Things to do in Nashville for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
There's more than 1 million gallons of water sloshing about in the hydro hijinks at Nashville Shores, and with so much water you can bet it'll make a splash in your memory! Nashville Shores makes the most of its location! Challenge your family and friends to a game of beach volleyball, build sandcastles, or cool off by dipping your toes in beautiful Percy Priest Lake. Will you take on the floating obstacle course on the lake? You can even go banana boating for a small, extra fee. The whole family can enjoy raft slides, like the Big Kahuna, before they feel speeds of 25 miles per hour on the Music City Racer waterslide. Don't miss the all-new, four-lane Riptide Racer, speeding you through varying sections of side-by-side racing, hairpin curves, and steep drops. The longest slide of its type in the world stands more than 50 feet high and is longer than a football field!
Come watch the monkeys swinging, hear the birds singing, and maybe even see some crocodiles swimming at one of Nashville's top attractions! Almost 3,000 animals representing over 350 different species call this historic space home, and meeting them all makes Nashville Zoo one of Tennessee's best family day trips. Daily talks from the dedicated staff aim to teach you fun facts about the animals, from flamingos to kangaroos, meerkats, rhinos and even guinea pigs! Where else can you brush a goat and pet a kangaroo all on the same day?
At NMAAM, you can discover the importance of African American music in shaping the American soundscape. Begin your visit in the Roots Theater and learn about West and Central African culture, the institution of slavery, and the evolution of a distinctly African American culture that had its own unique musical traditions. Next up, charter the entire chronology of African American music at the River of Rhythms Pathways. Animated interactive touch panels will showcase the beginnings of musical traditions to the present day, covering southern gospel and blues to contemporary R&B and hip-hop. The remaining five exhibits take a deeper dive into moments in history and how they helped to shape the music and stars that came out of them. Inside these galleries, you’ll be able to see instruments, stage costumes, sheet music, and more. Key moments and movements include the Harlem Renaissance, jazz, and post-war R&B.
Discover Cheekwood, a Country Place-era estate, located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville. This 1930s estate, once home to Mabel and Leslie Cheek, features 55 acres of gardens and a 30,000-square-foot mansion. Today, it serves as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum. Explore American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries in period-furnished rooms and permanent collection galleries. Admire 13 unique gardens and a 1.5-mile woodland trail with outdoor sculptures. Cheekwood offers year-round events, including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest, and Holiday LIGHTS. It's accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, recognized as a Level II Arboretum, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Katy Perry, Captain Kirk, Beyoncé and Obama, Johnny Depp and Johnny Cash - they're all waiting for you and your selfies inside Madame Tussauds Nashville. You'll also meet the lyrical legends who made American music so famous, right next to the Grand Ole Opry House.
As one of the best places for family fun in Nashville, these Adventure Science Center tickets will keep you and the little explorers happy for hours. Stimulate your brains and imaginations with a multitude of mind-boggling interactive exhibits across four fun floors. Play a piano by walking on it, make friends with your own shadow, and discover what you'd weigh if you set foot on a different planet! The second floor is devoted to the human body. Take a thrilling ride through a digestive tract, crawl into the chambers of a beating heart, and study your inner self with the X-ray machine.
Explore the dream-stained streets of _Music City_ with a healthy helping of _transportainment_ on the Nashville Old Town Trolley. A highly knowledgeable and funny guide will give you a southerner's take on over 100 fascinating points of interest across the city. See over 100 fascinating points of interest across the city where you can hop on and hop off at 13 stops. You'll get the inside scoop on the city's best-kept secrets, with some insightful commentary from a local Tennessee guide on the Nashville Old Town Trolley Tour. Pass by Nashville's most famous music halls like Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, and take some notes on where to visit for some evening entertainment! You're in _Music City_, after all! Other prominent highlights along the way include the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall, and the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the Greek monument.
Discover the heart and soul of Music City on this self-guided audio tour, perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and country music fans. Your ticket to the famous Country Music Hall of Fame is included, ensuring a deep dive into the roots and reverberations of Nashville's legendary sound right from the start. Set your own pace while wandering the harmonious streets from the historic Ryman Auditorium to the jubilant Broadway strip, where live tunes spill into the open air. Your walk will lead you past modern landmarks like the Bridgestone Arena, historical treasures such as the Tennessee State Capitol, and the poignant War Memorial Auditorium. Along the route, you'll find yourself immersed in the pulse of Nashville's vibrant culture, its architectural marvels, and the echoes of performances that shaped the genre. Lace up, step out, and let Nashville's rhythm move you on this unforgettable musical odyssey.
Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show is a spectacular live performance showcase that features today's country music stars, superstars, and rising stars all on one stage, every week in Music City! From the radio show that made country music famous in 1925, to the cultural landmark and global music phenomenon it is today, the Opry is the biggest stage in country music and a must-experience for any music fan. Put on your cowboy hats and snap up your Standard Admission ticket to the world-famous show, which has been bringing country music and its fans together for 100 years!
Step into a world where the rhythms of country, blues, and rock 'n' roll spill onto the streets. This self-guided audio tour is crafted for those seeking to uncover Nashville's vibrant music history with the press of a play button. Ideal for music enthusiasts and explorers at heart, embark on a journey that indulges in tales and tunes that are the lifeblood of Music City. The tour commences at the renowned Ryman Auditorium, a cornerstone of Nashville’s musical legacy, and completes its melody at the celebrated Grand Ole Opry. Travelers will saunter through Music Row and pause for stories outside landmarks like the Tennessee State Capitol and the War Memorial Auditorium. Each stop whispers secrets of icons and echoes the harmony of history that has shaped today's music scene. Memories await at places like Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where music legends have graced the stage unexpectedly, and The Johnny Cash Museum, which holds the essence of 'The Man in Black.' Discover the pulse of Nashville, not through the pages of a book, but through experiencing the living, breathing sites where music history continues to play on.
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About Nashville
The best walking tours to do in Nashville are:
The must-see attractions in Nashville for a first visit are:
The best tours to do in Nashville with kids are:
Insider tips for visiting Nashville
Travel Communications is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Nashville on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Nashville.
I usually recommend spring or late fall in my travel guide Nashville notes. From mid-April to early June, Nashville feels lively without the peak summer heat, and I can still grab a patio table in East Nashville or catch sunset at Love Circle without sweating through my shirt. October is another sweet spot if you plan to visit Nashville for neighborhood walks, live music, and farmers markets. When I’m helping friends choose dates, I steer them away from July afternoons unless they love humidity. For things to do in Nashville, these shoulder seasons make it much easier to enjoy Germantown, Centennial Park, and daytime honky-tonks at a relaxed pace.
When friends ask me where I actually spend time, I point them beyond Broadway. Some of my favorite attractions in Nashville are the riverfront at Shelby Bottoms, the old brick lanes in Germantown, and the listening rooms around The Gulch where you hear songwriters before they blow up. If you’re deciding what to see in Nashville, I’d add a morning at the Nashville Farmers’ Market and sunset from Love Circle for skyline views locals still use. I’m picky about tours in Nashville, but I do like anything focused on food or studio history. Nashville rewards wandering neighborhoods more than checking off clichés.
When I have visitors in Nashville, the activities they gravitate to most are live music, neighborhood food stops, and a few classic history spots done in the right order. For things to do in Nashville, I usually start with an early walk through Bicentennial Mall, then the Tennessee State Museum before the crowds build, and live music later in the day in Midtown or East Nashville. If people ask about what to see in Nashville, the Ryman and the Country Music Hall of Fame still deserve the attention. Among attractions in Nashville, I think the best tours in Nashville are the ones that mix studio stories, local barbecue, and time outside Broadway.
When I help friends visit Nashville, I usually send them to East Nashville first for creative menus, strong coffee, and spots that stay busy with locals long after brunch. Germantown is where I go for a more polished dinner, especially around the old brick warehouses near Fifth Avenue. For casual eating, I like 12 South for bakery stops and easy lunch options, though I try to avoid peak weekend hours. If you’re building a travel guide Nashville plan, I’d also include Nolensville Pike for Kurdish, Thai, and Mexican food that shows a different side of Nashville. For me, eating across neighborhoods is one of the best things to do in Nashville.
In my travel guide Nashville advice, I usually tell first-timers to stay in SoBro or The Gulch if they want to walk to music venues, museums, and late dinners without relying on a car. When I visit Nashville for a quieter trip, I prefer Germantown because the streets feel more local and I can reach downtown in minutes. East Nashville works well if you care more about coffee shops, bars, and neighborhood character than being next to the big sights. Nashville traffic can eat into your day, so I choose a base that matches my evenings. For things to do in Nashville, being close to where you’ll actually spend time matters more than a flashy hotel address.
When I’m showing someone around Nashville, I usually mix a few neighborhoods instead of keeping them downtown. East Nashville is where I go for indie shops, patio bars, and Shelby Bottoms if I want green space near the city. Germantown feels more polished, with old brick streets and some of my favorite dinner spots, while 12 South is good for a slower afternoon and people-watching. For attractions in Nashville, I also like The Gulch for murals and evening energy, then Marathon Village for local maker spaces. If you’re deciding what to see in Nashville, these areas give more personality than Broadway. Even tours in Nashville feel better when they include the neighborhoods locals actually use.
When I help people visit Nashville, I usually point them to 12 South first because it’s easy to browse local boutiques, home goods shops, and coffee stops in one walkable stretch. East Nashville is where I go when I want vintage finds, record stores, and smaller shops with more personality. For a polished afternoon, The Gulch has fashion and design spots, though I avoid it on busy Saturday afternoons. If you’re building a travel guide Nashville plan, I’d also consider Marathon Village for artisan-made goods in a historic space. For me, shopping across Nashville neighborhoods is one of the more relaxed things to do in Nashville, especially when you pair it with lunch nearby.