Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee state in the USA. Some of the most fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee include exploring the past & present of country music, American civil war history, American revolutionary war history, plantation history, historical buildings, whiskey distilleries, craft beers, and Tennessee cuisine.
The city is named after General Francis Nash, who led the Continental Army in the American revolutionary war. The city was also at the center of many battles during the civil war. Some of the best places to visit in Nashville, TN recreate aspects of these wars and the role of Tennessee people in the battles. The Stones River National Battlefield is one of the top Nashville tourist attractions in this regard as it was the site of one of the bloodiest civil war battles.
The city was officially founded in 1779, but the history of settlement in the region goes back to 1689. Although there aren’t many things to see in Nashville, Tennessee that hail from that period. But, you can still check out some artifacts in the museum.
Another wonderful aspect of Nashville travel is the music. The history of this city is intertwined with a variety of musical genres, but it is best known for the American country music. One of the biggest Nashville attractions is the Hall of Fame & Museum dedicated to the genre and its artists. If you really love country music, you should spend an evening at one of the musical bars & cafes during Nashville sightseeing.
The city is also home to the Johny Cash Museum, Grand Opry Museum, and RCA Studio B. People can listen to some of the classic songs on vinyl records. It is a whole different sound if you have the ear for it.
You should also take some time to listen to the music of nature around the city. The city is surrounded by several State Parks where you can enjoy some outdoor activities to do in Nashville including nature trails, kayaking, zipline, off-roading, and more. You can visit Nashville tourist spots in an off-road vehicle, monster truck, tractor, and horse carriage.
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Top 27 Tourist Places to Visit in Nashville in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Here below I have listed some of the Top-Rated Tours and Activities, that you should try in Nashville to get a unique experience.
- Explore the City of Nashville Tour by Golf Cart
- Monster Truck Joyride City Tour of Nashville
- Nashville’s Biggest and Wildest Party Tractor Tour
- General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise
- Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour
- Helicopter Tour of Downtown Nashville
- Taste of Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour
Day 1
1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of the American Country Music. It is one of the best things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for music lovers. It has a collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts that includes records, posters, musical instruments, musician biographies, costumes, photographs, films, artists’ belongings, and more. It is also one of the best places to visit in Nashville, TN to enjoy live music performances. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.
I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in advance.
2. The Johnny Cash Museum
This museum is dedicated to the life and music of legendary musician Johny Cash. He is best known for popular tracks “I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Ring of Fire”, “Hurt”, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Jackson”, “Man in Black”, and so on. It is one of the most popular Nashville tourist attractions for music enthusiasts. You will see memorabilia, posters, musical instruments, song notes, costumes, records, and more. People can also listen to some of Johny Cash’s biggest hits at this museum. You will need about an hour from Nashville travel to tour this museum.
3. Ryman Auditorium
This auditorium is best known for hosting the Grand Ole Opry between 1943 and 1974. This stage has hosted several renowned people including Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, Harry Houdini, Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and many more. It is one of the most important historical Nashville attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this auditorium.
I suggest you should book a Self Guided Tour to Ryman Auditorium with an Entry Ticket.
4. Tennessee State Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of Tennessee with a special focus on several wars in which the people of the state were involved. This museum has a lot of things to see in Nashville, Tennessee concerning the American Civil War, Spanish American War, and World Wars. It also gives insight into various phases of the state’s history and the development of its culture. It is one of the top things to do in Nashville, TN for history lovers and requires about 2 hours to tour.
5. Frist Center for the Visual Arts (Frist Art Museum)
This museum houses traveling contemporary art exhibits. It conducts interpretive programs to help people experience contemporary artworks in different ways. If you are looking for some interesting stuff to do in Nashville, TN this place fits the bill. You should also visit this museum for the building that houses it. This white marble building dates back to 1934 and is one of the historical Nashville tourist spots. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.
Day 2
1. Tennessee State Capitol
This historical building dates back to 1845 and presently houses the state government. It is one of the best places to go in Nashville, TN if you admire the architecture. William Strickland, the architect, designed it to resemble a Greek Temple. You can get an hour-long free-guided tour or take a self-guided tour to learn more about this building.
2. Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
This museum and hall of fame honors music and musicians of several genres and countries. You will see memorabilia items and instruments associated with renowned musicians. It is a must-do in Nashville, TN if you want to learn about several Unsung Heroes and interesting facts about the music industry. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Nashville.
I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in advance.
3. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
This public park is spread over 19 acres and was built to honor the bicentennial anniversary of Tennessee. The park is home to several attractions in Nashville, TN including the Map Plaza, Walkway of Counties, Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, and Pathway of History. It is also known for several fun things to do in Nashville, Tennessee such as picnics and Farmer’s Market. You will need 2 hours to explore this park.
4. Historic RCA Studio B
Also known as the temple of sound, this studio was used to record some of the greatest musicians. It played a major role in the revitalization of American country music and the establishment of the Nashville Sound. You can definitely count this among the cool things to do in Nashville, TN as you stand in the same place that once housed legends like Elvis Presley, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, Donna Fargo, and many more. You will need an hour from Nashville travel to tour this studio.
You can get the Combo Ticket of Historic RCA Studio B with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
5. The Upper Room Chapel & Christian Art Museum
The Upper Room Chapel is part of the United Methodist Church. It is renowned for its cultural significance and art collection. It is a must-see in Nashville, TN if you want to see some classical religious artworks. The church has wood carved version of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The Christian Art Museum has a collection of paintings, sculptures, carvings, reliefs, murals, and so on. These hail from different parts of the world and different periods of history. It is one of the top things to do in downtown Nashville, TN if you want to see some classical European artworks. You will need about 2 hours to tour the chapel and the museum.
Day 3
1. Centennial Park
Spread over 132 acres, this park is home to tourist places to see in Nashville and is also known for hosting several events and festivals. The park has a replica of the Greek Parthenon, a Japanese Garden, a Sunken Garden, Sports Facilities, Nature Walks, a Swimming Pool, and more. It is the top spot for outdoor things to do in Nashville, Tennessee. The park is also popular for “If Trees Could Sing” program. You can scan the GR codes on some of the trees to learn about them in a digitally interactive way. People can easily a couple of hours at this park.
2. The Parthenon
Built-in 1897, this building is a replica of the legendary Parthenon of Athens, Greece. It is one of the most marvelous structures you will come across during Nashville sightseeing. You will also see a 42 feet tall statue of the Greek Goddess Athena on the Parthenon. The building serves as an art museum exhibiting works by modern American artists. You will need an hour to tour this monument when you visit Nashville.
3. Belle Meade Plantation
Built-in 1820 by John Harding, this historic mansion is spread over 30 acres. It recreates a plantation of the 1800s and is one of the best places to visit in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about history. This land is also associated with the history of Native American tribes, European Settlers, and Colonial trade routes. It is also one of the best-preserved Nashville tourist attractions. You will see original parts of the mansion, carriage house, stable, wine yard, slave quarters, blacksmith shop, and more. It takes at least 2 hours to complete a tour of this place.
I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Belle Meade Plantation with Complimentary Wine Tasting.
4. Cheeckwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
This estate was the former residence of the Cheek Family. The house is now converted into an art museum and the complex serves as a botanical garden. The Gregorian mansion is one of the most beautiful things to see in Nashville, Tennessee. It houses a collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, porcelain art, murals, statues, and more. The botanical garden is one of the best things to do in Nashville, TN if you are interested in horticulture. The complex has multi-colored flower gardens, Japanese gardens, Wills perennial gardens, and vines gardens. You will need 2 hours to explore the estate.
5. Warner Parks
These adjacent parks are named after Eddie Warner and Percy Warner and cover 3000 acres. People come here for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. The parks have nature trails, picnic spots, golf courses, ponds, camping grounds, bike trails, sports facilities, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying nature at these parks.
Day 4
1. The Hermitage
This plantation estate belonged to the 7th President of the USA. It is one of the most important historical Nashville attractions as it looks at different aspects of history in one place. The estate sheds light on the life and career of Andrew Jackson and his family. It also exhibits artifacts concerning the history of the plantation and slavery. You will need 2 hours to tour this estate.
I suggest you should get your Ticket to The Hermitage in advance.
2. The Grand Ole Opry
This radio show began in 1925 and has been dedicated to promoting American country music and artists. The studio has backstage tours, post-show tours, and VIP tours. You can also witness some of the shows and check out important moments in the show’s history. It is one of the most fun things to do in Nashville, TN. You will need at least an hour to tour this place.
There you can do two things, First, you book the Ticket for The Grand Ole Opry Show and after that, you should go for a Guided Backstage Tour of The Grand Ole Opry House.
3. Lane Motor Museum
The museum exhibits a variety of cars originating from different parts of the world. It is a must-do in Nashville, Tennessee for car enthusiasts. There are more than 450 automobiles including classic cars, motorcycles, flying cars, bicycles, military vehicles, alternative fuel cars, floating cars, microcars, and more. You will need about an hour from Nashville sightseeing to tour this museum.
4. Belmont Mansion
Built-in 1849 by Adelicia Hayes Franklin and Joseph Alexander Smith Acklen. The mansion has a variety of facilities including a gazebo, zoo, bowling alley, gardens, fountains, and more. The museum in the mansion focuses on the lives of several women during the 1800s including Adelicia Franklin. You will need about 2 hours from Nashville travel to tour this mansion complex.
I suggest you should get your All Day Admission Ticket to Belmont Mansion in advance.
Day 5
1. Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Located in Moore country, this distillery is one of the most popular Nashville tourist spots. It is important to know that Moore is a dry county. So even if the world-famous whiskey is produced here, you cannot consume it while in the county. You can tour the distillery and learn how this famous Tennessee whiskey is made. People can also pay a little more to take a tasting tour wherein you get to try different Jack Daniels products. It is one of the coolest things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for those who admire the brand. You will need about 2 hours to tour the distillery.
I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of Jack Daniel’s Distillery with Whiskey Tasting.
2. Stones River National Battlefield
This 570-acre park was the site of one of the most important Civil War battles. It was also one of the bloodiest battles in the war. It is a must-see in Nashville if you are interested in the history of the American Civil War. The site serves as a record of the battle and several individual stories that happened during combat. You will need 2 hours to tour this historical site when you visit Nashville.
3. Tennessee Agricultural Museum
This museum looks at the evolution of agriculture from the time of the first pioneers all the way to the 20th century. It is one of the most interesting attractions in Nashville, TN. The museum also exhibits old household items, photographs, paintings, and more. You will also see equipments used by blacksmiths, wood crafters, weavers, dairy farmers, and so on. People can also visit the oldest Agricultural Hall of Fame in the USA. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.
4. Radnor Lake State Park
Spread over 1330 acres, this park is popular for outdoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. The park has several nature trails and is home to a variety of animals and birds. People can spot bald eagles, coyotes, river otters, wild geese, whitetail deer, beavers, and more. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours walking the trails in this park.
Day 6
1. Adventure Science Center
This place educates and entertains visitors using science and technology. It is one of the best places to go in Nashville for family tourists. Some of the most popular exhibits at this center include beekeeping, galactic gardens, Sudekum planetarium, physics of flight, infinitum room, recycle rainforest, and vapor vortex. The place is also popular for its indoor activities to do in Nashville, TN. You will need 2 hours to tour this place.
I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Adventure Science Center in advance.
2. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
This zoo is one of the top attractions in Nashville, TN for people of all ages. The zoo houses a variety of animals hailing from different parts of the world. It also has several amusement park like attractions and fun things to do in Nashville, TN. You will see cougars, Andean bears, lemurs, hornbills, red pandas, clouded leopards, porcupines, alligators, zebra, ostrich, antelope, rhinoceros, giraffe, Sumatran tigers, and many more animals. The zoo also has animal interaction experiences, a Dino theme park, a 4D theatre, a zip line, a carousel ride, a train ride, and many more. There is a lot of stuff to do in Nashville Zoo and you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours at this place.
You should get a Fast-Track Entry Ticket to Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in advance.
3. Traveler’s Rest Plantation & Museum
This plantation was built in 1799 by Supreme Court Judge John Overton, the co-founder of Memphis. You will get to learn about various aspects of this place’s history. The tour explores the life of John Overton and his family, life at the plantation during the 1800s, the life of plantation slaves, and the archeological history of the land before the plantation was built. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Nashville, TN from a historical point of view. You will need at least an hour to tour this estate.
4. Grand Old Golf & GoKarts
This entertainment center is one of the top things to do in downtown Nashville for families. The place has mini-golf, Go Karting, a gaming arcade, bumper cars, gardens, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying games and entertainment at this place.
If you are looking for more places to visit in Nashville check out the section below. We have created a list of almost all attractions and activities that you can find in and around the city.
Things to do in Nashville
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Nashville, Tennessee
- Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
- Grand Ole Opry
- Ryman Auditorium
- Ander Jackson’s Hermitage
- Frist Art Museum
- The Parthenon
- Cheekwood Estate
- Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
- Tennessee State Museum
- Johnny Cash Museum
- Lane Motor Museum
- Tennessee State Capitol
- National Museum of African American Museum
- Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
- Belmont Mansion
- Tennessee Central Railway Museum
- Travelers Rest Historic House Museum
- Fort Negley
- Madame Tussauds Nashville
- Patsy Cline Museum
- Fort Nashboro
- Cooter’s Nashville
- War Memorial Auditorium
- The Downtown Presbyterian Church
- Two Rivers Mansion
- Historic Rock Castle
- Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
- Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and Nashville Souvenirs
- Historic Mansker’s Station
- Sam Davis Home
- Glen Campbell Museum
- Tennessee Agricultural Museum
- Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
- Fisk University Galleries
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Nashville, Tennessee
- Percy Warner Park
- Percy Priest Lake
- Radnor Lake State Park
- Long Hunter State Park
- Stones River Greenway
- Beaman Park Nature Center
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places in Nashville, Tennessee
- Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
- The Bluebird Cafe
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
- Centennial Park
- Adventure Science Center
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Robert’s Western World
- The Stations Inn
- Cumberland Park
- Soundwaves Waterpark
- Walk of Fame Park
- Ascend Amphitheatre
- Shelly Bottoms Greenway
- Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
- Riverfront Park
- Beaman Park
- Shelby Park
- Fannie Mae Dees Park
- Honeysuckle Hill Farm
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway
- Warner Park Nature Center
- Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
- Nashville Adventure Park
- Municipal Auditorium
- Wave Country Waterpark
- Sevier Park
- Gaylords Springs Golf Links
- Treetop Adventure Park
- Centennial Dog Park
- Crockett Park
- Grinder’s Switch Winery at Marathon Village
- Jack Daniels Distillery
- Sudekum Planetarium
- Timberland Park
- Moss Wright Park
- Hendersonville Memory Gardens
- Two Rivers Dog Park
- Charlie Daniels Park
Shopping in Nashville
- Nashville Farmers’ Market
- Fatherland District
- 12th Avenue South
- The Arcade Nashville
- Brentwood
- Opry Mills
- Hills Boro Village
- 8th Avenue Antique Mall
- Germantown
- Nashville Flea Market
- Plaza Mariachi Music City
- East Nashville
- The District
- Music Valley Village
- Belle Meade
- Downtown Franklin
- The Mall at Green Hills
- Nashville Music City
- Hill Center Green Hills
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Nashville
- Hiking
- Camping
- Kayaking
Sightseeing in Nashville
- Broadway Street
- John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
- Printers Alley
- I Believe in Nashville Mural
- Nashville Whats Lifts You Wings Mural
- AT&T Building
- Honky Tonk Highway
- Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge
- 12 South Nashville
- Germantown
- Music Row
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Nashville
- Slow Burn Hot Chicken
- Swett’s
- The Loveless Cafe
- Monell’s
- Puckett’s Restaurant
- Husk
- Nashville Pedal Tavern
- Silver Sands Cafe
- H&T Homecoming
- 404 Kitchen
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que
- Fox & Locke
- Tennessee Brew Works
- Peg Leg Porker BBQ
- The Bluebird Cafe
- Jack’s Bar-B-Que
- New Heights Brewing Company
- Edley’s Bar-B-Que
- Robert’s Western World
- Shotgun Willie’s BBQ
- Bearded Iris Brewing
- Honeyfire BBQ
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
- Butchertown Hall
- Pepperfire Hot Chicken
- Ruppy’s Honky Tonk
- Music City Center
- The Ridge
- Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack South
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
- Listening Room Cafe
- 400 Degrees
- The Valentine
- Subculture Urban Cuisine & Cafe
- Second Fiddle
- Scoreboard Bar & Grill
Where to Stay in Nashville?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Nashville. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Nashville.
Luxurious Hotels
- Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
- Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown
- Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown – Stadium
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt, TN
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville-Downtown
- Hilton Nashville Downtown
- Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown
- Renaissance Nashville Hotel
- The Westin Nashville
- Omni Nashville Hotel
