From a local’s perspective, we know the fun things to do in Nashville. And believe us, our friends and family come out of the woods to visit, so we all need a handy guide.
Here’s a list of StyleBlueprint’s favorite things to do when we host visitors looking for fun things to do in Nashville. But, no, we’re not talking about traveling taverns or party buses…
And, if you’re looking for a full itinerary for a special event, from corporate to personal, we highly suggest Host & Toast as a reference source.
SB TIP: Do NOT rent a car. Just take a Lyft or an Uber everywhere that you go. Parking is expensive and you’ll probably be drinking – two reasons not to drive.
Fun Activities in Nashville
Looking for fun experiences? Here are some things to try:
Very Nashville experiences include:
- Hit the oil bar at Lemon Wool and create your own unique oil combination for your skin.
- Have you ever watched curling during the Olympics? Well, Nashville has three curling rinks at Starting line in Charlotte Park, the booming neighborhood of West Nashville. There are also four standard bowling alleys, 26 TVs, a corn hole, and delicious food.
- Book a chocolate making class at Goo Goo cluster.
- bowl Social Pinewood and while you’re there, try their fried broccoli. Weird, we know, but trust us.
- Test your foosball, pinball, duckpin, ping pong and pétanque skills at Mechanical Pins.
- See if you have what it takes to solve the mental puzzle and escape your bedroom. The escape game.
- Or combine food and drink with golf at best golf.
- You have to go to Hatch View Print for a tour. Located in the Country Music Hall of Fame, it’s amazing!
- Step into incredible immersive settings with over 60 of your favorite musical icons, from Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift on At Madame Tussaud’s.
- The Nashville Kitchen offers cooking classes and private event classes, and you can BYOB. A cooking class with your bachelorette party is ideal for the group that wants to get out of the city center and relax a bit. See the details HERE.
- Martini & caviar pairing with Club Vesper, located in the Grand Hyatt. For $100, you’ll sample five tasting-size martinis paired with caviar.
- Card castle offers a magic show with a meal for a ton of fun.
Do you like sports ?
Nashville has plenty. From Tennessee Titans for soccer, Nashville Predators for hockey, Nashville Sounds for minor league baseball (and fireworks every Friday night!), to the newest addition: the Nashville Soccer Club, Nashville knows how to cheer on the home team like no other city.
Is it raining or is it very hot?
Head toward Hotel Opryland. This hotel/convention center looks like a small town under a glass roof. With waterfalls, rivers, forests, restaurants, a spa and more, you’ll stay dry and happy here. And if it’s really hot, their Soundwaves outdoor water park will cool you down.
In addition, our large museums are perfect for hot weather or rainy days. The Country Music Hall of Fame, The first art museumand the National Museum of African American Music.
Outdoor Water Lovers:
- Kayak or canoe the Harpeth River. It’s about a 30 minute ride from downtown, but kayaking the Harpeth is great for all experience levels as it’s a slow-moving river that isn’t very deep. There are many rental companies to choose from, including Foggy background, Canoe Music City and The Adventures of Sunshine.
- Or, you can stay closer to town and kayak our largest river, the Cumberland. The view of downtown Nashville from the water is worth the trip. Contact Voyages of the River Queen.
Music (before late night music):
You’re in Music City, so listening to some live music before the late-night honky-tonk scene is always a good idea. We suggest:
Honky-tonks:
We have a full article on Lower Broad details HERE. Our favorites are well described in this article, but we would choose Robert’s Western World and Tootsie Orchid Show for the first two.
Rooftop bar recommendations:
Being above the city is always fun. Personal favorites include:
- ACME Foods and Seeds (locals call it ACME): the view of the river, the pedestrian bridge, the view of Broadway…these are just a few reasons to try and snag a rooftop seat here.
- L27: A top The Westin NashvilleL27 is home to plenty of comfy sofas and a newly renovated look, making it a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.
- george jones: Above the George Jones Museum is a rooftop bar that is more cozy than the others. Many locals like this place better as it was once an undiscovered gem by tourists, but the word is certainly a little more widespread now.
- L.A. Jackson: The Thomson Hotel has many delicious restaurants, but the rooftop bar is often referenced for the view and ambiance.
- The roof at Bobby’s is a favorite. You must see the life-size bus up there!
- The view from the roof of Nashville are just beautiful and the drinks are tasty.
- Pancho and Lefty’s: The Mexican joint overlooks the Bridgestone Arena on Fifth Avenue. And since it’s located just off Broadway, it sometimes isn’t as crowded as other places.
- One of the most Instagrammed places on the roof of the Graduate Hotel. The roof is called white limo and it’s all Dolly Parton themed!
- See all the rooftop bars in our full article HERE.
Rooftop pools:
If you haven’t decided where you will be staying and want a rooftop pool, you can stay at The Westin Nashville, The Omni, Virgin, GraduateWhere Policeman Hotel and have exclusive guest access to everyone’s rooftop pool.
RELATED: 6 Nashville Restaurants Proving Hotel Food Is For Locals And Tourists
Photos with murals:
In the age of social media, everyone loves a photo with a mural and Nashville has its fair share of famous. The most photographed murals and certainly the “I Believe in Nashville” wall at 12South and the Angel Wings at The Gulch. Be aware that queues can last up to 30 minutes just to get your turn to take your photo. For more murals, check out our article Nashville Murals You Probably Haven’t Visited (or Photographed!).
Brunch:
If you want to queue, your best options are pancake pantry and Love Cookie. Otherwise, book at South, Pine forest, The farm, Margot, ACME, Butcher’s room Where Rainbow Room of the Skull. Or, if a stroll through 12South ends in lunch or a craving for guac, fries, and margaritas, bartaco is a favorite. Just down the street, Spicy is a Mediterranean restaurant that is a local favorite. And, just down the street from Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village is Anzie BlueWinner of StyleBlueprint’s “Best Brunch” for 2021.
And note that Elliston Place Soda Shop serves breakfast all day in their modern 50s restaurant!
Having dinner:
If you haven’t been to the music + dinner venues already suggested, get fancier reservations (although jeans are still appropriate in Nashville) at Virago, 404 Kitchen, Engrave Where Gray and Dudley. For a menu with slightly cheaper options than those just mentioned, go to Henley, Nope, Barcelona wine bar Where Butcher & Bee. ACME is both a local and tourist favorite with live music and plenty of dinner options.
Add to these a few options that our team loves: Optimistic for seafood, O-Ku for sushi, Honey for French cuisine in a cozy setting, Hathorne makes some of the best vegetables in town (as well as their carnivorous offerings!), Boston Commons for the fish and chips, Kayne Prime for the steak, with Answer, Lockland table, Pink Pony, Chahaun Masala House, Drusie and Darr, The Yellow Porch, and Shell.
Drinks not on a rooftop:
- black rabbit: This bar has a great atmosphere. Head across the aisle to one of our favorite hotels, 21st century museum hotel.and grab another drink and stroll through their museum exhibit for an unexpected cultural addition to your trip.
- oak bar at The Hermitage Hotel is old Nashville at its best. Once there, ask to see the men’s restroom. Trust me.
- The Patterson House brought unique cocktails to Nashville nearly a decade ago. It’s still a speakeasy favorite.
- The wolfabove The Optimist, is a favorite for truly delicious cocktails!
If you are staying in:
Enjoy local healthy grocery shopping in Nashville with delivery of groceries, deli meats and wine from The shuttle truck!
If you follow this guide, you are guaranteed to come away exhausted and bonded with your best friends.
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