27 Must-See Tourist Attractions and Fun Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee

February 24, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1886 Views

Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee state in the USA. Some of the most fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee include exploring the past & present of country music, American civil war history, American Revolutionary War history, plantation history, historical buildings, whiskey distilleries, craft beers, and Tennessee cuisine.

The city is named after General Francis Nash, who led the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. The city was also at the center of many battles during the Civil War. Some of the best places to visit in Nashville, TN recreate aspects of these wars and the role of Tennessee people in the battles. The Stones River National Battlefield is one of the top Nashville tourist attractions in this regard as it was the site of one of the bloodiest Civil War battles.

The city was officially founded in 1779, but the history of settlement in the region goes back to 1689. Although there aren’t many things to see in Nashville, Tennessee that hail from that period. But, you can still check out some artifacts in the museum.

Another wonderful aspect of Nashville travel is the music. The history of this city is intertwined with a variety of musical genres, but it is best known for American country music. One of the biggest Nashville attractions is the Hall of Fame & Museum dedicated to the genre and its artists. If you really love country music, you should spend an evening at one of the musical bars & cafes during Nashville sightseeing.

The city is also home to the Johny Cash Museum, Grand Opry Museum, and RCA Studio B. People can listen to some of the classic songs on vinyl records. It is a whole different sound if you have the ear for it.

You should also take some time to listen to the music of nature around the city. The city is surrounded by several State Parks where you can enjoy some outdoor activities to do in Nashville including nature trails, kayaking, zipline, off-roading, and more. You can visit Nashville tourist spots in an off-road vehicle, monster truck, tractor, and horse carriage.

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Table of Contents

Top 27 Tourist Places to Visit in Nashville in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Here below I have listed some of the Top-Rated Tours and Activities, that you should try in Nashville to get a unique experience.

Day 1

1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

This museum is dedicated to the history of the American Country Music. It is one of the best things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for music lovers. It has a collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts that includes records, posters, musical instruments, musician biographies, costumes, photographs, films, artists’ belongings, and more. It is also one of the best places to visit in Nashville, TN to enjoy live music performances. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in advance.

2. The Johnny Cash Museum

This museum is dedicated to the life and music of legendary musician Johny Cash. He is best known for popular tracks “I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Ring of Fire”, “Hurt”, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Jackson”, “Man in Black”, and so on. It is one of the most popular Nashville tourist attractions for music enthusiasts. You will see memorabilia, posters, musical instruments, song notes, costumes, records, and more. People can also listen to some of Johny Cash’s biggest hits at this museum. You will need about an hour from Nashville travel to tour this museum.

3. Ryman Auditorium

This auditorium is best known for hosting the Grand Ole Opry between 1943 and 1974. This stage has hosted several renowned people including Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, Harry Houdini, Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and many more. It is one of the most important historical Nashville attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this auditorium.

I suggest you should book a Self Guided Tour to Ryman Auditorium with an Entry Ticket.

4. Tennessee State Museum

This museum is dedicated to the history of Tennessee with a special focus on several wars in which the people of the state were involved. This museum has a lot of things to see in Nashville, Tennessee concerning the American Civil War, Spanish American War, and World Wars. It also gives insight into various phases of the state’s history and the development of its culture. It is one of the top things to do in Nashville, TN for history lovers and requires about 2 hours to tour.

5. Frist Center for the Visual Arts (Frist Art Museum)

This museum houses traveling contemporary art exhibits. It conducts interpretive programs to help people experience contemporary artworks in different ways. If you are looking for some interesting stuff to do in Nashville, TN this place fits the bill. You should also visit this museum for the building that houses it. This white marble building dates back to 1934 and is one of the historical Nashville tourist spots. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

Day 2

1. Tennessee State Capitol

This historical building dates back to 1845 and presently houses the state government. It is one of the best places to go in Nashville, TN if you admire the architecture. William Strickland, the architect, designed it to resemble a Greek Temple. You can get an hour-long free-guided tour or take a self-guided tour to learn more about this building.

2. Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum

This museum and hall of fame honors music and musicians of several genres and countries. You will see memorabilia items and instruments associated with renowned musicians. It is a must-do in Nashville, TN if you want to learn about several Unsung Heroes and interesting facts about the music industry. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Nashville.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in advance.

3. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

This public park is spread over 19 acres and was built to honor the bicentennial anniversary of Tennessee. The park is home to several attractions in Nashville, TN including the Map Plaza, Walkway of Counties, Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, and Pathway of History. It is also known for several fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee such as picnics and Farmer’s Market. You will need 2 hours to explore this park.

4. Historic RCA Studio B

Also known as the temple of sound, this studio was used to record some of the greatest musicians. It played a major role in the revitalization of American country music and the establishment of the Nashville Sound. You can definitely count this among the cool things to do in Nashville, TN as you stand in the same place that once housed legends like Elvis Presley, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, Donna Fargo, and many more. You will need an hour from Nashville travel to tour this studio.

You can get the Combo Ticket of Historic RCA Studio B with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

5. The Upper Room Chapel & Christian Art Museum

The Upper Room Chapel is part of the United Methodist Church. It is renowned for its cultural significance and art collection. It is a must-see in Nashville, TN if you want to see some classical religious artworks. The church has wood carved version of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The Christian Art Museum has a collection of paintings, sculptures, carvings, reliefs, murals, and so on. These hail from different parts of the world and different periods of history. It is one of the top things to do in downtown Nashville, TN if you want to see some classical European artworks. You will need about 2 hours to tour the chapel and the museum.

Day 3

1. Centennial Park

Spread over 132 acres, this park is home to tourist places to see in Nashville and is also known for hosting several events and festivals. The park has a replica of the Greek Parthenon, a Japanese Garden, a Sunken Garden, Sports Facilities, Nature Walks, a Swimming Pool, and more. It is the top spot for outdoor things to do in Nashville, Tennessee. The park is also popular for “If Trees Could Sing” program. You can scan the GR codes on some of the trees to learn about them in a digitally interactive way. People can easily a couple of hours at this park.

2. The Parthenon

Built-in 1897, this building is a replica of the legendary Parthenon of Athens, Greece. It is one of the most marvelous structures you will come across during Nashville sightseeing. You will also see a 42 feet tall statue of the Greek Goddess Athena on the Parthenon. The building serves as an art museum exhibiting works by modern American artists. You will need an hour to tour this monument when you visit Nashville.

3. Belle Meade Plantation

Built-in 1820 by John Harding, this historic mansion is spread over 30 acres. It recreates a plantation of the 1800s and is one of the best places to visit in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about history. This land is also associated with the history of Native American tribes, European Settlers, and Colonial trade routes. It is also one of the best-preserved Nashville tourist attractions. You will see original parts of the mansion, carriage house, stable, wine yard, slave quarters, blacksmith shop, and more. It takes at least 2 hours to complete a tour of this place.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Belle Meade Plantation with Complimentary Wine Tasting.

4. Cheeckwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art

This estate was the former residence of the Cheek Family. The house is now converted into an art museum and the complex serves as a botanical garden. The Gregorian mansion is one of the most beautiful things to see in Nashville, Tennessee. It houses a collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, porcelain art, murals, statues, and more. The botanical garden is one of the best things to do in Nashville, TN if you are interested in horticulture. The complex has multi-colored flower gardens, Japanese gardens, Wills perennial gardens, and vines gardens. You will need 2 hours to explore the estate.

5. Warner Parks

These adjacent parks are named after Eddie Warner and Percy Warner and cover 3000 acres. People come here for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. The parks have nature trails, picnic spots, golf courses, ponds, camping grounds, bike trails, sports facilities, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying nature at these parks.

Day 4

1. The Hermitage

This plantation estate belonged to the 7th President of the USA. It is one of the most important historical Nashville attractions as it looks at different aspects of history in one place. The estate sheds light on the life and career of Andrew Jackson and his family. It also exhibits artifacts concerning the history of the plantation and slavery. You will need 2 hours to tour this estate.

I suggest you should get your Ticket to The Hermitage in advance.

2. The Grand Ole Opry

This radio show began in 1925 and has been dedicated to promoting American country music and artists. The studio has backstage tours, post-show tours, and VIP tours. You can also witness some of the shows and check out important moments in the show’s history. It is one of the most fun things to do in Nashville, TN. You will need at least an hour to tour this place.

There you can do two things, First, you book the Ticket for The Grand Ole Opry Show and after that, you should go for a Guided Backstage Tour of The Grand Ole Opry House.

3. Lane Motor Museum

The museum exhibits a variety of cars originating from different parts of the world. It is a must-do in Nashville, Tennessee for car enthusiasts. There are more than 450 automobiles including classic cars, motorcycles, flying cars, bicycles, military vehicles, alternative fuel cars, floating cars, microcars, and more. You will need about an hour from Nashville sightseeing to tour this museum.

4. Belmont Mansion

Built-in 1849 by Adelicia Hayes Franklin and Joseph Alexander Smith Acklen. The mansion has a variety of facilities including a gazebo, zoo, bowling alley, gardens, fountains, and more. The museum in the mansion focuses on the lives of several women during the 1800s including Adelicia Franklin. You will need about 2 hours from Nashville travel to tour this mansion complex.

I suggest you should get your All Day Admission Ticket to Belmont Mansion in advance.

Day 5

1. Jack Daniel’s Distillery

Located in Moore country, this distillery is one of the most popular Nashville tourist spots. It is important to know that Moore is a dry county. So even if the world-famous whiskey is produced here, you cannot consume it while in the county. You can tour the distillery and learn how this famous Tennessee whiskey is made. People can also pay a little more to take a tasting tour wherein you get to try different Jack Daniels products. It is one of the coolest things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for those who admire the brand. You will need about 2 hours to tour the distillery.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of Jack Daniel’s Distillery with Whiskey Tasting.

2. Stones River National Battlefield

This 570-acre park was the site of one of the most important Civil War battles. It was also one of the bloodiest battles in the war. It is a must-see in Nashville if you are interested in the history of the American Civil War. The site serves as a record of the battle and several individual stories that happened during combat. You will need 2 hours to tour this historical site when you visit Nashville.

3. Tennessee Agricultural Museum

This museum looks at the evolution of agriculture from the time of the first pioneers all the way to the 20th century. It is one of the most interesting attractions in Nashville, TN. The museum also exhibits old household items, photographs, paintings, and more. You will also see equipments used by blacksmiths, wood crafters, weavers, dairy farmers, and so on. People can also visit the oldest Agricultural Hall of Fame in the USA. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

4. Radnor Lake State Park

Spread over 1330 acres, this park is popular for outdoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. The park has several nature trails and is home to a variety of animals and birds. People can spot bald eagles, coyotes, river otters, wild geese, whitetail deer, beavers, and more. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours walking the trails in this park.

Day 6

1. Adventure Science Center

This place educates and entertains visitors using science and technology. It is one of the best places to go in Nashville for family tourists. Some of the most popular exhibits at this center include beekeeping, galactic gardens, Sudekum planetarium, physics of flight, infinitum room, recycle rainforest, and vapor vortex. The place is also popular for its indoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. You will need 2 hours to tour this place.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Adventure Science Center in advance.

2. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

This zoo is one of the top attractions in Nashville, TN for people of all ages. The zoo houses a variety of animals hailing from different parts of the world. It also has several amusement park like attractions and fun things to do in Nashville, TN. You will see cougars, Andean bears, lemurs, hornbills, red pandas, clouded leopards, porcupines, alligators, zebra, ostrich, antelope, rhinoceros, giraffe, Sumatran tigers, and many more animals. The zoo also has animal interaction experiences, a Dino theme park, a 4D theatre, a zip line, a carousel ride, a train ride, and many more. There is a lot of stuff to do in Nashville Zoo and you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours at this place.

You should get a Fast-Track Entry Ticket to Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in advance.

3. Traveler’s Rest Plantation & Museum

This plantation was built in 1799 by Supreme Court Judge John Overton, the co-founder of Memphis. You will get to learn about various aspects of this place’s history. The tour explores the life of John Overton and his family, life at the plantation during the 1800s, the life of plantation slaves, and the archeological history of the land before the plantation was built. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Nashville, TN from a historical point of view. You will need at least an hour to tour this estate.

4. Grand Old Golf & GoKarts

This entertainment center is one of the top things to do in downtown Nashville for families. The place has mini-golf, Go Karting, a gaming arcade, bumper cars, gardens, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying games and entertainment at this place.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Nashville check out the section below. We have created a list of almost all attractions and activities that you can find in and around the city.

Things to do in Nashville

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Nashville, Tennessee

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Grand Ole Opry
Ryman Auditorium
Ander Jackson’s Hermitage
Frist Art Museum
The Parthenon
Cheekwood Estate
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Tennessee State Museum
Johnny Cash Museum
Lane Motor Museum
Tennessee State Capitol
National Museum of African American Museum
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Belmont Mansion
Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Travelers Rest Historic House Museum
Fort Negley
Madame Tussauds Nashville
Patsy Cline Museum
Fort Nashboro
Cooter’s Nashville
War Memorial Auditorium
The Downtown Presbyterian Church
Two Rivers Mansion
Historic Rock Castle
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and Nashville Souvenirs
Historic Mansker’s Station
Sam Davis Home
Glen Campbell Museum
Tennessee Agricultural Museum
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
Fisk University Galleries

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Nashville, Tennessee

Percy Warner Park
Percy Priest Lake
Radnor Lake State Park
Long Hunter State Park
Stones River Greenway
Beaman Park Nature Center

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places in Nashville, Tennessee

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
The Bluebird Cafe
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Centennial Park
Adventure Science Center
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Robert’s Western World
The Stations Inn
Cumberland Park
Soundwaves Waterpark
Walk of Fame Park
Ascend Amphitheatre
Shelly Bottoms Greenway
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Riverfront Park
Beaman Park
Shelby Park
Fannie Mae Dees Park
Honeysuckle Hill Farm
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway
Warner Park Nature Center
Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
Nashville Adventure Park
Municipal Auditorium
Wave Country Waterpark
Sevier Park
Gaylords Springs Golf Links
Treetop Adventure Park
Centennial Dog Park
Crockett Park
Grinder’s Switch Winery at Marathon Village
Jack Daniels Distillery
Sudekum Planetarium
Timberland Park
Moss Wright Park
Hendersonville Memory Gardens
Two Rivers Dog Park
Charlie Daniels Park

Shopping in Nashville

Nashville Farmers’ Market
Fatherland District
12th Avenue South
The Arcade Nashville
Brentwood
Opry Mills
Hills Boro Village
8th Avenue Antique Mall
Germantown
Nashville Flea Market
Plaza Mariachi Music City
East Nashville
The District
Music Valley Village
Belle Meade
Downtown Franklin
The Mall at Green Hills
Nashville Music City
Hill Center Green Hills

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Nashville

Hiking
Camping
Kayaking

Sightseeing in Nashville

Broadway Street
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Printers Alley
I Believe in Nashville Mural
Nashville Whats Lifts You Wings Mural
AT&T Building
Honky Tonk Highway
Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge
12 South Nashville
Germantown
Music Row

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Nashville

Slow Burn Hot Chicken
Swett’s
The Loveless Cafe
Monell’s
Puckett’s Restaurant
Husk
Nashville Pedal Tavern
Silver Sands Cafe
H&T Homecoming
404 Kitchen
Martin’s Bar-B-Que
Fox & Locke
Tennessee Brew Works
Peg Leg Porker BBQ
The Bluebird Cafe
Jack’s Bar-B-Que
New Heights Brewing Company
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Robert’s Western World
Shotgun Willie’s BBQ
Bearded Iris Brewing
Honeyfire BBQ
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Butchertown Hall
Pepperfire Hot Chicken
Ruppy’s Honky Tonk
Music City Center
The Ridge
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack South
Hard Rock Cafe
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
Listening Room Cafe
400 Degrees
The Valentine
Subculture Urban Cuisine & Cafe
Second Fiddle
Scoreboard Bar & Grill

Where to Stay in Nashville?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Nashville. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Nashville.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Nashville

How to Reach Nashville?

By Air

The city is served by Nashville International Airport, which sits 5 miles from downtown. You can get direct flights to visit Nashville from Toronto, Seattle, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Melbourne, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, London, Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Denver, Edmonton, Houston, Charleston, and many more. You can get buses and cabs to reach places to visit in Nashville from the airport.

By Road

The closest train station for Nashville travel are Atlanta, Birmingham, and Memphis. You can then take buses from these cities to reach Nashville. You can also get direct buses to get to the city from several cities in the USA.

If you are planning to reach Nashville by road, you should head for routes I-65, I-40, or I-24.

By Water

There are no water routes to get to Nashville.

Image Reference

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Eric Gilliland / Flickr
The Johnny Cash Museum – Brent Moore / Flickr
Ryman Auditorium – Nicolas Henderson / Flickr
Tennessee State Museum – Corey Seeman / Flickr
Frist Center for the Visual Arts (Frist Art Museum) – cmh2315fl / Flickr
Tennessee State Capitol – Gary Todd / Flickr
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum – Ɱ / Wikimedia Commons
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park – Thegreenj / Wikimedia Commons
Historic RCA Studio B – Brent Moore / Flickr
The Upper Room Chapel & Christian Art Museum – Brent Moore / Flickr
Centennial Park – Allen Forrest / Flickr
The Parthenon – Simon / Flickr
Belle Meade Plantation – Kevin Oliver / Flickr
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art – Kelly Verdeck / Flickr
Warner Parks – Sergio Mello / PixaBay
The Hermitage – Corey Seeman / Flickr
The Grand Ole Opry – Ron Cogswell / Flickr
Lane Motor Museum – Kelly Verdeck / Flickr
Belmont Mansion – Irishjames2909 / Wikimedia Commons
Jack Daniel’s Distillery – nola.agent / Flickr
Stones River National Battlefield – cmh2315fl / Flickr
Tennessee Agricultural Museum – Sharon Mollerus / Flickr
Radnor Lake State Park – Kelly Verdeck / Flickr
Adventure Science Center – Tom / Flickr
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere – Michael Hicks / Flickr
Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum – Daniel Hartwig / Flickr
Grand Old Golf & GoKarts – elinox / PixaBay