10 Best Things to Do in Nashville

The Gulch is an increasingly cool and popular area on the outskirts of downtown Nashville. Named for the fact that it’s in a slight dip in the land between Edgehill and Rutledge Hill, The Gulch used to be a mostly industrial place. The abandoned warehouses have been replaced or redeveloped, and they now house excellent restaurants and trendy stores.

As well as shopping and dining, be sure to check out the amazing murals dotted around the neighbourhood. You could also consider a visit to the Frist Art Museum, which changes its exhibits regularly.

Nashville is known as the home of country music, so you won't want to miss a visit to the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum if you're in the city.

One of the world's largest museums devoted to country music, inside you'll find massive collections of photos, videos, artefacts and, of course, music, all celebrating Hall of Fame inductees like Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton and many others. The museum also looks after the nearby Hatch Show Print, a working letterpress print shop since 1879, and the Historic RCA Studio B. If you've brought the kids along, grab a free Young Explorer kit to have even more fun together.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a little enclave of peace and contemplation in the heart of downtown Nashville. The 19-acre plaza is dotted with memorials and displays, with various festivals held there throughout the year.

The park sits before the Tennessee State Capitol building, which is also worth checking out for its classical architecture and interesting museum. It has the unusual honour of being the only state capitol in the country with a former US president buried in the grounds, James K. Polk. Don't miss listening to the 95-bell carrion playing the Tennessee Waltz while you're here.

Fort Nashborough, a log-cabin outpost that was built in 1780 by James Robertson and a group of pioneers, is considered the foundation of Nashville. The city started out as a tiny wooden stockade on the bank of the Cumberland River. That simple structure has been reconstructed close to its original location, and is well worth checking out to put the city’s development into perspective.

Head to the History Center to learn more about the struggles faced by the early pioneers and the context of the conflicts the fort faced in its early years. On your visit, you can also enjoy a relaxing stroll along the riverfront.

Looking about as out of place as it’s possible to be, The Parthenon in Centennial Park is a full-scale replica of the famous temple in Athens, Greece. Originally intended to be a temporary structure for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897, it was so beloved that it just never got removed.

The recreation is even accurate inside, where you’ll find replicas of the statues in the original, as well as a substantial art collection. The surrounding park is also worth checking out for its many monuments and tree-shaded pathways.

While the exterior of the grand Art Deco building of the Frist Art Museum is certainly impressive, it’s the 40,000 sq ft exhibition space inside that’s really worth checking out. Interestingly, the museum has no permanent exhibits. Instead, they regularly build and swap exhibitions of artworks by local, state and regional artists, with occasional guest exhibitions from across the U.S. and the world. The result is a unique cultural experience on every visit.

Watch out for creative fun days that offer performances, live music and art making. You might find sculpture demonstrations, or living statues in the courtyard. Detailed audio tours of the museum are also available.

Known as the 'Queen of the Tennessee Plantations' for its Greek Revival style, the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is the city’s history personified, flaws and all. From the beautiful grounds to the Civil War bullet holes in the mansion’s columns, it’s a fascinating place to explore.

Though the plantation only covers 30 acres now as opposed to around 250 when it was first founded in 1807, it contains a winery, stables, mausoleum, a visitor’s centre and a reconstruction of the former enslaved people's quarters. There are various tours available, exploring different parts of the grounds and their varying significance in American history.

Many country music legends started their career playing the bars of downtown Nashville, and Robert’s Western World is undoubtedly the standout venue. Brightly lit by neon lights, this bar will offer you cold beers, hot food and great live music every night of the week. Locals say the fried bologna sandwich is a must-try.

Robert's Western World is located in the famous historic district of downtown Nashville, close to the Ryman Auditorium. If you want to go bar-hopping, it’s a good place to start, with plenty of other great venues nearby.

The Grand Ole Opry is an iconic weekly radio show, the longest-running in US history. First broadcast in 1925, it takes the form of a barn dance, showcasing country music. Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium became a venue for Opry in 1943, cementing the city’s reputation as the home of country music.

You can watch great contemporary country stars performing live at the Ryman Auditorium a few nights a week. Even if you’re not a huge fan of country tunes, watching the show is one of the most fun things to do in Nashville. There are even several special behind-the-scenes tours if you want to learn more about this iconic music venue.

The Honky Tonk Highway is a strip of live music venues across the music district of Nashville. There's something going on every day and night from 10 am all the way to 3 am, and best of all, none of the bars along the Honky Tonk Highway have a cover charge.

If you're looking to explore a wide variety of country-western, bluegrass and Southern rock bands, you'll find it in the heart of downtown along Broadway. Why not chill out on the brilliant rooftop of the vibrantly pink Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, or visit Acme Feed and Seed, where 'all y’all are welcome' on any of their 4 floors of live music, tasty Nashville food and exclusive merch?