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Nashville runs on live music, but the city packs in far more than honky-tonks, with a full-scale Parthenon, two presidential estates, and a 200-acre zoo. Most headline attractions sit within a 10-minute drive of downtown, and several are free. Here are the best neighborhoods in Nashville to anchor your visit, followed by the attractions worth your time.
Things to Do in Nashville for Music Fans
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
At 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, this is the definitive country music collection, with more than 2.5 million artifacts including Elvis Presley’s gold Cadillac and stage costumes from Patsy Cline to Taylor Swift. Adult admission is 29.95 USD, youth 6 to 12 pay 19.95 USD, and kids under 6 are free. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; allow three hours. For a full overview of Nashville climate, quick facts, and seasonal highlights, see our Nashville travel guide.
Ryman Auditorium
The 1892 tabernacle at 116 5th Ave N, known as the Mother Church of Country Music, still hosts concerts and the Grand Ole Opry in winter. Self-guided tours run 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily and cost about 30 USD; the backstage tour adds the dressing rooms used by Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.
Grand Ole Opry House
The live radio show tapes at the Grand Ole Opry House at 600 Opry Mills Dr, roughly 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown. Shows run most Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with tickets from about 45 to 120 USD depending on the artist. The daytime backstage tour costs around 40 USD and takes you into the famous circle of wood from the original Ryman stage.
Lower Broadway Honky-Tonks
The strip between 4th and 5th Avenues runs on free live music from 10:00 am to 3:00 am daily, no cover charge. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (422 Broadway), Robert’s Western World (416 Broadway), and Layla’s (418 Broadway) are the classic rooms, each with two to three bands a day. You only pay for drinks; tipping the band a few dollars is expected.
Things to Do in Nashville for History and Culture
The Parthenon
Centennial Park at 2500 West End Ave holds the only full-scale replica of the Athens Parthenon, built for the 1897 Centennial Exposition. Inside, a 42-foot gilded statue of Athena faces a small art museum. Adult admission is 10 USD, seniors 8 USD, and kids 4 to 17 pay 8 USD. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday 12:30 to 4:30 pm.
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery
This 1853 Greek Revival mansion at 5025 Harding Pike was once the largest thoroughbred stud farm in the US, breeding the sire of Seabiscuit. Mansion tours cost 28 USD for adults and include a wine tasting of four pours from the on-site winery. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. See the where to stay in Nashville guide for hotel picks.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
The seventh president’s plantation at 4580 Rachel’s Ln preserves the 1821 mansion, formal garden, and Jackson’s tomb. Grounds passes cost 24 USD for adults, 17 USD for kids 13 to 18, and 13 USD for ages 5 to 12. It is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the last tour at 3:00 pm.
Frist Art Museum
Housed in a converted 1934 post office at 919 Broadway, the Frist shows rotating international exhibitions with no permanent collection. Adult admission is 15 USD, seniors 12 USD, and everyone under 18 is free. It is open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with late hours to 8:00 pm on Thursday.
Things to Do in Nashville Outdoors and With Kids
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
A 55-acre botanical garden and 1929 mansion at 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Cheekwood draws crowds for 250,000 tulips each spring and the Holiday Lights display each winter. Adult admission is 22 USD, kids 3 to 17 pay 14 USD. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. See the Nashville events and festivals calendar for dates.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
At 3777 Nolensville Pike, the zoo covers 188 acres and houses more than 3,000 animals, including clouded leopards and a giraffe-feeding platform. Adult admission is 19 USD, kids 2 to 12 pay 15 USD. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm March through October. Check the Nashville weather by month guide for exact temperatures and rainfall.
Radnor Lake State Park
Just 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown, Radnor Lake has 7.75 miles of trails around a protected lake, with deer, herons, and barred owls. Entry and parking are free, but the lot fills by 9:00 am on weekends. The paved 1.3-mile Lake Trail is stroller-friendly; the steeper Ganier Ridge loop is 2.4 miles.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
This 1909 truss bridge over the Cumberland River connects downtown to Nissan Stadium and gives the best free skyline photo spot in the city. It stays open 24 hours and takes about 15 minutes to cross each way. For more practical planning, see our Nashville travel tips page, and pair this list with the best time to visit Nashville guide to dodge the summer heat.
