Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Nashville, Tennessee. #Top Attractions

Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Nashville, Tennessee. #Top Attractions

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Nashville is the home of country music. You will find the origins of R&B, a strong pop and rock culture, and the cradle of bluegrass. 

Year-round, tourists swarm to the city to see the famous recording studios on Music Row and to enjoy live music in the honky-tonks on Broadway.

In addition, The Grand Ole Opry House, the location of the renowned “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio program, is one of the most illustrious country music venues.

Check out the impressive cities you can explore in Nashville, Tennessee!

Belmont Mansion

Belmont Mansion, Nashville, Tennessee
Belmont Mansion / MDeWitt98 / Flickr

Witness the largest house that was constructed in Tennessee before the Civil War. Adelicia and Joseph Acklen lived in Belmont Mansion, which was built between 1849 and 1860. Sounds historical!

While learning about the location and the people — free and enslaved — who make this site worthwhile, visitors can see one of the few 1850s-era homes remaining in Nashville.

If you plan to explore the place, rest assured that most of the Belmont Mansion’s rooms have undergone painstaking restoration.

You will also have the chance to witness an equipped with period-appropriate furniture, artwork, and sculpture. Bring your camera so you can take historical home memories!

Additionally, visitors can take tours of the historic home. You can either buy tickets in advance or at the door. The house is also a favorite wedding and event rental location in Nashville.

As a bonus, you will also find many courteous staff members eager to assist with any inquiries. 

You will enjoy learning in Belmont Mansion. You can visit this unique place anytime, so don’t miss the chance!

Address: Belmont University campus corner of Acklen Avenue & Belmont Blvd – behind Freeman Hall, 1901 15th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212, United States

Broadway

Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee
Broadway / Han Zheng / Flickr

Nashville, the location of well-known attractions like Broadway Street, should be at the top of your list. Nashville offers everything from a flourishing music scene to an engaging nightlife to world-class dining and historic charm.

The four-block section of Broadway known as Honky Tonk Highway, analogous to Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Beale Street in Memphis, became the center of the country music scene. Numerous renowned performers began their careers in taverns and music venues.

You will find the best bars, restaurants, and music venues on Broadway Street. You should stay in this fascinating city for a few days to explore this region completely!

There’s undoubtedly something along Broadway Street for you to enjoy, whether you’re a major fan of country music or sports. Vacationers who want to attend a hockey game or view some lovely historic buildings should visit this beautiful place.

In addition, visitors can explore a variety of museums and historical places on Broadway Street. Fans of country music would adore a trip to one of the greats’ memorial museums, such as the Patsy Cline or Johnny Cash Museums.

The Goo Goo Shop is a candy shop on Broadway Street that sells vintage candies, cakes, milkshakes, and other treats. Anyone who visits this famous destination will be in heaven if they have a sweet tooth!

Many fun adventures await you on Broadway. Book your trip today!

Address: Nashville, Tennessee

First Art Museum

Heads up, museum lovers!

The First Art Museum is a nonprofit institution that hosts important national and international exhibitions with the best visual art produced by local, state, and regional artists.

Also, the museum is housed in a 1930s-era white marble structure that was also Nashville’s main post office. Since it was built during that era, you can expect to witness many historical things and treasures!

Check out the unique museum’s exhibition pages if you want an exhibition. Each page includes comprehensive information on the programs linked to the collection and a variety of resources, such as gallery guides, audio guides, videos, and supplemental material from many sources.

For more adventure, explore the Martin ArtQuest. It is an interactive exhibition area always open at the First Art Museum. The MAQ space includes a painting station, a shadow theater, a printmaking station, and a zoetrope station.

In addition, you will also see a stop-motion animation tool, an interactive Everbright wall made up of color-changing dials, and a collaborative textile installation using a large six-sided art deco grid. Interesting!

You can also enjoy a full-body animated digital painting experience and a sound pattern station that lets users alter frequencies with sand on metal plates.

Visit the First Art Museum today!

Address: 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

Grand Ole Opry

Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
Grand Ole Opry / Todd Van Hoosear / Flickr

The Grand Ole Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s top attraction, is renowned for providing audiences of all ages with one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences. Every week, extraordinary moments take place there!

It is also one of the best and most enduring Nashville attractions. A visit to Nashville would not be complete without attending a performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, which has a capacity of 4,400 people.

Many refer to it as the “Home of American Music” and the “Country’s Most Famous Stage,” Each year, hundreds of thousands of people travel from all over the city or the globe to attend live performances at the Grand Ole Opry. Fantastic!

The best in bluegrass, country music, and other genres are featured on the longest-running radio show in history. For music lovers, don’t miss out on this chance!

The atmosphere is charming, and the performers were all great. The performers’ talents span a wide spectrum. You won’t get bored!

If you want a tour, you can approach their friendly staff, who will assist you. Touring the backstage area of The Grand Ole Opry is a must-try.

Come and enjoy the shows at The Grand Ole Opry!

Address: 2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States

Loveless Cafe

Loveless Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee
Loveless Cafe / Chris Connelly / Flickr

A Nashville landmark that maintains its Southern charm is the Loveless Cafe!

Its warm neon sign on Highway 100, which advertises daily fresh biscuits and country ham, draws food, residents, tourists, and celebrities alike. 

The Loveless Cafe is founded on the values of coziness, home-cooked food, and sincere Southern hospitality. You will have a relaxing stay here!

Some of the main dishes you can try are Chicken N’ Bacon Waffles, Smokin’ Peach Wings, Savory Pumpkin Tart with Peppered Bacon, Blue Ribbon Salad, and many impeccable cuisines. Tasty!

Meanwhile, they also serve some beverages such as Sweet Tea Julep, Preserves N’ Prosecco, Blueberry Bourbon Smash, Bacon-Infused Vodka Bloody Marys, and many more.

In addition, if you are looking for sweet desserts, The Loveless Cafe offers a lot. Cranberry Orange Muffins, Santa Grahams, Homemade Peach Ice Cream, and Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are some of them.

For other fun experiences, a food truck is also available. Private events in the greater Nashville region can use the Loveless Cafe Food Truck.

The customers can choose from various selections, including Loveless Cafe favorites like fried chicken and biscuits, to create a bespoke menu for their occasion.

Join the fun in The Loveless Cafe!

Address: 8400 Hwy 100 Nashville, TN 37221

Music Row

Nashville’s Music Row is a pedestrian-only area where you can experience the city’s rich musical history!

Explore numerous music-related establishments, including record label offices, radio stations, and recording studios. Notably, you can see the renowned RCA Studio B, where icons like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton cut their smash singles, line the streets here.

Touring RCA Studio B, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and was a key component in the early development of the “Nashville Sound,” is the top thing to do on Music Row in Nashville.

Take note, Nashville’s “Music Row” is home to more than just excellent music. A visit to this fascinating part of the city is completed wonderfully by the area’s many superb boutiques and upmarket restaurants!

In addition, you can see amazing exhibits that change throughout the year, so you can see something new each time you go.

Music Row is famous for its excellent restaurants if you want something to eat. Over the years, Demonbreun Street has welcomed a lot of posh eateries and nightclubs. At one of Nashville’s best eateries, such as The Catbird Seat, an upscale restaurant serving American cuisine with a constantly-changing menu, you may experience the true flavor of Music City.

Music Row has many immersive experiences for you to enjoy!

Address: 16th Ave. S. and 17th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203

Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo, Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Zoo / Sharon Mollerus / Flickr

Nashville Zoo is a fascinating location to visit, with daily events. Many fun adventures await you!

The Zoo, Nashville’s top tourist destination, features a range of animals that thrive in gorgeously natural outdoor habitats along shady pathways.

Explore immersive animal habitats as you’ve never seen them before. You can also ride on the Soaring Eagle zip line and learn about the Zoo’s history at the Historic Home.

Visit the stunning new exhibits for Sumatran tigers or Andean bears. You can also check out Lorikeet Landing and Kangaroo Kickabout up close. Sounds fun!

For other fun experiences, you can witness various international creatures, such as spider monkeys, white rhinoceroses, Masai giraffes, clouded leopards, and more!

You will also be able to observe the clouded leopard cubs since the nursery has windows. The fact that some restrooms include displays is among the more intriguing features. The Boelen’s python display is in the men’s bathroom, while the cotton-top tamarin exhibit is in the women’s restroom.

Guests are welcome to bring their food and drink, but the in-zoo dining options are hard to match. In Quills Cafe & Grill, classic menu items like burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more are available daily.

Meanwhile, in Screaming Gibbon Pizza Kitchen, a huge variety of appetizers, salads, pizza, and even cheesecake are available when it’s open.

Enjoy and have fun!

Address: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN 37211, United States

Parthenon

Parthenon, Nashville, Tennessee
Parthenon / Will Powell / Flickr

Parthenon provides a unique opportunity to learn from Nashville Parthenon personnel and volunteers. You will bring home unique experiences from this lovely place!

The centerpiece of Centennial Park, Nashville’s premier urban park, is the Parthenon, which stands majestically. The Parthenon’s main attraction is a replica of the 42-foot-tall figure of Athena, just as it was in classical Greece.

Visit the Art Cart during the workweek for unique hands-on learning opportunities. You can also join an architecture tour to learn about the 2,500-year history of architecture.

Meanwhile, on a Centennial Park History Tour, you may explore the park and learn why a Parthenon in Tennessee has existed for more than 125 years. Taking a museum tour to understand more about the biggest indoor monument in our hemisphere is a must-try!

As a bonus, you will find many specialists in art and history available to respond to your inquiries and assist you in stumbling onto amazing details in the place’s extensive collection.

You can also see more gallery spaces that offer a location for a range of transient displays and exhibits. You shouldn’t miss out on witnessing the impressive collections!

Come and check out Parthenon today!

Address: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

Radnor Lake

Radnor Lake, Nashville, Tennessee
Radnor Lake / avmaier / Flickr

For outdoor adventure enthusiasts, this is for you!

Radnor Lake State Park offers many adventures and outdoor opportunities you can enjoy with your loved ones. Its wealth of options for wildlife observation, environmental education initiatives, hiking opportunities, and urban settings make it special.

Nature lovers will love the park’s abundance of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, including mink and otters, as well as its owls, herons, and waterfowl. Sounds interesting!

The region’s natural ecological richness includes hundreds of plants, including trees, shrubs, vines, mosses, mushrooms, and wildflowers. Several ranger-led programs are planned throughout the year, including canoe floats, wildflower walks, and astronomy night hikes.

You can also experience nature hikes, programs on snakes, off-trail land acquisition hikes, and birds of prey. Fantastic!

Meanwhile, only day visitors are permitted in the park. The 7.75 miles of trails are utilized only for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. 

Additionally, The Otter Creek Road route is the only place where pets, jogging, and cycling are permitted. All-terrain wheelchair users can access the Lake Trail.

As a bonus, visitors can drive to the park from downtown Nashville for free access to the entire area. So don’t miss out!

Address: 1160 Otter Creek Road Nashville, TN 37220

Ryman Auditorium

Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee
Ryman Auditorium / Ron Cogswell / Flickr

In Ryman Auditorium, you have a bunch of things you can enjoy!

Join a tour of the auditorium to learn about its history over the past century. You can also watch a chronology of its development and some of the most prestigious shows.

Look through a collection of posters that prominent showbiz figures have signed, and see videos that Hollywood legends have given. You can learn about the numerous films and television programs by visiting the historical place. Some of them are The Johnny Cash Show, Sweet Dreams, and Coal Miner’s Daughter.

For other experiences, visit the dressing rooms where actors anxiously await their eager audiences. You can also take a photo as a souvenir while on stage. Recording your rendition of well-known country and pop songs at the venue’s recording studio sounds fun!

If you are looking for a list of interesting concerts and events, see the event calendar. You can choose from hundreds of performances each year!

“Soul of Nashville” is a one-of-a-kind theater production. It highlights more than a century of great performances. It features a new collaboration with Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers, immersing you in Ryman’s enchanted past.

If you’re up to witnessing Ryman Auditorium, book your trip today!

Address: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, United States

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Heads up, sports enthusiasts!

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is a fascinating spot to visit if you like to explore sports-related attractions.

The unique place is more than just what is contained within the museum’s four walls. The Hall recognizes life accomplishments made possible by sports and acts as a platform to link athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters.

By visiting this place, you will learn a lot of things. Sports participation teaches lessons on bravery, commitment, and effort. You are learning while having a good time!

There is also a short movie and many souvenirs from famous athletes, from those who represented Tennessee teams to those born there and who played professionally. It is undoubtedly worthwhile to visit!

In addition, you can visit their recently opened Pat Summitt exhibit and other exhibits on Olympians. Exploring other shows, such as the steeplechase, renowned athletes like Peyton Manning, and more sounds fun!

If you are with your kids, fun activities are available for them. Kids can participate in several games and activities throughout the Hall while dressed as a Nashville Predator or a Tennessee Titan.

Book your visit to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum today!

Address: 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

The Hermitage

The Hermitage
The Hermitage / Ron Cogswell / Flickr

Visit The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee, to learn about Andrew Jackson’s life and residence. You will find a lovely, historic Tennessee farm and get a sense of how significant Nashville and the country are.

Enjoy top-notch regional wines, craft beer, and light fare at the nearby family-run Natchez Hills Winery tasting room. You can also explore indoor and outdoor sitting with views of the lovely Hermitage grounds. Grabbing a wine slush and exploring the grounds on foot is a must-try!

On a tour of Andrew Jackson’s historic estate accompanied by an interpreter, travel back in time. The mansion’s rooms each have a history that spans generations. Currently, all-day tours operate continually. Sounds fun!

You can also wander through a lovely old garden and discover pet-friendly hiking routes.

This is good news for you if you are with your furry friends. Dogs are permitted on the property and are allowed to roam, play, and walk when on a leash.

There are numerous activities, tours, and events available at The Hermitage. So don’t miss out!

Address: 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States

The Johnny Cash Museum

The Johnny Cash Museum, Nashville, Tennessee
The Johnny Cash Museum / Kelly Verdeck / Flickr

The Johnny Cash Museum is recognized by Forbes, Conde’ Naste, and National Geographic Traveler as the world’s best music museum. This location is perfect for music lovers!

It features the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia. Interesting!

Some collections you can expect to see are stage costumes, musical instruments, and handwritten lyrics. You will also have the chance to witness the personal letters and impressive artwork in the area!

There are also a few tiny theaters where you can view Johnny Cash videos. Countless recordings of his music that you can listen to through headphones are also available.

In addition, you can also visit Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ while you’re at the Johnny Cash Museum. You will find authentic BBQ, Southern cuisine, fantastic cocktails, and some of Nashville’s best music!

The Johnny Cash Museum is worth visiting anytime. Bring your camera so you can take home good memories. Come and see this wonderful museum today!

Address: 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201, United States

Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory

If you want a unique experience, Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is a majestic spot to visit!

Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, which sits on one of Nashville’s highest peaks, is a treasure of Tennessee. Despite being a small building, the interior is thoughtfully set up with interesting displays.

It also engages the community through the arts. Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory regularly features outdoor performances by regional musicians and singers/songwriters. This occurs during its Bluebird on the Mountain and Opera on the Mountain programs. 

Additionally, the observatory dome is opened after a magnificent sunset and wonderful music. The guests are allowed to observe celestial wonders through the Seyfert and DeWitt Telescopes. Fantastic!

You will find many committed and knowledgeable personnel ready to demonstrate, describe, instruct, and respond to your inquiries in the area. Grab your chance to have a lovely tour of this unique place.

If you are interested in astronomy and galaxy-related things, this is the best time to visit this fascinating place. The experiences waiting for you are all worth it!

Everything occurs at Dyer. You can observe the impressive Jupiter’s clouds in this place. This is a one-time experience, so don’t miss out on the chance!

Address: 1000 Oman Dr, Brentwood, TN 37027, United States

Warners Park

If you enjoy having fun adventures, visiting Warner Parks is the best thing to do.

In this majestic place, you will find many activities to explore. You can explore athletes’ fields, cross-country running tracks, golf courses, and dog parks.

Hiking and mountain biking trails, an equestrian facility, and horseback riding routes amenities are also available in the area.

For extra knowledge, The Warner Parks cover over 3,100 acres of forest and field and are located 9 miles from downtown Nashville. It is also one of Tennessee’s biggest municipally run parks.

The Warner Park Nature Center is great for kids and offers educational activities and details on the parks’ natural heritage.

The routes are simple and enjoyable for families, and there is also a natural playground. Sounds fun!

In addition, visitors can enjoy Warner Parks’ natural beauty and some extra unique features through free, narrated, private, and group excursions.

Warner Parks offers activities for all ages, from sports to relaxation. Enjoy and have fun with your loved ones!

Address: 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, United States

Volunteer At Animal Shelters

Animal Shelters in Nashville, Tennessee
Animal Shelters in Nashville, Tennessee

Volunteer at animal shelters to help abandoned pets in your community. Animal shelters are important to our communities because they work hard to reunite lost pets with their owners, protect those who need them and find new homes for homeless and abandoned animals.

Most of the work done by animal shelters is done quietly and with little or no fanfare. But the work is profound and critically important nonetheless. The people who work day in and day out on behalf of the voiceless. Imagine your community without shelters and animal rescue groups. Imagine the millions of animals cared for in shelters each year instead of being abandoned to live on the street. The picture is not pretty, and the ripple effect would be huge. The impacts on public health and safety would be immeasurable. And the impact on the welfare of our beloved companions would be devastating. We should appreciate (and support) animal shelters and the people who work in them for many reasons.

Consider giving your used towels and bedding to rescue organizations or the humane society if you’re short on time but still want to contribute. The animals at the shelter are constantly in need of warm bedding. If your kids stop using their infant blankets, a puppy or kitten might feel cozy inside them. Rescue groups and humane societies always need cat and dog food, cat litter, leashes, collars, and toys.

Spread the love, and check out the list of animal shelters in Nashville, Tennessee, to volunteer at.

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