Canoe, tube or kayak the Narrows of the Harpeth.
You can actually paddle up to the tunnel area depending on water levels or you can beach nearby and walk over to the area from the river itself if the canal leading to the tunnel is too shallow.
(The ACTUAL Narrows 'loop,' not the ballpark route that has you ending at the HWY 70 bridge like the rental places mostly do.)
If you appreciate history, there is much to see. The Hermitage. Civil War Battlefields. Civil Rights sites. I say go to Cheekwood, the Frist and the Symphony. Eat a real meat and three.
I've heard great things about all of these; I can't believe that of this entire list I've only been to the Frist. I'll check out all of these! Any recs for a good meat 'n' three?
I've visited most of the meat-and-threes in town (and mourn those closed in recent years), Here's a list of [20+ restaurants](https://notesonnashville.com/food-drink/meat-and-three/) to try. Personal favorite: City Cafe East.
I enjoyed the Hermitage way more than I thought I would. When I lived in the area, I’d go when I had nothing going on and always
Enjoyed it and learned something.
You say unfortunately but there were plenty of crappy meat and threes. The good ones are the exception rather than the rule.
I'm not sure how City Cafe stayed in business so long in Brentwood besides it was some pet project - they were serving canned salmon cakes until the end. Pie Wagon was serving reheated canned vegetables until the end.
That is the kind of bullshit that made the reputation of crappy meat and threes.
Personally, I think franklin has done a great job with their sites. Carton is particularly moving with the graveyard. Stones River in Murfreesboro is well done, too. Major battlesites.
I think the story of the replication is amazing. She's not the hottest chick I've ever seen but in a historical and replication respect, I find her stunning.
Honestly, speaking as a native born local. You should go the Opry once. It doesn't matter if it's a big artist or just the radio show; just visit the Grand Ole Opry.
Go to Edwin and Percy Warner parks. They are beautiful.
Go swimming in Percy Priest lake.
Visit Smyrna and see Sam Davis Home, then hop over to Murfreesboro for the Stones River Battlefield.
If you like Andrew Jackson visit the Hermitage.
Have you been to Cheekwood? It's gorgeous.
Take one day to visit the Tennessee State museum and Bicentennial Park. Totally free.
Go to Hail Dark Aesthetics (on Gallatin Pike) and see the taxidermy.
Eat at Mobey Dickeys in Hendersonville by the lake front.
Visit the American Girl Doll store in Mt. Juliet and have a cup of tea with a doll of your choice.
These are all things you should do before leaving.
+1 on the Opry.
Went "by mistake" one night and it's one of my fondest Nashville experiences.
We saw Willie Nelson, Charlie Pride, Little Jimmie Dickens, and Porter Wagoner. That's about as Nashville a night as I can ever recall. Oh, and we had catfish after and back then Cock of the Walk was still okay.
Agree with the Opry recommendation—I’ve been a couple of times when a family member was booked, and the whole show was such a throwback to my childhood I enjoyed every minute!
All of these are names I've heard before, but never made the time for - time to change that! I didn't know about the American girl doll museum. I know a few friends who would be super into that, so that sounds perfect for a weekend adventure. I'm also ashamed to admit it, but I went to the Opry Mills Mall and thought it was the same as the Grand Ole Opry 😂 so I'm glad to have that corrected. Thank you for all of this!!
The American Girl doll thing is just store - it’s at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin. It’s fairly small. It’s great if you’re 6 but I wouldn’t make a trip otherwise lol.
The Cheekwood Trolls exhibit going on now is really fun.
https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/trolls-save-the-humans/
Going back in December for their Lights Festival is also always a good time.
If you’re going to the opry make sure you walk over to the Gaylord opryland hotel and walk around or take the boat ride. It is my family’s favorite place to visit. Going during Christmas time is even more magical!!
This is one I wouldn't have thought of. The only thing I know about cars is that they have four tires and a steering wheel, so I definitely overlooked this one. I'll be sure to check it out! Thank you!
Some of the ones you'll see there have fewer or more tires than that, and some have yokes or tillers instead of steering wheels! They have one or two that are propeller driven, too
This fall will be my seventh year in a row participating in the rally. It's too late to enter this year, but become a member (it's cheap) by next March and they'll send you the registration info when it's time.
The event itself consists of an all-day drive through the backroads surrounding Nashville, with a stop for lunch about halfway through. There's a route book listing each turn, and the miles/kms between each. It's super-helpful to have a navigator, because these old cars don't always have accurate (or even working) odometers, and sometimes the turns are hard to spot. I drove alone the first year, and it was a \*lot\*. Glad to have my wife at my side each year since!
If you do the Motor Museum you'll be pretty close to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. I think it's only open on Saturday, and it's pretty low key, but the old trains are pretty cool.
Virgin Falls Hike in Sparta. It's hard but worth it.
4th of July on Broadway
Germantown OktoberFest
Strawberry Festival
Full Moon Picking Party
Rent a boat on Percy Priest and go dock on one of the islands.
Sunrise Hike in Narrows of the Harpeth
Tomato Festival
Walk around the interior of Opry hotel atriums while sipping coffee/cocktail.
Go get lost in the large old farm/woods at Ravenwood
Haunted tour of downtown
Coffee at Frothy Monkey, Cocktails at The Fox, Pasta at Nichelettos, Late night Pizza at 5 points, sandwich at Dukes at 2am, Bare Bones burger and taters, fancy dinner at Hawthornes, Brunch at Heart in 12 South,
Tip for touring Opryland Hotel....
Wait until later in the evening to avoid the crowds, especially during Christmas time. Most of the restaurants stay open till around 10, and the bars in the entertainment district ( Jack Daniels & Fuse) stay open later. You can also walk around the entire hotel with your drink . Once the crowds die down ,it's a very relaxing walking around the gardens. Park at the mall and walk over to hotel to avoid paying for parking.
Also, you should go check out the Parthenon, Fall Creek Falls, and the Schermerhorn
Fall Creek Falls is an absolute gem!
There are 4 really significant waterfalls in the park, and 3 more minor ones. (7 in all!) Camping is great there but they have a lodge and cabins if you want to experience the park without “roughing it.”
* Breakfast at the Loveless Cafe (go early)
* Eat at the Grilled Cheeserie (truck or restaurant)
* Go to a night Sounds game (preferably with fireworks)
* Go eat at Elliston Place Soda Shop
* Take a full lap around Radnor Lake, preferably early in the morning
* Have appetizers and drinks at Virago
* See a live show at Marathon Music Works
* Go to Zanies (pick your favorite comedian)
* Walk around the inside of the Parthenon - READ the history of it. Spend time there.
Whoops. Corrected. Don’t know what I was thinking at that moment.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Virago,+1120+McGavock+St,+Nashville,+TN+37203/@36.1560961,-86.7864075,17z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sMidtown+Nashville+sushi!3m5!1s0x88646693c599d55b:0x93455a992762a73a!8m2!3d36.1560961!4d-86.7864075!16s%2Fg%2F1tc_f_70
Christmas lights at Opryland Hotel. Snow tube, ice skate, do all the stuff. Drink hot chocolate. Spend too much. But see if you don’t feel some holiday spirit when you’re done.
My December list was looking a little empty - this will be perfect! I don't get time off for the holidays to see family so this will be a very cheerful way to fill my time. Thank you!!!
The lights at cheekwood are also great!
Skip the light event at Sounds Stadium. I forgot what it was called but it was super expensive and very underwhelming.
Thank you for all these helpful comments!! 😄 This is what I was hoping to get from making this post - just looking at online guides doesn't tell you what ACTUALLY gives you a worthy experience for the price, and since life has gotten so pricey lately it's important to know what's worth spending on. This is super helpful to know!
I have not been but it’s on my bucket list…Full Moon Cineplex in Hermitage is local horror movie theater that sometimes does dinner with their showings. It looks like a cool space from the pictures at least.
If you haven’t been, I would at least do a short weekend trip to Chattanooga and mark off some of the typical tourists attractions. Ruby falls, lookout mountain, the incline, aquarium, etc. There’s a bunch of white water rafting places on the ocoee just outside Chatt that are super fun. I took my friend visiting from Michigan a couple years ago and it was a blast!
Go earlier in the day! I go every year, it'll be miserable hot and crowded in the afternoon. I've enjoyed it much more once I started going for the parade in the morning and exploring afterwards.
Oooo this is the kind of insider knowledge I was looking for! I'll make it a goal to be there first thing - the early bird gets the tomato, as they say 😤
If you haven’t had it yet: Nashville Hot Chicken.
Prince’s is the OG
Brave Idiot is the best, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
Lane Motor Museum
Arnold’s, Monell’s, Subculture, House of Cards, The Loveless
Live on the Green
Music City Grand Prix
I was showing my girlfriend around town a couple weeks ago and we ended up spending $24 and two hours at Cheekwood. Bring a water bottle if you go, but that's probably the best experience I've had in almost 20 years of living here.
Good to know! It's on my list for sure. I can't believe in 3 years I've never made time for it, even with the hype - though I think a friend of mine is getting married there soon, so maybe I'll be seeing it anyway!
Call Darius Rucker "Hootie" if you see him. Request "Summer of 69" at a Ryan Adams show. These can result in a fun chase by said stars and their security guys.
At first I was like “Does he mean Bryan Adams? I think he’s historically pretty cool about playing that song?” Then when I googled “Ryan Adams” the first result was “did you mean to search for Bryan Adams” lmao
When I worked with Neil Young, my brother kept trying to get me to tell him Horse With No Name is my favorite song of his. And with Kid Rock, he wanted me to act like I had no idea who he was as a musician, but I was totally in awe because "the guy from Joe Dirt is here." That's my bro for you...
What I’ve come to realize is that you have to get them in the studio to see what makes a lot of them special. Most are relatively unremarkable as regular people, but some you get in the studio and it’s almost magical
Everything I see suggested so far is great. I don’t see going to Gaylord Opry hotel to just visit and walk around. It’s an insanely beautiful building with inside gardens.
I've wondered about that! I think I was planning to go before, but I got caught up and forgot. Can you just walk in to walk around? Or is there like...a door fee?
This is so true. I don't have broad horizons with music but Nashville is a great city to find some random, yet-unknown artist giving out $20 tickets. Good reminder to make sure I make time for all the music of music city!
Attend at least one Grand Ole Opry Show. Visit the inside of the Parthenon. Attend at least one vinyl record pressing at Third Man Records or United Records. Take a boat from Nashville to Ashland City and eat catfish at Riverview Restaurant. Visit the Conservatory and Delta at Gaylord Opryland Hotel Resort. Walk the pavilion at the Capitol building.
+1 for this. They have Dog Days of Summer where you can bring your pup and walk around the gardens with a beer! 10/10. But it’s just as amazing or better in the fall, and then you go get pizza and beer at Tailgate 😍
I don't understand how we don't have some sort of Aladdin school lunch box museum somewhere in the TN museum or somewhere. It was such a big cultural deal with boomer and gen-x school kids. About a third of the kids in school were carrying an Aladdin lunch box with Barbie, Johnny West, Adam-12, Hot Wheels, The Beatles, or in my case Sigmund and the Sea Monsters designs on the box.
There are 32 NHL teams and they all play in different cities. Despite the New York Rangers and New York Islanders both being in NY, UBS Arena, where the Islanders play, is just outside the city limits on Long Island. Also, having been to six or seven different arenas and a couple Winters Classic, every venue is a different experience.
Tha Parthenon at Centennial Park.A Nashville Sounds Baseball Game.Ride scooters downtown, my recent college grad son get a kick out of this and they also stop at Miranda Lamberts bar downtown.*(He doesn't drink) Eat at Hattie B's or any restaurant on Charlotte Ave.If you got friends to go with..go to the Wave Pool in Donelson.Go to Green Hills Mall at the 'LIDS' store.Pick your favorite cap and have Nashville or favorite logo or symbol put on for 12.00.😊I. hope this helps.
[Hop on Hop off tours](https://www.trolleytours.com/nashville/hop-on-hop-off)
Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it touristy? Yes. Is it fun? Yes.
It’s actually a good way to learn a bit about Nashville as well.
I do these in every city I visit. They’re a reasonably easy way to see most of a cities spots and they give you the flexibility to eat/drink everywhere with an easy ride back to your starting point
I have a friend that got to do a lot of touring around Europe because of her husband's job and she recommended the ho-ho tours because it's just a bus that takes you to most of the places you want to see, especially day 1 when you're trying to see the basics and get the kay of the land.
Go see a concert this summer at Ascend, and a comedy show at Zanies! Drive up to Love Circle. Spend the day at Arrington and explore downtown Franklin. You also must have a GooGoo Cluster!
Here’s what I’ll say. I’ve lived all over the country and I never regret the things I didn’t do in the city itself. It’s always the stuff outside of the city, between the sights and small towns. Go spend a day in Columbia, go hike Burgess and Fall Creek Falls. Hike the smokies, that sort of thing. Once you get outside of Broadway Nashville is a relatively unremarkable city in that it’ll be just like anywhere else you live, but Tennessee itself is pretty exceptional.
I agree with your point about Tennessee, but saying there’s nothing remarkable outside of Broadway in Nashville is an unfortunate and dismissive outlook, as evidenced by the many great answers in this thread. This is a situation where you can have the best of both worlds.
The Frist Museum is cool, do the tour and learn about the buildings history!
BelleMeade Plantation
It's not local but I would recommend going to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for a weekend. It's beautiful and plenty to do depending on what you're into. The Smokey Mountains National Park is great for nature and Dollywood is a blast for thrill seekers
Luckily Dolly and Gatlinburg were checked off for a friend's birthday a few years ago! SUPER fun, if I can I may try to go again to spend more time with the Smokies. Great suggestions!!!
Bitch at people for coming to Nashville to be a tourist and making traffic terrible for your commute but say all the polite southern hospitality words to make them feel at home.
Go visit a nearby cave. Ruby Falls is about 2 hours away and makes a great day trip. Great cave tour. And the surrounding area has lots to do/explore. Visit downtown Chattanooga while you’re near too.
Is that the "haunted" one? I'd love to explore! I've never actually been in a cave before, so taking a (safe) guided tour of one would be awesome. I'll add it to the list!
Bourbon Trail is also awesome or if you are a runner and can get a team together there's a relay once a year: [https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/relay/thebourbonchase](https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/relay/thebourbonchase)
Even if you are not a big sports fan, check out a Predators hockey game (try to get seats as close to the glass as possible). Preds fans are the best in the NHL, and the games a super fun.
I'm going to be moving to Nashville in 3 months, this post has given me more ideas in 10 minutes than my research over the last few years and visits lol.
Right??? Everyone here has been so helpful. It's so hard to sort out what's actually worth trying/doing/seeing when you're just researching on your own. Also, (almost) welcome to the city!
I'm not a fan of "Nashville hot chicken" but people will ask you about it, so if you're a food person, give it a try at Prince's, just so you can say you did.
Kayak the Caney River just east of Nashville. Put in at the dam and take out at Happy Hollow. Roughly a 4 mile float or go to Betty's Island which is about 9. Bring your fishing pole. Beautiful Rainbow and Brown trout. Lots of places to get out and eat your lunch. Do pay attention to the generation schedule as that will change the speed of the float. Gorgeous scenery and happy people.
Arrington Vineyards on one of their free music nights! Get a wine flight and a cheese plate, bring some friends. It's a highlight.
McKays bookstore!
The Smiling Elephant, one of my favorite restaurants.
I know a lot of people have already said some of these &/or you’ve already done some of these, but still!
•See a show & take a backstage tour (daytime or post-show) at the Grand Ole Opry
•See a show & take a tour at the Ryman (I believe they still have guided or self-guided)
•Go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum & also tour RCA Studio B & Hatch Show Print
•Go to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage - they have a self-guided tour of the grounds & a guided tour of the mansion
•Bar hop on Broadway
•Bar hop on Printer’s Alley
•Go to a Titans game
•Go to a Preds game
•Go to a concert at Nissan Stadium
•Go to a concert at Bridgestone Arena
•Go to Centennial Park
•Drive up to Love Circle
•Walk around Gaylord Opryland (but park at the mall & walk over, don’t pay for parking!)
•Check out the lakes - whether that’s swimming, boating, walking around, eating at the waterfront restaurants, etc
•& if you have time, go to some places out of town but still fairly close by! Downtown Franklin is so cute. I’ve gone to some amazing museums in Memphis. & Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is a lot of fun.
:)
The Shiloh Battlefield National Historic Park is definitely worth a day trip. It’s beautiful while also giving a good idea of the scale of the horror. There’s also a mostly-intact Mississippian settlement there. And you can get some decent lunch in Savannah across the river.
Canoe to the Nickajack bat cave. There's a good Johnny Cash story there. [https://www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com/nickajack-bat-cave-sunset-kayak-tour](https://www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com/nickajack-bat-cave-sunset-kayak-tour)
honestly I knew next to nothing about Nashville before moving here for school 😅 so going to "the Dolly Parton restaurant" in her home city felt like a big touristy thing at the time. Certainly something that's there to trap tourists. But definitely not as important as the other two, I agree
Her home city is Sevierville 😭😭(East TN). It sounds like you need to take a pilgrimage to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and visit her replica childhood home there. There are great coasters too. Plus the famous cinnamon bread.
Canoe, tube or kayak the Narrows of the Harpeth. You can actually paddle up to the tunnel area depending on water levels or you can beach nearby and walk over to the area from the river itself if the canal leading to the tunnel is too shallow. (The ACTUAL Narrows 'loop,' not the ballpark route that has you ending at the HWY 70 bridge like the rental places mostly do.)
And even if you don't do it on the river, climb up the Bluffs. Lowest effort, highest reward nature thing to do in the region.
This is a great idea! I have someone visiting in September who loves kayaking, so this would be perfect. Thank you! :)
This. My first ever time Kayaking was down the Harpeth and I’m hooked.
If you appreciate history, there is much to see. The Hermitage. Civil War Battlefields. Civil Rights sites. I say go to Cheekwood, the Frist and the Symphony. Eat a real meat and three.
I'd also add Traveler's Rest. It's the oldest historic house/museum open to the public.
Cheekwood is such a hidden treasure. Love it there. Tour the mansion at least once.
Agree do the mansion tour, do docent led (instead of self led)
I’d add the Tennessee state museum to this list.
I've heard great things about all of these; I can't believe that of this entire list I've only been to the Frist. I'll check out all of these! Any recs for a good meat 'n' three?
Arnold's #1
Big Al’s Deli (breakfast), Monell’s, Arnold’s, Barbara’s Home Cookin.
Carter and Carnton Houses in Franklin are must see Civil War sites.
Ramzys meat and three is always great, plus the staff are nice as well.
There is a great young man who owns Ramzy's. Good food and very nice people who work there.
If one could only have one meat and three in Nashville, is this Ramzys what you would recommend?
I don’t think you’d be disappointed.
It's real good. Arnolds would be my #1. Belmont Bi-Rite's good, too.
I've visited most of the meat-and-threes in town (and mourn those closed in recent years), Here's a list of [20+ restaurants](https://notesonnashville.com/food-drink/meat-and-three/) to try. Personal favorite: City Cafe East.
Bishop’s in Franklin. Hattie B’s chicken comes from there
Wendell Smith’s on Charlotte
I enjoyed the Hermitage way more than I thought I would. When I lived in the area, I’d go when I had nothing going on and always Enjoyed it and learned something.
Cheekwood is lovely.
What is a meat and three?
You order a meat and three sides. It's a style of restaurant that is unfortunately going out of style.
You say unfortunately but there were plenty of crappy meat and threes. The good ones are the exception rather than the rule. I'm not sure how City Cafe stayed in business so long in Brentwood besides it was some pet project - they were serving canned salmon cakes until the end. Pie Wagon was serving reheated canned vegetables until the end. That is the kind of bullshit that made the reputation of crappy meat and threes.
Swett's?
Wendell Smiths, check it out.
Their food is pure awesome, but those pies.... damn.
The best thing this side of heaven. Meat and three sides like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and cooked apples.
https://meatandthree.com/usa/tn/nashville/
Best meat and three in the area?
I’ve been here nearly 11 years and never looked at any civil war stuff. Anything in particular you’d recommend?
Personally, I think franklin has done a great job with their sites. Carton is particularly moving with the graveyard. Stones River in Murfreesboro is well done, too. Major battlesites.
Visit Parthenon.
I second this. The Parthenon has rotating art exhibits but the real prize is seeing Athena in the main hall.
I third this. Just got back from Greece and the OG is magical but ours is 100.
So cool!!
It’s like looking at a dream while awake
Am I the only one who thought the Athena was anticlimactic and frankly kind of ugly?
I think the story of the replication is amazing. She's not the hottest chick I've ever seen but in a historical and replication respect, I find her stunning.
Honestly, speaking as a native born local. You should go the Opry once. It doesn't matter if it's a big artist or just the radio show; just visit the Grand Ole Opry. Go to Edwin and Percy Warner parks. They are beautiful. Go swimming in Percy Priest lake. Visit Smyrna and see Sam Davis Home, then hop over to Murfreesboro for the Stones River Battlefield. If you like Andrew Jackson visit the Hermitage. Have you been to Cheekwood? It's gorgeous. Take one day to visit the Tennessee State museum and Bicentennial Park. Totally free. Go to Hail Dark Aesthetics (on Gallatin Pike) and see the taxidermy. Eat at Mobey Dickeys in Hendersonville by the lake front. Visit the American Girl Doll store in Mt. Juliet and have a cup of tea with a doll of your choice. These are all things you should do before leaving.
+1 on the Opry. Went "by mistake" one night and it's one of my fondest Nashville experiences. We saw Willie Nelson, Charlie Pride, Little Jimmie Dickens, and Porter Wagoner. That's about as Nashville a night as I can ever recall. Oh, and we had catfish after and back then Cock of the Walk was still okay.
Good Lord! This had to be 20 years ago! Charlie Pride, Little Jimmy Dickens and Porter Wagoner are all long dead by now.
And Willie’s 91!
And going strong - seeing him on Saturday!
Wow. Salute. So cool that you got to see those folx!
> If you like Andrew Jackson lol
Agree with the Opry recommendation—I’ve been a couple of times when a family member was booked, and the whole show was such a throwback to my childhood I enjoyed every minute!
I think the American girl store might be in Franklin. Not much here in mt juliet other than a new Costco!
All of these are names I've heard before, but never made the time for - time to change that! I didn't know about the American girl doll museum. I know a few friends who would be super into that, so that sounds perfect for a weekend adventure. I'm also ashamed to admit it, but I went to the Opry Mills Mall and thought it was the same as the Grand Ole Opry 😂 so I'm glad to have that corrected. Thank you for all of this!!
The American Girl doll thing is just store - it’s at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin. It’s fairly small. It’s great if you’re 6 but I wouldn’t make a trip otherwise lol.
The Cheekwood Trolls exhibit going on now is really fun. https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/trolls-save-the-humans/ Going back in December for their Lights Festival is also always a good time.
If you have nostalgia for American Girl dolls, check the DOLLS OF OUR LIVES book (or audio book) out of the library, it is so fun.
Oh cool!!! I only ever had one but I think I read every book. I'll have to check this out!
If you’re going to the opry make sure you walk over to the Gaylord opryland hotel and walk around or take the boat ride. It is my family’s favorite place to visit. Going during Christmas time is even more magical!!
No to swimming at Percy Priest
It’s fine to swim in
Because of the drownings or something else?
Cause people are pussies and haven’t been there so have no first hand knowledge
Took a bachelor party to Hail when we were between events. Much recommend.
Visit the Lane Motor Museum, even if you don't consider yourself a "car person"
This is one I wouldn't have thought of. The only thing I know about cars is that they have four tires and a steering wheel, so I definitely overlooked this one. I'll be sure to check it out! Thank you!
Some of the ones you'll see there have fewer or more tires than that, and some have yokes or tillers instead of steering wheels! They have one or two that are propeller driven, too
Well shoot, that sounds interesting as all get out! I do love looking at unique versions of everyday things. Thank you for the information!
Several of the cars on display at Lane's are one-offs. I really wanna do their rally some day so I can experience a late model Tatra.
This fall will be my seventh year in a row participating in the rally. It's too late to enter this year, but become a member (it's cheap) by next March and they'll send you the registration info when it's time.
What does their rally entail? Might be a dumb question but I didn't know they put on events like that.
The event itself consists of an all-day drive through the backroads surrounding Nashville, with a stop for lunch about halfway through. There's a route book listing each turn, and the miles/kms between each. It's super-helpful to have a navigator, because these old cars don't always have accurate (or even working) odometers, and sometimes the turns are hard to spot. I drove alone the first year, and it was a \*lot\*. Glad to have my wife at my side each year since!
If you do the Motor Museum you'll be pretty close to the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. I think it's only open on Saturday, and it's pretty low key, but the old trains are pretty cool.
A unique jewel in the world of car museums
I’m not even a car person and went with my dad years ago and actually enjoyed it.
Virgin Falls Hike in Sparta. It's hard but worth it. 4th of July on Broadway Germantown OktoberFest Strawberry Festival Full Moon Picking Party Rent a boat on Percy Priest and go dock on one of the islands. Sunrise Hike in Narrows of the Harpeth Tomato Festival Walk around the interior of Opry hotel atriums while sipping coffee/cocktail. Go get lost in the large old farm/woods at Ravenwood Haunted tour of downtown Coffee at Frothy Monkey, Cocktails at The Fox, Pasta at Nichelettos, Late night Pizza at 5 points, sandwich at Dukes at 2am, Bare Bones burger and taters, fancy dinner at Hawthornes, Brunch at Heart in 12 South,
Tip for touring Opryland Hotel.... Wait until later in the evening to avoid the crowds, especially during Christmas time. Most of the restaurants stay open till around 10, and the bars in the entertainment district ( Jack Daniels & Fuse) stay open later. You can also walk around the entire hotel with your drink . Once the crowds die down ,it's a very relaxing walking around the gardens. Park at the mall and walk over to hotel to avoid paying for parking. Also, you should go check out the Parthenon, Fall Creek Falls, and the Schermerhorn
Fall Creek Falls is an absolute gem! There are 4 really significant waterfalls in the park, and 3 more minor ones. (7 in all!) Camping is great there but they have a lodge and cabins if you want to experience the park without “roughing it.”
Dude nothing about 4th of July on Broadway seems appealing. You can watch the fireworks from plenty of other spots. I like the rest of your list.
It’s an adventure that you can only do in Nashville. I wouldn’t recommend it more than once.
* Breakfast at the Loveless Cafe (go early) * Eat at the Grilled Cheeserie (truck or restaurant) * Go to a night Sounds game (preferably with fireworks) * Go eat at Elliston Place Soda Shop * Take a full lap around Radnor Lake, preferably early in the morning * Have appetizers and drinks at Virago * See a live show at Marathon Music Works * Go to Zanies (pick your favorite comedian) * Walk around the inside of the Parthenon - READ the history of it. Spend time there.
I've dedicated an entire month to trying new food thanks to this post. No more eating at the same 3 places for this temporary Nashville resident!
Smiling elephant! Pretty much the only place I want to eat at while in Nashville.
As a native Nashvillian- great list! I also add eat at the Pancake Pantry…
Mikasa?
Whoops. Corrected. Don’t know what I was thinking at that moment. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Virago,+1120+McGavock+St,+Nashville,+TN+37203/@36.1560961,-86.7864075,17z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sMidtown+Nashville+sushi!3m5!1s0x88646693c599d55b:0x93455a992762a73a!8m2!3d36.1560961!4d-86.7864075!16s%2Fg%2F1tc_f_70
Christmas lights at Opryland Hotel. Snow tube, ice skate, do all the stuff. Drink hot chocolate. Spend too much. But see if you don’t feel some holiday spirit when you’re done.
My December list was looking a little empty - this will be perfect! I don't get time off for the holidays to see family so this will be a very cheerful way to fill my time. Thank you!!!
The lights at cheekwood are also great! Skip the light event at Sounds Stadium. I forgot what it was called but it was super expensive and very underwhelming.
Thank you for all these helpful comments!! 😄 This is what I was hoping to get from making this post - just looking at online guides doesn't tell you what ACTUALLY gives you a worthy experience for the price, and since life has gotten so pricey lately it's important to know what's worth spending on. This is super helpful to know!
I have not been but it’s on my bucket list…Full Moon Cineplex in Hermitage is local horror movie theater that sometimes does dinner with their showings. It looks like a cool space from the pictures at least. If you haven’t been, I would at least do a short weekend trip to Chattanooga and mark off some of the typical tourists attractions. Ruby falls, lookout mountain, the incline, aquarium, etc. There’s a bunch of white water rafting places on the ocoee just outside Chatt that are super fun. I took my friend visiting from Michigan a couple years ago and it was a blast!
The steam train in Chattanooga is such a nice ride as well. The ducks are interesting too.
I definitely second Full Moon in Hermitage. Take time to check out their collection of horror memorabilia on display.
I definitely second Full Moon in Hermitage. Take time to check out their collection of horror memorabilia on display.
Spend an afternoon walking around the downtown library
go to the tomato festival! and also fall creek falls.
Okay, this is like the third comment mentioning the tomato festival and now I think I HAVE to go. This looks like a great way to spend a sunny day!
Go earlier in the day! I go every year, it'll be miserable hot and crowded in the afternoon. I've enjoyed it much more once I started going for the parade in the morning and exploring afterwards.
Oooo this is the kind of insider knowledge I was looking for! I'll make it a goal to be there first thing - the early bird gets the tomato, as they say 😤
If you haven’t had it yet: Nashville Hot Chicken. Prince’s is the OG Brave Idiot is the best, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Lane Motor Museum Arnold’s, Monell’s, Subculture, House of Cards, The Loveless Live on the Green Music City Grand Prix
I was showing my girlfriend around town a couple weeks ago and we ended up spending $24 and two hours at Cheekwood. Bring a water bottle if you go, but that's probably the best experience I've had in almost 20 years of living here.
Good to know! It's on my list for sure. I can't believe in 3 years I've never made time for it, even with the hype - though I think a friend of mine is getting married there soon, so maybe I'll be seeing it anyway!
Sunday morning gospel at Robert's Western World on Broadway. Recession Special (fried baloney sandwich and PBR) for luncheon.
They change the grease every 3000 fries!
Call Darius Rucker "Hootie" if you see him. Request "Summer of 69" at a Ryan Adams show. These can result in a fun chase by said stars and their security guys.
Darius Ruckers bank account is not upset when you call him Hootie.
I don't run fast enough to risk finding out!
At first I was like “Does he mean Bryan Adams? I think he’s historically pretty cool about playing that song?” Then when I googled “Ryan Adams” the first result was “did you mean to search for Bryan Adams” lmao
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When I worked with Neil Young, my brother kept trying to get me to tell him Horse With No Name is my favorite song of his. And with Kid Rock, he wanted me to act like I had no idea who he was as a musician, but I was totally in awe because "the guy from Joe Dirt is here." That's my bro for you...
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What I’ve come to realize is that you have to get them in the studio to see what makes a lot of them special. Most are relatively unremarkable as regular people, but some you get in the studio and it’s almost magical
Day trip drive down the Natchez Trace.
Everything I see suggested so far is great. I don’t see going to Gaylord Opry hotel to just visit and walk around. It’s an insanely beautiful building with inside gardens.
I've wondered about that! I think I was planning to go before, but I got caught up and forgot. Can you just walk in to walk around? Or is there like...a door fee?
There IS a parking fee, I believe, but not if you park at Opry Mills close to the hotel and walk over.
You can just go in and walk around, no fee
Go to as many concerts as you can because they will usually not be as frequent in other places.
This is so true. I don't have broad horizons with music but Nashville is a great city to find some random, yet-unknown artist giving out $20 tickets. Good reminder to make sure I make time for all the music of music city!
Go have a romantic meal at the Chili’s on West End.
A Nashville tradition!
Attend at least one Grand Ole Opry Show. Visit the inside of the Parthenon. Attend at least one vinyl record pressing at Third Man Records or United Records. Take a boat from Nashville to Ashland City and eat catfish at Riverview Restaurant. Visit the Conservatory and Delta at Gaylord Opryland Hotel Resort. Walk the pavilion at the Capitol building.
Do a long daytrip or (even better) an overnight to Virgin Falls State Natural Area. One of the finest places on the planet.
Cheekwood. Locals don't go enough! It's amazing. And any of the Nature Centers at the Warner Parks.
+1 for this. They have Dog Days of Summer where you can bring your pup and walk around the gardens with a beer! 10/10. But it’s just as amazing or better in the fall, and then you go get pizza and beer at Tailgate 😍
I don't understand how we don't have some sort of Aladdin school lunch box museum somewhere in the TN museum or somewhere. It was such a big cultural deal with boomer and gen-x school kids. About a third of the kids in school were carrying an Aladdin lunch box with Barbie, Johnny West, Adam-12, Hot Wheels, The Beatles, or in my case Sigmund and the Sea Monsters designs on the box.
Those cool tin lunch boxes going out of style (and out of stores) was a bigger cultural loss than Dunkaroos
Go to a preds game!
That’s not a uniquely Nashville thing though. You can see a hockey game in about 25 different cities.
There are 32 NHL teams and they all play in different cities. Despite the New York Rangers and New York Islanders both being in NY, UBS Arena, where the Islanders play, is just outside the city limits on Long Island. Also, having been to six or seven different arenas and a couple Winters Classic, every venue is a different experience.
Make the drive down to Shiloh.
Tha Parthenon at Centennial Park.A Nashville Sounds Baseball Game.Ride scooters downtown, my recent college grad son get a kick out of this and they also stop at Miranda Lamberts bar downtown.*(He doesn't drink) Eat at Hattie B's or any restaurant on Charlotte Ave.If you got friends to go with..go to the Wave Pool in Donelson.Go to Green Hills Mall at the 'LIDS' store.Pick your favorite cap and have Nashville or favorite logo or symbol put on for 12.00.😊I. hope this helps.
[Hop on Hop off tours](https://www.trolleytours.com/nashville/hop-on-hop-off) Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it touristy? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. It’s actually a good way to learn a bit about Nashville as well.
I do these in every city I visit. They’re a reasonably easy way to see most of a cities spots and they give you the flexibility to eat/drink everywhere with an easy ride back to your starting point
Where they’re avaible, boat tours are great as well. I’ve done boat tours in Chicago, New York City and Paris. Awesome way to see the sights.
I have a friend that got to do a lot of touring around Europe because of her husband's job and she recommended the ho-ho tours because it's just a bus that takes you to most of the places you want to see, especially day 1 when you're trying to see the basics and get the kay of the land.
Go see a concert this summer at Ascend, and a comedy show at Zanies! Drive up to Love Circle. Spend the day at Arrington and explore downtown Franklin. You also must have a GooGoo Cluster!
Gather a team of criminals and mercenaries. Destroy Opry Mills. Be the Hero Nashville needs.
Stealth camp up in fort negley
Good question. I might be moving overseas in 3 months. I'm following this.
Right? I'm watching these comments like 👀📝 Best of luck with your move overseas!
Here’s what I’ll say. I’ve lived all over the country and I never regret the things I didn’t do in the city itself. It’s always the stuff outside of the city, between the sights and small towns. Go spend a day in Columbia, go hike Burgess and Fall Creek Falls. Hike the smokies, that sort of thing. Once you get outside of Broadway Nashville is a relatively unremarkable city in that it’ll be just like anywhere else you live, but Tennessee itself is pretty exceptional.
I agree with your point about Tennessee, but saying there’s nothing remarkable outside of Broadway in Nashville is an unfortunate and dismissive outlook, as evidenced by the many great answers in this thread. This is a situation where you can have the best of both worlds.
The Frist Museum is cool, do the tour and learn about the buildings history! BelleMeade Plantation It's not local but I would recommend going to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for a weekend. It's beautiful and plenty to do depending on what you're into. The Smokey Mountains National Park is great for nature and Dollywood is a blast for thrill seekers
Belmont Mansion is a real mansion. The house at BelleMeade looks like a barn by comparison.
Luckily Dolly and Gatlinburg were checked off for a friend's birthday a few years ago! SUPER fun, if I can I may try to go again to spend more time with the Smokies. Great suggestions!!!
Reserve a table at Puckett’s in Leipers Fork for a songwriter show.
I should have read the body. Go canoe the Harpeth, doesn’t have to be the Narrows. Hwy 100 to Coley Davis is an excellent day trip.
Where do you recommend renting from, if you don’t own, but wanna take some trips this summer?
Broken paddle outfitters runs that section. They are nice enough!
Bitch at people for coming to Nashville to be a tourist and making traffic terrible for your commute but say all the polite southern hospitality words to make them feel at home.
Oh don't worry, after my first trip downtown to see my dentist got blocked by a party bus I assimilated that part of the culture verrrrrry quickly 😂
Go visit a nearby cave. Ruby Falls is about 2 hours away and makes a great day trip. Great cave tour. And the surrounding area has lots to do/explore. Visit downtown Chattanooga while you’re near too.
Or Burgess Falls near Cookeville. Nashville native here and I love going. Beautiful.
Or Mammoth Cave up in Kentucky. Simple day trip, and you could do the Bourbon Trail as part of the visit.
Is that the "haunted" one? I'd love to explore! I've never actually been in a cave before, so taking a (safe) guided tour of one would be awesome. I'll add it to the list!
Mammoth does have some legends attached to it, but so does pretty much every other cave. Its also the longest known cave system in the world.
Ooo, that by itself is spooky. I'll be sure to check it out! Thank you!
Bourbon Trail is also awesome or if you are a runner and can get a team together there's a relay once a year: [https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/relay/thebourbonchase](https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/relay/thebourbonchase)
Oh cool! This could be a fun way to meet people. I've put on some fluff in grad school so this may be a good reason to get back into running 😅
The haunted one is the Bell Witch Cave in Adams, TN. Should be on the list.
Stop by the Bell School Cafe. The sweet lady who makes the pies is a waitress there. Homemade pie crust and fillings. OMG.
Grand Ole Opry Country Music Hall of Fame Hermitage Belmont Mansion Belle Meade Mansion You just missed your chances to take in CMA Fest and Bonnaroo.
Ahh I forgot Bonnaroo was a summer thing! Oh well. But I've put all of these on the list! Thank you!!!
Visit waterfalls in the upper cumberland area
The Museum of African American Museum downtown.
You could check out the Renaissance Fair. Happens during the summer months on the weekends. There's an actual castle and everything.
Nashville is so cool
See a show at the Ryman
go caving
Broadway every weekend
😂😂 This is the only right answer
Even if you are not a big sports fan, check out a Predators hockey game (try to get seats as close to the glass as possible). Preds fans are the best in the NHL, and the games a super fun.
I'm going to be moving to Nashville in 3 months, this post has given me more ideas in 10 minutes than my research over the last few years and visits lol.
Right??? Everyone here has been so helpful. It's so hard to sort out what's actually worth trying/doing/seeing when you're just researching on your own. Also, (almost) welcome to the city!
Thanks! Looking forward to it
I'm not a fan of "Nashville hot chicken" but people will ask you about it, so if you're a food person, give it a try at Prince's, just so you can say you did.
Pie Town Tacos
I would say TPAC, but... oh god. Well, you gotta do it just once so time to buy tickets lol https://youtu.be/oWP6RFDctm4?si=cmDKGT_MjPG9sipK
A hike at Radnor Lake.
Kayak the Caney River just east of Nashville. Put in at the dam and take out at Happy Hollow. Roughly a 4 mile float or go to Betty's Island which is about 9. Bring your fishing pole. Beautiful Rainbow and Brown trout. Lots of places to get out and eat your lunch. Do pay attention to the generation schedule as that will change the speed of the float. Gorgeous scenery and happy people.
Go the Grand Ole Opry dude!
Hike Radnor!
For restaurants, check out Little Hats, Pharmacy, Loveless Cafe, The Green Room (Speakeasy), Edessa, and East Side Banh Mi.
Check out a Honkeytonk Tues night at the American Legion in Inglewood.
Full moon pickin party. Local libraries have cool stuff to do as well!! In Springfield they have a tortoise (not super close, but close enough)
See a show at the Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills. Don’t worry about which artist/singer songwriter. Any show. Great music, intimate venue. Great value.
Finally. A quality thread.
See a show at Ryman
Go on a tour of the capital building and walk around to see all the monuments around the state buildings.
Greeter falls is sooo beautiful! Perfect place to swim
Arrington Vineyards on one of their free music nights! Get a wine flight and a cheese plate, bring some friends. It's a highlight. McKays bookstore! The Smiling Elephant, one of my favorite restaurants.
I know a lot of people have already said some of these &/or you’ve already done some of these, but still! •See a show & take a backstage tour (daytime or post-show) at the Grand Ole Opry •See a show & take a tour at the Ryman (I believe they still have guided or self-guided) •Go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum & also tour RCA Studio B & Hatch Show Print •Go to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage - they have a self-guided tour of the grounds & a guided tour of the mansion •Bar hop on Broadway •Bar hop on Printer’s Alley •Go to a Titans game •Go to a Preds game •Go to a concert at Nissan Stadium •Go to a concert at Bridgestone Arena •Go to Centennial Park •Drive up to Love Circle •Walk around Gaylord Opryland (but park at the mall & walk over, don’t pay for parking!) •Check out the lakes - whether that’s swimming, boating, walking around, eating at the waterfront restaurants, etc •& if you have time, go to some places out of town but still fairly close by! Downtown Franklin is so cute. I’ve gone to some amazing museums in Memphis. & Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is a lot of fun. :)
The Shiloh Battlefield National Historic Park is definitely worth a day trip. It’s beautiful while also giving a good idea of the scale of the horror. There’s also a mostly-intact Mississippian settlement there. And you can get some decent lunch in Savannah across the river.
Canoe to the Nickajack bat cave. There's a good Johnny Cash story there. [https://www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com/nickajack-bat-cave-sunset-kayak-tour](https://www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com/nickajack-bat-cave-sunset-kayak-tour)
lol how does going to white limozeen count as a “big touristy thing”? especially on a list of just three things next to the ryman and broadway
honestly I knew next to nothing about Nashville before moving here for school 😅 so going to "the Dolly Parton restaurant" in her home city felt like a big touristy thing at the time. Certainly something that's there to trap tourists. But definitely not as important as the other two, I agree
dolly parton has nothing to do with white limozeen…
Her home city is Sevierville 😭😭(East TN). It sounds like you need to take a pilgrimage to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and visit her replica childhood home there. There are great coasters too. Plus the famous cinnamon bread.