Nashville carries a reputation that precedes it. Most visitors arrive expecting honky-tonks, neon signs, and the distant strum of a steel guitar echoing down Broadway. While the city delivers that experience in spades, reducing Music City to a single street does a disservice to one of the most culturally rich destinations in the American South.
The modern reality of Nashville is a study in contrasts. It is a place where century-old brick warehouses now house artisanal coffee roasters, and where the legacy of country music royalty intersects with a thriving contemporary arts scene. The energy here is infectious, driven by a local population that is as proud of its hot chicken as it is of its songwriting.
For first-time visitors, the sheer volume of options can feel overwhelming. The city has experienced a tourism boom, resulting in a dense concentration of museums, parks, historic landmarks, and culinary institutions. To truly appreciate Nashville, one must be willing to look past the obvious and explore the nuances of its distinct neighborhoods.
This guide is curated for the traveler who wants depth without sacrificing the fun. We have moved beyond the tourist traps to highlight the attractions that offer genuine cultural context, historical significance, and pure entertainment value. Whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or a music aficionado, there is a version of Nashville waiting to meet you.
Understanding the layout of the city is key to a successful trip. While downtown offers immediate gratification, neighborhoods like East Nashville, Germantown, and The Gulch provide a more local perspective. Planning your itinerary around these pockets will save you time and reveal the city’s authentic character.
Below is a comprehensive look at the 16 best attractions Nashville has to offer. These selections represent the perfect starting point for building a memorable itinerary that goes beyond the surface level of this dynamic capital.
The Parthenon
| Address | 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 12:30 – 4:30 PM |
| Phone | (615) 862-8431 |
Beautiful, inside and out. The museum is fascinating itself but we like coming and just walking around the outside of it, looking at the lawn and the city behind it. It’s such an awesome feature of our city, it’s good to go here and appreciate it a few times per year. Weekends are obviously busier than weekdays but it’s never super overcrowded in my experience unless there’s a festival or something.
The Parthenon in Nashville is still worth visiting even if the inside is temporarily closed. I only visited the outside of the building, but it was still impressive and valuable to see. The scale, columns, and classical design make it feel special, and it is a great place for photos, walking, and enjoying Centennial Park.
Pros: beautiful architecture, great photo spot, peaceful park setting, and meaningful even from outside.
Cons: if the building is closed, you miss the indoor exhibits and statue, so the visit becomes shorter.
Tip: Check the opening hours before going, but even if it is closed, walking around the outside is still a good experience.
Great place to just walk around and see the diversity of the area. During a week visit I walked here for an hour or two each night and was never bothered by anyone. Plenty of people walking dogs, eating meals, playing sports, and just hanging out with one another. More cities need parks like this. Big, open, flat spaces where people can be with one another.
The Parthenon is a small museum but worth it for the price. Tickets are $15 but they offer a student discount. The entire museum is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator that takes you to the second floor where the statue is. The park is very walkable, but be warned there is a disgusting amount of dog poop along the paths. The paths directly outside of the Parthenon seem to have avoided this fate.
This was a really cool stop. The building is way bigger than I anticipated it to be. There’s is self guided tour with audio available via QR code on the sidewalk near the corner of the front of the building which is filled with all kinds of interesting facts about the recreated Parthenon architecture. The park around it is huge and there is some additional things to see like a women’s suffrage monument and some tree art. Inside is a museum if you want to go in and there is plenty of parking.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
| Address | 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 416-2001 |
Spending a full day at the Country Music Hall of Fame was an unforgettable experience. It’s an incredible tribute to the history and legends of country music, spanning multiple floors filled with rich history, iconic instruments, and immersive exhibits. The guitar wall display was a major highlight! The staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful throughout the museum. Plus, the full gift shop has something for everyone—perfect for picking up gifts for friends and family back home. A must-visit when in Nashville!
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was one of our favorite stops in Nashville!
We expected to spend a couple of hours there, but easily could have stayed all day. Every exhibit was beautifully done, and there was something for everyone.
My girls had the best time. One of my favorite memories was watching them sing in the Taylor Swift Education Center's recording studio and create songs at the songwriting station. It was so interactive and such a fun experience for kids.
The Dolly Parton exhibit was incredible, and seeing Elvis's gold Cadillac, the walls of gold records, and so many legendary pieces of country music history was amazing. I especially loved learning more about Dolly's Imagination Library (our youngest kids have benefited immensely from it) and the impact she's had beyond music.
The biggest surprise? Even my teenage metalhead daughter had an absolute blast! That says a lot about how engaging this museum is.
Whether you're a lifelong country music fan or just visiting Nashville, don't skip this place. It was worth every penny and created memories our family will never forget.
If you are a music aficionado at all, regardless of what genre, this is a must visit at some point. The museum is located downtown and is absolutely amazing. So much history can be found through the different exhibits and how much influence Country Music has had on the development of different sounds and genres. The timelines that you follow show the evolution of Country from the earliest days until the present. Each exhibition is thoughtfully curated and the items and artifacts on display are amazing. As an additional excursion, the Hatch Show Print is a wonderful example of how advertising was (and still is) done to drum up interest for shows. The Hall also has revolving exhibitions that highlight artists and continue to makd the experience fresh and engaging. Highly recommended if you are Nashville!
Wear good shoes! Cool history of country. Except to be here about 2 hours to walk and read. You can buy tickets there. Waiting for the elevator, they control, is a few minutes. Not many seat benches, so if you need a break often, good luck. They have little movie shows that have seats, so you have a few options, but not many. My back hurt at the end of the tour!
visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum today and honestly had a great experience. The museum is very well organized and packed with amazing history about country music, from the classic legends to today’s biggest artists. Even if you’re not a huge country music fan, it’s still 100% worth visiting because the exhibits, instruments, outfits, cars, and original memorabilia are incredible.
I really liked how they show the evolution of country music and Nashville’s culture throughout the years. You can easily spend a few hours there without getting bored. The building itself is beautiful and very well maintained too.
The only thing is that there’s so much to see, so I definitely recommend going with enough time to enjoy everything properly. Overall, it’s a must-visit spot if you’re in Nashville!
NashTrash Tours
| Address | 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | (615) 226-7300 |
If you're visiting Nashville, this tour is an absolute must! Everyone needs a good laugh, and this experience delivers from start to finish. Brenda was hilarious, full of energy, and had the perfect mix of entertaining stories and adult humor. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip. This is the one tour I would gladly do again the next time we're in Nashville. Thanks for an unforgettable time! Highly recommend!
I have taken this tour with the original ladies many times and thoroughly loved the whole experience as a part time resident living in Brentwood half the year I always take visiting guests on this without doubt the best tour in Nashville, yesterday I took my visiting family on the 11.00am Tour with the relative newcomer Jenny, she was fantastic with an amazing ability to seamlessly continue to iconic pink bus tour, great knowledge, truly a funny person who can sing, what a beautiful voice she has. When in Nashville get on the funniest tour around with the magnificent Nashtrash Ladies.
Thank you for never letting me down.
Diane & Grenville
Taking this tour should be the requirement for getting off the airplane here in Memphis! This tour was super fun, super informative, and super sad that it had to end! Jenny was all around awesome to have as a guide around this wonderful city!!! Kudos to these Trashy ladies 😁
The Nash Trash Tour was so fun. Brenda K Jung was hilariously funny with comedy jokes the entire 2 hours. This is definitely the best tour and you can see why she has been running the tour for 30 years. If you like trash jokes and laughing for a couple hours you will be impressed.
Great two hour tour of Nashville highlights. Gives you a good basic tour of the downtown and some nice neighborhoods. Fun host with great sense of humor.
Frist Art Museum
| Address | 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Sunday: 1:00 – 5:30 PM |
| Phone | (615) 244-3340 |
As an art lover, this place definitely did not disappoint! While it’s not the largest museum I’ve ever visited, the collection is fantastic and the staff made the experience even better. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and truly enthusiastic about sharing insights on the exhibits. The colorful string installation right at the entrance was stunning, and I really enjoyed the modern abstract pieces. Well worth a visit!
I enjoyed my wander through the building and the art! Happened upon the Surrealist Art exhibit docent tour, saw THE Picasso and walked through the family + interactive area. The reclaimed building is beautifully detailed and still an active Post Office. A really nice hour + art absorption experience! Walkable from the Broadway and Convention Center strips.
We have been very fortunate to have enjoyed the Frist for many years as members. Amazing curators provide a wide range of regional, national, and internationally recognized programming and exhibits. We love the knowledgable docents, great rotating activities at ArtQuest upstairs, and the addition of the Grilled Cheeserie—all in a beautifully preserved historic building. Now if they can just figure out parking - the clunky system in use creates quite a bottleneck on busy days.
A wonderful regional museum with an incredible architecture art deco former post office to how is it. Why they don't have a permanent collection they have regularly rotating shows that we drive in from Knoxville to see often. When you are in Nashville this museum is well worth a visit.
We went to the Impressionists exhibit on loan from a Texas gallery. It was excellent and a once in my life opportunity to see works by masters. Go see it! You will not be disappointed. The Frist staff is wonderful too. Polite, helpful and so knowledgeable about art. I will.probably go again.
Nashville Public Square Park
| Address | Union St & 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 5:05 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 743-3090 |
Public Square Park is Nashville Public Square Park is a beautiful and peaceful green space in the heart of downtown Nashville. The park offers a relaxing atmosphere with open areas, walking paths, and great views of the surrounding city buildings. It’s a nice place to take a break, enjoy the outdoors, have lunch, or simply sit and relax while exploring downtown. A clean, welcoming, and historic spot that is worth visiting!
Truly enjoyed being experiencing Babyface in the park. What a beautiful time!
This place was amazing we had a vlast
Very nice public park. Easy walking distance from Broadway, the Tennessee State Capitol and the riverfront.
21 and over fun place, walk around, first date, yeah do it and pay attention to his eyes and the options he has about what's going on, I dare you🥰😇🤣
Take good care of yourself and have fun, life is too short not to🥰😇🤠
Centennial Park
| Address | 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 6:44 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 862-8400 |
An interesting surprise right in the heart of Nashville. We visited on a weekday and didn't have a wait to get in. The building is an exact replica of the Parthenon in Greece, and the story of how it came to be is very interesting. The 40 foot tall Athena was amazing! We were able to tour both inside and out in a few hours. They offered military and senior discounts. Staff was friendly and we enjoyed our visit. Nice gift shop, too. The park was peaceful and large, and people had their dogs with them. Very enjoyable after our Parthenon tour.
My fiancé and I took a stroll through Centennial Park to check out the different monuments and see the Parthenon, and it really is such a gorgeous spot to walk around. The Parthenon building itself is stunning and makes for some beautiful photos, even on a cloudy day.
Just a heads up, the Parthenon is currently closed until June 28th.
The only downside was that there was unfortunately quite a bit of trash around the park and in the water, which was disappointing to see in such a beautiful area. Overall though, it was still a lovely place to explore while in Nashville!
Such an iconic city park. It has paved trails for running, walking, biking, strollers, etc, ponds to bird watch next to, beautiful lawns for games, picnics, sunbathing, etc. As well as the centerpiece, the Parthenon which is beautiful and incredible. There is also a pretty cool playground for the kids and plenty of benches, picnic tables, and seats for relaxing.
Here’s a polished version of your Google review that keeps your honest experience while making it easy to read:
We were so excited to visit Centennial Park and especially to tour the Parthenon. Unfortunately, we arrived to find that the museum was closed from April through June for the installation of a new air-conditioning system, something we weren’t aware of before our visit. While we could still walk around the outside, it was disappointing not to experience the interior.
What was even more disappointing was the condition of the grounds. For such an incredible and iconic replica that draws so many visitors to Nashville, I expected it to be much better maintained. The building itself is beautiful, but the surrounding area felt neglected.
There were multiple homeless individuals living around the exterior of the structure, with bedding, food containers, and areas that smelled strongly of urine along pathways where tourists were walking. It made it difficult to fully enjoy or appreciate the experience.
We did enjoy walking through the park and seeing the various statues and monuments, which were very interesting. It was an extremely hot day, and I would have loved to spend more time exploring, but the condition of the grounds left us feeling disappointed.
I truly hope the city invests more in maintaining this landmark because it has the potential to be an amazing attraction worthy of its reputation.
Personally, I love this place. The surrounding grounds are always so well maintained and the paths clean and cleared of debris. Unfortunately, on our most recent trip here the Parthenon was closed for renovations, but Im sure in the end that will all be a net positive and the place will be even BETTER than ever.
Johnny Cash Museum
| Address | Lower Level, 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 256-1777 |
I grew up listening to Johhny Cash and this place was such a heartwarming place to visit. Pictures can't tell the story enough and I don't know what words to type to express my joy at being able to visit this museum. I will always remember my visit. Go here, you won't regret it
Just amazing!
Can't say anything more.
The ending made me cry.. when he sang Hurt, I couldn't hold it. What a man. A true legend. And the tribute and respect he paid for his late wife June Carter.. was just beautiful 🥹🥹🥹❤️
Once in a lifetime experience. A must see in Nashville! All the information you'd ever want about Johnny Cash's whole life.
Disabled accessible. Plenty of room to move around. Staff are the kindest, friendly people.
This restaurant was great!! It's called House of Cards and it's under the Johnnie Cash Museum. They have a fun piano without a person playing it and you can go up to it and request a song. Also, they have magic tricks during and after dinner and they were really good! It's an upscale place with a lux atmosphere and they do enforce the dress code. Someone proposed at the table next to us. It was a really fun night.
We really enjoyed the Johnny Cash Museum. It offered excellent history and really well-done displays that made his story come alive. It wasn’t too crowded, which made it easy to take everything in at our own pace. The gift shop also had a lot of great items. Overall, a great experience for anyone who loves music history.
Grand Ole Opry
| Address | 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
I’ve visited Nashville several times over the past two years, and the Grand Ole Opry has become one of my favorite places to experience live music. If you appreciate great performances and the rich history of country music, this is a must-visit.
The atmosphere is incredible, and knowing you’re sitting in such a historic venue makes every performance even more special. The lineup is always entertaining, with a mix of legendary artists and up-and-coming talent. Whether it’s your first trip to Nashville or your tenth, the Grand Ole Opry is an experience that never gets old. I look forward to coming back every time I’m in town!
First time going there and was much more intement then expected. I felt like the musicians were actually talking to me. I went for Darius Rucker and I loved every moment. Depending on the show, you will have a variety of upcoming singers, past singers, comedian, and a good variety. I would recommend to go watch anything in here at least once. I truly loved the experience.
Booked a show the day of and was there sitting watching some amazing up-and-coming country stars from the US and Australia - great environment and performances. I paid for parking in advanced and when I drove in looking for that paricular lot I wS directed to another lot with QR parking signs and told I needed to pay again, ended up parking in the general parking lot and walking to the show.
Besides parking service add-on with no clear direction on where to actually park through AXS, flawless and wonderful experience!
Caught up with family that I hadn't seen in fifteen years and enjoyed a spectacular show on a Monday night here at our first ever Grand Ole Opry experience! Thank you to all of the performers who did not disappoint us, and to the staff who went out of their way to be professional, friendly, and over and above respectful. I wouldn't have expected anything less!
I will definitely cherish this moment and come back again and again for more cherished memories to be made!
Country music lives on and always will!
I had the most memorable experience. Just being there was an amazing feeling. Learning the history of the circle. How many famous people perform there..this is a definite place to go to in Nashville. I regret not booking the tour. I know when I go back again I definitely will. When I booked my trip one month in advance all I spoke about was going to the Opry. The performers were absolutely amazing.
Wasioto Park
| Address | 592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (615) 862-8400 |
We went to Jazz in the park on Father’s Day and had a great time on the Cumberland River. The performance was wonderful by the artist that was playing. My husband and I will attend again if time permits.
Wasioto Park is a beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors. The park has a relaxing atmosphere, open spaces, and a great environment for walking, spending time with family, or simply enjoying nature. It’s a nice spot to take a break from the busy city, enjoy fresh air, and appreciate the surroundings. A wonderful local park and a great place to visit!
Jazz on the Cumberland always a great time to just sit out and chill with Nashville. The park is right off the river next to Shelby walking bridge. Atmosphere is friendly.
🌹 💋 😘
This park was a vibe. And not in the best way. In full transparency, we walked over from downtown in the middle of a weekday with our three kids. It looked and felt post-apocalyptic. The park was unkempt. The signage was worn down. Lots of homeless people sleeping throughout. The splash pad was off. Maybe it’s more vibrant in the evening or weekends? Maybe they have scheduled events that draw more people over? I’m not sure. The only other draw to that side is the Nissan stadium. No shops or restaurants nearby, so I get there isn’t a lot of foot traffic to that side of the river. It was just eerie. Felt like COVID times over there.
Enjoyed the CMA Fest. We were mislead with or tickets. Not worth buying the arm band. The seating was horrible and we had to go into general admission to even see the acts.
"Musica" Statue
| Address | Roundabout Plaza, 1600 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
The “Musica” Statue is a stunning and unique piece of art that captures energy, movement, and creativity. The large bronze sculpture is impressive to see in person and makes a perfect photo spot. The detailed design and powerful expression of music and celebration make it a memorable landmark in Nashville. A beautiful attraction that represents the city’s love for art, culture, and music!
Really cool statue! I recommend not driving whist trying to view or take pictures. We took the golf cart tour and went past it a couple of times from different angles.
Extravagant statue at a random roundabout! Not sure what’s so distracting about it…
No stop to Nashville would be complete without checking out the history of Music Row and all the studios where magic was/is made. This part of town seems safe for hiking and taking in the sights by foot or scooter.
Just another reason not to go down this street. I go to Vanderbilt atleast once or twice a month I refuse to support this statue and what it stands for. Please do away with roundabouts put you whoop tee doos on the side of the street.
Adventure Science Center
| Address | 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 862-5160 |
We enjoyed the museum and learned a lot. Three levels makes the place extra special. The museum could use a refresh of it's exhibits, but the overall visit was enjoyed by children. Next time we'll take in a movie the the planetarium.
We had so much fun here today! Three levels, tons to do and see! Worth the money for admission.
*If you have WIC or food stamps, you can get discounted admission 🎟️*
My daughter loved the slides, dinosaurs, the Solar System displays and all of the interactive things to do. Staff were helpful and incredible. 10/10
We cannot wait to go back.
Very cool experience with the kiddos during this hot Summer day. Was a little pricey, but there were a lot of activities for the kids, which is what we love most. The planetarium was awesome! If we were locals we would recommend getting a membership to go frequently and save some money. It would be a go-to for us!
I went to the Adventure Science Center for an after-hours event a few days ago and absolutely loved it! The Adventure Science Center and the event that they hosted completely exceeded my expectations. It was so fun to walk around, and I loved the different ways the exhibits are so interactive and engaging. So much fun! I especially loved the laser show at the planetarium! It was my favorite part of the night. I highly recommend Adventure Science Center, and I can’t wait to visit again soon!
LOVED IT! Haven't Been Since i Was a Kid And Wanted To Get The FULL EXPERIENCE. i Went For My Birthday And My GF Paid For Both Of Us. My Favorite Part Of The Whole Thing Was The Planetarium!! It Was AWESOME !!! Would Definitely Be Going Back Soon. Would Love If They Did An Upgrade But Overall It Was Fine And FUN
Riverfront Park
| Address | 100 1st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
Riverfront Park in Nashville is an absolutely amazing spot for watching fireworks. The atmosphere feels electric, with families, friends, and visitors all gathered along the riverfront enjoying the beautiful skyline. The reflections of the fireworks over the water make the whole experience even more magical. The park is spacious, clean, and perfectly located, giving you a clear, wide view of the show. It’s one of those places where the energy of the crowd and the beauty of the city come together to create a truly unforgettable night.
If you ever plan to watch fireworks in Nashville, Riverfront Park is definitely the place to be.
Riverfront park was very clean and well maintained. There were many people running and walking. There are lots of green spaces for people to sit, exercise, or have a meal. It is very close to downtown and the walking bridge.
Although it was very nice during the day I don't think it would provide the same setting going into the night hours due to the very high unhoused population of people. I also think they should have more shade options available
Riverfront Park in Nashville is a beautiful place to enjoy the city’s waterfront and vibrant atmosphere. The park offers amazing views of the Cumberland River, open spaces to relax, and a great location near downtown attractions. It’s perfect for walking, taking photos, enjoying live events, or spending time with family and friends. The combination of river views, city energy, and peaceful outdoor areas makes it a wonderful place to visit in Nashville!
A little messy....no free parking, construction....tons of people in the center area....cool downtown transportation though. The Park looks great for concerts and they have 1st responders close by....at least for the summer heat. Great view of Titans' Stadium
Wine On The River, beautiful day, great music. We ended up at a beer booth, lol. Some people appreciated the beer, some not so much. We almost made it through all the beer. IPA and White Ale were left when we finished at 6:45 pm. The cherry lime was a fan favorite. Which was interesting 🤔. I tried the Thai food truck, Rollin' Thai 😋 the drunken noodles were delicious 🤤. I ordered a level 2, perfect! Check them out when you get a chance. They know what they are doing.
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
| Address | 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (615) 356-0501 |
Very cool experience at the Mansion. The tour was great, our guide was super knowledgeable and we could tell she enjoyed her job. Walking around the property after the tour was nice as well, to experience more of the history. There is a winery, and depending on tour you can get a complimentary tasting! That portion of the property was super cute. Obviously newer, but keeping with the timeframe of the rest of the property had a rustic feel. The wine was decent. They have some very sweet wines, but also dry reds. The girl giving the tasting was nice, but you could tell she gives the same speech all day every day. Overall very nice experience!
I booked this last minute as my flight was leaving later in the evening. What can I say? This was a top 3 of the things I did in Nashville. If you don’t do this tour, you are crazy. Our guide, I think Elana, was very good at her job. She knew answers to all the questions and was knowledgeable. The mansion tour itself was worth the money but to be able to walk the grounds at your leisure and not have a time limit is pretty cool. There’s also a wine sampling at the end where you get to try four wines. You do have the option to buy them and they will even ship them to your home state. There is a little cafe that has good food, an ice cream shoppe and live music. This was an A+ place. Gift shop as well as a bar with a buffet too.
If you like history, horses, gifts shops, food, wine, and/or bourbon this place has it all. It's a beautiful 30acre Plantation with very knowledgeable tour guides. We only did the mansion tour with the complimentary wine tasting after and it was beautiful. Pictures were not allowed inside unfortunately. The wines for the tasting were mostly on the sweeter side so perfect for me. After we were able to explore as much of the grounds as we wanted. Each building has its own history plaque. Thank you for sharing this history and for a great experience!
I've had the privilege of photographing a few surprise proposals and engagement sessions at Belle Meade, it holds such a special place in my heart! The grounds are absolutely stunning in every season, creating the perfect backdrop for some of life's biggest moments. The staff is kind and welcoming, and it's hard to beat celebrating with a glass of wine afterward!
We took the Journey to Jubilee tour and learned so much about Belle Meade from the perspective of the enslaved residents as recounted from oral histories, and the scarce records they’ve been able to find. Our tour guide, Keegan, was very informative and had a great story-telling quality to the narrative. I’d definitely recommend this tour.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
| Address | Nashville, TN 37201 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
Beautiful place to visit. You get a spectacular view of Nashville. It is quite convenient to get to. You will not regret walking across the bridge. Just be mindful it does have places where you have to walk up several inclines so just pace yourself if you need to take time but the climb is worth it.
This pedestrian bridge offers great views of Nashville skyline, Nissan Stadium, Cumberland River, and Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge. It's a short distance to Broadway and all dowtown attractions.
I found parking in Lot R of stadium on east side of river to be convenient and safe during the day. I did not have to pay to park on a Monday morning.
I’m glad I walked the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge while visiting Nashville because the views of the city skyline are absolutely beautiful, and I got some amazing pictures. It’s definitely a unique way to see Nashville from a different perspective.
That being said, I was a little disappointed by the condition of the bridge and surrounding area. There was quite a bit of trash, and I encountered several individuals who appeared to be sleeping or lingering on the bridge, including a few who seemed significantly impaired. As a woman traveling alone, it did make me uncomfortable and more aware of my surroundings.
No one bothered or approached me, and I continued across, took my pictures, enjoyed the view, and I’m ultimately really glad I did it. I just think the cleanliness and overall environment could be better maintained, and I wanted to mention my experience specifically for other solo travelers who may be considering walking it alone.
Beautiful views and absolutely worth seeing, but just be aware of your surroundings—especially if you’re visiting solo.
Nice place for a stroll. Nearby all the main hotels in the downtown neighborhood as well as Honky Tonky Highway. Beautiful at sunset. There are some homeless in one end of the bridge and it's smelly but overall, it's great to check it out if you are in town.
The John Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge is a good bridge to take to the downtown Nashville area. It offers beautiful views of Nashville and the Titans stadium. Be careful not to disturb the homeless population on the south side (they do kot bother you, just beware). Overall it's beautiful.
Honky Tonk Highway
| Address | 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Phone | (800) 657-6910 |
Vibrant stretch of walking. It's the center of the town where all the clubs are. It's a walking distance from all the major hotels in downtown. The only down side is homeless. There are quite a few that you should be aware of. In general though, it's still pretty safe and fund to walk around.
Honky Tonk Highway in Nashville, Tennessee is an incredible place full of live music, energy, and unforgettable experiences. The streets are filled with talented musicians, exciting performances, and the true spirit of Nashville’s country music culture. The vibrant atmosphere, historic venues, and friendly crowds make it a must-visit destination for music lovers. Whether you enjoy country music, nightlife, or simply exploring the city, Honky Tonk Highway offers a memorable Nashville experience!
Semi interesting to walk this street during the day. Made for good pics, but unless you are a bar person, there's nowhere to stop into. The State Capitol was far better as well the rest of downtown
Preds had a game tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
After it let out, Broadway got loud—real loud. Bit of that edge in the air too, folks fired up, some still carrying the game with ’em.
Weeknight or not, felt like spring break out there—crowds everywhere.
Still, that’s Nashville. You walk a block and hear rock, country, bluegrass all spilling out into the street. Hard not to have a good time.
Came for the boots and music, left with so much more!
Weekdays are much better when it comes to foot traffic. I also recommend leaving your car at the hotel and take Uber or Lyft instead. It's cheaper and safer.
You'll spend at least $40 on parking and depending on the day you go, there might not be any parking available. Plus, Broadway street might be closed.
I also recommend Kid Rock's Honky Tonk, Luke's and Posty's!
Bought our boots from Boot Country 👢
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
| Address | 600 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | (888) 867-2757 |
A nice place to walk with a great view of the Tennessee State Capitol
While driving through Nashville, we noticed the large grassy park directly in front of and down the hill from the Tennessee State Capitol and decided to stop and walk around. The park is a long open area that stretches downhill from the Capitol and provides a nice break from the buildings and traffic of downtown Nashville. There is parking along the sides of the park, although there was some construction taking place in parts of the area during our visit. We parked near the World War II Memorial, which I thought was very well done and a fitting tribute to those who served. From there, we walked through some of the large grassy areas and looked at the different memorials and features throughout the park. One thing I would strongly recommend is walking all the way to the lower end of the park and turning around to look back toward the Tennessee State Capitol. From there you get a very nice view looking up the hill toward the Capitol building with the park stretching out in front of you. In my opinion, it was one of the best reasons to stop and walk around rather than simply viewing the park from the car. There is plenty of open grassy space, and the various memorials give you several things to see as you walk through the area. Overall, this was a very nice unexpected stop while we were driving through Nashville. If you are visiting the Tennessee State Capitol or are already in the downtown area, I would definitely recommend taking some extra time to walk through the park, see the memorials, and especially enjoy the view from the bottom looking back toward the Capitol. Enjoy!
Bicentennial Capitol Mall is one of the best places in Nashville to take the long view. It lays out the breadth of Tennessee history clearly, and it rewards anyone willing to slow down and read each section instead of just walking past it.
The carillon is worth the stop on its own. Stand between the three state stars and the echo comes back in a way that is oddly dramatic, almost theatrical — echo, echo, echo.
Great place to grab some food in the Farmers Market then walk it off around the park. Be sure to check out the bells at the top of the hour!!
Very relaxing beautiful park to relax while visiting the State Capitol, the TN State Museum, and the Farmer's Market. Plenty of parking.
We rang in 2025 here and it was easily the highlight of our trip.
The annual NYE celebration is top-tier. Seeing the iconic Music Note Drop with the Nashville skyline and the State Capitol in the background is something everyone should experience at least once. Despite the massive crowds for the "Big Bash," the park felt well-organized, and the energy from the live music was electric. It’s the perfect open space for a celebration of this scale.
We will be back for 2026! If you’re looking for the heart of the party in Nashville, this is it.
Tips for Visiting Nashville
Navigating Nashville requires a bit of strategy, especially during peak seasons and major events. The city’s infrastructure is constantly evolving to keep up with demand, but visitors can still face long lines, traffic congestion, and sold-out venues. Knowing how to move through the city like a local will dramatically improve the quality of your trip and help you avoid common logistical headaches.
- Embrace the Early Hours: Downtown Nashville, particularly Lower Broadway, is a late-night destination. If you want to experience the honky-tonks without the crush of the evening crowd, visit between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The music starts early, the bars are less crowded, and you can actually hear the musicians play.
- Book Trolley or Walking Tours in Advance: Historical tours and distillery experiences fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Booking your tickets online before you arrive ensures you get a spot and often secures a slightly better rate than walk-up pricing.
- Look Beyond Broadway for Live Music: While Broadway is iconic, the sound quality and songwriting talent in venues located in Midtown or East Nashville are often superior. Check the calendars for venues like The Listening Room or Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge for a more intimate, authentic show.
- Utilize Ride-Sharing and the WeGo Bus: Parking downtown is expensive and scarce. Designate a driver or plan to use ride-sharing apps. For a budget-friendly option, the WeGo Public Transit system connects the airport, downtown, and many popular neighborhoods without the hassle of parking garages.
- Make Reservations for Hot Chicken and Brunch: Nashville’s food scene is nationally recognized, and the best restaurants book out days or weeks in advance. If you have your heart set on a specific hot chicken joint or a trendy brunch spot, secure a reservation the moment your travel dates are confirmed.
- Respect the Pedal Taverns: You will see large, slow-moving pedal vehicles on the streets. They are a staple of Nashville tourism, but they can slow down traffic. Give them space, and if you plan to ride one, book ahead and wear comfortable shoes.
Nashville is a city that rewards curiosity. While the bright lights of Broadway provide the soundtrack, the quieter moments found in the city’s parks, museums, and neighborhood diners offer the substance. It is a place where you can hear a world-class songwriter perform in a room of fifty people one moment and eat the best fried chicken of your life the next.
As you plan your visit, leave room for spontaneity. Some of the best memories in Music City are made by walking into an unassuming bar because you heard a voice spilling out onto the sidewalk. Come for the music, stay for the hospitality, and you will understand why so many people are choosing to put down roots in this vibrant Tennessee capital.
