The Top 10 Things to Do in Nashville, TN
#10 -
Grand Ole Opry
Be a part of the history of country music by taking in a show at the Grand Ole Opry. While it was a little ways away from Downtown Nashville (25ish minute Uber ride), it was worth the venture. Make sure to grab a picture with the oversized guitars on your way in! There’s really no bad seat in the house, so keep that in mind when purchasing your tickets. We opted to sit towards the middle but near the back, and they were great. You’ll be treated to a variety show of country music and comedy, and you’ll feel like you’re watching a show from the 50s (in a good way!). They have snacks and drinks available for purchase, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a country music star dropping in for a surprise set!
#9 -
Country Music Hall of Fame
One of us being a huge fan of country music, and the other not so much, we both still loved this attraction! They really did a great job honoring the greats of the country music world both in the past and the present. Gene Autry, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, you name it! All those who have contributed to and influenced country music have a place here. Established in the 60s, this museum has one of the largest music collections in the world, accumulating over 2.5 million artifacts. With so many pieces and revolving exhibits, this is a museum you can visit multiple times. Fun fact: when viewed from the air, the building looks like a giant bass clef!
#8 -
Bridgestone Arena
Our first night, my husband surprised me with a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert at the Bridgestone Arena! Catch big country concerts at all times of the year here in Nashville. Everyone including Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Shania Twain have performed in this city. It really is Music City! Also, if you’re a hockey fan, be sure to visit the arena when the hometown Predators are in town.
#7 -
Music Row
There’s really no place in the world quite like Music Row. It’s literally an entire street lined with country music bar after country music bar. Some of the spots are even three stories high, with each story having their own bars and own stages for bands to rock out on. We pretty much capped off each day of the trip by checking out a few of the bars in Music Row. If you came to Nashville to party and to listen to some great country music, look no further than Music Row! And who knows, you might get to see the next great country star before their big break.
#6 -
Capital Building Area
Want to get out a bit? Take a walk or short drive over to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Walk up the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol (or run like me!) to take a fun picture against the nice background. The capital, which was built over 160 years ago, offers daily tours. Explore the grounds and nearby area to take in the historical statues and the lovely parks.
#5 -
Nashville Farmers’ Market
If you’ve read some of our other blog posts then you certainly know that we love ourselves a good old farmer’s market. They’re just such a great way to get a feel for a new city and the creative people that live there. The Nashville Farmers’ Market was no exception! On top of their outdoor market place, they have an area called the market house. It’s indoors (which you’ll be very happy about if you’re there during the humid summer) and is the home of 20 locally owned shops that sell drinks, food, art, crafts, and more.
#4 -
Pinewood Social
A trendy and unique spot to visit that offers a range of fun activities. This location includes a coffee bar where you can sip on a latte while clicking on the laptop or listening to some quiet music on the comfy sofa. Then it transforms into a dining area with a 360 degree bar that serves up beers, wines, and craft cocktails. Order some food and reserve a lane at their vintage bowling alley. One lane costs $40 an hour and includes shoe rentals for up to eight people. After that, pop outside for some fresh air, bocce ball, and ping pong. Take a cooling dip in one of their pools and enjoy some tacos and other appetizers from their airstream food truck. They also offer board games and private karaoke rooms to add to the fun and hip atmosphere. Call ahead to make reservations and take advantage of their free parking with validation if you are driving. The Pinewood Social is open until 1am every day and is a great place to get in some lighthearted amusement on your trip!
#3 -
Peg Leg Porker
You can’t leave Nashville without trying out some of its delicious, mouth-watering BBQ locales. A stone’s throw from the next place on our list, Peg Leg Poker is the highest rated barbeque restaurant in Nashville according to Yelp. We stopped by for lunch and ordered the BBQ nachos and the pulled pork sandwich. Everything was absolutely delicious! If you find yourself in the mood for some barbeque while you’re in the city, then Peg Leg Poker should be your first stop.
#2 -
Biscuit Love
Looking for an authentic Southern breakfast experience? Then visit one of the 3 locations of Biscuit Love. This family owned business started as a food truck founded by a husband and wife who both attended culinary school. They make everything from scratch and use only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You must try the Bonuts for a delicious start to your meal! They serve lunch and brunch as well, and even offer souvenirs for sale, such as their homemade mugs and jams. Be prepared to wait in a long line, especially during the summer months. But don’t forget to follow their window slogan and “Stop and smell the biscuits.” We also walked around the neighboring area to take in some Instagram photo opportunities, boutique shops, and a flower cart.
#1 -
Parthenon at Centennial Park
Looking for a place to get some exercise and spend some time outdoors, we discovered Centennial Park. We took a short Uber over to the park and were so happy that we did! The park was huge and surrounded by a cute area full of restaurants. It’s very close to Vanderbilt University, so there’s definitely a college vibe to it. But the biggest surprise laid inside the park. We had no idea that inside the park was a full scale replica of the Partheon in Athens!
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