Nashville travel guide
Nashville Tourism | Nashville Guide
You're Going to Love Nashville
The home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee is the place to come if you want to hear live music every night of the week. Head to atmospheric honky tonks like Robert’s Western, blues bars like Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar, or to the Grand Ole Opry itself, where legends like Merle Haggard and Patsy Cline once played.
The food is great too. Dine on southern fried chicken at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, try a slug of bourbon at Whiskey Kitchen, or explore the city’s growing craft beer scene at Craft Brewed.
Head to beautiful plantations like the Hermitage for a taste of antebellum life, stroll around Centennial Park with its replica of the Parthenon, or take the kids to Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.
Whether you want a music-packed trip, a family vacation, or a week of fine dining, Nashville delivers.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Nashville
1. Country Music
The Grand Ole Opry is country music’s most important venue, and it’s still a wonderful place to catch the latest acts. But there are smaller bars too totake in great country music, like Robert’s Western World, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Legend’s Corner, and Layla’s
2. Food
Local specialties include smoking hot chicken (try the menu at Prince's Hot Chicken Shack), meat and three (Arnold’s Country Kitchen is the place to go), andbiscuits, both in savory and sweet varieties.
3. History
You can visit elegant pre-Civil War plantations like the Hermitage, which was the home of President Andrew Jackson. Head to the Belle Meade Plantation forthe best museum of southern history and tours that include free wine tasting.
4. Festivals
Nashville isn’t all about the Opry and honky tonks. There are also plenty of outdoor festivals like the July 4th fireworks, June’s CMA Music Festival, andthe Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in nearby Manchester.
5. Elvis
While Elvis made his home in Memphis, he spent years in Nashville building his career. Visit RCA Studio B where he recorded 150 tracks or pick up copies ofElvis posters at Hatch Show Print.
What to do in Nashville
1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Explore the Musical Heritage
Both country music fans and those new to the genre will have plenty to discover in the world-renowned Country Music Hall of Fame. Housing incredible artifacts and mementos from legends including Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, the museum is a music lover's dream. Rotating exhibits take turns illuminating the lives and discographies of some of America's finest musicians. Meanwhile, the stunning Hall of Fame Rotunda honors those who've been granted membership into these hallowed halls.
2. Parthenon: It's All Greek in Tennessee
There's only one place in the world where you can visit the Parthenon - but if you can't make it to Athens, there's no need to worry. Nashville's got a full-scale replica. The massive structure houses an art museum in the middle of beautiful Centennial Park. A mighty statue of Athena graces the museum's heart. Meanwhile, summer brings performances of classic Greek plays to the front steps.
3. Grand Ole Opry: Visit the Home of American Music
For nearly 100 years, country music's finest have been bringing hundreds of fans into the Grand Ole Opry. Today, you can see living legends take the stage, or you can tour backstage yourself. Everyone from Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood have listed the Grand Ole Opry as one of the finest performance venues in the world, so it's sure to be worth your while. The Opry hosts performance just about every other day, and it's worth checking to see what names are in town during your visit to Nashville.
4. Tennessee State Capitol: Take in the History
Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the State Capitol is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. Unique in its design, the capitol is recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a truly innovative piece of architecture. The grounds are graced by statues of famous Tennesseans including Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. Guided tours are available for those looking to dig deep into the history of the state and the place.
5. Midtown / West End / Music Row: Stroll Down the Street Where Music Happens
Nashville's Midtown and Music Row are renowned for being some of the world's music hotspots. Walk down the street and you'll stroll past the places where famous artists like Chet Atkins and Roy Acuff recorded their hits. The quiet and quaint architecture of the place belies its rollicking underbelly -- nighttime brings life to bars and restaurants, many of which host everything from country to blues groups.
1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Explore the Musical Heritage
Both country music fans and those new to the genre will have plenty to discover in the world-renowned Country Music Hall of Fame. Housing incredible artifacts and mementos from legends including Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, the museum is a music lover's dream. Rotating exhibits take turns illuminating the lives and discographies of some of America's finest musicians. Meanwhile, the stunning Hall of Fame Rotunda honors those who've been granted membership into these hallowed halls.
2. Parthenon: It's All Greek in Tennessee
There's only one place in the world where you can visit the Parthenon - but if you can't make it to Athens, there's no need to worry. Nashville's got a full-scale replica. The massive structure houses an art museum in the middle of beautiful Centennial Park. A mighty statue of Athena graces the museum's heart. Meanwhile, summer brings performances of classic Greek plays to the front steps.
3. Grand Ole Opry: Visit the Home of American Music
For nearly 100 years, country music's finest have been bringing hundreds of fans into the Grand Ole Opry. Today, you can see living legends take the stage, or you can tour backstage yourself. Everyone from Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood have listed the Grand Ole Opry as one of the finest performance venues in the world, so it's sure to be worth your while. The Opry hosts performance just about every other day, and it's worth checking to see what names are in town during your visit to Nashville.
4. Tennessee State Capitol: Take in the History
Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the State Capitol is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. Unique in its design, the capitol is recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a truly innovative piece of architecture. The grounds are graced by statues of famous Tennesseans including Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. Guided tours are available for those looking to dig deep into the history of the state and the place.
5. Midtown / West End / Music Row: Stroll Down the Street Where Music Happens
Nashville's Midtown and Music Row are renowned for being some of the world's music hotspots. Walk down the street and you'll stroll past the places where famous artists like Chet Atkins and Roy Acuff recorded their hits. The quiet and quaint architecture of the place belies its rollicking underbelly -- nighttime brings life to bars and restaurants, many of which host everything from country to blues groups.
1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Explore the Musical Heritage
Both country music fans and those new to the genre will have plenty to discover in the world-renowned Country Music Hall of Fame. Housing incredible artifacts and mementos from legends including Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, the museum is a music lover's dream. Rotating exhibits take turns illuminating the lives and discographies of some of America's finest musicians. Meanwhile, the stunning Hall of Fame Rotunda honors those who've been granted membership into these hallowed halls.
2. Parthenon: It's All Greek in Tennessee
There's only one place in the world where you can visit the Parthenon - but if you can't make it to Athens, there's no need to worry. Nashville's got a full-scale replica. The massive structure houses an art museum in the middle of beautiful Centennial Park. A mighty statue of Athena graces the museum's heart. Meanwhile, summer brings performances of classic Greek plays to the front steps.
3. Grand Ole Opry: Visit the Home of American Music
For nearly 100 years, country music's finest have been bringing hundreds of fans into the Grand Ole Opry. Today, you can see living legends take the stage, or you can tour backstage yourself. Everyone from Garth Brooks to Carrie Underwood have listed the Grand Ole Opry as one of the finest performance venues in the world, so it's sure to be worth your while. The Opry hosts performance just about every other day, and it's worth checking to see what names are in town during your visit to Nashville.
4. Tennessee State Capitol: Take in the History
Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the State Capitol is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. Unique in its design, the capitol is recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a truly innovative piece of architecture. The grounds are graced by statues of famous Tennesseans including Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. Guided tours are available for those looking to dig deep into the history of the state and the place.
Where to Eat in Nashville
For the best southern fried chicken in Nashville, head to Hattie B’s in Midtown. A broader southern soul food selection is available at Arnold’s CountryKitchen, Lockeland Table is a little more experimental (but still offers traditional American fare), while Bro’s Cajun Cuisine is an excellent seafoodrestaurant.
When to visit Nashville
The best time to visit Nashville is between May and July, when the temperatures are high, but not too hot, and many of the major music festivals take place.Winter is a cheaper time to visit and the honky tonks will still be buzzing, while early spring and fall are great times to enjoy the plantations withoutlarge crowds.
How to Get to Nashville
Plane
Flights to Nashville International Airport are the simplest way to visit Nashville. To get into town from the airport, take a shuttle bus provided by JarmonTransportation or pre-arrange a taxi or limo with one of the many companies present at the airport. Expect to pay around $30 for a taxi to downtowndestinations.
Train
If you want to take the train, the nearest station is in Memphis, which is linked to New Orleans and Chicago via the City of New Orleans service.
Car
I-40 passes through Nashville, linking the city with destinations to the east (like Philadelphia or New York) and the west (like Memphis). I-65 also passesthrough Nashville, connecting it to northern and southern destinations, so the city is fairly easy to reach by car.
Bus
The Greyhound stop is at 1030 Charlotte Ave and the company provides connections to most major American cities. Megabus also run services to Nashville fromChicago and regional cities like Knoxville, and their buses stop on Commerce St.
Airports near Nashville
Airlines serving Nashville
Where to stay in Nashville
Opryland – As the name suggests, Opryland is clustered around the Grand Ole Opry. It’s also the best place to stay if you intend to shop thanks to Opry Mills, whereyou’ll find major retailers like H&M and Ralph Lauren. There are plenty of musical attractions in the area. Visit the Willie Nelson Museum, take in an Elvistribute act and round everything off with a southern feast at Nashville Palace.
Popular Districts
Downtown – The business core of the city, Downtown hosts the city’s artistic institutions, including the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, while major touring actsusually find space for a concert at the Bridgestone Arena. Check out Broadway as well, home to the city’s best honky tonks, including Tootsie’s andLayla’s.
Midtown – Known for its restaurants, Midtown is a safe area that has plenty of hotels. Check out the seafood specialties at South Street Original Crab Shack and stayfor the rock and roll shows or go up-market with the gourmet Italian food at Giovanni Ristorante. Vanderbilt University is next door too, and it’s worthtaking a walk on campus to see its 19th century architecture and sculpture gardens.
Where to stay in popular areas of Nashville
Most booked hotels in Nashville
How to Get Around Nashville
Public Transportation
Nashville MTA runs an efficient bus network that serves the whole city center. Basic fares are low at $1.70 for a single journey, and you can save money with$5.25 day passes. Buses tend to finish around 5 p.m., so taxis might be better if you go out in the evening.
Taxis
Basic taxi fares are $3 for the pick-up, then $2 for every additional mile and $1 for each extra passenger. Uber is cheaper, with a base fare of $1 and then$0.93 per subsequent mile.
Car
Major car rental agencies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis are present in the city. Expect to pay around $30 per day for a normal sized vehicle. Parkingcosts around $6 per hour in surface lots and over $10 in most garages, although many locations have cheaper rates after 5 p.m.
The Cost of Living in Nashville
Shopping Streets
Opry Mills is a massive outlet mall filled with big names, including H&M, Coach, and Kate Spade. Gruhn Guitars on 8th Avenue is the place to look for musicalinstruments, while Imogen & Willie in 12South is a popular custom denim boutique. Green Hills is another district that’s full of high-end clothing stores,including Dillard’s and Macy’s.
Groceries and Other
Nashville isn’t an expensive city. 12 eggs cost around $2.40 while a bottle of wine is $14. The best places to shop for groceries are supermarkets likePublix, Kmart, Safeway, Wal-Mart, and H.G. Hill and there are also Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s outlets in the center of town.