Any trip to Nashville involves music – either listening to a live show or learning about the history of what made Nashville become known as Music City. However, don’t forget that there’s plenty of history and culture here, plus some other interesting things to do Here’s a few our favorites things to do in Nashville:

1. The Top Attractions in Nashville
Any trip to Nashville involves music - either listening to a live show or learning about
the history of what made Nashville become known as Music City. However, don't forget
that there's plenty of history and culture here, plus some other interesting things to do
Here's a few our favorites things to do in Nashville:

2. 1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – no trip to Nashville is complete without
a visit to this shrine to the history of country music. Guests will learn the fascinating
history of country music at the music and see such popular exhibits as Elvis’ Cadillac
and Webb Pierce’s tricked-out convertible. Trips to historic RCA Studio B tour on Music
Row originate from the Hall of Fame. The gift shop is nice and not too cheesy. Check
the web site for the many special events.
The museum moved from Music Row to roomier digs in downtown in 2001. The new
museum is an architectural showplace and includes both permanent exhibits from it’s
huge collection as well as special exhibitions, and it has spaces for hosting seminars and
live music performances. Recently, the new Music City Convention Center was built
next door the the museum and an Omni Hotel was built on the back side of the Hall of
Fame building. Hatch Show Print, the historic printer of posters, also moved and became
part of the museum. A recent $100 million expansion has more than doubled the space
of the facility with the addition of two new exhibit galleries and a behind-the-scenes
gallery of archival projects. Also, Taylor Swift donated $ million to the Hall of Fame for
the Taylor Swift Education Center - read more here (Photo by Ole Bendik Kvisberg)

3. 2. Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium is known as the “Mother Church of Country Music” and is widely
considered to be one of the best live music venues in the country. The National Historic
Landmark was the primary home of the weekly Grand Ole Opry show until it moved to
the current Opry House in 1974. The facility originally was constructed as a church
and opened as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892, and the Opry didn’t move there
until 1943. In the 1960’s, downtown Nashville fell into urban decay and the decision
was made to move the Opry to a new, permanent home outside of town. At that time, the
Ryman building was unoccupied and fell into disrepair. In 1992, Emmylou Harris
recorded a live album at the decaying building, which resulted in efforts being made to
restore the historic structure.
The Ryman has been restored and is now a 2,300-seat facility that is a favored venue of
performers and fans alike. The seats are very close to the stage, and the acoustics are
exceptional. They are also undergoing a $14 million expansion that will add a restaurant,
event space, ticket office, and state-of-the-art tour area. Check the web site for a
calendar of performances. Tours of the auditorium are also available. At the very least,
pause and contemplate it while on lower Broad - read more here (Photo by Ryan
Kaldari)

4. 3. Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly live country music show that first took place over 90
years ago, making it the longest-running live show to be broadcast on the radio. The
Opry played a key role in making Nashville the city that is today. Musician came from
all over the Southeast to play on the show, and the show was broadcast worldwide. Since
1925, the show has played at many venues around town – most notably the Ryman
Auditorium downtown – before making its permanent home at the current Opry House
in 1974. A six-foot circle of oak was cut from the stage at Ryman Auditorium and
inserted into the new stage at The Grand Ole Opry House in an effort to honor the long
tradition of the show.
Today, there are normally shows on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The shows are
broken into segments hosted by different performers, and guests range from old-time
bands like the Fruit Jar drinkers to new country stars like Blake Shelton, Americana acts
like Old Crow Medicine Show, and Bluegrass acts such as Del McCoury. On a typical
night, guests will get to see 8-10 artists perform live. Check their web site for schedule
and tickets. Tours of the Opry House are also available - read more here (Photo
by bptakoma)

5. 4. Robert's Western Wear
Robert’s Western World is a classic honky-tonk on Nashville’s Lower Broad famous
for live country music, cheap beer, fried bologna sandwiches, and boots for sale of the
wall. Even though nobody really ever buys the boots, the bar may just be the only
combination honky tonk and western wear store in the world. In actuality, Robert’s was
originally a western clothing store when Robert Wayne Moore opened it in the early
1990’s. In order to cater to his customers, he soon added a jukebox, and then beer then
live performers. In 1999, Moore sold the business to the leader of his house band,
Brazilbilly’s Jesse Lee Jones.
Today, there are still boots for sale along the walls, but they’re really just for show.
People go to the bar at all hours of the day and night for the live country music and beer.
The music is performed by highly-skilled musicians and singers who are trying to break
into country music, so it’s top-notch. Like many of the establishments on Lower Broad,
there’s almost always a live band on stage – and it’s really good. The place is narrow and
long and can get crowded at night, but the the line is usually not that long. Once inside,
there’s a small dance floor in front of the stage and a long bar for ordering a beer or fried
bologna sandwich - read more here (Photo by Steve Winton)

6. 5. Centennial Park/The Parthenon
Centennial Park is an urban park located just west of downtown Nashville and near
Vanderbilt University. Your eyes do not deceive you – there is a full-scale replica of the
Parthenon is in Nashville – and there is a large statue of Athena inside.
The 132-acre park was the location of an exposition in 1897 celebrating Nashville’s
centennial, and the Parthenon replica was built for the event. Originally, the Parthenon
was built as a temporary plaster building, but it proved to be such a popular attraction
that it was replaced with a permanent concrete structure in the 1920’s. In 1982, a full-
scale replica of Athena Parthenos was commissioned to be installed inside the Parthenon
in order to more fully replicate the real Parthenon in Greece. The park also has a pond, a
sunken garden, and bandshells. For kids, there’s playgrounds, a real airplane, and a real
trains engine. For dogs, there’s a dog park, and there’s vast green spaces for
lounging. Musicians Corner offers free music during the warmer months. Scattered
throughout the park on various trees are signs with QR codes and web addresses that
allow visitors to hear Nashville music artists talking (and sometimes singing) about their
favorite trees. In warmer months, lots of live music concerts and arts fairs are held in the
park - read more here (Photo by Richard Bonnett)

7. 6. Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles
Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles is where Nashville goes to cool off on hot summer
days with a frozen homemade frozen treat. Sisters Norma and Irma Paz grew up in
Mexico and went back to learn the art of making popsicles before opening for business.
The small shop is located in Nashville’s burgeoning 12 South neighborhood and was an
immediate hit when it opening about 10 years ago – despite not even having a sign
outside of the shop. Upon opening, people just came, and word got out about the
awesome popsicles for sale inside. Las Paletas doesn’t sell the popsicle you had as a
child – these are hand-made Mexican popsicles made using local and seasonal fruits,
vegetables, and nuts. The ingredients are not standard, either – if you’ve ever had a
hankering for a Prune or a Creamed Corn popsicle, this is your place. For the less
adventurous, there’s also awesome flavors like Avocado, Cantaloupe, Chocolate
Raspberry, or Creamy Lime Popsicle.
The flavors at Las Paletas change with the seasons, so there’s always a new flavor to try.
For an added bonus, and a small extra charge, the popsicles can be dipped in locally-
made Olive & Sinclair gourmet chocolate. The shop is cash only, so be prepared - read
more here (Photo by Daniel Zemans)

8. 7. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is located right across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium
and is one of the most famous honky tonks in the world. The bar was opened in 1960 by
Tootsie Bess, a kind soul who was known for giving many struggling artists a place to
play (and meals and money) over the years. She apparently had a good ear for talent, as
many of the artists she helped went on to be famous, including Willie Nelson, Kris
Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, and Waylon Jennings. The bar shares as alley with the Ryman
Auditorium, and many country music stars were known for shuffling between and bar at
the stage on nights when the Grand Ole Opry played.
Today, over 50 years after it’s humble beginnings, Tootsie’s walls are plastered with
autographed photos of country stars, and live music is almost always playing. The beer
is still fairly cheap, and the country music is real as ever. The place is small, but there
are two stages, and they recently opened a third floor that has roof access - read more
here (Photo by Dave Newman)

9. 8. The Bluebird Cafe
The Bluebird Cafe is an intimate music venue tucked into a nondescript strip mall that
is famous for showcasing up-and-coming songwriters in an “in the round” music
format. The club was opened in 1982 by Amy Kurland in the Green Hills neighborhood
of Nashville.The club gained a reputation as a place that catered to the craft of
songwriting, and playing at the Bluebird has become a career milestone for Nashville
songwriters trying to get noticed. Garth Brooks was discovered here, and Taylor Swift
was 15 years old and playing at the cafe when she was discovered by a record
executive. More recently, the small, 90 seat club has been featured as a set on
the Nashville television show.
Visitors can find songwriters “in the round” at the Bluebird virtually any night of the
week, and many are singing songs they wrote and major stars have made famous. In part
due to it’s continued publicity, the venue stays crowded, so be sure to make reservations
and get there before showtime. Also, songwriting is taken very seriously here, so be
quiet during the songs or risk being “shushed” by other patrons. If you’re looking to talk
and have a loud time, this is not for you - read more here (Photo by CHeitz)

10. 9. Historic RCA Studio B
Historic RCA Studio B is generally regarded to be the most historic music studio in
Nashville. Who recorded on this hallowed Music Row ground? For starters, how
about the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Porter
Wagoner, Charley Pride and Elvis? Actually, Elvis recording over 200 songs at the
studio between the years 1956 and 1971, and the piano that Elvis played is still there.
The studio was built by Dan Maddox in 1957, and in the 1960’s it became known as one
of the incubators of the “Nashville Sound,” which included strings and background
singers. It was also the place where studio musicians developed the “Nashville number
system,” which allowed them to easily learn and play new songs. Studio B was opened
for touring in 1977, and in 1992 Maddox donated the historic studio to the Country
Music Hall of Fame. Inside, it still looks as it did in the 1970’s. Tours of RCA Studio B
are managed by the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown. Tickets are bought at the
Hall of Fame, and the tours actually begin there by boarding a bus. The tours last about
an hour and are led by informed guides - read more here (Photo by Cliff)

11. 10. Belle Meade Plantation
Belle Meade Plantation is a 30-acre historic site, museum, and winery that was once
one of the largest private estates in Nashville and a famous breeder of thoroughbred
horses. The “Queen of the Tennessee Plantations” is located in the moneyed town of
Belle Meade a few miles west of downtown Nashville. John Harding bought the 250-
acre plantation in 1807 and began construction of the historic home began in 1820. Belle
Meade soon grew to 5,400 acres and gained a world-wide reputation as a breeder of
champion Thoroughbred horses. As a matter of fact, since the 1990’s, every horse that
has run in the Kentucky Derby has a bloodline that can be traced back to the Plantation.
Famous descendants include Secretariat and Seabiscuit.
The 30-acres of grounds are beautiful, and the historic buildings are well-maintained. A
long, meandering driveway leads uphill to the Greek Revival mansion, which is fronted
by six columns and a wide veranda. Inside, the rooms have been furnished with
period antiques that hint at the elegance and wealth that wealthy Southerners enjoyed in
the late 19th century. Costumed guides will lead guests through the mansion, horse
stable, carriage house, gardens, and log cabin. History lovers will love learning about
plantation living and thoroughbred racing in the old days. In 2009, The Winery at Belle
Meade Plantation opened – tours and tasting are offered - read more here (Photo
by CHeitz)

12. 11. Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Frist Center For the Visual Arts is Nashville’s world-class art museum that is located
in a historic Art Deco building that was the former home of the city’s main U.S. Post
Office. The galleries are spread over two floors and approximately 24,000 square feet of
space and showcase a rotating slate of exhibitions. The Frist is not a collecting
museum - instead, it hosts numerous exhibitions. The main downstairs space brings in
renowned exhibitions from national and international sources. while the smaller galleries
present exhibitions from local and regional and more experimental artists. The museum
opened in 2001 and was financed through a partnership between the city and the Frist
family, who made their money as founders of Hospital Corporation of America.
The carefully restored Art Deco building is a beauty unto itself. It was constructed in the
1930’s and boasts white marble, long, narrow windows, and elaborate metal stylings on
the outside, making it a perfect repository for the well-presented art on the inside. In
1984, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places - read more
here (Photo by Ed Uthman)

13. 12. Jack Daniels Distillery
Jack Daniels Distillery is the home of what is arguably the most famous whiskey in the
world, and tours of the mythical distillery are available by down-home tour guides, most
of whom actually worked in the distillery.
The distillery is located about an hour and a half southeast of Nashville in the small
town of Lynchburg. The town is the county seat of Moore County, and the distillery is
not far from the town square. Ironically, Jack Daniels is produced in a dry county. The
tours involve walking through the grounds and buildings while learning the process of
whiskey-making and the history of Jack Daniels. Since Moore County is dry, samples of
whiskey are generally not given at the end of the tour. Through some quirk of law, there
is a higher priced sampling tour that does allow for tasting. On the regular tour, visitors
get glasses of ice cold lemonade for drinking – oddly enough, there is no explanation or
tour explaining how the lemonade is made - read more here (Photo by Leslie)

14. 13. Third Man Records
Third Man Records opened in 2009 and is Jack White’s wondrous and magical
physical location for his record label, record shop, studio and performance venue.
As expected, the place exudes a cool vibe and is definitely notable for its unique color
scheme of black and primary colors. The record shop features TMR label offerings,
including many rare and limited-edition recordings are geared toward collectors and
cannot be bought anywhere else – except maybe through their online store. The Third
Man Novelties Lounge houses such fun attractions as the 1960’s-era Scopitone video
machine, a Mold-a-Rama, and an old-time photo booth. In 2013, a 1947 Voice-o-Graph
machine phone booth recording machine was added that allows visitors to make their
own recordings and get them pressed onto a vinyl record in a matter of minutes. There’s
also plenty of fun and relevant Third Man paraphernalia for sale, such as t-shirts, hats,
popguns, and rattlesnake eggs. The Blue Room is a small live performance venue that is
able to record live shows direct-to-acetate and then produce a vinyl master in real
time - read more here (Photo by Daniel Hartwig)

15. 14. Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum
of Art
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art is a debonair estate on the west side
of Nashville that houses a 19th- & 20th-century art museum and 55-acres of manicured
gardens. The estate is located in the genteel Belle Meade neighborhood, which is the
historic home of the old-money set in Nashville. Leslie Cheek built Cheekwood with
money he made from the sale of Maxwell House Coffee to General Mills. The design of
the estate was inspired by the English manors of the 18th century, and construction of
the estate was completed in 1932. Unfortunately, he died a scant 2 years after moving
into the 30,000 square foot mansion. His family lived in the home until the 1950’s, at
which time they offered the mansion and grounds for use as an art museum and
botanical gardens. With help from various clubs and organizations, Cheekwood opened
to the public in 1960.
Today, Cheekwood is well-maintained, and both the indoor and outdoor exhibits are well
executed. The art collection consists of about 600 paintings, with an emphasis on post-
Impressionism and American art. A local favorite – self-taught sculptor William
Edmondson – is well-represented, and there are also many special installations both
indoors and out that take place during the year. Dining is available at the Pineapple
Room. Check their web site for current offerings - read more here (Photo by R.K.
Richardson)

16. 15. The Hermitage
The Hermitage is the historic and beautiful plantation home of Andrew Jackson, the 7th
president of the United States. The property is located about 12 miles east of Nashville,
and. at its height in 1820, consisted of about 1,000 acres. The Federal-style house was
built with slave labor and was originally a two-story, 8 room building. Later additions
added wings and porches. Andrew Jackson died at the home on June 8th, 1845, and the
State of Tennessee purchased the property in 1856. In 1998, a tornado barely missed the
home, but did knock down many of the old trees on the estate that were allegedly
planted by Jackson.
Despite being almost 300 years old, the home is considered by many experts to be the
best-preserved of all the homes of the early U.S. presidents. Since 1889, The Hermitage
has been open to the public as a museum, and many of the original furnishings and
artwork are still intact. In total, there are more than 30 historic buildings on the estate,
including some restored slave cabins. In recent years, the tour experience has been
enhanced by additions of new educational programs on subjects such as archaeology and
the history of slavery. An audio tour of the house, museum, and grounds is included with
the price of admission. There are also guides in period dress and wagon tours of the
grounds - read more here (Photo by Daniel Hartwig)

17. 16. Hatch Show Print
Hatch Show Print is one of America’s oldest letterpress printing shops and is famous
for making iconic letterpress posters that advertised early country music shows. The
print opened in 1879, and, over the years, they have made posters for country music’s
greats ranging from legends such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Bill Monroe to
newer artists such as Bon Iver and Old Crow Medicine Show. They didn’t limit
themselves to country music however, as they also created elaborate posters for
carnivals, revivals, and stars of other musical genres, such as jazz and blues. The posters
are made using hand-tooled woodblocks and vintage hand-drawn printing presses. Hatch
is still a working print shop, and they make posters the same way as they always did.
Hatch recently moved from their long-time home on Lower Broadway to become a part
of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Visitors can see the posters being made and can buy
them in the shop. Numerous old posters, many have become collectors’ items, are on
display in the gallery. Tours of the print shop last about an hour, and at the end guests get
to pull your own keepsake print as a souvenir before they leave - read more here (Photo
by debaird)

18. 17. Johnny Cash Museum and Store
The Johnny Cash Museum and Store opened in 2012 and has quickly become a major
attraction for visitors to Nashville. Everyone knows that the Man in Black was one of
the most revered and enduring figures in country music, and the museum does a worthy
job of documenting his life and preserving his legacy with 18,000 square feet of
memorabilia, artifacts, and interactive displays. Visitors love seeing the old stage
costumes, musical instruments, personal letters and artwork, and handwritten songs.
There is a 250-seat auditorium for special events, and the Museum Store carries a huge
selection of memorabilia, souvenirs, and collectibles.
The founder of the museum is Bill Miller, who was a lifelong friend of the Man in
Black and had one of the world’s largest collections of his memorabilia. Miller built the
museum with the help and blessing of three generations of the Cash family. The two-
story brick building is within walking distance of both the County Music Hall of Fame
and Museum and the Ryman Auditorium. It is within a couple of blocks of the many
honky tonks on Lower Broad - read more here (Photo by Will Fisher)

19. 18. Imogene + Willie
Imogene + Willie makes one-of-a-kind handmade denim jeans that are custom-fitted
and made to last a lifetime. Forget Levi’s, Imogene + Willie is the only name you need
to know if you take your jeans very seriously. Why? Because founders Matt and Carrie
Eddmenson take blue jeans super seriously. They went back to the source – raw denim
and old vintage, and recreated what made jeans so great in the first place.
The location is in a former transmission shop and gas station in the trendy 12South
neighborhood. Gwenyth Paltrow made her way here to buy a pair or two, as have Nicole
Kidman, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, the Kings of Leon, and plenty of country
stars. Why hasn’t Oprah discovered this place? - read more here (Photo by Will Fisher)

20. 19. Olive and Sinclair Chocolate
Olive and Sinclair Chocolate is a small-batch maker of artisan chocolate in East
Nashville that has quickly earned a national reputation for their original bean-to-bar
creations.
The creative mastermind behind the venture is owner Scott Witherow, who is the closest
thing Nashville has to Willie Wonka. He attended the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in
England and paid his dues in various restaurants before finding his passion in
chocolate. He founded Olive and Sinclair in 2009 and got off to a good start
when Gwyneth Paltrow placed a large order early on. Things grew from there, and
Witherow outgrew his space and moved to a larger facility in east Nashville in
2014. Tours of the chocolate factory are offered every Saturday, and the tours do include
free samples. The factory store is open daily from Tuesday-Saturday - read more
here (Photo by Ann Larie Valentine)

21. 20. NashTrash Tours
NashTrash Tours offers a “tour” of Nashville along with the inside poop on the
everyone’s favorite country music stars as presented by tour hosts the Jugg Sisters,
otherwise known as Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay. The trashy gals will lead you on a
magical tour of the seedier side of country music on their big pink bus. Expect lots of
fun, offensive jokes, and – if you’re lucky – some celebrity sightings along the way.
Don’t expect a typical Gray Line informational tour where you see real landmarks and
homes of the stars and learn real facts.
The tours depart from Farmers Market and head through downtown Nashville. Have
your camera ready as the tour guides tell the sordid history of the various buildings and
sights while performing hilarious original songs. The tours are BYOB, and most people
do brings some adult refreshments. The tours fill up early, so book way in advance by
following the detailed instructions on the web site. If you cannot book NashTrash Tours,
consider the Redneck Comedy Tour. Due to the nature of the presentations, the tours are
not for kids - read more here (Photo by Morgan Levy)

22. 21. Station Inn
The Station Inn is, arguably, ground zero for bluegrass music worldwide. The
legendary club originally opened in 1974 and moved to its current location in the Gulch
neighborhood in 1978. There’s live bluegrass music on tap pretty much every night of
the week, and the atmosphere is more authentic and not as rowdy than the honky tonks
on Lower Broad downtown. Inside, the warm wood paneling and small stage have
played host to many major bluegrass and country stars – from Ralph Stanley to Alan
Jackson to John Prine. The popcorn is fresh, the pizza is hot, and the beer is
cold. Reservations are recommended, and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make your way to the venerable live music venue to hear great bluegrass music 7 nights
a week. See their web site for schedule. Reservations are recommended for most
nights - read more here (Photo by Kim Jenkins)

23. 22. Grimey's New and Preloved Music
Grimey’s New and Preloved Music is a well-known and much-loved local record store
that harkens back to old times when people really bought hard copies of music. The
store has a wide selection of CDs, DVDs and vinyl and caters to both basic music nerds
and vinyl record purists. From current indie to old soul, from Adele to Neutral Milk
Hotel, the selection spans the spectrum from local to obscure to classic. The
knowledgeable staff knows and loves music, and they will help you find what you are
looking for or help you discover your next favorite band. There are often in-store
performances, and below the music store is the Basement, and live music venue under
the same ownership. Grimey’s has been named both “Best Record Store in Nashville”
and one of “The Best Record Stores in the US” according to Rolling Stone magazine.
Two doors down from the record store on Eighth Avenue is Grimey’s Too, which
houses Howlin’ Books, an Indie bookstore, plus a small coffeehouse serving local-
favorite Frothy Monkey coffee, and more records. Out back, there’s space for live
music and food trucks. As another extension of the small empire, the Basement East is
open in East Nashville and has live music events in a larger space than the original
Basement - read more here (Photo by Jason Ferrell)

24. 23. Doyle and Debbie Show
The Doyle and Debbie Show is a hilarious live music parody of a desperate country
music act trying to make it in the hardscrabble business. Lead character Doyle is a
washed-up minor country star trying to make a comeback with his new singing partner,
Debbie, and their musical sidekick, Buddy. The show includes original songs, family
drama, unrequited love, and hilarious back-stories. Te production is the brainchild
of Nashville singer-songwriter, and all-around talent, Bruce Arntson, who wrote all of
the songs and created the unforgettable main character. His latest co-star, Debbie, is
played by Jenny Littleton and has plenty of her own problems. The songs they play
together, with titles like “Blue Stretch Pants,” “Fat Women in Trailers,” and “When
You’re Screwin’ Other Women (Think of Me),” are instant classics and prove that
country music can laugh at itself.
In recent years, the two-person musical comedy has gone from a local cult favorite to a
national sensation, with appearances on Conan O’Brien and standing engagements in
many major cities. There are plans in the works to turn the show into a Hollywood
movie. As a result of all of the publicity and good press, the show is often on the road
instead of in Nashville. Therefore, check web site for schedule, and be sure to make
reservations - read more here (Photo by Doyle & Debbie)

25. Featured photo by Jamie. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Nashville here.