Things to do in  Tennessee

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.

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.

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.

This storied entertainment district in downtown Memphis is generally considered the birthplace of a distinctly American music genre: the blues. From 1920 to 1940, artists descended on Beale Street to collaborate, creating this new music style that blended smooth jazz with hard-charging rock ‘n’ roll. Today, this National Historic Landmark District is home to clubs where legendary greats such as BB King, Louis Armstrong, and WC Handy once played.

The lush landscape of Centennial Park provides a welcome refuge from crowds and bustling city life in Nashville. Like New York’s Central Park or San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, this green space is known as a destination for community events, from outdoor movie screenings to concerts, plus it draws active visitors seeking space to walk, jog, or run. The most notable feature of Centennial Park is its impressive Parthenon replica, housing an art museum.

Belmont Mansion offers Nashville visitors the chance to experience an antebellum-era home, complete with antique furnishings and period details. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian villa-style house was owned by Adelicia Acklen—one of the wealthiest women in 19th-century Tennessee. Tours of the mansion reveal the building’s history and offer insight into the lives of the free and enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property.

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.

The second most-visited home in the United States (behind only the White House), Graceland was home to Elvis Presley during the height of his career. Touring the wacky rooms of this 17,552-square-foot (1,630-square-meter) estate offers insights into the life and mind of The King of Rock, who is buried in Graceland’s Meditation Gardens.

The former Lorraine Motel—where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968—is a fitting location for one of Memphis’ most important museums. Through interactive exhibitions and multimedia displays, the National Civil Rights Museum tells the stories of the American Civil Rights Movement, from the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision and the Little Rock Nine to the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and the famous sit-ins of the 1960s.

Nashville’s Riverfront Park is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces, set along the scenic banks of the Cumberland River. Just steps from Lower Broadway, it offers a refreshing escape from the high-energy honky-tonk scene, while also hosting concerts and community events throughout the year.

Peabody Hotel has some unique permanent guests in the famous "Peabody Ducks," who live on the hotel’s rooftop and perform a march toward the Grand Lobby twice daily. The tradition dates to 1933 when the general manager returned from a hunting trip and placed several live duck decoys in the hotel’s fountain. The guests’ positive response prompted their stay.