Looking for the best things to do in Nashville, Tennessee? If you’re a first-timer, don’t miss these spots.
What do you prioritize when you visit a new city? We usually prioritize two things: food and photos.
We really enjoyed our time here and can’t wait to visit again. If you’re headed to Nashville (or thinking about moving here), these are the awesome things you should check out:
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Last Updated: June 11, 2024
9 Awesome Things to Do in Nashville Tennessee
1. The Parthenon in Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, map
Yes, we’re talking about the same Parthenon that’s in Athens, Greece. In Nashville, there is a full-scale replica at Centennial Park near the Vanderbilt campus. It’s a really nice park to walk around.
2. Eat Hot Chicken
This is the local Nashville specialty that’s worth a try. Everyone has their own opinion on what is best, but we noticed many people point you towards Hattie B’s. It was closed on Sunday, so we tried Helen’s Hot Chicken and Party Fowl instead.
According to our friend, who has tried every hot chicken place in the area, Party Fowl is the best. We enjoyed both, but I think we must go back and try all the others.
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Pin3. The Hermitage →
4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076, map
This mansion was once home to Andrew Jackson and is still home to many of his belongings. Spend a day touring the mansion, garden, and tomb.
Pin4. Walk the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and See the Nashville Skyline
592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213, map
Nashville has a unique skyline, with what most people call the Batman building (it looks like his head). Enjoy the views from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, formerly known as the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, or from the shores of the Cumberland River.
5. Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205, map
This beautiful historic mansion is now a museum. You can take a tour or stroll the grounds (also a great photo spot).
6. Union Station Hotel
1001 Broadway, Nashville TN 37203, map
Stop by and see the late-Victorian Romanesque Revival architecture of the Union Station Hotel, formerly a railroad terminal.
7. Country Music Hall of Fame →
222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, map
Although we don’t love Country music, you can’t separate Nashville from it. The Hall of Fame has one of the world’s largest collections and research centers that walks you through the history of country music. Don’t forget to check out the Hatch Show Print too.
Right next door is the Music City Center, the main conference center in Nashville. Its beautiful exterior reminded Esther of a guitar, and it is worth stopping by for a few photos.
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8. Live Music at Broadway
Broadway & 2nd, map
Walk down Broadway any time during the week, and you’ll find bar after bar with amazing live music!
More Things to Do in Nashville Tennessee
Taking another trip to Nashville? Here are a few more suggestions:
- Patterson House – speakeasy cocktail bar with the best Old Fashioned according to our friend who went to college in Nashville.
- Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
- I Believe in Nashville Mural
- Music Row – you can tour studio B and drive by other famous recording studios. Besides the tours, there isn’t much to see from the street.
- Radnor Lake
- Vanderbilt University Campus
- 18 Essential Nashville Nashville Restaurants
PinWhere to Stay in Nashville
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Nashville hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Nashville travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Anything else that is a must do in Nashville?
SEE More CITY Bucket Lists
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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