Nashville is country music + hot chicken + bourbon + honky-tonks. 3-4 days perfect. Here are the 20 essentials.
Top Things to Do in Nashville
1. Honky-tonk crawl on Broadway
Cost: Free entry.
$5-10/drink. Tootsies + Robert’s + Legends.
2. Grand Ole Opry show
Cost: $45-95.
Country music legends since 1925. 2 hours.
3. Country Music Hall of Fame
Cost: $28.
4 hours. Roy Orbison’s car + Patsy Cline collection.
4. Eat Nashville hot chicken at Hattie B’s or Prince’s
Cost: $15-25.
Spicy as locals – or get medium.
5. Ryman Auditorium tour
Cost: $35.
Mother Church of Country Music. Tour + show combo.
6. Walk Historic Music Row
Cost: Free.
RCA Studio B tour $40. Where Elvis recorded.
7. Eat at Husk Nashville (Sean Brock)
Cost: $60-90/person.
Best Southern fine dining.
8. Walk the Pedestrian Bridge over Cumberland River
Cost: Free.
Best skyline photos.
9. Frist Art Museum
Cost: $15.
Best art in Nashville. Free Friday afternoons.
10. Day trip Franklin (Civil War history)
Cost: Free walking.
30 min south of Nashville.
11. Eat meat & three at Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Cost: $10-15.
Real Tennessee comfort food.
12. Bourbon distillery tour – Belle Meade or Nelson’s Greenbrier
Cost: $25-40 tour.
Tennessee Whiskey region.
13. Hike Radnor Lake State Park
Cost: Free.
1,300 acres of nature in city.
14. Eat at Loveless Cafe (biscuits since 1951)
Cost: $15-25/person.
30 min from downtown.
15. Listen at Bluebird Cafe (songwriters)
Cost: $25-65.
Where Taylor Swift was discovered. Book ahead.
16. Walk East Nashville (hipster area)
Cost: Free walking.
Best coffee + boutiques + restaurants.
17. Day trip Lynchburg, TN (Jack Daniels distillery)
Cost: $30 tour.
1. 5 hours. Dry county – tasting in old courthouse.
18. Sounds baseball game
Cost: $10-30.
Best minor league experience.
19. Catch live music at Station Inn (bluegrass)
Cost: $15-30 cover.
Old school bluegrass.
20. Brunch at Biscuit Love or Pinewood Social
Cost: $15-25.
Best Nashville brunch spots.
Practical Tips for Nashville
Currency: Local currency essential. USD accepted in some tourist areas at worse rates. Carry small bills.
Transport: Use Uber/Cabify/local apps (not street taxis). Public transport is cheap but watch belongings.
Safety: Don’t flash phones/cameras in crowds. Use hotel safes. Use Uber not taxis at night.
Tipping: 10% at restaurants. Round up taxis. Tips welcome from porters + drivers.
Where to Stay in Nashville
Stay in safe tourist neighborhoods. Mid-range boutique hotels offer best value. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for peak season.
FAQ
Is Nashville safe?
Nashville is generally safe in tourist areas. Standard travel precautions apply – watch valuables in crowds. Use trusted taxi apps. Avoid certain neighborhoods at night.
How many days do I need in Nashville?
Nashville deserves 3-5 days for first-timers. Add days for surrounding regions + day trips.
What’s the best time to visit Nashville?
Avoid wet/hurricane seasons. Dry season + spring/fall offer the best balance of weather + crowds + prices.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Basic Spanish helps enormously. Locals appreciate the effort. Google Translate works in a pinch. Some staff in tourist hotels speak English.
What about altitude sickness?
Cusco (11,000 ft), Quito (9,300 ft), La Paz (12,000 ft) cause altitude sickness for 10-30% of visitors. Acclimate 1-2 days, drink coca tea, take diamox if needed.
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