Explore the live music venues, maybe the entire reason you’re visiting Nashville in the first place. Discover emerging songwriters and intimate performances at the Bluebird Cafe, which has been a launching pad for countless country music stars. You can also attend a concert at the "Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium. The historic venue showcases incredible acoustics with sound projecting right from its stage, and filling the venue with rich sound. Another favorite is Station Inn, in the Gulch neighborhood, an unpretentious venue hosting top-notch performances in a warm and cozy setting.
Are you more of a history buff? Don’t miss these museums and landmarks:
Inside a gorgeous Art Deco building that used to be the city’s main post office, the Frist Art Museum showcases diverse exhibitions spanning classic to contemporary art. Then there’s Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: a mansion, gardens, and former home of the seventh president of the United States. If you choose to visit the Tennessee State Capitol you can opt for the guided tour and enjoy panoramic views of downtown–this is the highest point in Downtown Nashville after all. And if you love country, or any style of music, really, you cannot skip visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Grand Ole Opry.
It goes without being said, but a stroll down Lower Broadway, where neon signs and live music spill out of honky-tonk bars, is essential. Catch impromptu performances and enjoy the sights, sounds, and thrills of what some people call “Nash-Vegas.”
Outdoor Activities
Nature lovers rejoice! When the weather is mild, there’s so much to do outdoors in and around Nashville.
Foliage and gorgeous forest trees are abundant at Radnor Lake State Park, making it the perfect place for a shaded hike. If you have a car, this park is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. Pets aren’t allowed, though, because this is a protected bald eagle nesting area. Plan for an easy three-mile loop walk here. Another option is Percy Warner Park, where you can hike, picnic, and take in breathtaking city views from atop a hill. If you prefer a leisurely bike ride, why not sightsee on a Pedal Tavern tour? Grab your friends and pedal through the city to the sound of great music and with your favorite beverages in hand.
CAN YOU BELIEVE?
The world’s only exact size and detail replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece is located in Nashville. No wonder the city has been nicknamed “Athens of the South.” Pack a picnic, hop over to Centennial Park, and plant yourself on the grass for some sunshine. Don’t leave Music City before visiting this architectural wonder and museum.
