Nashville, TN Travel Guide: Things To Do, Best Restaurants

The city skyline and Cumberland Park at dusk along the Nashville, Tennessee riverfront.

DESTINATION GUIDE

TWO-STEP TO NASHVILLE

Music City is waiting for you.

Marching to the beat of its own drum, Nashville, Tennessee, is a small town hiding inside a big city. Pulsing with a warm, welcoming energy, Nashville’s lively parks, attractions, and restaurants make for an amazing vacation destination.

Book Your Trip

DESTINATION GUIDE

TWO-STEP TO NASHVILLE

Music City is waiting for you.

Marching to the beat of its own drum, Nashville, Tennessee, is a small town hiding inside a big city. Pulsing with a warm, welcoming energy, Nashville’s lively parks, attractions, and restaurants make for an amazing vacation destination.

Book Your Trip

DESTINATION GUIDE

TWO-STEP TO NASHVILLE

Music City is waiting for you.

Marching to the beat of its own drum, Nashville, Tennessee, is a small town hiding inside a big city. Pulsing with a warm, welcoming energy, Nashville’s lively parks, attractions, and restaurants make for an amazing vacation destination.

Book Your Trip

DESTINATION GUIDE

TWO-STEP TO NASHVILLE

Music City is waiting for you.

Marching to the beat of its own drum, Nashville, Tennessee, is a small town hiding inside a big city. Pulsing with a warm, welcoming energy, Nashville’s lively parks, attractions, and restaurants make for an amazing vacation destination.

Book Your Trip

Spotlight On Nashville

Add Nashville to your travel bucket list and discover a quirky city with a ton of small-town heart. Let the sound of country music lead you down Broadway Street, and get your fix of southern-style hot chicken at one of the city’s many delicious dives.

As times change and progress happens, as it inevitably does, in Nashville there are a few unchangeable constants you can always rely on to be there for you: its delicious down-home cooking, its hoppin' music scene (complete with honky tonks), and its old-fashioned charm.

Music Attractions

They don’t call it “Music City” for nothing. From Americana and pop to rock ’n’ roll and, of course, country, Nashville is best known for its iconic music venues. Explore the city's rich musical heritage and experience its country charm by paying a visit to one (or all) of these top music-themed attractions.

Grand Ole Opry

Known as the true home of country music, the Opry House has welcomed countless country music legends to her stage over the past nine decades. Explore the historic facility, grab a souvenir or two from the gift shop, and then stick around for a live performance by someone famous from the who's who of country music lineup.

Ryman Auditorium

The former home of the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium is known as the “Mother Church” of country music. It’s an important pilgrimage for any music lover and a self-guided tour will start your vacation off right. Make sure to get tickets to see a live performance on the Ryman's historic stage while you're there.

Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum is a popular attraction that celebrates the entire recorded history of American music. See iconic music industry memorabilia, experience a historic recording studio, and discover the untold stories of lesser-known musicians who made important contributions to the industry.

The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe

Dedicated to the life and music of the Man in Black, the Johnny Cash Museum is a must for any fan’s bucket list. This award-winning museum features the largest collection of items and artifacts devoted to Johnny Cash anywhere in the world. Stop into the onsite Johnny Cash's Bar & BBQ when you're finished for lunch paired with classic Cash hits.

Other Top Attractions

There are plenty of ways to play in Nashville, Tennessee. Get to know the city’s colorful culture and history at these top attractions in Nashville.

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Museums

Nashville is known for music, but the city is home to a number of notable museums devoted to art, history, and culture. The scholarly among you would enjoy a visit to some of the most famous museums, including the Frist Art Museum, the Tennessee State Museum, and The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s historic mansion.

Parks & Gardens

Music City is home to many beautiful parks and gardens. Situated 2 miles west of downtown Nashville, Centennial Park is home to the famous replica Parthenon, built to honor the city’s status as “The Athens of the South.” Visitors can enjoy the lush botanical gardens, Chihuly art exhibit, and weekly wellness programs at Cheekwood Estate.

Street Art

Pack your walking shoes to discover Nashville’s best murals and street art. Along 12th Avenue in the 12 South neighborhood, you’ll find popular murals like “I Believe in Nashville,” “Flowers,” and “Make Music Not War.” See how many you can spot along the streets of East Nashville, Downtown, and The Gulch, and make sure to note your favorites.

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Where To Eat

Nashville is home to countless cafes and local eateries that serve the absolute best of tried-and-true Southern cooking. From barbecue and country-fried steak to hot chicken and old-fashioned grits, you'll find it all in Nashville.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Hot chicken is the official dish of Nashville, and Hattie B’s is the place to get it. Choose from three locations in the city for a delicious selection of hot chicken with bones or no bones, and a heat level that tops out with a burn notice.

The Pancake Pantry

One of the most famous restaurants in Nashville is The Pancake Pantry, serving up 23 different varieties of made-from-scratch pancakes, plus many other tasty breakfast options. These fluffy bites of heaven are worth the waiting in line for.

The Farm House Restaurant & Bar

Serving up classic Southern fare with an innovative twist, The Farm House is the perfect place to spend the evening after exploring the city. If you're looking for the food culture of Nashville, you'll find it here, in the chicken, mashed potatoes, and cornbread.