Things To Do in Nashville: 12 of the Best Places to Visit

Nashville doesn’t just live up to the hype, it exceeds it. Whether you’re in town for the music, the food, the sports, or just to soak up that Southern energy, this city delivers. But with so many guides out there full of generic “must-dos,” how do you cut through the noise and plan a trip that feels worth your time?

That’s where this list comes in. I’ve visited Nashville multiple times, eaten my way through hot chicken spots, wandered into honky-tonks, stayed at resorts, and talked to locals who actually know what’s worth doing. This isn’t a roundup of filler or SEO bait—it’s a curated list of what’s actually fun, actually memorable, and actually worth your money.

Some picks are iconic. Others are under-the-radar. All of them give you a real taste of what makes Nashville tick.

1. Explore the Gaylord Opryland Resort

The Gaylord Opryland Resort delivers one of Nashville’s biggest surprises: nine acres of indoor gardens, waterfalls, and walking paths—all under a soaring glass atrium. With more than 2,800 guest rooms, it is one of the largest non-gaming hotels in the U.S.

In 2023, 16.8 million people visited Nashville. A significant number spent time here, drawn in by the resort’s size and spectacle. The Delta Atrium features an indoor river where boats glide past tropical plants and balconies lit like a Southern street festival.

Right next door, the Grand Ole Opry stages live performances multiple times a week. Take the backstage tour for a behind-the-scenes look at one of country music’s most iconic venues.

Local Tip: You don’t need to book a room to enjoy the resort. Spend an afternoon wandering the indoor trails, book a massage at Relâche Spa, or dine at one of the 15 restaurants on-site. It’s one of the few places in Nashville where you can sip a cocktail beside a waterfall and catch a concert within the hour.

Book the Gaylord Opryland Resort here!

2. Try Nashville Hot Chicken

Hot chicken has been a Nashville staple since the 1930s. It’s a local favorite and a must-try when on vacation in the Music City! It’s essentially fried chicken, coated with a sauce made of herbs and spices, served on a piece of bread, and garnished with pickles.

Legend has it, a gentleman named Thornton Prince was not a faithful man, and as punishment, his girlfriend made his favorite fried chicken– with hot peppers. Her plan, however, backfired as Mr. Prince loved his hot chicken. He and his friends loved it so much that they decided to open a barbeque chicken shack in Nashville.

Today, you can try the original Prince family hot chicken recipe at Prince’s Hot Chicken at several locations in Nashville. Be sure to get there with plenty of time and patience because the lines are known to get long.

Top Spots to Savor Nashville Hot Chicken:

• Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack: The originator of the dish, Prince’s continues to serve its signature spicy chicken, maintaining a legacy that spans nearly a century.
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: A more recent addition, Hattie B’s has quickly become a favorite, known for its range of heat levels and consistently crispy chicken .
• Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish: For those seeking an extra kick, Bolton’s offers some of the spiciest chicken in town, with a loyal following that swears by its intense heat.

Pro Tip: Balance the heat with classic sides like creamy coleslaw, tangy pickles, and a slice of white bread to soak up the fiery juices.

3. Taste Tennessee Barbeque

Tennessee barbeque, more specifically referred to as Memphis-style, is one of the four main styles of barbeque in the United States. Its unique flavor brings a sweet and tomatoey taste, often slow-cooked and smoked in a pit.

While Memphis is considered the barbecue capital of Tennessee, Nashville restaurants have also made a name for themselves. The Peg Leg Porker was recognized by Southern Living Magazine as having the best barbecue in Tennessee in The South’s Best 2024 edition.

In Nashville, pitmasters smoke whole hogs, dry-rub ribs, and brisket that melts with the first bite. The city’s barbecue scene pulls from both tradition and innovation, making it one of the best ways to eat your way through Music City.

Barbecue vs. Hot Chicken: What’s the Difference?

Barbecue in Nashville leans smoky and slow. Think ribs, pulled pork, and brisket cooked for hours over hickory wood. It’s rich, savory, and pairs best with coleslaw, baked beans, and banana pudding.

Hot chicken, on the other hand, hits fast and spicy. Fried chicken gets a cayenne-laced oil bath that coats every crispy bite. Served with white bread and pickles, it’s messy, mouth-burning, and oddly addictive.

Pro Move: Try both. Grab hot chicken for lunch and barbecue for dinner—or vice versa. Your taste buds will thank you, even if your stomach begs for mercy.

4. Party on Honky Tonk Highway

Broadway is Nashville’s beating heart. You’ll hear music pouring out of every doorway, from noon until the early hours. These aren’t cover bands phoning it in. Many musicians here are studio pros, songwriters, or rising stars waiting for their break.

Skip the rooftop lineups and start at Robert’s Western World. It keeps things classic with live rockabilly, cold beer, and $6 fried bologna sandwiches. Locals know it’s the spot for real-deal honky-tonk vibes.

Next door, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is the most famous bar on the strip. Everyone from Willie Nelson to Kris Kristofferson played here in their early days. Yes, it’s crowded and chaotic but it’s part of the experience.

If you want something newer, check out Ole Red, Blake Shelton’s multi-level bar with a killer rooftop and strong sound system. Luke’s 32 Bridge and Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk pack in the bachelorette crowds and party energy. For a lower-key experience, head a few blocks south to The Second Fiddle or Layla’s. Still lively, just less touristy.

Finally, if you’re a fan of moonshine, you’ll want to head over to the Bootlegger’s Inn. The Bootlegger’s Inn is Nashville’s only moonshine bar serving up southern favorites and two stories of music and dining.

Local Tip: Most bars don’t charge cover, and performers play for tips. Bring cash, request a song, and support the musicians who give Broadway its spark.

5. Take a Music City Tour

You’ll find plenty of conventional and creative ways to see the Music City if you enjoy tours. Take a pedal bike, golf cart, van, bus, trolley, or even a tractor for a ride around the city. Most offer pub crawls, tours of downtown Nashville, mural tours, and Nashville bachelorette party tours.

You don’t need to love country to love a music tour in Nashville but it helps. From the legends of the Grand Ole Opry to the pop and rock hits recorded just off Music Row, these tours give you an inside look at why they call it Music City.

RCA Studio B Tour
Book this tour through the Hall of Fame, and they’ll shuttle you over to the legendary recording studio where Elvis, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers laid down tracks. When they dim the lights and play the piano Elvis used—it hits different.

Johnny Cash Museum
Just off Broadway, this museum packs a powerful tribute to the Man in Black. It’s smaller and more personal, with everything from stage outfits to handwritten letters. Bonus: You’re a few steps away from Patsy Cline and George Jones museums if you want to go deeper.

Tour Tip: Skip the hop-on, hop-off buses and try the Homes of the Stars tour if you want something more niche. And book early. Studio tours sell out fast on weekends.

6. Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame

You don’t have to wear cowboy boots to appreciate the Country Music Hall of Fame. But you might leave wanting a pair.

Spanning 350,000 square feet, it’s the definitive archive of America’s music story. Inside, you’ll find everything from early gospel recordings to Taylor Swift’s tour wardrobe and multimedia exhibits that connect the dots between country, rock, blues, and folk.

One of the most photographed items? Elvis Presley’s custom gold Cadillac, complete with a record player in the backseat. Walk deeper and you’ll see handwritten lyrics from Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson, raw pieces of music history preserved behind glass.

Rotating exhibits keep things current. In 2024, the museum added spotlights on artists like Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll, showing how the genre continues to evolve while honoring its roots.

Insider Tip: Your admission includes access to the Hall of Fame rotunda, where inductees are honored on bronze plaques. Stop here last, it’s the quietest and most powerful part of the experience.

Combo Move: Book the RCA Studio B tour as a package with your museum ticket. It includes transportation and a behind-the-scenes look at one of Nashville’s most iconic recording spaces.

For the whole experience, be sure to purchase a self-guided audio tour and give yourself at least two hours. When you’ve completed the tour, take a moment to check out the museum store and galleries. You can also purchase a souvenir from the Hatch Show Print store, which houses the oldest working letterpress in the United States.

7. Visit the Johnny Cash Museum

Even if you’re only mildly familiar with Johnny Cash, this museum hits hard.

Tucked just off Broadway on Third Avenue, the Johnny Cash Museum walks you through the life and legacy of one of America’s most iconic performers. You’ll see everything from his black stage suits to handwritten lyrics and family letters. One gallery features footage of his legendary Folsom Prison performance. It’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps, even decades later.

The museum packs a lot into a small space. It’s well-organized, digestible in under an hour, and full of rare photos and artifacts that feel personal, not curated to death. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of Cash as a rebel, a romantic, and a working-class poet.

Here are a few things to know before you go: Buy tickets online to skip the line, especially on weekends. And if you’re in the mood to keep exploring, the Patsy Cline Museum sits just upstairs. A combo ticket gets you into both.

The museum is located in downtown Nashville and does not have a parking lot. You’ll have to use public parking. If you get hungry, there’s an onsite café and a souvenir shop if you need a little retail therapy.

8. Enjoy Exhibits at the Frist Art Museum

If you need a break from boots and ballads, head to the Frist. Housed in a striking 1930s-era post office, the Frist Art Museum brings serious culture to downtown Nashville.

Unlike most art museums, the Frist doesn’t keep a permanent collection. Instead, it rotates exhibits every few months, drawing major works from institutions around the world. In recent years, visitors have explored everything from Pablo Picasso’s paper works to Black American abstraction and fashion photography by legends like Richard Avedon.

The building itself deserves attention. The Art Deco design, marble interiors, and preserved postal details give the space a sense of grandeur that surprises first-time visitors. Art lovers can set up a group or individual tour to learn more about these revolving exhibits.

Traveling with kids? Don’t miss the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, an upstairs studio where children (and adults) can create their own art. It’s interactive, free with admission, and a hit with families.

Need to know: Admission runs $15 for adults but it’s free for everyone under 18. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan ahead.

9. Tour the Music Row Neighborhood

Music Row doesn’t look like much at first, just a stretch of tree-lined streets and old houses south of downtown. But behind those doors, Nashville built its legacy. This is where artists record, producers cut deals, and publishers turn lyrics into hits.

Start with a walk down 16th and 17th Avenues South, the heart of Music Row. You’ll pass dozens of recording studios and label offices, some marked by plaques or historic signs.

RCA Studio B sits just off the main drag. If you didn’t catch it on the Hall of Fame tour, now’s your chance. It’s one of the most important studios in music history. Think Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Dolly Parton, and The Strokes. Currently, the Country Music Hall of Fame operates the studio and offers tours.

Across the street, BMI and ASCAP operate out of stately buildings that once held industry power lunches. Many songwriters still pitch demos here, keeping the tradition alive.

Local Tip: Music Row doesn’t offer much in the way of public tours, but companies like Let’s Go Travelin’ run van or small-bus experiences led by industry insiders. These guides often point out hidden-in-plain-sight landmarks you’d miss on your own.

Nearby Stop: Just a few blocks away, Belmont University maintains its own role in Nashville’s music scene, with alumni like Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood. The surrounding area—Belmont/Hillsboro—also makes a great spot for coffee or lunch after your walk.

If you don’t want to pay for a tour, at least take a stroll through the neighborhood. Along with various recording studios, you’ll also find radio stations, music-related art, a green space, and other businesses.

10. Watch a Live Show at the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry, originally a radio show, is a country music performance running since 1925. Today, fans can access live performances in person, radio, and on TV. According to the Guinness World Records, it’s one of the longest-running radio shows in the world.

Seeing a live show at the Grand Ole Opry isn’t just something to check off a list. It’s a reminder of why Nashville became Music City in the first place.

The Opry still tapes live every week, and each show features a rotating lineup of country stars, rising acts, and veteran performers. You could hear a chart-topping artist, a fiddle solo that stops time, or a gospel quartet that brings the crowd to its feet, all on the same night.

Unlike other venues, the Opry keeps things moving. Sets last just a few songs each, so even if you’re not into every act, another one takes the stage minutes later. That pacing makes it perfect for first-time visitors.

The show takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House, east of downtown near the Gaylord Opryland Resort. From March through October, some performances move to the Ryman Auditorium downtown, especially during the winter run. Both venues are iconic, but the Ryman has that creaky-floorboard, goosebumps-on-your-arm kind of energy.

Need to know: Tickets range from $45 to $120 depending on the seat and lineup. Book early as popular shows sell out fast. And don’t worry about dress codes, jeans and boots fit right in.

From country and bluegrass to folk and gospel, people from around the globe tune in to the show. It’s a perfect option for things to do as a couple in Nashville. Most people would agree that catching a show at the Opry is easily one of the top things to do.

11. Attend a Ryman Auditorium Concert

If the Grand Ole Opry is the soul of country music, the Ryman is its cathedral.

Built in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium started as a tabernacle and evolved into one of the most iconic music venues in the world. The pew seating, stained glass, and near-perfect acoustics create a setting that feels reverent even when the headliner is a rock band or comedian.

Every artist wants to play the Ryman. The lineup crosses genres—country, folk, gospel, bluegrass, rock—and the crowd always shows up to listen. No drunk talkers, no TikTokers filming through the whole show. People come here to hear the music.

If you’re not in town for a concert, book a daytime tour. You can stand on the stage, explore the dressing rooms, and learn how the Ryman helped birth the Opry and launch careers from Patsy Cline to Chris Stapleton.

Local Tip: Balcony seats sound just as good as front row. Arrive early if you want a drink, lines at the lobby bars move slowly, especially before sold-out shows.

12. Catch a Professional Sports Game

Nashville brings more than music. This is a sports town with serious fan energy.

Did you know that Nashville, TN is home to four professional sports teams? That’s a lot of sports fanatics in one area!

NHL: Nashville Predators
Catch a Predators game at Bridgestone Arena, where the “Smashville” crowd makes even regular season games feel like playoffs. The energy is loud, fast, and contagious even if you don’t know an icing from an offside. Bonus: It’s right off Broadway, so you can pregame at a honky-tonk and walk over.

NFL: Tennessee Titans
In the fall, Nissan Stadium fills with fans in navy blue and Titans face paint. The views of downtown from the stadium’s upper deck are worth it alone. If you’re visiting during football season (September–January), Sunday game day is a full-on citywide event.

MLS: Nashville SC
The city’s newest major league team plays at GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. The crowd brings drums, chants, and a rowdy atmosphere, especially in the supporters’ section. It’s perfect for families, friend groups, or travelers who love fast-paced action without NFL ticket prices.

Tip: Most venues offer last-minute ticket deals through apps like Gametime or SeatGeek. If you’re already downtown, check box offices directly. Walk-up options sometimes beat third-party prices.

Visiting Music City

This list of top Nashville attractions is an excellent place to start when creating your Music City itinerary. Of course, this is only a handful of things to do in Nashville. There’s more music, cuisine, culture, art, and history. Enjoy your trip, Nashville’s going to look so good on you!