Things to do in Nashville, TN

Music City USA, Nashville is home to such celebrated locales as The Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman, and The Grand Ole Opry. Street musicians decorate downtown, sending wafts of blues, country rock, and pop into the ears and hearts of passersby. An endless profusion of honky tonk bars and exclusively country venues adorn second avenue, where line dancers are known to enthusiastically kick up their heels. The city that has never met a stranger, Nashvillians are proud of their music scene, and that it consistently has had a history of including all genres. All walks of music are celebrated and explored, and everyone is welcome to join in the music. 

From Vanderbilt University to Belmont, Nashville's proud of their  wide array and variety of colleges and universities scattered throughout the city and metropolitan area. Knowledge is celebrated in the city, earning it the nickname, "Athens of the South." Tennessee State, David Lipscomb, and the American Baptist College join Belmont and Vanderbilt in settling their campuses into the lush landscape of Music City. Tourists should be sure to head over to TSU to get a full understanding of the college football fervor in the South, bask in the energy...  

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Music City USA, Nashville is home to such celebrated locales as The Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman, and The Grand Ole Opry. Street musicians decorate downtown, sending wafts of blues, country rock, and pop into the ears and hearts of passersby. An endless profusion of honky tonk bars and exclusively country venues adorn second avenue, where line dancers are known to enthusiastically kick up their heels. The city that has never met a stranger, Nashvillians are proud of their music scene, and that it consistently has had a history of including all genres. All walks of music are celebrated and explored, and everyone is welcome to join in the music. 

From Vanderbilt University to Belmont, Nashville's proud of their  wide array and variety of colleges and universities scattered throughout the city and metropolitan area. Knowledge is celebrated in the city, earning it the nickname, "Athens of the South." Tennessee State, David Lipscomb, and the American Baptist College join Belmont and Vanderbilt in settling their campuses into the lush landscape of Music City. Tourists should be sure to head over to TSU to get a full understanding of the college football fervor in the South, bask in the energy and rhythm of Belmont's gorgeous campus, and stroll the stately grounds of Vanderbilt. 

Where there's music, there's almost always dancing, and in Nashville that's for certain. Country music aficionados will find delight in Nashville's famous honky-tonkin' (also known as bar hopping). Heading over to a honky-tonk is one of the most popular past-times in Nashville. Word of warning to visitors seeking throbbing bass beats and flashing lights, more often than not, a dance club in Nashville will involve line dancing and sawdust. But there are a few typical dance clubs throughout the downtown area. The Lower Broad neighborhood offers the most impressive spread of honky tonks and late night music venues in the city. If you're looking for something a little more low-key, Hillsboro Village offers great eats and drinks, just outside of downtown.

Southern food, there's nothing like it, and in Nashville southern fares are synonymous with good eats. Music City is a banner city for "down-home," old-fashioned Southern cooking. Here the stereotypical meat and three is challenged, revamped, and repersonified. Time-honored, time-tested institutions like Arnold's Country Kitchen, with its outstanding fried green tomatoes and to-die-for meatloaf, will have mouths watering and bellies grumbling. Though Tennessee barbecue is more strongly associated with Memphis, it's certainly a staple of the Nashville dining scene as well, as evidenced by authentic restaurants like Jack's Barbecue (directly across from Ryman auditorium). Patrons should be sure to track down some genuine Nashville hot chicken (a local specialty), and indulge in the unforgettable home cooking of Loveless Cafe and Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant. 

Nashville is a family-oriented town, and aims to please children of all ages. Whether families come to visit Universities and gain perspective of the collegiate life, or are interested in exploring a southern perspective of the Civil War, Nashville is a great destination for a family vacation. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility that encompasses a large plantation replete with a Greek revival mansion. From the giraffes to rhinoceros to Bengal tiger, the zoo offers a captivating walk on the wild side. The Valley Fair Amusement Park is another great destination night or day, known for their down-home, excellent customer service. If you're looking for history to come to life, the Belle Meade Plantation, Carnton Mansion, and Adventure Science Museum are the perfect excursion for kids and adults alike

When you hear the name "Nashville," do you think "country music?" If so, you're missing out on all the other aspects of this growing metropolitan area. Although music is a way of life here — there are even live bands at the airport! — Nashville has much more to offer. The "Athens of the South" boasts almost 20 colleges and universities; attractions such as the Grand Ole Opry and beautiful parks bring visitors from all over; and the low cost-of-living makes it attractive for relocation.

Nashville claims to have been a city of music from the very beginning. In 1779-1780, a settlement began in an area that would be called "Nashborough" after Revolutionary war hero General Francis Nash. Amongst the early settlers was Davy Crockett, who entertained with stories and the fiddle. In 1784, the name changed to Nashville, as the French "ville" replaced the British "borough," probably as a gesture of thanks to France for their help in the American Revolution. In the 1920s, the Grand Ole Opry had its first show, and the nickname "Music City" was born. At the close of the 20th century, Nashville witnessed the clean-up of many historic neighborhoods and a rebirth of downtown.

Not surprisingly, Nashville has been home to many...  Read more »

When you hear the name "Nashville," do you think "country music?" If so, you're missing out on all the other aspects of this growing metropolitan area. Although music is a way of life here — there are even live bands at the airport! — Nashville has much more to offer. The "Athens of the South" boasts almost 20 colleges and universities; attractions such as the Grand Ole Opry and beautiful parks bring visitors from all over; and the low cost-of-living makes it attractive for relocation.

Nashville claims to have been a city of music from the very beginning. In 1779-1780, a settlement began in an area that would be called "Nashborough" after Revolutionary war hero General Francis Nash. Amongst the early settlers was Davy Crockett, who entertained with stories and the fiddle. In 1784, the name changed to Nashville, as the French "ville" replaced the British "borough," probably as a gesture of thanks to France for their help in the American Revolution. In the 1920s, the Grand Ole Opry had its first show, and the nickname "Music City" was born. At the close of the 20th century, Nashville witnessed the clean-up of many historic neighborhoods and a rebirth of downtown.

Not surprisingly, Nashville has been home to many prominent people, although there are few true notable natives. Former US Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, rapper Young Buck, and adventurer-turned-Nicaraguan President William Walker were all born in the city. Scores of musicians and various VIPs have resided in Nashville at some point, including Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Ben Folds, Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey.

In the early 1900s, President Roosevelt pronounced the local coffee "good to the last drop" and coined a slogan for the popular brand Maxwell House. Commerce didn't stop there; today, the low cost-of-living, no income tax and mild climate draw businesses from all over. The major industries are music writing and production, health care, higher education, publishing and transportation, and many companies have headquarters in the area, including Fortune 500 members HCA Inc., Caremark Rx and Dollar General Corporation.

Due to the constant influx of musicians, businessmen, and families, Nashville has become a diverse city. Nevertheless, Southern charm prevails, leading many to call it "the friendliest city," and the many colleges and churches in the area make for a fairly well-educated and religious population. The stereotypical laid-back, country-western style pervades Nashville, from the merchandise in the stores to the dress of the citizens, and it's not surprising to see cowboy boots with business suits!

Nashville is known for its music, so naturally, entertainment revolves around it. Live music of all genres can be heard in clubs, bars, hotels and other various locations throughout the city pretty much every night of the week. The District and Music Valley are the two main locales for nightlife, with the District being more animated and Music Valley more family-friendly (and the location of the Grand Ole Opry). If live music isn't your type of thing, check out one of the dance clubs, sports bars, coffeehouses, dinner theaters or comedy clubs that populate the area. For high culture, there's the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Tennessee Performing Arts Center to visit as well.

Shopping enthusiasts find that Nashville boasts shopping malls and districts galore. Country-western duds and antiques are the specialty, but with over 10 malls in the area, you can find almost anything you need. If you'd rather catch a game, the NFL Tennessee Titans and the Vanderbilt University Commodores offer exciting options. The City of Parks also proudly displays its natural beauty in the several thousands of acres of parkland throughout the area, so it's hard to be at a loss for something to do here.