Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you just got into town, you’ll be surprised by how many fun and exciting things there are to do in Nashville. There are always new things popping up and intriguing places you might never have noticed.
From families to college students, there are activities for everyone in Nashville, TN. It can be hard to find things to do in Nashville when you have to take into account everyone in your group.
With this guide, you’ll be able to find exciting and fun adventures for everyone in your group. Whether you are looking to plan a romantic night out or you’re taking the kids on vacation, there is a little something for everyone in this wonderful city.
Take a look at this guide and you’re bound to find something incredible that you might have never noticed before.
Fun Things to Do in Nashville
When it comes to fun things to do in Tennessee, Nashville just can’t be beat. This capital city sports the best in fun for everyone who comes here. Whether you have kids or you are looking to find some relaxation, this city has it all.
One thing you can’t find anywhere else is the famous listening rooms of Nashville. This city was built on music and that energy is still alive and well everywhere you go. Listening rooms are an experience unique to Nashville.
Listening rooms feature Nashville’s up and coming musicians playing their latest hits just for you. You can think of these as open mics at a coffee shop but with supreme musical talent and a refined atmosphere. The Listening Room Cafe is one of the premier stops for relaxed live music in the city.
If you’re looking for something a little more spectacular, Nashville is home to the legendary Grand Ole Opry. This country music theater got off to a humble start as a local radio “barn dance” hall in 1925, but today it is a beacon for country music luminaries from all over the world.
Even if country music isn’t quite your thing, a show at the Grand Ole Opry just might change your mind.
If you are looking for something a little more energetic, there are plenty of outdoor things to do in Nashville. Destinations like The Adventure Park are just one of the many outdoor fun locations that are popping up all over the city.
You can ride zip lines, bike forested trails, and embrace the greenways that make this city famous.
Nashville’s greenways are a unique system of parks and trails that connect the city’s schools, transportation hubs, and shopping districts. Outdoor adventurers can navigate this city through its exciting network of green parks and trails.
What should you do in Nashville if you’ve got kids?
Things to Do in Nashville With Kids
If you are looking for things to do in Nashville with kids, then you’ve come to the right place.
Nashville has something for everyone. It’s got fun activities for outdoorsy kids, children who are into history and science, and more than a lifetime’s worth of excitement for your young musician.
The Nashville Zoo is one of the most iconic places to visit in the city. The zoo not only has all the animals your kids want to see, but you can check their calendar for everything from cultural festivals like Chinese New Year to musical events.
The Adventure Science Center lets your kids have fun while giving you the satisfaction of sneaking in a little learning while you are on vacation.
Setting up a fun day out for the kids is an easy job when in Nashville, but what about your teens?
Things to Do in Nashville for Teens
Teens are tricky, but finding things to do in Nashville that peak their interest is a breeze.
Nashville is one trendy city. Teens will find endless excitement that doesn’t ruffle their sense of cool and individuality.
Start your teen’s Nashville adventure off at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Not only will they get to experience the history of America’s most iconic music, they can also stop into the Taylor Swift Education Center to get hands-on music experience inspired by one of today’s biggest stars.
Want to get out without cramping your teen’s style? Nashville is known the world over for its downtown murals. You can find murals painted on the sides of buildings by local artists all over the city. Head out and explore one of Nashville’s friendly neighborhoods with your teen and snap some pics with these iconic works of art.
Now that we’ve gotten a few activities for the kids taken care of, let’s find some fun for the adults!
Things to Do in Nashville for Adults
Nashville is where it’s at when you are looking for fun activities just for adults.
When you start looking for adult things to do in Nashville, the best place to begin is with music venues.
You’ll be able to find countless venues that gear their shows to a more mature crowd. Historic venues like The Station Inn place their musical focus on the adults in the audience. While children are admitted to this venue, they have to be accompanied by an adult.
If you want to get a close-up look at one of country music’s greatest artists, the George Jones Museum is where you need to head. This location is more than just another museum, it features a rooftop bar where you can enjoy legendary country tunes while sipping a refreshing cocktail made by an expert mixologist.
Nashville is also home to some of the region's best breweries and distilleries. Adults can enjoy taking a tour of one of these locations while sampling some of the best drinks our country has to offer.
Nashville has a fun side that is just for adults. The trend of pedal taverns has taken this musical city by storm. Adults can enjoy locally brewed beers and ciders while pedaling through Nashville’s most beautiful neighborhoods. You can hop on a pedal tavern tour and get to know this city while having the time of your life.
What should you do if you want to explore Nashville while keeping your budget intact?
Free and Cheap Things To Do in Nashville
Finding free and cheap things to do in Nashville starts with this town’s iconic parks.
The Parthenon stands in the center of Centennial Park where it marks one of Nashville’s greatest architectural achievements. This is a recreation of the Parthenon in Greece complete with all of the historic accuracy and staggering beauty of ancient Greek artwork. Best of all, it won’t cost a dime to stroll through just like the rest of the parks in Nashville.
The Nashville flea market offers you a chance to bring home a souvenir that is truly unique. Rather than getting your standard gift shop trinket, you can pick up a piece of local history while still keeping your budget together.
Downtown Nashville is home to many different things to do while keeping your budget intact. From the local museums to historic architecture, you can stroll through this part of town and take in all of what Nashville has to offer without breaking your bank.
Nashville also features plenty of festivals all years round complete with food and live music. You can take in local culture without having to take out a loan.
What should you do for family fun on a budget?
Inexpensive Family Fun
Finding family things to do in Nashville that can save you some cash can be tricky, but that’s why this guide exists.
The Tennessee State Museum is always free to guests. If you need to beat the Nashville heat and have an entire day’s worth of activities, this is where you should head. The museum features plenty of activities for all ages including story time for ages 3 to 6 every Thursday and Saturday.
Are you ready to take your kids on a real adventure? Then head to Nashville’s Dragon Park. More formally known as Fannie Mae Dees Park, this bit of local lore is home to some of the city's most fantastic sculptures including a gigantic dragon!
Nashville’s shopping scene also features some budget-friendly gems like Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. While the candy comes at a reasonable price, your family will get free samples as they walk in the door that you can enjoy while exploring one of the largest candy shops around.
For families who want a little more history in their budget-friendly options, you can head to Nashville’s Germantown to see one of this city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Let’s take a closer look at things you can do in Downtown Nashville.
Things to Do in Downtown Nashville
There are things to do in downtown Nashville that are perfect for everyone. Whether you are looking for a little family fun or planning a romantic getaway, the heart of Nashville has what you are looking for.
Adults are in luck when it comes to downtown fun in Nashville.
There is plenty of excitement to find for the 21 and over crowd. Historic bars like the Whiskey Bent Saloon and Alley Taps let you take in some of the city’s best adult beverages while soaking in a historic environment.
Bourbon Street Blues and other music venues give you a front row seat to some of the biggest names in Nashville music while letting you unwind from a day’s excitement. You can also cut loose with the many music-themed pub crawls and more historically focused explorations of Nashville’s history as America’s premier whisky capital.
Are you ready to brave some of the spookiest activities in downtown Nashville? It doesn’t have to be near Halloween to enjoy this city’s haunted side. There are plenty of ghost tours in downtown Nashville that will take you through this city’s haunted history. Whether you are looking to get spooked or you want to dive into the gothic history of Nashville, these tours have something for everyone.
Downtown Nashville’s fashion district is about more than retro country charm. The fashionistas in your group will be able to find exactly what they are looking for in downtown Nashville. Independent designers are crafting the future of style here in downtown Nashville and you can stop into their shops and get ahead of tomorrow’s fashion trends.
Downtown also pays homage to the city’s history. Whether you are looking to get a pair of genuine cowboy boots or you want to grab a guitar, you can find it in downtown Nashville.
Speaking of guitars, you’ll be able to find an instrument you can take home in downtown Nashville. There are vintage guitar shops, local luthiers, and everything in between in Nashville's musical heart.
Downtown Nashville is also a destination in and of itself. You don’t have to have a place in mind when you head to downtown Nashville. Hop off the local transportation and explore downtown and you’ll find a world of wonders.
When you explore downtown Nashville, you’ll open yourself up to some of the best, and most historic, architecture the town has to offer. You’ll also stumble upon live music, inspiring artwork, and maybe even find a one-of-a-kind gift in a local shop.
Nashville is a city built for exploration and the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down.
Things to Do in Nashville at Night
If you are looking for things to do in Nashville at night, then your late night adventure has to start in Printer’s Alley. This isn’t the name of a bar or club, it’s the beating heart of late night fun in Nashville.
Printer’s Alley is a historic location. This alley is home to countless bars, clubs, and music venues. No matter what late night fun you need, Printer’s Alley has it. You can find casual saloon-style bars to relax and sip a choice beverage just as easily as you can find a roaring karaoke party.
Nashville is also home to a booming club scene. It’s no surprise for a city built on music. If you are getting a little worn out by the contestant country tunes emanating from every building in the city, you can head into one of the city’s late night dance clubs to enjoy the latest in chart topping hip hop and electronic music.
If you have a late night hankering for some real Nashville grub, then you need to head to Paradise Park Trailer Resort.
Part theme park and part outdoor hub, Paradise Park is a trailer park-themed collection of eateries and other late-night activities.
Late night Nashville, like the rest of the city, is also tied into its history. You can find late night speakeasies all over Nashville that harken back to the days when alcohol was illegal and secrecy and privacy were the tone for the night.
Nashville is a city of fun, but how do you unwind from all that excitement?
Relaxing Ways to End Your Day
There are plenty of things to do at night in Nashville that allow you to unwind. Let’s take a look at a few different ways to kick back at the end of a busy day.
If your day has been all saloons and country music shows, you might want to stretch your feet. Nashville Night Tours offers you the chance to get to know this city at night. These tours don’t tax your feet because they are onboard an old school Nashville trolley. The expert tour guides give you a rundown of the city’s history and are there to field your questions. You can hop off the trolly to catch a late-night show or just sip some local beverages as you unwind.
You can head to Lower Broadway if you are looking for a musical way to end your day. In Lower Broadway, you’ll find Nashville’s best local music. Just walk the streets until you hear something that pulls you in.
Speaking of music, you can catch a show at “The Mother Church of Country Music,” Ryman Auditorium. This historic venue has been open since the 1940s and features some of the best country music history in town. Just hop into a seat and kick back as you are treated to the best country music acts around.
If you are looking for something a little more artistic, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center features a wide variety of shows from plays to Broadway hits. Other locals like the local Belcourt Theatre and art museums offer late-night getaways for adults looking to trade the busy city streets for something a little more refined.
Nashville is more than just a city of music; it’s also a city of romance.
Romantic Things to Do in Nashville
Romantic things to do in Nashville, TN, for couples abound. You’ll find everything you need in this city whether you are looking to lead up to popping the question or you just want a relaxing evening with your sweetheart.
Romance starts in an unlikely part of Nashville: Germantown. This neighborhood features the best dating activities in the city. You can enjoy local cuisine, hit up a neighborhood bar, or even take a class together. Germantown is home to several different cooking classes aimed at adults and couples that want to have a little fun that they can take home with them.
Nashville is also home to a variety of local arcades for couples who want to while away the late night hours playing everything from vintage arcade classics to the latest in virtual reality gaming.
If you haven’t had enough of the sweet side of Nashville, you can take your sweetheart candy making. The Goo Goo Shop is a local candy shop that offers candy-making lessons for couples. You and your partner will be able to have fun doing a truly sweet activity.
Romance in Nashville doesn’t end when the sun goes down.
Romantic Evening Adventures
You can find romantic activities all over the city when the sun goes down.
Every first Saturday of the month, downtown Nashville hosts the First Saturday Art Crawl. The city opens up to pop-up art galleries, established art institutions, and local bars and eateries. You’ll be able to find all of the city’s best artwork on display and might even get to take home a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
Nashville is a city that never sleeps. No matter what time of the year you and your partner head into town, there will be local events that celebrate the season. From late night concerts in the park to Nashville’s legendary Christmas lights, you and your partner will be able to take in plenty of late night offerings in Nashville.
What would late-night romance in Nashville be without a little music? While this list has already gone over the legendary and historic music halls in this city, the underground music scene is alive and well.
You and your love can adventure into Nashville’s tucked away music spots to listen to underground artists building the future of country and other musical styles.
Nashville isn’t just about country music; this city is also packed with cool things to do.
Explore Nashville’s Wild Side With These Unique Things to Do
Don’t let the country music history of this city fool you, there are weird and unique things to do that will satisfy even the most eclectic of tastes.
Every Sunday in Nashville’s Elmington Park, you can witness something truly unique. Dur Demario is a medieval combat society dedicated to preserving, teaching, and reenacting the fighting styles of medieval Europe and they show off their historic skills in the heart of Nashville every week.
Nashville is a city defined by history and that includes the strange parts. You can take a stroll through weird shops like Dark Aesthetics to find unique gifts that are a little on the strange side.
There are constantly festivals going on in Nashville. Some are a little more unique than others. You can schedule your visit to align with events like the Tomato Arts Festival to see some of the most unique events Nashville has to offer.
Do you want to do something really weird in Nashville? This city is home to America’s best bathrooms. You heard that right. Nashville hotels, bars, and music venues have gone all out to create stunning bathrooms that are more works of art than restrooms. You can take a tour to see these for yourself.
Nashville is also home to cool and artistic things to do.
Cool and Artsy Places to Visit
There are things to do in Nashville that are perfect for your art aficionado friends and family.
If you want to see what the latest trends in art are shaping up to be, you can head over to the Frist Center art gallery. This is where Nashville is reshaping its artistic legacy. You’ll be able to see the latest in cutting-edge art made by iconic and local artists alike.
The Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum has transformed a former mansion into a bustling artistic center. This center is built on 100 acres of pristine woodland and features countless paths, unique botanical gardens, and an art museum that ties the experience together.
If you want to take in the full art scene of Nashville, take the time to book an art tour of the city. This will take you to the various art galleries and let you explore a variety of styles across time periods.
Nashville is home to some truly wonderful indoor and outdoor activities.
Indoor and Outdoor Things to Do
If you are looking for indoor and outdoor things to do, then Nashville is where you want to head.
The legendary RCA Studio B is where the sound of Nashville was born. You can take a tour of this studio and see where America’s music history was shaped and changed forever. While you’re at RCA Studio B, you’ll be able to discover how today’s music was shaped by the generations of artists that came before us.
Fans of outdoor activities can take in any number of sporting events in Nashville. Football fans can catch a Titans game, hockey lovers can check out the Predators, and the city can show you everything else from basketball to soccer.
No matter what adventures you are looking for, Nashville has the top attractions in the state.
Come Visit Nashville
Nashville has been at the center of American history and culture for generations. Whether you are into the storied tales that shape our society or you want to see the roots of American culture, you can find it all in Nashville.
Families, couples, and fun-seeking adults will never run out of exciting and adventurous things to do in Nashville, TN.
This guide gave you a primer on all of the fun you can have in Nashville, but now it’s up to you to get out there and explore this iconic city.
The time of your life is waiting for you in Nashville; are you ready to get out there and claim it?