Nashville TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Nashville, Tennessee.
1. Grand Ole Opry
COUNTRY MUSIC'S HISTORIC STAGE
The Grand Ole Opry is Nashville's premier country music stage show that has hosted generations of legendary performers since 1925. Electronic ticketing provides convenient access to this historic venue that showcases a blend of classic and contemporary country music acts. Visitors can enjoy live performances and even take backstage tours to gain insight into this iconic institution.
2. Ole Smoky Distillery
MOONSHINE AND SOUTHERN TRADITIONS
Ole Smoky Distillery "6th & Peabody" is a lively tasting venue with an array of moonshine and beer flavors in downtown Nashville. Visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings while listening to live music and participating in outdoor games. The venue embraces Southern traditions through engaging storytelling and an authentic mountain atmosphere.
3. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
HEART OF MUSIC HISTORY
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguards over 2.5 million artifacts related to this uniquely American art form. With two expansive floors of gallery space featuring permanent and rotating exhibits, it offers a comprehensive journey through country music's evolution. The sacred Hall of Fame Rotunda honors all inductees in a space that instinctively commands respectful silence from visitors.
4. Ryman Auditorium
MOTHER CHURCH OF COUNTRY
Ryman Auditorium is a historic church venue often referred to as the "Mother Church of Country Music" that radiates spiritual vibes with its traditional wooden pew seating. The venue is cherished by history and music enthusiasts for its cultural significance and exceptional acoustics. Originally built as a tabernacle in 1892, it served as the Grand Ole Opry's home for decades and continues to host world-class performances today.
5. Gaylord Opryland Resort
INDOOR TROPICAL PARADISE
Gaylord Opryland Resort is an indoor paradise featuring lush garden walks, striking waterfalls, and a riverboat journey beneath soaring glass atriums. The resort transforms seasonally with festive lights and decorations, creating magical experiences complete with captivating indoor snowfall during winter celebrations. Visitors can explore nine acres of indoor gardens while enjoying numerous dining options, shopping, and entertainment without ever leaving the property.
6. Belle Meade Historic Site
SOUTHERN PLANTATION HERITAGE
Belle Meade Historic Site offers a sanctuary of Southern hospitality located just seven miles west of downtown Nashville. This 19th-century plantation has been preserving history for over 200 years through its Greek-Revival mansion and grounds. Visitors can experience tours, wine tastings, and learn about the site's significant thoroughbred breeding history that influenced American horse racing.
7. Downtown Nashville
HONKY TONKS AND NIGHTLIFE
Downtown Nashville is the pulsing heart of country music where visitors can experience the famous honky tonks and dance late into the night. The area features a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and live music venues, particularly along the famous Lower Broadway Avenue. As a place of significant musical history, downtown offers an authentic Nashville experience with neon lights, street performers, and the energy that earned the city its Music City nickname.
8. The Hermitage
PRESIDENT JACKSON'S HOME
The Hermitage is the historic home and museum of Andrew Jackson, providing a window into the life of America's 7th President. Guided tours showcase original furnishings and personal items while offering an insightful look at plantation history. The 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark includes the mansion, garden, Jackson's tomb, and exhibits that explore both the presidential legacy and the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there.
9. Nashville Parthenon
ATHENS OF THE SOUTH
The Nashville Parthenon is a full-scale concrete replica of the original Greek temple, standing as an iconic landmark in Centennial Park. Inside, visitors can admire the breathtaking 42-foot-high gold-leaf covered statue of Athena Parthenos, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world. The building also houses a permanent art collection of 63 works by 19th and 20th-century American painters and replicas of the famed 5th century BCE Parthenon Marbles.
10. RCA Studio B
BIRTHPLACE OF NASHVILLE SOUND
RCA Studio B is Music Row's most protected historic landmark, known as the "home of 1,000 hits" that thrived from 1957 through the early 1970s. This legendary recording facility is credited as the birthplace of the unique "Nashville sound" that defined countless hits of the 1950s and 1960s for artists like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison. Though it closed as a recording studio in 1977, it now serves as a teaching facility that can be visited through scheduled tours arranged at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
11. Nissan Stadium
HOME OF TENNESSEE TITANS
Nissan Stadium is the 69,143-seat home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, situated on the east bank of the Cumberland River. The multi-purpose facility hosts major sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings throughout the year. Visitors can take stadium tours to see behind-the-scenes areas including the field, locker rooms, and premium spaces while learning about the team's history.
12. Historic RCA Studio A
MUSIC ROW RECORDING LEGEND
Historic RCA Studio A, located on Music Row, was established in 1965 by Chet Atkins and has been the creative home for countless legendary recording artists. The studio was saved from demolition in 2014 by philanthropist Aubrey Preston and is now owned by Curb Records founder Mike Curb, preserving this important piece of music history. Today, it continues to function as an active recording studio while offering limited tours that provide glimpses into Nashville's music-making process.
13. Centennial Park
URBAN OASIS WITH HISTORY
Centennial Park is a 132-acre urban oasis in the heart of downtown Nashville featuring gardens, a pond, and a large amphitheater that hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. The park was originally created for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition and remains a beloved community gathering place. A special attraction for Taylor Swift fans is the dedicated bench near Lake Watauga in the Sunken Gardens, installed by the city to honor lyrics from her song "Invisible String" that reference the park.
14. Hattie B's Hot Chicken
NASHVILLE'S SPICY CULINARY ICON
Hattie B's Hot Chicken is a Nashville institution famous for serving authentic Nashville-style hot chicken with varying heat levels from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up (burn notice). The family-owned restaurant has expanded to multiple locations but maintains its commitment to quality with fresh, never frozen chicken that's brined, breaded, fried to perfection, and then sauced with their signature spice blend. Long lines often form outside their establishments as locals and tourists alike wait to experience this quintessential Nashville culinary tradition alongside Southern sides like pimento mac and cheese, collard greens, and banana pudding.
15. The Bluebird Cafe
SONGWRITERS' INTIMATE SHOWCASE
The Bluebird Cafe is an unassuming 90-seat music venue in a strip mall that has become legendary for its songwriter showcases and in-the-round performances. This intimate listening room has helped launch the careers of countless country music stars including Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban. Famous for its "shh policy" that ensures respectful silence during performances, The Bluebird provides a rare opportunity to hear songs performed by their original writers and learn the stories behind the hits.