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Looking for fun things to do in Nashville? Look no further! If you have been wondering what to do in Nashville, TN, this article is for you!
Nashville, the capital city of Tennessee, also known as “Music City,” is filled with historical landmarks, luxurious facilities, vibrant festivals, incredible food, breath-taking scenery, and the home to many famous global icons.
On your next trip to Nashville, you can experience musical history from a unique perspective.
From tours through the recording studio used by musical legends to the Hall of Fame that commemorates iconic Nashville artists. Nashville also offers fantastic festivals and events for you to experience.
We have included various in- and outdoor activities, festivals, events, and great locations for you to experience in Nashville. It is all included in our guide below.
Looking for accommodation in Nashville? Then you will want to read our handy guide on where to stay in Nashville, TN.
21 Fun Things To Do In Nashville, TN
Here are our favorite things to do in Nashville. We hope you enjoy it!
1. Visit The Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry on Opryland Dr is a great place to visit, founded on November 28, 1925, by George. D Hay and had a weekly American country music stage concert.
The best things to do in Nashville include visiting the Grand Ole Opry, which hosts live music shows that have drawn thousands of tourists to Nashville. Visiting the Grand Ole Opry is an experience that your whole family can experience.
Past performers at the Grand Ole Opry have included Hank Williams, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, “Little” Jimmy Dickens, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton.
You can enjoy the upcoming live performances and events at the Grand Ole Opry by purchasing tickets online.
In addition, you can now experience the Grand Ole Opry from a unique perspective with the all-new guided backstage tours.
2. Pay Your Respects At Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
One of the best things to do in Nashville, especially if you are interested in American history, is to stop by Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
This place consists of over a thousand acres of land, a historical museum commemorating Andrew Jackson’s life, and the burial site of the former US president and his wife.
The historic landmark offers multiple tours of the burial site, the museum, and over 30 buildings for a fun and educational experience that your whole family can enjoy.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is one of the US’s largest and most visited presidential homes and welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually.
The museum offers many events and activities, including “The Duel: The Art of the Southern Gentleman,” a 30-minute reenactment featured on tours and for visitors.
In addition, the museum has a gift shop where you can get a souvenir to commemorate your experience.
Read next: Best Day Trips from Nashville TN
3. Tour Nashville’s Mural Art On A Private Golf Cart
Exploring the streets of Nashville and all the music sights, historical landmarks, mural art, and iconic locations with a knowledgeable guide is a once-in-a-lifetime experience your whole family can enjoy while riding a private golf cart.
The tour allows you to explore Nashville and experience the music history it has to offer from a unique perspective.
4. Enjoy Yourself At The Nissan Stadium
We suggest the Nissan Stadium for a variety of sports and entertainment. The Nissan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium built in 1999 and has since been primarily used for football.
The Stadium is the home field for the Tennessee Titans and the Tigers of Tennessee.
The Stadium also hosts numerous other events such as Live music concerts, WWE events, and various food and beverage festivals for your whole family to experience.
The Nissan Stadium offers convenient handicap access, comfortable seating, a unique and fun pre-game experience, and a variety of food and beverage stands that cater to everybody.
The Stadium is easy to access, offering a pedestrian footbridge, shuttle service to-and-from nearby parking structures, and a bus stop at the location. In addition, the Stadium hosts various public events, meetings, gatherings, and parties.
5. Enjoy A Concert At The Ryman Auditorium
Another must-see is the Ryman Auditorium, built by Captain Tomas G. Ryman in 1892 and known as the “Mother Church of country music.”
The Grand Ole Opry was held at the Ryman Auditorium for more than 30 years, from 1943 to 1974. The Ryman Auditorium has hosted numerous famous artists like Elvis Presley, Phoebe, and Johnny Cash.
In addition, the Ryman Auditorium hosts many events and live performances.
The world-renowned Ryman Auditorium is one of the most celebrated venues in modern music and a premier music hall that features concerts, performances, and events.
You can explore this historical landmark through one of the many self-guided tours the Ryman Auditorium offers.
6. Soak Up The History Of Country Music
Your Nashville experience can’t be complete without visiting the Country Hall of Fame and Museum, well-known for being one of the world’s largest research centers and is referred to as the “Smithsonian of country music.”
The museum was charted in 1964, and it is now dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of country music. The museum offers an experience that your whole family can enjoy.
The Hall of Fame features exhibits that offer a rich experience and in-depth storyline of its inductees and country music history.
In addition, the museum provides educational programs and unique activities for all music lovers to enjoy. The Country Music Hall Of Fame is a featured stop with many of Nashville’s best tours.
In addition, the Country Music Association annually elects new members to the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
7. Tour The Johnny Cash Museum
Suppose you consider yourself a Johnny Cash fan, then we recommend a tour through the Johnny Cash Museum.
The Johnny Cash Museum commemorates global music icon Johnny Cash through pictures, memorabilia, and life stories. It is the world’s most extensive Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia collection.
In addition, the Museum offers unique BBQ and great drinks for you to experience at the Johnny Cash Bar & BBQ.
The Museum opened in 2013 in the heart of Downtown Nashville and was inspired by the original Museum, “House of Cash,” which burned down in 2007.
The Museum features the restored original “House of Cash” sign as one of its exhibits. In addition, the Johnny Cash Museum features multiple interactive exhibits and films about the Man In Black life.
The Museum is a featured stop on numerous tours of Nashville.
8. Tour The Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
During your visit, a highly recommended stop is the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, which dates to the 1840s and is also known as the “Queen of the Tennessee Plantations.”
The Winery now offers unique tours that allow you to explore the landmark’s century-long history and natural beauty of the Belle Meade, various luxurious wine tastings, and a venue you can use for various private events and functions.
The Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery offers multiple fun, educational, and interactive activities and events for your whole family to experience.
In 2009 the Belle Meade Winery was opened to finance the preservation of the landmark.
In addition, the Winery offers a variety of food and wine pairings, private wine and bourbon tastings, and a chance for visitors to sample the wine produced at the location free of charge.
9. Take A Trip To The Nashville Zoo
The Nashville Zoo is a family-friendly location and the home of animals from all over the world, including over 350 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, arthropods, mammals, birds, and many more.
In addition, the Zoo features various fun and education-filled backstage tours, school field trips, camping sites, and overnight adventures that allow you to experience the Zoo and its inhabitants from a unique perspective.
The Nashville Zoo allows you to travel back in time and see how life would have been in the Jurassic era by experiencing 20 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that can hiss, spit, move, and roar.
In addition, the Adventure 4D Theater allows you to enjoy immersive 4D short films with multi-sensory special effects that include bubbles, wind, scents, and more. Finally, the Nashville Zoo hosts various events that your whole family can enjoy.
10. Relive History At The RCA Studio B
To experience a location that helped shape music history, you should tour the RCA Studio B.
The music recording studio was built in 1957 by RCA Victor and was initially known simply as “RCA Studios” and became known as the “birthplace of Nashville sound.”
The studio tours include behind-the-scene stories of famous recording sessions, exploring instruments that shaped country music, and access to all their exhibits.
The studio was once the recording home of world-renounced music icons such as The Everly Brothers, Chet Atkins, and Elvis Presley.
Now the studio stands as a historical landmark, preserving Nashville’s rich music history.
In addition, RCA Studio B offers a variety of exciting and informative studio tours where your whole family can learn about the studio’s and Nashville’s music history and the impact it has had on the world.
11. Treat Yourself At The Gaylord Opryland Resort
The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, formerly known as the “Opryland Hotel,” features a premier aquatic attraction, state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor garden atriums, various pools, and multiple award-winning restaurants and bars for a fantastic social experience, a golf course, and the world-class Relâche Spa.
The Center also offers many shows and events, such as fountain shows and a Xmas light show during Christmas in Nashville.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is world-renowned for its family-friendly activities, excellent entertainment, luxurious hotel and features, and one-of-a-kind resort experience.
In addition, the convenient location of the hotel makes it the ideal accommodation for tourists and visitors coming to experience some of the most popular events and festivals hosted at some of the most iconic places in Nashville.
12. Experience The Outdoors At The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Calling all nature lovers! The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway is a 950-acre stretch of nature that offers learning experiences about the local landscape.
You can experience various walking, hiking, biking trails, and wildlife watching locations where you can view excellent habitats of birds, amphibians, deer, and more.
The nature center, located in East Nashville, has an expansive stretch of the Cumberland River.
You can explore the vast natural landscape at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway through biking trails by renting a bicycle from the on-site BCycle location in the Center.
The relaxing and peaceful atmosphere at the nature center allows you to explore various wetlands, streams, forests, and fields.
Additionally, you can view artwork and cultural history exhibits featured at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Resort & Greenway.
13. Enjoy Yourself At The Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
The Tootsie Orchid Lounge is full of music history and is a go-to location for all the locals in Nashville.
In a city that offers so many honky tonks, the Tootsie Orchid Lounge had stood out since the days when the Ryman Auditorium hosted the Grand Ole Opry, featuring world-renowned performers including Mel Tellis and Kris Kristofferson.
Performers have taken the stage in hopes of being discovered here since the early 1960s.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge offers excellent entertainment and experiences with live performances, a world-renowned rooftop bar, a unique sky lounge, and a one-of-kind atmosphere you must experience.
In addition, the Tootsie Orchid Lounge is a featured stop on many of Nashville’s best-guided tours.
Tourists worldwide visit Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to enjoy the atmosphere created by performing singers and songwriters.
14. Visit Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
The Nelson Green Brier Distillery has roots dating back to the 1800s in Greenbrier but was revitalized in Nashville in the late 1900s after shutting down during the Prohibition in 1909.
The venue now features a world-renowned distillery, a unique tasting room, and a gift shop where you can buy memorabilia and products to commemorate your experience.
Additionally, many guided tours are offered daily at the Distillery.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery has produced award-winning spirits and unique whiskey from the original family recipe first bottled in 1909.
Additionally, the Distillery offers various new recipes with ingredients such as chocolate, pepper, and many fruity flavors for you to enjoy through their unique and immersive tasting experiences.
In addition, the Distillery has a liquor store on the premises where you can buy their products.
15. Entertain Your Whole Family At The Adventure Science Center
Students, teachers, and families all over the US have enjoyed the Adventure Science Center offered for the past 75 years.
The Center features interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium that hosts laser shows and full-dome films, and fantastic biology, chemistry, space, technology, and medicine activities.
Additionally, the Adventure Science Center has various outdoor activities for your whole family to enjoy.
The Adventure Science Center offers numerous adults-only after-hours events ranging from craft beer tasting festivals to unique cocktail parties.
In addition, your whole family can enjoy the award-winning live science shows and various events hosted at the Center.
The Adventure Science Center has dedicated itself to presenting a fun and interactive way to explore learning, exploration, and science that caters to all age groups.
16. Relax At The Bluebird Café
The best things to do in Nashville include relaxing at the world-renowned Bluebird Café, where artists such as Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift have had defining career moments.
This musical landmark offers unique gifts and memorabilia inspired by music history.
In addition, it hosts multiple live music events performed by well-known music icons and up-and-coming artists, taking the stage in the hopes of being discovered.
The Bluebird Café has multiple listening rooms for music and stories and meeting space for corporate functions that offer WiFi capabilities.
You can enjoy local wines, cocktails, and other beverages at the bar.
In addition, the Café has a restaurant serving unique foods and snacks for you to enjoy. The Café is pet-friendly, and you can bring the whole family to enjoy the experience.
Read next: Best Restaurants in Nashville
17. Explore The Stars At The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is an astronomical observatory that opened in 1953 and now serves to inspire interest in astrology for the public.
In addition, the observatory offers in-person tours of the location, allowing you to explore and gain some knowledge about astrology and the exhibit.
In addition, you can gaze at the stars from the central dome using the Seyfert telescope for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory hosts world-renowned annual events, including the OPERA on the mountain, Bluebird on the Mountain Concert, and LIVE Telescope Night.
The exciting displays of laser and light shows, scholarly discussions with the staff, and thrilling events make it one of the best things to do in Nashville.
Your whole family can enjoy the tours, events, and activities that the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory offers.
18. Express Your Inner Child At The Game Terminal
The Game Terminal has one of the most extensive collections of arcade and pinball machines in the US, featuring over 200 Vintage and new arcade games and pinball machines that will bring out your inner child.
In addition, the terminal has two massive bars for local and unique beverages, two VIP rooms for birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and a variety of local food trucks that appeals to everyone’s taste buds.
The Game Terminal features multiple outdoor activities like Shuffleboard, life-size Jenga, and Ping Pong tables.
In addition, VIP guests can experience private events and an on-site basketball court.
Of course, The best things to do in Nashville include stopping at the Game Terminal to enjoy arcade games and pinball machines that are a collection of game history unlike any other.
19. Meet Up With Your Friends At Pinewood Social
The Pinewood Social offers a unique dining experience and bowling lanes for you to enjoy. In addition, the parking garage provides secure parking for your vehicle while enjoying yourself at one of the many best things to do in Nashville.
The venue offers outdoor fun with a pool, play area, and patio for you to enjoy. In addition, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with various beverages at the kitchen and bar facilities.
The Pinewood Social features wheelchair-friendly facilities, private dining experiences, free WiFi for guests, and various televisions to provide a range of entertainment from sports to music videos.
In addition, you can purchase gift cards to commemorate your experience. The location is a great hangout that provides excellent entertainment such as karaoke, ping-pong tables, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
20. Visit Robert’s Western World
The best thing to do in Nashville is to visit Robert’s Western World for a highly recommended local experience on Broadway.
The location has live bands that play all day and world-renowned performers. In addition, Robert’s Western World hosts several events that draw in thousands of tourists annually.
Finally, the venue features an excellent bar and restaurant for a unique dining and social experience.
Robert’s Western World is Nashville’s undisputed home of country music that features music from world-renowned icons, including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Horton, Little Jimmy Dickens, and many more.
In addition, Nashville’s Scene readers have consistently voted the location as Nashville’s best honky tonk for the special events and shows they host.
21. Explore The Belmont Mansion
The Belmont Mansion, also known as Acklen Hall, is the most prominent house museum in Tennessee and revolves around the life of Adelicia Acklen.
The museum, initially known as the “Belle Monte,” offers education and fun-filled tours for your whole family.
In addition, the Belmont Mansion is a popular Victorian home venue that you can use to host weddings and functions of a wide variety.
The museum is at the Center of the 180-acre estate, featuring an elaborate garden and Zoo. The property was sold in the late 1900s and used for educational functions.
The Building later became Belmont University and was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1971.
The Belmont Mansion now serves as a museum that focuses on preserving and showcasing the location’s rich history.
More Things To Do In Nashville TN
- Visit some of the Music city’s parks, like Centennial Park, Radnor Lake State Park, and Cumberland Park.
- Spot some of the city’s landmarks at Music Row, like radio stations and recording studios.
- Appreciate the rotating visual exhibitions and educational programs at the Frist Art Museum.
- Let the flowers dazzle you at the 55-acre Cheekwood Botanical Garden.
- Go on one of the cruises from General Jackson Showboat.
Final Thoughts On What To Do In Nashville
“Music City” is rich in history that dates back to its root. It is vibrant with life in its streets today, making it a perfect destination for all music enthusiasts.
Nashville features many unique activities, world-renowned events, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that range from home-brewed bourbon tastings to collections of iconic music artifacts and everything in between.
If you want to excite your taste buds, experience musical history like no other, party till the sun comes up, or want to go shopping where celebrity shops, Nashville, Tennessee, should be the first stop on your itinerary.