A Nashville Itinerary for Every Type of Traveler

What comes to mind when you think of Nashville, Tennessee? If it’s country music and downtown Broadway, you’re not wrong—but those are just a portion of the city’s creative heart and soul. Nashville has a variety of cultural attractions, quaint neighborhoods, and exciting experiences for everyone, no matter your interests. It’s also a year-round destination, with major events taking place during all four seasons. Epicureans might enjoy Dine Nashville in February, for example, while music enthusiasts should think about scheduling their visit in April, during Tin Pan South.

Interested in planning your own trip to this Southern hot spot? Read on to discover all that the city has to offer for fans of music, food, art, and fashion.

Shopping

Whether you’re looking for a wardrobe upgrade or a special souvenir, Nashville does not disappoint. Find contemporary, elevated casual women’s clothing at Emerson Grace; handmade jewelry at Judith Bright; and local goods and crafts at the Nashville Farmers’ Market in Germantown. Then commemorate your trip with Nashville-themed apparel and gifts from the Music City Shop.

Fifth + Broadway in downtown Nashville is also a must-visit, and getting a room at the Four Seasons will place you just a 10-minute walk from the shopping destination. It has a mix of local and national retailers, not to mention entertainment, events and a food hall with 30 delicious vendors. Finally, make your way over to Green Hills, where you’ll find the largest luxury mall in the city, complete with big-name retailers and local boutiques.

Music

Sure, Nashville is the Country Music Capital of the World, but you can find every genre of music in the vibrant municipality. Take a stroll down the Music City Walk of Fame, which honors artists and music-industry professionals who have created, recorded, performed, and help shaped Nashville’s music scene. The stars span genres and generations, with Dolly Parton, Jack White, Keith Urban and Little Richard among the names you’ll find.

Catch live performances at the Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills (an unassuming listening room where many celebrities have performed) or the Grand Ole Opry (a global landmark that’s renowned as the biggest stage in country music). Should you want something that pulls double duty, grab a burger at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, which features live music performances daily. Finally, make your way down Honky Tonk Highway to explore the city’s main drag.

Stay in the middle of the action at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, located on Broadway within walking distance of major attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Bridgestone Arena. You can even make your own itinerary by planning your trip around Nashville’s 2024 concert schedule.

Arts

Creativity thrives in Nashville, so it should come as no surprise that the city has plenty of visual- and performing-arts offerings. Explore public sculptures and statues (like The Recording Angel, outside Schermerhorn Symphony Center, or Ghost Ballet, between Nissan Stadium and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge) and pay a visit to the Frist Art Museum, which changed the cultural landscape of the city just 22 years ago. The city even offers art crawls in Downtown Nashville, WeHo, and Germantown, so you can get your fill of local artists and smaller galleries.

Take a load off at Audrey, where Chef Sean Brock serves up elevated southern comfort (like cornmeal fried okra and hickory grilled catfish) alongside walls of folk art.

If you’re truly focused on the arts, consider staying at Soho House Nashville. In addition to cozy accommodations for members and non-members, the hotel has an art collection featuring works from 41 artists who were born, based, or trained in Tennessee.

Culinary

No trip to Nashville would be complete without hot chicken (a famed fried chicken dish served on white bread with a pickle) from Prince’s or Hattie B’s, but the city’s bustling food scene expands far beyond, to fine-dining and farm-to-table options.

At the Hermitage Hotel, you can dine at Drusie & Darr and the Pink Hermit Café. Or try a bit of everything at Acme Feed & Seed. The 25,000-square-foot space features drinks, shopping, live music, and a mix of fast-casual food like chicken wings, street corn, and pork tacos. Some of Nashville’s newest restaurants—like Present Tense from restaurant veterans Rick Margaritov and Ryan Costanza—are gaining popularity, too. (Though can you ever knock a classic? We’re looking at you, Rolf & Daughters.)

If you’re an early riser, beat the crowd at either of Pancake Pantry’s often-packed locations in downtown Nashville and Hillsboro Village. At night, make your way to one of Music City’s many hidden speakeasies, like Bar Sovereign (which has a secret ramen bar in the back), Dirty Little Secret (an experiential nightclub located inside Dream Nashville), and Jane’s Hideaway (a bluegrass supper club that serves up classic Southern dishes and live music). And to satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a flight of mini donuts from Donut Distillery—each comes with four minis and the choice of four mimosas, coffee cocktails, beer, or whiskey pairings.

Inspired by a Nashville itinerary above? Plan your trip at visitmusiccity.com.