Nashville is the capital of the state of Tennessee and sits along the banks of the Cumberland River.
The city was founded in 1779 and named after an American Revolutionary War hero called Francis Nash.
Nashville was first labelled ‘Music City’ over fifty years ago, and the city still firmly holds its ground as the place to be for live country music.
It’s exciting musical history and Nashville sounds can been seen and felt throughout the city.
Home of country music as you go around the city you will notice all the exciting music venues.
The atmosphere and weather is perfect for staying out and enjoying all that it has to offer year round.
For foodies there’s Nashville’s original hot chicken to savour.
With so much rich history, musical heritage and southern hospitality, it is not hard to understand why people come from all over to visit.
1. Country Music Hall of Fame
One of the best things to do in Nashville is a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sitting in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame adds a strikingly modern touch to the Nashville skyline.
The tall windows of this striking building cleverly resemble the keys of a piano.
The Country Music Hall’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music, has visitors immersed in the history and sounds of country music.
Other highlights include a Cadillac that belonged to Elvis Presley.
This world famous collection includes more than eight hundred stage costumes, over six hundred instruments, and thousands of other interesting objects from microphones to automobiles.
The Photograph Collection contains over 500,000 images related to the history of country music, from the 1920s to the present.
There’s so much to explore at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, from live music and interviews to educational family programs, a must visit for music lovers.
Address: Country Music Hall of Fame, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
2. Nashville Zoo
The Nashville Zoo opened in 1991 and is home to over 2,400 animals.
The zoo features many exhibits, including the African Savannah, the Amazonia Rainforest, and the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute.
Nashville Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The AZA is a nonprofit organization that sets standards for zoos and aquariums. Nashville Zoo meets or exceeds all AZA standards for animal care and welfare, education, conservation, and research.
Address: Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
3. Adventure Science Center
Since 1945 the Adventure Science Centre in the ‘Music City’ has been inspiring people to become involved in the sciences.
The Adventure Science Center is located in Wedgewood-Houston, minutes from downtown Nashville.
Visitors can explore 44,000 square feet and over 175 exciting hands-on science exhibits.
Experience activities revealing the wonders of biology, physics, chemistry, medicine, space, earth science, technology, and more.
To explore Nashville with kids there is also a state-of-the-art planetarium offering spectacular views of the stars, with laser shows, and amazing films for children and adults.
With opening times of Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays at 10am to 3pm, and Fridays and Saturdays at 10am to 6pm.
The Adventure Science Center is dedicated to creating learning experiences that help to open minds to the wonders of science.
Address: Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203
4. Music City, Old Town Nashville Hop On and Hop Off Tour
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to see the best of Nashville, then the Old Town Nashville Hop On and Hop Off Tour is perfect for you!
This tour takes you through the heart of Music City, past some of its most iconic landmarks and historic sites.
You’ll start your tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where you can learn all about the history of this genre of music.
From there, you’ll head to the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry. You’ll also see locations like the Honky Tonk Highway, Printers Alley, and Broadway.
This tour is a great way to get an overview of Nashville’s rich history and culture. And since it’s a hop on and off tour, you can disembark at any of the stops to explore further on your own.
5. Grand Ole Opry House
The Grand Ole Opry has been hosting live country music performances since 1925.
Over the years, the Opry has become synonymous with country music and is considered by many to be the most important stage in the genre.
The venue has seen some of the biggest names in country music grace its stage, including Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire.
The Opry is also known for its longstanding tradition of showcasing up-and-coming talent, giving many artists their first big break.
The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show called the WSM Barn Dance in 1925. The show was created to showcase the talent of local musicians and to help promote the WSM radio station.
The show quickly became popular, and in 1927, it moved to a larger venue, the Grand Ole Opry House. In 1939, the Opry moved again, this time to the Ryman Auditorium, where it would stay for the next 30 years.
The Grand Ole Opry has remained an important part of country music for over 90 years. The venue is known for its intimate setting and supportive audience, which often sing along to the performers.
The Opry is also broadcast live on radio, making it one of the longest-running radio programs in history.
The Grand Ole Opry is more than just a country music venue; it is considered an American institution.
The Opry has been a source of inspiration for many artists and has helped to shape the sound of country music over the years.
The venue is also a symbol of the close-knit community that is at the heart of country music. The Opry is a place where musicians can come together to celebrate their shared love of the genre and to connect with fans from all over the world.
Address: Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
6. Belle Meade Plantation
The Belle Meade Plantation is steeped in history and a tour when in Nashville is both enjoyable and educational.
Belle Meade comes alive as period dressed guides lead guests through the mansion.
They tell the exceptional and intimate stories of the various people that created the Belle Meade Plantation.
Visitors are also able to view other buildings and areas, such as the dairy, plantation stables, carriage house and gardens.
Located about 8 miles south-west of downtown Nashville, Belle Meade Plantation is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: Belle Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205
7. Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a large urban park located approximately two miles west of downtown Nashville.
The 132-acre park features the iconic Parthenon, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center and for nature lovers a beautiful sunken garden and a one-mile walking trail.
The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Athenian building and statue found in Greece.
It features a 42 foot high statue of Athena and is the main focus of this incredible sight.
Have a picnic or take a stroll around this massive structure and admire it’s amazing architecture.
Nashville’s Art Museum also lies inside the Parthenon, although it does require a fee.
Address: Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
8. Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the late country music legend.
The museum houses a collection of memorabilia, artifacts, and personal belongings that belonged to Cash, as well as interactive exhibits that tell the story of his life and career.
Visitors to the museum can see Cash’s stage costumes, guitars, and other musical instruments, as well as personal items such as his passport and family photos.
The museum also features a replica of Cash’s childhood home and a recording studio where visitors can record their own version of one of his songs.
Address: Johnny Cash Museum, 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
9. Frist Art Museum
The Frist Art Museum is a nonprofit art museum in Nashville. The museum features both permanent and traveling exhibitions, educational programming, and an extensive research library.
Founded in 2001, the Frist Art Museum is housed in a renovated 1930s art deco post office building.
The museum was initially created to serve as a venue for traveling exhibitions that would rotate every six weeks. However, due to popular demand, the museum began to develop its own permanent collection and now has over 24,000 square feet (2,200 m2) of exhibition space.
The Frist Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.
It is also a founding member of the Southeastern Museums Conference.
The museum’s collections include paintings, sculptures, photographs, works on paper, and mixed media from the Renaissance to the present day.
The Frist Art Museum also has an extensive research library with over 35,000 volumes, including periodicals and auction catalogs.
Address: Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
10. Music Row
Music Row is a historic district located southwest of downtown Nashville in the music city.
Home to record label offices, radio stations and recording studios, Music Row is at the heart of Nashville’s country music industry.
The iconic Historic RCA Studio B, where legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded hits, is open for a guided tour.
In Music Row there are also a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Address: Music Row, 16th/17th Ave. South – Division Street and Music Square, Nashville, TN, 37203
11. Tennessee State Museum
One of the best things to do in Nashville to understand and enjoy the history of Tennessee.
The Tennessee State Museum is a large museum in Nashville depicting the history of the U.S. state of Tennessee.
The current facility opened on October 4, 2018, at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard.
The 137,000-square-foot building includes a Tennessee Time Tunnel chronicling the state’s history, a hands-on children’s gallery, six rotating galleries, a digital learning centre, and a two-story Grand Hall.
Exhibitions include significant artefacts related to the state’s history, along with displays of art, furniture, textiles and photographs.
Address: Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
12. Gaylord Opryland Resort
Situated in the heart of Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a world-renowned hotel and convention center.
The resort features over 2,800 guest rooms and suites, as well as nine acres of indoor gardens with fountains, walking paths and restaurants.
The resort is home to a number of popular attractions, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the General Jackson Showboat and the Ryman Auditorium.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of on-site activities, such as shopping at the many boutique shops or enjoying a treatment at one of the full-service spas.
Address: Gaylord Opryland Resort, 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
13. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
The Hermitage is a historic plantation and museum.
The plantation was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. The Hermitage was built in 1804 and was home to Jackson and his family for more than 20 years. Today, the plantation is open to the public as a museum.
The Hermitage was originally built as a log cabin. Jackson expanded the cabin into a two-story house in 1816. He also added a number of outbuildings, including a kitchen, a smokehouse, and a carriage house. The property also included a number of slave quarters.
During Jackson’s presidency, the Hermitage became known as the “People’s House.” Jackson often held receptions and parties at the plantation, which were open to the public. He also allowed visitors to tour the property.
After Jackson’s death, his wife, Rachel, continued to live at the Hermitage. She died in 1828. The plantation was then inherited by Jackson’s adopted son, Andrew Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. and his family continued to live at the Hermitage until 1856. At that time, they sold the plantation to a group of investors. The investors then turned the property into a tourist attraction.
Today, the Hermitage is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tennessee. It is open daily for tours. The plantation covers more than 1,000 acres, and includes the original log cabin, as well as a number of other buildings that were added by Jackson.
The Hermitage is also home to a herd of American Bison. The bison were introduced to the property in 1817 by Jackson. They are descendants of a herd that once roamed the Great Plains.
Address: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076
14. Cumberland Park
Cumberland Park is an exciting attraction along Nashville’s riverfront.
If you are visiting Nashville with kids, the park is an innovative play space for children and families.
Kids can enjoy the rock wall, splash pad, and playground equipment,
The Explorer Trail in Cumberland Park is a crushed-stone trail that weaves through plant groves and meadows designed to attract butterflies
Cumberland Park offers visitors 6.5 acres of outdoor fun along the picturesque Cumberland river.
Address: Cumberland Park, 592 South First Street, Nashville, TN 37213
15. Robert’s Western World
Robert’s Western World is a world-famous country music bar.
Robert’s bar has been in business since the early 1950s and has been a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.
The bar is best known for its live music, which features both up-and-coming and established country artists. The bar also has a dance floor, making it a great place to enjoy some traditional country dancing.
In addition to its live music, Robert’s Western World is also home to a wide selection of beers and spirits. The bar stocks both domestic and imported beers, as well as a variety of whiskeys and other liquors.
If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or a romantic evening with your significant other, Robert’s Western World is the perfect place to be. The friendly atmosphere and great music make it a perfect spot for any occasion.
Address: Robert’s Western World, 416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
FAQ
What is the Honky Tonk Highway in the music city?
The Honky Tonk Highway is a term used to describe the country music scene in Nashville.
The city is known for its large number of bars and clubs that feature live country music, as well as its many recording studios and music venues.
The term “honky tonk” typically refers to a type of bar that features live music and dancing.
Nashville has been referred to as the “Honky Tonk Highway” because of its rich history in country music. The city has been home to some of the genre’s most iconic artists, including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash.
What makes Nashville Hot Chicken different?
What makes Nashville Hot Chicken different from other spicy dishes is the combination of the spices used in the sauce. This gives the dish its unique flavor that has made it popular in Nashville and beyond.
It is made with chicken that is fried and then coated in a spicy sauce. The sauce is usually made with cayenne pepper, chili powder, and other spices. The chicken is then served with pickles and white bread.
What is the Nashville Flea Market?
The Nashville Flea Market is a complete treasure to the Music City community.
The Flea Market has been a Nashville tradition since 1969.
It’s a monthly weekend long sale of all kinds of antiques, collectibles, and homeware. A great mix of treasures for all ages.
What sport is Nashville known for?
It has a professional NFL football team, NHL hockey team, minor league baseball, and professional soccer.
There is the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame which honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers, and sports executives for their contributions to sports in the state of Tennessee.
Does Nashville have a natural area?
Radnor lake state park is a popular natural area and state park in Oak Hill, Tennessee within Nashville.
Radnor Lake State Park is a 1,368-acre park and is protected as a Class II Natural Area.
It has five miles of unpaved trails that wander through the woods surrounding the lake.
