10 Best Things to Do in Nashville Tn
Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in Nashville Tn mix iconic sights, hidden gems, food, and outdoor adventure. Read the full list below — costs and tips included for each.
Nashville Tn offers far more than the tourist trail suggests. This list balances must-see landmarks with off-the-beaten-path experiences locals recommend. Each activity includes time needed, cost, and the one tip that makes it work. Sequence them based on your trip length — see itinerary suggestions at the bottom.
Top 10 Things to Do in Nashville Tn
1. Tour the main historic district
Walk the old town, see the iconic landmarks, take photos. Free or low cost — best done first morning.
Cost: Free-low
2. Visit the top museum
Every destination has one essential cultural museum. Book online to skip lines.
Cost: $10-25
3. Take a food tour
2-3 hour guided walking tour with multiple tastings. Best way to learn local food + history.
Cost: $50-100
4. Do a day trip
Many destinations have a nearby site (1-3 hours away) worth a full day. Research the top 2-3 options.
Cost: $30-100 tour
5. Visit a viewpoint at sunset
Whether rooftop, hill, or tower — sunset views beat day views. Arrive 30 min before.
Cost: Free-$30
6. Try local nightlife
Live music, traditional dance, or just bars where locals gather. Avoid pure tourist traps.
Cost: $10-40
7. Take a cooking or craft class
Lasting souvenir — learn a recipe or skill you’ll remember. Most cost $40-80.
Cost: $40-80
8. Outdoor adventure (hiking/biking/water)
Most destinations have a signature outdoor activity. Half-day to full-day.
Cost: $30-150
9. Local market visit
Souk, bazaar, mercado, or farmer’s market. Get there early. Bargain where appropriate.
Cost: Free
10. Hidden gem off the tourist trail
Ask your hotel concierge or local. Often the best memory of the trip.
Cost: Varies
Suggested Itineraries
| Trip Length | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Activities 1-4 from the list above. Focus on iconic experiences. |
| 3-4 days | Activities 1-7. Add a day trip and food tour. |
| 5-7 days | Full list + 1-2 self-discovered hidden gems. Add downtime. |
| 10+ days | Full list + day trips outside Nashville Tn + slow days for serendipity. |
Money-Saving Tips
- City pass/combo tickets: Most major destinations sell a multi-attraction pass that saves 20-40% over individual entries.
- Free museum days: Many top museums offer free entry one day per week or month — research before.
- Walking tours: ‘Free’ walking tours (tip-based) cover history and orient you on day 1. Quality varies — check recent reviews.
- Lunch deals: Top restaurants often offer prix-fixe lunches at half the dinner price.
- Public transit pass: Day/multi-day transit passes pay back after 3-4 rides.
What to Skip
- Tourist trap restaurants directly adjacent to major sights — usually overpriced and underwhelming.
- Souvenirs from official gift shops — markets and indie stores offer better quality at half the price.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus full day — useful for orientation (do 1 loop), waste of time as full transport.
- Booked tours for things you can do solo — walking tours of public neighborhoods rarely add value vs. a $5 guidebook.
What’s Actually Worth Your Time in Nashville (and What to Skip)
The strip of Broadway honky-tonks gets the postcards, but bars like Tootsies run loud, crowded, and overpriced once the bachelorette buses arrive. For actual songwriting, book the Bluebird Cafe in Midtown instead. Its ‘In the Round’ format seats three or four writers in the center of the room trading the stories behind hits you already know. Reservations open online only (there is no phone booking), and there is about a $15 per-seat food-and-drink minimum, so plan a few days out.
The pick most visitors skip is RCA Studio B on Music Row, where Elvis Presley cut a large share of his catalog. You can only reach it on the shuttle tour that departs from the Country Music Hall of Fame, so buy that combined ticket rather than treating the studio as a walk-up.
For a smart money move, eat lunch at Arnold’s Country Kitchen, the James Beard American Classics meat-and-three near 8th Avenue South. It serves weekday lunch only, roughly 10:30am to mid-afternoon, and a tray of meat plus three sides costs far less than a Broadway sit-down dinner.
If you still want the historic room, tour the Ryman Auditorium, the 2,362-seat hall that hosted the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 — the music carries better there than on any patio bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to do in Nashville Tn?
The essentials for Nashville Tn include: Tour the main historic district, Visit the top museum, and Take a food tour. These three alone deserve at least 2-3 days of your itinerary. See the full list above for 7 more recommended experiences.
How many days do I need in Nashville Tn?
For a focused trip covering the highlights, 3-5 days in Nashville Tn is enough. To explore in-depth (day trips, hidden gems, slower pace), plan 7-10 days. First-time visitors should err toward more days — you can always slow down, but rushing key sights is regret-inducing.
What can you do in Nashville Tn for free?
Many of the best experiences in Nashville Tn cost nothing: walking the historic district, sunset viewpoints, public markets, beaches/parks, free museums on certain days. Build a ‘free day’ into your trip — it’s often the most memorable.
Is Nashville Tn family-friendly?
Yes — most major attractions in Nashville Tn suit families. Look for activities under 2 hours, museums with interactive exhibits, and outdoor options to burn kid energy. Avoid extreme heat midday and crowded peak hours. Restaurants in tourist districts are usually kid-friendly.
What’s the best time to do outdoor activities in Nashville Tn?
Plan outdoor activities for early morning (before heat/crowds) or late afternoon (golden hour for photos). Check weather and seasonal closures — some popular hikes or attractions close in winter or during monsoon/hurricane season.
Are guided tours worth it in Nashville Tn?
For complex historic sites (ruins, ancient cities, museums with limited English signage), a guided tour pays for itself in context. For wandering and food, self-guided is often better. Read recent reviews — operator quality varies hugely.
Related Nashville Tn Travel Guides
- Where to Stay in Nashville Tn
- Best Time to Visit Nashville Tn
- Best Food in Nashville Tn
- Nashville Tn Itinerary Guide
- Nashville Tn Trip Cost Breakdown
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.