Nashville, United States: travel guide
Music City, with honky-tonks on Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry
About Nashville
Nashville is the capital of country music, and you hear it before you see it. Along Broadway, the honky-tonks keep live bands playing through the afternoon and late into the night, a stretch known as Honky Tonk Highway.
For the story behind the sound, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry House. The city also has a surprising landmark in the Parthenon, a full-scale replica in Centennial Park, which is a pleasant place for a quiet hour between gigs.
Nashville suits music lovers, groups of friends and weekend breaks built around live shows and Southern food. Spring and autumn are comfortable for being outdoors, while summer is hot and humid.
- Country
- United States
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Nearest airport
- BNA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Nashville
Broadway (Honky Tonk Highway)
entertainment-district · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Nashville's neon-lit main strip of honky-tonk bars with free live country music from late morning to the early hours. Tootsies, Robert's Western World and Legends Corner are landmarks.
Grand Ole Opry House
music-venue · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · entry $47 (≈ ₹4,450)
The home of the world's longest-running radio broadcast, a live country music showcase. Located at Opryland, northeast of downtown. Backstage tours available.
Ryman Auditorium
historic-venue · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The "Mother Church of Country Music" and original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Self-guided and backstage tours by day; legendary concerts by night.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
music-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The definitive museum of country music history, with two floors of exhibits, artifacts and the Hall of Fame rotunda. A Smithsonian-affiliated institution.
The Parthenon
landmark-replica · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon in Centennial Park, housing an art museum and a 42-foot statue of Athena. Built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition.
Johnny Cash Museum
music-museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world, just off Broadway. A must for Man in Black fans.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
zoo · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 188-acre zoo southeast of downtown with a large unfenced lemur exhibit, a historic farmhouse and one of the country's biggest community playgrounds.
Centennial Park
urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 132-acre urban park surrounding the Parthenon, with a lake, walking paths and seasonal events. Nashville's premier green space.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
bridge · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 3,150-foot pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River with the best skyline views of downtown Nashville. Free and open 24/7.
Nashville Farmers' Market
food-market · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A year-round market with local produce, a global food court (Grow Local Kitchen, Jamaican, Vietnamese and more) and craft sheds, beside Bicentennial Mall.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
botanical-garden · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1930s mansion set in 55 acres of botanical gardens and an art museum, with seasonal displays. Southwest of downtown in Belle Meade.
Frist Art Museum
art-museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A rotating-exhibition art museum in a striking Art Deco former post office. No permanent collection — always something new. Free for visitors 18 and under.
Things to do
- Grand Ole Opry Live Show Live Show · 2.5 h · from USD 65 per person
- Honky-Tonk Highway Guided Bar Tour Nightlife · 2.5 h · from USD 45 per person
- Nashville Pedal Tavern Party Bike Party Experience · 2 h · from USD 40 per person
- Nashville Music History Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from USD 35 per person
- Nashville Craft Distillery Tour & Tasting Food Drink Tour · 1.5 h · from USD 35 per person
- Country Music Hall of Fame Self-Guided Admission Museum · 2.5 h · from USD 32 per person
- General Jackson Showboat Lunch Cruise Cruise · 2.5 h · from USD 90 per person
- Hop-On Hop-Off Nashville Trolley Tour Sightseeing Tour · 1.5 h · from USD 49 per person
Day trips and tours
- Jack Daniel's Distillery Day Trip to Lynchburg 8 h · from USD 150
- Historic Franklin Half-Day Tour 5 h · from USD 95
- Memphis & Graceland Full-Day Trip 14 h · from USD 230
- Tennessee Whiskey Trail Distillery Tour 7 h · from USD 135
Where to stay in Nashville
- Downtown / Broadway about USD 300 per night
The heart of Nashville's nightlife — honky-tonk bars, live music, and walkable access to most landmarks. Loud and lively, best for those who want to be in the action.
- The Gulch about USD 320 per night
Trendy, upscale neighborhood with rooftop bars, boutique hotels, murals (the Nashville Wings), and good restaurants. A short walk south of Broadway.
- Midtown / Music Row about USD 240 per night
Near Vanderbilt University and the recording studios of Music Row. More relaxed than Broadway with bars and restaurants popular with locals and students.
- East Nashville about USD 200 per night
Hip, artsy residential neighborhood across the river — indie coffee shops, vintage stores and acclaimed restaurants. Quieter; needs a short rideshare to downtown.
- Germantown about USD 250 per night
Historic, leafy neighborhood north of downtown known for its restaurants, the farmers market and First Horizon Park. Walkable and charming.
Hotels
- The Hermitage Hotel 5-star · USD 450 to USD 1,200 per night
- The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel 5-star · USD 400 to USD 1,100 per night
- Bobby Hotel 4-star · USD 280 to USD 600 per night
- Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown 3-star · USD 190 to USD 360 per night
- Thompson Nashville 4-star · USD 320 to USD 700 per night
- Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 4-star · USD 280 to USD 650 per night
Where to eat
- Hattie B's Hot Chicken (Midtown) Southern, Hot Chicken, American · about USD 18 per person
- Loveless Cafe Southern, Breakfast, Comfort Food · about USD 22 per person
- Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Downtown) BBQ, Southern, American · about USD 25 per person
- Pancake Pantry Breakfast, American, Diner · about USD 14 per person
- Biscuit Love (The Gulch) Southern, Breakfast, Brunch · about USD 16 per person
- Prince's Hot Chicken Shack Southern, Hot Chicken, American · about USD 16 per person
- Husk Nashville Southern, Contemporary, Farm-to-Table · about USD 75 per person
- The Stillery Southern, American, Bar Food · about USD 28 per person
Getting to Nashville
Airport: Nashville (BNA)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Pedal tavern / party-bus overcharging
Lower Broadway & The Gulch
Some operators advertise a low per-person rate, then add fuel surcharges, mandatory gratuity and "private upgrade" fees at the end, inflating the total well beyond the quoted price.
How to avoid it: Book through a reputable operator, get the full price in writing including tax and gratuity before paying, and confirm BYOB rules upfront.
Fake Broadway concert and Opry ticket touts
Lower Broadway near the Ryman and arena
Street sellers and copycat websites push "discount" or "sold-out" tickets to Opry, Ryman or arena shows that are counterfeit or massively marked up.
How to avoid it: Buy only from the official venue box office, ryman.com, opry.com or the venue's authorized ticketer. Avoid street sellers and lookalike resale sites.
Rideshare surge gouging on weekend nights
Broadway pickup zones late at night
After bars close and during big events, Uber/Lyft surge multipliers spike. Some unauthorized drivers also approach tourists offering flat "cash rides" that overcharge.
How to avoid it: Check the fare in-app before confirming, wait for surge to drop, walk a few blocks from Broadway, and never get into an unbooked car offering a cash ride.
Aggressive tip pressure from street performers
Lower Broadway sidewalks
Costumed characters and performers pose for photos or hand over a "free" item, then aggressively demand a large tip.
How to avoid it: Agree on a price or decline before any photo or item changes hands. A dollar or two is plenty if you choose to tip.
Bar tab and drink-price surprises on Broadway
Lower Broadway honky-tonks
A few tourist-heavy bars run open tabs with steep cover-equivalent minimums, pre-added gratuity, or charge premium prices not shown on a menu.
How to avoid it: Ask drink prices upfront, check whether gratuity is already added before tipping again, and review the tab before signing.
More in United States
Frequently asked questions about Nashville
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Nashville?
- The highest-rated places in our Nashville guide are Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Parthenon, Centennial Park.
- Where should I stay in Nashville?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nashville: Downtown / Broadway, The Gulch, Midtown / Music Row, East Nashville.
- How do I get around Nashville?
- Ways to get around Nashville covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Nashville?
- Scams reported to us for Nashville include Pedal tavern / party-bus overcharging; Fake Broadway concert and Opry ticket touts; Rideshare surge gouging on weekend nights. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Nashville?
- The nearest airport to Nashville has the code BNA.