What to Do in Nashville
Music city is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong adventure. With historic spots to visit during the day, and a bustling nightlife, there’s loads to do. Between musical museums, live music listening rooms, honky tonk bars, and historic sites, it’s easy to get lost in all of Nashville’s offerings. Pick one activity from each category to build your perfect Nashville getaway.
Musical Museums
There’s no shortage of museums worth visiting in Nashville and the country music capital of the world boasts many music related museums. Here are three options that are among ‘can’t miss’ status.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
One of the largest museums dedicated to country music, this museum’s collection documents the history of country music with more than eight hundred costumes, over six hundred instruments, and hundreds of other objects - from microphones to automobiles.
https://countrymusichalloffame.org/
The Johnny Cash Museum
The world’s most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia includes stage costumes, instruments, personal letters, artwork, and handwritten lyrics located in the heart of downtown Nashville.
https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/
National Museum of African American Music
From classical to country to jazz and hip hop, NMAAM integrates history and interactive technology to explore the the evolution of African American music and its contribution to the modern music landscape.
NMAAM is my personal can’t miss choice. The interactive technology made the history come alive to create a truly unique museum experience.
Live Music
No trip to Nashville would be complete without taking in live music, and the city is alight with it.
The two live music experiences that you need to have in Nashville are visiting a Honky Tonk, a bar experience featuring live music, and a listening room, a music venue/concert experience featuring a bar. There are plenty of Honky Tonks along Broadway that feature new artists waiting to be discovered, but a far more intimate experience is going to a listening room.
Listening Rooms
Bluebird Cafe
This is a world famous listening room that has been part of the Nashville scene for nearly four decades. With shows happening usually at 6pm and 9pm, it’s worth it to get there at least a half hour before showtime to secure a seat.
It is a small venue and space fills up fast.
https://bluebirdcafe.com/shows/
The Listening Room
Founded in 2006, the Listening Room is a great venue to here singer/songwriters share original music. While you can try your luck at walking in to see a show, we recommend making a reservation in advance.
https://listeningroomcafe.com/nashville/reservations/calendar/
Honky Tonks
Nudie’s Honky Tonk
Named for Nudie Cohn, who dressed the likes of Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash, this Honky Tonk boasts the longest bar in Nashville at 100 feet.
https://www.nudieshonkytonk.com
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
A staple of downtown Nashville, Willie Nelson got his first songwriting gig after performing at Tootsies.
Puckett’s Grocery
Started in the 1950s as a small grocery in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, Puckett’s has built a name on hosting live, local musical acts and serving Southern authentic comfort food classics.
Historical Sites
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
At the Hermitage, visitors can expect to see a day in the life of plantation living, as they tour the mansion and the expansive grounds and learn about the history of slavery, the role of women, and the war.
Belle Mead Plantation
Observe Greek Revival architecture through historical tours of the site along with wine or bourbon tastings. There are also dedicated tours giving voice to the black men and women enslaved on the plantation.
Jack Daniels Distillery
Located in a dry county, an hour away from Nashville, explore the home of the Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey. While there’s no sampling in Lynchburg, TN, there are plenty of bars when you get back to Nashville.
