tours, the Tulip Grove Tour and the Hermitage by Wagon Tour.

The museum also hosts a number of informative and entertaining events throughout the year. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is one of the top Nashville, Tennessee attractions.

4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, Tennessee 37076, Phone: 615-889-2941 Photo: Zack Frank/Fotolia

Lauding the genre, history and traditions of country music through world-class exhibits, presentations and educational programs, the Country Music Hall of Fame is one of Nashville’s major attractions.

The museum houses an unrivaled collection of country music memorabilia. Located in the heart of Music City’s rapidly growing center, The Country Music Hall of Fame boasts state-of-the-art galleries, spacious event halls, dynamic retail space and modern classrooms.

These features have earned it the nickname “Smithsonian of Country Music.” The museum’s main exhibition, “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music,” sends visitors on a journey through the history and sounds of country music, exploring its origins and showcasing the voices, faces and stories of many of its legends.

Along with world-class galleries, the museum is also home to the CMA Theater, the Taylor Swift Education Center and the Grammy-winning re-issue label of CMF Records.

222 Fifth Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, Phone: 615-416-2001 Photo: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Farm House is a delightful restaurant in downtown Nashville where chef/owner Trey Cioccia combines his Italian and Southern heritage with his ‘farm-to-table’ philosophy to come up with superb, imaginative and exceptionally fresh meals.

All ingredients are seasonal and fresh – Cioccia works with local farmers, like Farmer Dave from Southland Farms or Trout farmer Bob Lukens, to bring to your table only the best and the freshest. The original and whimsical menu includes such treats as pork belly Pop Tarts or pimento cheese beignets. Chef Cioccia makes his own cornbread, sauces and bacon, and there is a nice selection of local beers on tap to wash it all down.

210 Almond St, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, Phone: 615-522-0688 Photo: The Farm House

Celebrating the life of one of music’s greatest legends, the Johnny Cash Museum is an award-winning, world-class museum honoring the singer. Located on 3rd Avenue in Nashville, the red-brick museum boasts a fantastic display of memorabilia, photographs, documents and personal items from the life of Johnny Cash, regarded by many as the epitome of the country music star.

The museum follows the story of Cash’s extraordinary life and explores his lengthy and impressive career through state-of-the-art multimedia technology. Guests can wander through the lavishly decorated rooms and learn about his life, beginning with a recording Cash made with Elvis and concluding in the company of music icon Nick Cave.

Since its grand opening in 2013, the museum has earned accolades, including the 2014 Award of Excellence from the Tennessee Association of Museums and the coveted AAA Gem Rating.

119 Third Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, Phone: 615-256-1777 Photo: Johnny Cash Museum

The Grilled Cheeserie Truck is a celebrated food truck serving up gourmet grilled cheese melts and sandwiches and tantalizing seasonal treats.

Created by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Crystal Da Luna-Bogan and her husband, The Grilled Cheeserie has been featured on a number of popular cooking shows, including Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and is one of Nashville’s favorite places to get a gourmet cheese melt.

The Grilled Cheeserie menu offers a range of delicious melts on different breads, as well as sides like homemade tomato soup and chips, sweet treats and beverages. Find the truck on a corner near you or at popular markets, festivals and outdoor events, or hire the truck for private occasions.

Streets of Nashville, TN 37203 Photo: HandmadePictures/Fotolia

RCA Studio B was once the center of music in the City of Music. Built in 1957 by Dan Maddox, RCA Studio B was a recording studio that saw the likes of popular music megastars such as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers.

The studio not only helped countless stars shoot to fame, but also put Nashville on the map as an international recording center. Today the historic studio is a popular cultural attraction where visitors can take a step back in time and learn about the vital role the studio played in the evolution of Nashville as “the Music City.”

The studio also acts as a classroom for Nashville music students who want to learn the science of sound and recording technology.

1611 Roy Acuff Pl, Nashville, Tennessee 37246, Phone: 615-416-2001 Photo: fox17/Fotolia

Situated in a beautifully renovated 1930s building in the historic district of East Nashville, Margot Café & Bar is a casually chic fine dining restaurant that serves a subtle fusion of rustic French and Italian cuisines. Featuring a lovely enclosed brick courtyard with a sleek marble bar, an open kitchen, and a mezzanine dining level with cozy interiors, this delightful eatery is perfect for a romantic evening out.

Margot’s seasonal menu is inspired by hearty dishes from the regions of Tuscany and Provence. Dishes change every day, but the format remain the same: six appetizer choices, seven entrees, and five desserts. The restaurant boasts a relaxed and laid-back ambiance, akin to that of southern European restaurants, where food and friends come first. Read more

1017 Woodland Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37206, Phone: 615-227-4668 Photo: Margot Cafe & Bar

Once the sprawling home of country music megastar Barbara Mandrell, the Fontanel Mansion is now a creative hub that pays homage to the Country Music Hall of Fame member as well as a venue for photo shoots, movie productions and other creative work.

Guests can take a self-guided or organized tour through the mansion and learn all about the Mandrell family legacy. The residence is filled with an array of memorabilia, photographs and other interesting personal items from the period when the Mandrell family was in residence, as well as the private collections of the current owners, Dale Morris and Marc Oswald.

Take a leisurely stroll through the mansion; relax in the magnificent pool atrium or lounge and soak up the comfortable ambiance of this 27,000 square foot abode.

4125 Whites Creek Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37189, Phone: 615-724-1600 Photo: Fontanel Mansion

It is not easy to develop a great reputation in the highly competitive pizza market, but Five Points Pizza in Nashville has managed to do just that with their massive slices of New York-style thin-crust pizzas and excellent craft beers on draft, winning awards for the best pizza in Nashville year after year. Folks keep coming back to their original shop in East Nashville’s Five Points for a slice of their pizza with prosciutto with basil or for the entire 18-inch pie for a party, loaded with meatballs and a mountain of mozzarella, or any other delicious topping. The small, simple restaurant has a walk-up window that is open late as well as regular indoor seating, but there is always a line outside. One of the great pleasures is to sit at the kitchen counter and watch the art of tossing and putting it all together.

1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206, Phone: 615-915-4174 Photo: Five Points Pizza

Sophisticated, stylish and elegant, the Capitol Grille in Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel offers world-class dining in a refined atmosphere.

Featuring rich, ornate décor and adored by locals in the know, the restaurant boasts a relaxed and convivial ambiance and is ideal for any occasion.

Located in what was originally the main dining room of the historic Hermitage Hotel, the restaurant offers innovative interpretations of traditional Southern cuisine with a modern spin. The menu features such classic dishes as Tennessee Black Angus Beef prime cut steak, ocean-fresh seafood, and organic, locally sourced produce. With an exclusive wine list and impeccable service, the Capitol Grille provides a dining experience that is nothing less than superb.

Enjoy a nightcap after dinner in the newly refurbished Oak Bar just next to the restaurant, where you can relax and listen to soothing live music.

231 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37219, Phone: 615-345-7116 Photo: Capitol Grille

Located in the former Walnut Exchange building in downtown Nashville, Marche Artisan Food is a bright, rustic and extremely cozy cafe that feels like it should be in some French village. You sit at simple wooden tables surrounded by the most delicious gourmet foods – cheeses, oils, cereals, herbs, fancy chocolates and much more.

Browse around while you are waiting for your scrumptious breakfast – try the Fruit Tartine with plum and ricotta cheese on multigrain toast with honey, or if you have an appetite, try sweet or savory crepes with fillings such as roasted chicken, mozzarella and pesto with cherry tomato confit or dried cherry, almond, apricot, chocolate chip and sweet ricotta cheese. The breakfast menu changes with the season, as they use only the freshest seasonal ingredients. Make sure to stock up with goodies on the way out.

1000 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206, Phone: 615-262-1111 Photo: Marche Artisan Foods

Pinewood Social takes the term “gathering space” to a new level. Whether you feel like relaxing on comfortable couches with a coffee, lying by the swimming pool with a cocktail, or hitting the bar for a tequila with friends, Pinewood Social has a little bit of everything.

Housed in a historic trolley barn, Pinewood Social combines home-away-from-home comforts with a retro dining and entertainment space. Within Pinewood Social, a satellite location of the beloved Crema Coffee Roasters offers Americana-inspired dishes such as smoked trout casserole and mushroom pot pie, as well as a full bar serving local craft beers, excellent wines and handcrafted cocktails with a twist.

After your meal, enjoy a game of bowling in the six-lane bowling alley, a game of bocce, or cocktails from the Airstream bar next to the pool.

33 Peabody St, Nashville, Tennessee 37210, Phone: 615-751-8111 Photo: orelphoto/Fotolia

Mountain lodges are known for their great after-ski atmosphere and fun. Rustic and relaxed, Embers Ski Lodge is a neighborhood bar and eatery in Nashville’s 12 South neighborhood that tries to recreate a hip Aspen mountain lodge vibe with lot of wood, a large curved bar, and a pleasant, homey feel. The food is great, the cocktails are quirky, the whiskey and craft beer lists are enormous, and the happy hour specials are super-attractive. No wonder Ember Ski Lodge is so popular. It is great place to hang out with friends. If you come hungry, try their juicy cheeseburgers, fish tacos, or steak sandwiches or one of their large, fresh salads.

2410 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, Phone: 615-866-5652 Photo: Embers Ski Lodge

Smoke Et Al is a food truck that goes beyond serving delicious barbecue, adding biscuits, sliders, tacos and ribs for the ultimate feast. Using real wood smoke and various other flavoring techniques, Smoke Et Al brings a unique flair to Tennessee fare and the streets of the Music City.

Enjoy entrées such as Veggie Tacos Emmaline, Noble Brisket Tacos, or Fiddlers Biscuits before tucking into BBQ Shoulder Sliders or Hot Ribs. Add mouthwatering sides of Fried Pickled Okra or Yazoo Mac n’ Cheese and wash it all down with an Arnie Palmer.

The truck can be found cruising around the streets of Nashville and at all the major festivals and outdoor events. Smoke Et Al can also be hired for private parties or special events.

Nashville, Tennessee, Phone: 615-601-5993 Photo: Smoke Et Al