Things to do in  Nashville

Known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium is one of Nashville's most iconic venues, helping the city transform into a legendary music destination. Since opening in 1892, it has hosted legends such as Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Van Morrison. Today, visitors can tour the historic theater, visit the museum, or experience the venue's world-class acoustics during a live performance.

From Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton, country music stars have helped Nashville earn its title as Music City. Dive into that legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which details the evolution of this classic American music genre through archival videos, stage wear, instruments, and other artifacts displayed across permanent and special exhibits. Once you’ve read up on country-music history, look out for new and familiar names in the Hall of Fame.

Downtown Nashville is the energetic heart of Music City, and it's packed with restaurants, bars, cultural hot spots, and the famous Music Row. You can explore major attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Frist Art Museum, and the historic Ryman Auditorium, or stock up on supplies at Nashville Farmers' Market. After dark, live music fills Honky Tonk Highway—promising an unforgettable taste of Nashville's legendary nightlife.

No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to Music Row. This is the home of the country music industry, with a slew of record labels, radio stations, and recording studios working side-by-side. This landmark area also boasts historic sites like RCA Studio B, where scores of artists recorded hits. There are also live venues on and near Music Row, to check out established artists as well as up-and-comers looking to break through.

Standing atop Nashville’s highest hill, the Tennessee State Capitol pays homage to Greek mythology—built by renowned architect William Strickland and modeled after an Ionic Greek temple, it’s one of the few state capitols without domes. You’re welcome inside to tour its opulent murals, frescoes, chandeliers, and hallways on any given weekday.

A Nashville institution since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry is the world's longest-running radio show and a cornerstone of country music. The venue showcases artists across diverse genres, including bluegrass, folk, and gospel. Unlike a typical concert, the Grand Ole Opry presents eight or more artists at each show. Legends from Patsy Cline to Carrie Underwood have graced its stage, making it a must-visit for music lovers in Music City.

Once home to Nashville’s original post office, Frist Art Museum maintains the building’s historic charm with marble floors, high ceilings, and cast aluminum doors. The space hosts art exhibitions and interactive workshops, as well as a gift shop and café. It does not, though, have permanent collections, but rather a constant rotation of exhibits—making it a must-visit every time you’re in Nashville.

Like New York’s Central Park and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the lush green landscape of Nashville’s Centennial Park provides welcome refuge from congestion, crowds, and bustling city life. The most notable, and possibly most out-of-place, feature of Centennial Park is its impressive Parthenon replica.

Belmont Mansion offers Nashville visitors the chance to experience an antebellum-era home, complete with antique furnishings and period details. Uncover Belmont’s history and learn about its owner, Adelicia Acklen—one of the wealthiest and most successful women in 19th-century Tennessee.

Nashville’s Riverfront Park was built in the early 1980s on the site where the area’s first settlers founded the city back in 1780. Today the sprawling green enclave on the banks of the Cumberland River is home to several attractions, including Fort Nashborough, Bicentennial Park, and the Ascend Amphitheater.

Opened on June 1, 1996, to mark the bicentennial of the founding of Nashville, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is both a popular recreational area and a scenic tribute to Tennessean history. In the shadows of the Tennessee State Capitol and stretching over 11 acres (4.5 hectares; it’s dotted with monuments, memorials, and open-air exhibits.

Nashville is known for its eclectic music scene, live entertainment, and commitment to country. Nowhere is this more evident than at the world-famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. This Nashville institution has been a part of this dynamic city since the 1960s and boasts three stages that host live music performances.

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville honors music superstars with displays, galleries, and exhibitions highlighting the city’s main attraction: live music. Inside, the interactive Grammy Museum Gallery™ offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process and a chance to play pianos, guitars, and drums.

Despite its small size, the Johnny Cash Museum manages to hold the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts, including the singer-songwriter’s Grammy and Country Music Association Awards, guitars and other musical instruments, and stage costumes. In addition to perusing Cash’s personal effects, you can check out interactive exhibits, watch archival footage, and listen to recordings of historic performances at this popular Nashville attraction.

The historic RCA Studio B is where Nashville’s legendary music scene began. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Tennessee studio is credited as being the epicenter of Music City and the place where the Nashville Sound originated. RCA Studio B has recorded more than 35,000 songs—many of them platinum hits.