07 February 2024
7 must-do activities when visiting Nashville
Experience the Music City's creativity through its diverse musical, culinary and cultural offerings
Experience the Music City's creativity through its diverse musical, culinary and cultural offerings
One of the most vibrant, iconic destinations in the USA, Nashville greets visitors with a heady mix of incredible music, pulsing creativity and a culinary scene that sizzles with Southern flair. Any time is a great time to go, with each season offering its own unique reason to stay a little longer and explore. Five days will allow time to immerse yourself in the spring and summer festival season, hit breathtaking hiking trails in the cool, colourful autumn, or cosy up inside world-class museums and restaurants throughout winter's colder months. Here’s how to make the best of your time in the Music City…
You’ll need at least two days (or more) to experience the musical magic that reverberates through Downtown Nashville. The city is home to more music museums than anywhere else in the world, including the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, with memorabilia from artists including Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix; the National Museum of African American Music; and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. At night, sample some of the city’s original Honky Tonks like Layla’s or Robert’s Western World to watch Nashville’s next generation of music icons take the stage.
Nashville is a haven for music lovers who can indulge their passion from morning ’til night, whether they’re a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, or any other genre in between. With more than 180 live music venues, you’ll find one that strikes a chord, like the rock-centric Exit/In; Rudy’s Jazz Room for those who like their music to swing; home of bluegrass, Americana and roots, the Station Inn; The Bluebird Cafe hosts performances from rising singer-songwriters and established stars alike; and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for classical aficionados. Nashville icon, the Grand Ole Opry sees country stars performing legendary live shows, while the VIP Backstage Experience takes a peek behind the Opry’s famous red curtain.
As varied as its music offering, Nashville’s culinary scene offers a diverse range of eateries and cuisines, with more than 200 exciting new restaurants opening in the past two years. Iconic dishes include many Southern staples like hot chicken and meat and three (where diners choose one meat option and three side dishes to form a hearty, tasty meal). Whatever your mood and budget, you’ll find foodie experiences to suit, from chic fine-dining restaurants to farm-to-table bistros, Tennessee-style barbecue joints and modern meat-free and health-conscious cafés. Seasonal pop-ups and speakeasies offer fun, themed food and cocktail events, while the city’s rooftops and patios are perfect for a sundowner and fans of a craft distilling can try world-class tipples at some of Tennessee’s best, including the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Diskin Cider Distillery and Nashville Craft Distillery.
Nashville’s arts scene is thriving, and culture vultures have endless opportunities to connect with local creatives through inspiring street art tours, monthly First Saturday Art Crawls (on the first Saturday of each month) and an exciting calendar of festivals and events at galleries and design spaces including the Frist Art Museum and Hatch Show Print. While the city has a well-earned reputation for musical fun, take a deeper dive and you’ll discover a quieter side of Nashville in its historic houses and gardens, like The Parthenon in Centennial Park and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, or wander the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, which offers wine and bourbon tastings in a picturesque and historic setting.
Visitors could easily spend a week just browsing Nashville’s treasure troves of incredible vintage music memorabilia. Walk the half-mile stretch of 12 South neighbourhood for boutiques showcasing local designers and makers, including Emerson Grace, Imogene + Willie, White’s Mercantile and Judith Bright. L&L Market is a charming, vintage space to shop for locally crafted goods and taste some more Nashville flavours. The independent bookstore, Parnassus Books, hosts celebrity signings and events. With three locations, The Music City Shop is the place for authentic Music City gifts to take some souvenirs home.
If the words ‘outdoor adventure' bring music to your ears, you’ll find plenty of experiences to make your heart sing in Nashville. There are also plenty of exciting sporting events featuring the city’s four professional sports teams: the Nashville Predators (ice hockey), the Tennessee Titans (American football), the Nashville Sounds (baseball) and the Nashville Soccer Club (football). The Cumberland River winds its way through Downtown, with waterfront hiking and biking trails, and epic skyline views best seen on a self-guided paddling tour with Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company or River Queen Voyages. Just a few miles south, Radnor Lake State Park is the place to spot wildlife including river otters, beavers and birds, and Percy Warner Park offers hiking, biking and horse riding, too.
Once you’ve seen the major draws of Downtown, it’s time to explore the neighbourhoods. If you’re after a hip, low-key hangout, try East Nashville, an artistic district where you can browse music shops and vinyl boutiques before dining at FOLK, which serves freshly baked pizzas and natural wines. Not far from the iconic Music Row is The Gulch, an elegant and walkable neighbourhood where you'll find cultural highlights like the Frist Art Museum and The Gibson Garage as well as dining spots like The 404 Kitchen where you can indulge in some of the city's finest Southern heritage cuisine fused with European flavours. 12 South is a pretty, laid-back area lined with bungalow-style homes and vintage boutiques; visit ethical fashion brand Imogene + Willie and curated boutique Emerson Grace to admire the creativity of local designers. For an artsy hangout wandering around independent galleries or a whiskey tasting at Nashville Craft Distillery, head to Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo).
Whether you’re after a boutique bolthole, luxury retreat, or historic home-away-from-home, you’ll find your place in Nashville, with many in the heart of Music City. Stylish favourites including the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, W Nashville, Conrad Nashville and The Joseph are here, along with hip hideaways including Soho House and elegantly timeless icon, The Hermitage, the only hotel in Tennessee to be designated a National Historic Landmark. For an intimate stay, one of the many boutique offerings, including Dream Nashville, Fairlane Hotel, Noelle Hotel or Bobby Hotel, offer sumptuous spaces to take a breath before embracing everything the city has to offer.
Whenever you choose to visit, you’ll find exciting activities and events in Nashville, including Music City Walk of Fame induction ceremonies taking place throughout the year. If you happen to be in town at the turn of the year, you can't miss Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. In April, Tin Pan South is an inspiring festival for songwriters and CMA Fest in June is a must for all country music enthusiasts. For epicureans, there's Dine Nashville, a month-long celebration each February where you can join collaborative chef experiences and enjoy discounted offerings from local restaurants. Here's a full rundown of what you can expect in 2024...
To organise your visit to Nashville, go to VisitMusicCity.com
British Airways Holidays offers holidays to Nashville from £782 per person.
Book a fly-drive to Nashville with Trailfinders, starting from £1,179 per person.
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