So you’ve booked your trip to Nashville, now what? To help make this trip memorable, we’ve compiled this handy list of “Things to do in Nashville” from the best barbeque in town to quiet getaways outside the city. Remember, this is a relaxed, friendly, and authentic city with the right experience waiting for you. Enjoy your stay – we are sure glad you’re here!
Reminders:
Check Locations as not all are located downtown
Check Business Hours
Check Dress/Reservation Requirements
Please review/contact to ensure the business is a match for your desired experience
Nashville BBQ
Martin’s – Great Chocolate Pie
Corky’s – Outstanding Combo/Sides
Jack’s – Charlotte location less crowded
Central BBQ – New to town, Great combos!
Edley’s – Great pulled pork sandwich
Hot Chicken (**Hot Chicken is not spicy chicken. It is much hotter! Be aware, it is very, very HAWT**)
Prince’s – Joe’s Favorite hot chicken, the original
Bolton’s– Local favorite for spicy chicken and fish
Party Foul– casual bar atmosphere
Hattie B’s – downtown location, worth the wait!
Helen’s – local grown; explosive flavors
Elevated Southern Cuisine
Husk– Regional food, farm to table
Urban Grub– Great shared plates, casual fine dining
The Southern – Great brunch, go early!
Monell’s – Rated #1 in Nashville; family style
Speak Easy Experience
Patterson House – THE speakeasy experience with an amazing happy hour; make a reservation!
Red Phone Booth – Cocktail and Cigar bar; guests will need access code from local member or concierge
Skull’s Rainbow Room– live jazz music and burlesque shows
House of Cards– reservations required; dinner and a magic show
Best Rooftops Downtown
Bobby Hotel– Best of Nashville 2019; eclectic and intimate
Jane’s Secret Hideaway– located in Printer’s Alley; Joe’s Favorite
Westin Hotel – Great views of the Nashville skyline at L27.
Fairfield Inn Hotel– Up! Rooftop bar; appetizers and fire-pits.
L.A. Jackson – Gulch location; craft cocktails
Jason Aldean’s– central honkey tonk views with live music
Meat and 3
Swett’s: Serves southern food cafeteria style for over 62 years.
Ramzys: Homestyle Southern Food
City Cafe East: Friendly atmosphere and wonderful flavors for their “meat and three” cafeteria style restaurant.
Reminders:
Check Locations as not all are located downtown
Check Business Hours
Check Dress/Reservation Requirements
Please review/contact to ensure the business is a match for your desired experience
Family-Friendly
Nashville Super Speedway – Drive a NASCAR race car on the 1.33 mile Nashville Super Speedway.
Top Golf – International Golfing and Entertainment venue. High-tech driving range, swanky lounge, drinks, and games.
Treetop Adventure Park – This is ideal for kids 7+ with a playground for the younger ones. Adjacent to Nashville Shores Water Park
Nashville Zoo– Rotating exhibits; There is always something new at the zoo!
Date Night
Zanies– Premier Comedy club, with nightly shows ranging from national acts to local improv nights.
Nashville Symphony – right downtown; performing more than 150 concerts annually, with a focus on contemporary American orchestral music.
Grand Ole Opry – Tour the grounds and gift shop for free, book an Opry Tour, or check out their website for upcoming shows on the big stage!
Night Court– Yes!! Night court is open to the public and makes for some interesting people watching. The only court in the state that operates 24/7, 365.
Distilleries
Tennessee Legend Distillery – Delicious whiskey and moonshine tastings in the heart of Marathon Village. A Joe Nashville favorite!
Nashville Barrel Co – Locally owned and operated single barrel whiskey; offering shop, tastings, and experiences.
Nelson Green Brier Distillery – pre-prohibition historical distillery
Jack Daniels – This is 1 HR outside of Nashville but well worth the history and entertainment! Book Your JD Tour Here.
Reminders:
Check Locations as not all are located downtown
Check Business Hours
Check Dress/Reservation Requirements
Please review/contact to ensure the business is a match for your desired experience
Venture Out
Downtown Franklin – charming, walkable Southern town with shopping, restaurants, antique shops, clothing stores, art galleries, and more.
Arrington Vineyards – Elegant vineyards estate with tours and tastings; Co-owned by Kix Brooks and located just 25 miles south of Nashville.
Jack Daniels– 1.5 hours south of Nashville, visit Lynchburg and the home of Jack Daniel’s. View breathtaking nature on the way as you cross this experience off the list!
Parks/Nature
Centennial Park – Large urban park located in Mid-town, west of Nashville. A great reprieve from the city featuring a walking trail, dog park, and scale model of The Parthenon
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park – 19-acre park in the heart of downtown offering history and monuments; check out the Farmer’s market next door.
Cummins Fall – Moderate hiking, swimming hole, and waterfall about 1 hr from Nashville.
Dunbar Cave State Park- Located in Clarksville, TN, this 144-acre state park hosts Native American cave art dating to the 14th century.
Events
Pilgrimage Festival– Six-stage Art & Music festival that normally takes place in September in Franklin, Tennessee. Think family-friendly Bonnaroo for Americana, Country, and Folk Music.
Pride Festival – Equality Walk, food vendors, entertainment, and more. The 2024 Nashville Pride Festival and Parade happening June 22nd-June 23rd, at Bicentennial Mall State Park.
Tin Pan South– Annual Songwriters Festival produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Venues will be filled with hundreds of songwriters and artists to celebrate the end of March/first of April. Be sure to by passes early as some BIG names will fill up the rooms fast!
For more ideas of fun things to do in Nashville, check out our article on How To Enjoy Nashville
Address:
Nashville Experience Tours
2817 West End Ave. Ste. 126-530,
Nashville,
TN 37203
Phone/Text: 615.619.7603
Email: Blackfox@Nashvilleexperiencetours.com
Quick Links
