Tour the Country Music Hall of FameMust-See SightsPaidThe Country Music Hall of Fame is a serious and well-put-together museum covering the full history of the genre, from the Carter Family to today. Allow 2–3 hours; tickets are required.0 Add to listTour the Country Music Hall of FameMust-See SightsPaidThe Country Music Hall of Fame is a serious and well-put-together museum covering the full history of the genre, from the Carter Family to today. Allow 2–3 hours; tickets are required.0 Add to list
Visit the Ryman AuditoriumMust-See SightsPaidThe Ryman was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, a converted tabernacle with great acoustics and a long history. Self-guided tours run during the day; the best way to see it is at a live show.0 Add to listVisit the Ryman AuditoriumMust-See SightsPaidThe Ryman was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, a converted tabernacle with great acoustics and a long history. Self-guided tours run during the day; the best way to see it is at a live show.0 Add to list
Hit the Broadway Honky-TonksMust-See SightsLower Broadway is lined with multi-floor honky-tonk bars where live bands play from late morning until 3am. No cover charge on most stages — walk in, order a beer and stay as long as you like.0 Add to listHit the Broadway Honky-TonksMust-See SightsLower Broadway is lined with multi-floor honky-tonk bars where live bands play from late morning until 3am. No cover charge on most stages — walk in, order a beer and stay as long as you like.0 Add to list
Visit Nashville's Full-Scale Parthenon ReplicaMust-See SightsPaidNashville built a full-scale concrete replica of the Parthenon in 1897 for a centennial expo, and it is still standing in Centennial Park. The inside has a 42-foot gilded Athena statue — worth the small entry fee.0 Add to listVisit Nashville's Full-Scale Parthenon ReplicaMust-See SightsPaidNashville built a full-scale concrete replica of the Parthenon in 1897 for a centennial expo, and it is still standing in Centennial Park. The inside has a 42-foot gilded Athena statue — worth the small entry fee.0 Add to list
Catch a Show at the Grand Ole OpryMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Grand Ole Opry is a live radio broadcast that has run almost every week since 1925. Shows run Tuesday, Friday and Saturday — book tickets in advance, as popular dates sell out.0 Add to listCatch a Show at the Grand Ole OpryMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Grand Ole Opry is a live radio broadcast that has run almost every week since 1925. Shows run Tuesday, Friday and Saturday — book tickets in advance, as popular dates sell out.0 Add to list
Explore the Johnny Cash MuseumMust-See SightsPaidThe Johnny Cash Museum is a focused, well-curated collection of Cash's personal items, costumes and memorabilia. Smaller than the Country Music Hall of Fame but worth it for fans — entry is ticketed.0 Add to listExplore the Johnny Cash MuseumMust-See SightsPaidThe Johnny Cash Museum is a focused, well-curated collection of Cash's personal items, costumes and memorabilia. Smaller than the Country Music Hall of Fame but worth it for fans — entry is ticketed.0 Add to list
Walk the Historic Studios of Music RowMust-See SightsMusic Row is the historic district where Nashville's recording industry grew, with studios and labels still operating on 16th and 17th Avenues. Good for a short walk and some context — most buildings are not open to the public.0 Add to listWalk the Historic Studios of Music RowMust-See SightsMusic Row is the historic district where Nashville's recording industry grew, with studios and labels still operating on 16th and 17th Avenues. Good for a short walk and some context — most buildings are not open to the public.0 Add to list
Cross the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian BridgeMust-See SightsThe John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Cumberland River just east of downtown and gives you a clear, unobstructed view of the Nashville skyline. Free, quick, and a good photo stop.0 Add to listCross the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian BridgeMust-See SightsThe John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Cumberland River just east of downtown and gives you a clear, unobstructed view of the Nashville skyline. Free, quick, and a good photo stop.0 Add to list
Visit the Art Deco Bathroom at the Hermitage HotelFun Side QuestsDescend the lobby stairs of the Hermitage Hotel into its 1930s Art Deco men's room — lime-green leaded glass, tile work and a two-seat shoeshine stand. It has won best bathroom awards; everyone is welcome to look.0 Add to listVisit the Art Deco Bathroom at the Hermitage HotelFun Side QuestsDescend the lobby stairs of the Hermitage Hotel into its 1930s Art Deco men's room — lime-green leaded glass, tile work and a two-seat shoeshine stand. It has won best bathroom awards; everyone is welcome to look.0 Add to list
Climb the Mosaic Sea SerpentFun Side QuestsWith KidsFannie Mae Dees Park on Blakemore Ave has a 150-foot mosaic sea dragon that locals built tile by tile in 1980. Free, climbable, and more impressive in person than it sounds — the kids will occupy it completely.0 Add to listClimb the Mosaic Sea SerpentFun Side QuestsWith KidsFannie Mae Dees Park on Blakemore Ave has a 150-foot mosaic sea dragon that locals built tile by tile in 1980. Free, climbable, and more impressive in person than it sounds — the kids will occupy it completely.0 Add to list
Cut Your Own RecordFun Side QuestsPaidThird Man Records on 7th Ave South has a 1947 Voice-o-Graph booth where you record two minutes of audio and it gets pressed onto a 6-inch vinyl disc on the spot. Novelty item, but a good one — check booth availability when you arrive.0 Add to listCut Your Own RecordFun Side QuestsPaidThird Man Records on 7th Ave South has a 1947 Voice-o-Graph booth where you record two minutes of audio and it gets pressed onto a 6-inch vinyl disc on the spot. Novelty item, but a good one — check booth availability when you arrive.0 Add to list
Sing Karaoke in Santa's Double-WideFun Side QuestsSanta's Pub on Bransford Ave is a karaoke bar in two welded-together trailers, decorated year-round for Christmas. Cash only, $2 beers, and a strict 'no cussin' on the mic' rule from the man himself.0 Add to listSing Karaoke in Santa's Double-WideFun Side QuestsSanta's Pub on Bransford Ave is a karaoke bar in two welded-together trailers, decorated year-round for Christmas. Cash only, $2 beers, and a strict 'no cussin' on the mic' rule from the man himself.0 Add to list
Order Hot Chicken at Prince'sLocal FoodLocal RitualsPrince's Hot Chicken invented the dish — a whole quarter bird, fried and coated in a cayenne paste that increases in heat by level. Order honestly: the regulars have seen the tourist face at 'hot' before.0 Add to listOrder Hot Chicken at Prince'sLocal FoodLocal RitualsPrince's Hot Chicken invented the dish — a whole quarter bird, fried and coated in a cayenne paste that increases in heat by level. Order honestly: the regulars have seen the tourist face at 'hot' before.0 Add to list
Find the World's Narrowest CarFun Side QuestsPaidThe Lane Motor Museum in south Nashville has over 500 vehicles, including an enormous collection of microcars and oddities. Entry is affordable and the cars are genuinely strange — the 1948 two-foot-wide Larmar alone is worth the trip.0 Add to listFind the World's Narrowest CarFun Side QuestsPaidThe Lane Motor Museum in south Nashville has over 500 vehicles, including an enormous collection of microcars and oddities. Entry is affordable and the cars are genuinely strange — the 1948 two-foot-wide Larmar alone is worth the trip.0 Add to list
Order the Dancing DipLocal FoodCheck Access · Spring · SummerBobbie's Dairy Dip is a lime-green soft-serve shack on Charlotte Ave, open since 1951. The Dancing Dip is a vanilla cone with chocolate shell and rainbow sprinkles — cash only, open roughly March through October.0 Add to listOrder the Dancing DipLocal FoodCheck Access · Spring · SummerBobbie's Dairy Dip is a lime-green soft-serve shack on Charlotte Ave, open since 1951. The Dancing Dip is a vanilla cone with chocolate shell and rainbow sprinkles — cash only, open roughly March through October.0 Add to list
Watch Posters Being Printed at Hatch Show PrintFun Side QuestsHatch Show Print has been doing letterpress poster printing since 1879, now inside the Country Music Hall of Fame. You can watch the presses running and buy prints — a quick, satisfying stop if you are in the area.0 Add to listWatch Posters Being Printed at Hatch Show PrintFun Side QuestsHatch Show Print has been doing letterpress poster printing since 1879, now inside the Country Music Hall of Fame. You can watch the presses running and buy prints — a quick, satisfying stop if you are in the area.0 Add to list
Walk the Two Rivers Pedestrian BridgeActiveThe Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge at Two Rivers links Shelby Bottoms to the Stones River Greenway. A quieter, tree-lined alternative to the downtown bridge — good for a run or a walk without the tourist crowd.0 Add to listWalk the Two Rivers Pedestrian BridgeActiveThe Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge at Two Rivers links Shelby Bottoms to the Stones River Greenway. A quieter, tree-lined alternative to the downtown bridge — good for a run or a walk without the tourist crowd.0 Add to list
Visit the Forgotten Polar Bears in EdgehillFun Side QuestsIn the Edgehill neighborhood, two polar bear statues at Polar Bear Plaza are all that remain of a frozen-custard shop that closed in 1930. Tiny, easy to miss, and oddly endearing — worth 10 minutes if you're in the area.0 Add to listVisit the Forgotten Polar Bears in EdgehillFun Side QuestsIn the Edgehill neighborhood, two polar bear statues at Polar Bear Plaza are all that remain of a frozen-custard shop that closed in 1930. Tiny, easy to miss, and oddly endearing — worth 10 minutes if you're in the area.0 Add to list
Run Sunrise Miles on Shelby Bottoms GreenwayActiveLocal RitualsShelby Bottoms Greenway has a flat, shaded paved loop along the Cumberland River, popular with East Nashville runners. Cross the pedestrian bridge to the Stones River Greenway to extend the distance.0 Add to listRun Sunrise Miles on Shelby Bottoms GreenwayActiveLocal RitualsShelby Bottoms Greenway has a flat, shaded paved loop along the Cumberland River, popular with East Nashville runners. Cross the pedestrian bridge to the Stones River Greenway to extend the distance.0 Add to list
Run a Lap Around the Parthenon in Centennial ParkActiveThe one-mile trail around Lake Watauga in Centennial Park loops past a full-scale Parthenon replica and a large duck pond. Easy, flat and surprisingly pleasant — a good warm-up or cool-down run.0 Add to listRun a Lap Around the Parthenon in Centennial ParkActiveThe one-mile trail around Lake Watauga in Centennial Park loops past a full-scale Parthenon replica and a large duck pond. Easy, flat and surprisingly pleasant — a good warm-up or cool-down run.0 Add to list
Tackle the Nashville Zoo's Giant Jungle GymActiveWith KidsPaidNashville Zoo has a 66,000-square-foot outdoor jungle gym — one of the largest in the country — with a treehouse, super slides and a snake tunnel. Good for burning off energy after the animal exhibits.0 Add to listTackle the Nashville Zoo's Giant Jungle GymActiveWith KidsPaidNashville Zoo has a 66,000-square-foot outdoor jungle gym — one of the largest in the country — with a treehouse, super slides and a snake tunnel. Good for burning off energy after the animal exhibits.0 Add to list
Ride a Hand-Carved Anteater at Nashville ZooFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidNashville Zoo has a carousel with 39 hand-carved wooden animals, including a giant anteater and a clouded leopard — no horses. The animals were carved by the same artist who worked on Disney's Tree of Life. A few dollars per ride, included with zoo entry.0 Add to listRide a Hand-Carved Anteater at Nashville ZooFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidNashville Zoo has a carousel with 39 hand-carved wooden animals, including a giant anteater and a clouded leopard — no horses. The animals were carved by the same artist who worked on Disney's Tree of Life. A few dollars per ride, included with zoo entry.0 Add to list
Climb the Giant Heart at Adventure Science CenterFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe Adventure Science Center has a large climbable model of a human heart in the BodyQuest exhibit, plus a planetarium next door. One of the better interactive science museums for kids in the region — entry is ticketed.0 Add to listClimb the Giant Heart at Adventure Science CenterFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidThe Adventure Science Center has a large climbable model of a human heart in the BodyQuest exhibit, plus a planetarium next door. One of the better interactive science museums for kids in the region — entry is ticketed.0 Add to list
