12 Downtown Nashville Attractions to Add to Your Itinerary
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Welcome to Music City, the capital of Tennessee, where country music thrives, and live music plays nearly every night. But there is more to Nashville than the honky-tonks and country music throwdowns. These downtown Nashville attractions are some of the most popular for first-time visitors and are sure to keep you busy on a weekend in Nashville.
1. Start Your Day With Breakfast at Biscuit Love
Biscuit Love is one of the swanky downtown Nashville attractions that will leave you drooling over the menu. It once started as a food truck and has since grown to three different locations all located in the downtown Nashville area.
Biscuit Love’s spin on traditional brunch has Southern flair and is made entirely from scratch. We recommend getting the homemade “bonuts” which are basically donuts made with biscuit dough or trying the biscuit french toast!
Location: The Gulch & Hillsboro Village
Hours: Sunday-Saturday: 7am-3pm
Photo Credit: Biscuit Love
2. Pose in Front of Iconic Nashville Street Art
One of the best-known of the downtown Nashville attractions is the widely impressive street art that you can find in many different spots around Nashville. The best part is all of the street art is near many other downtown Nashville attractions so you can easily take some Instagram-worthy shots while preparing to shop or grab some lunch. 🙂
Location pictured: Green Pea Salon – 2900 12th Ave S
3. Step Back in Time at Pinewood Social
Pinewood Social is one of our favorite downtown Nashville attractions. It’s a trendy restaurant with craft cocktails and coffees but also has something else that is entirely unique to the restaurant scene – a place to play!
Pinewood Social also has a six-lane bowling alley, a patio with two different pools, bocce ball, and an airstream that has been converted into a food truck providing tacos, salads, and drinks to guests using the outdoor dipping pools.
Location: 33 Peabody St
Hours: Monday-Friday: 7am-1am, Saturday & Sunday: 9am-1am
4. Go Thrifting at the Downtown Antique Mall.
The Downtown Antique Mall offers a diverse spin on antiques. Not only can you find traditional items that you’d see in regular antique shops, but you can also find industrial and unique items from nearly every decade. If you enjoy browsing, allow some extra time in your schedule. You can easily get lost down every aisle visiting the booths of the hundreds of different vendors and come out with a creative find!
Location: 612 8th Ave S.
Hours: Sunday 1pm-5pm, Monday-Saturday: 10am-5:30pm
5. Get A Latte From Three Brothers Coffee
Three Brothers Coffee has some neat street art outside plus some local featured artists inside. It has cozy spots to sit, work, chat, or relax inside. Their coffee beans are always rotating so you can get a new style of espresso nearly every time you visit. Three Brothers Coffee is the perfect place to visit for a midday pick-up.
Location: 2813 West End Ave
Hours: Monday-Friday: 6am-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-7pm
6. See A Show At the Legendary Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a legendary country music venue that is a must for your downtown Nashville attractions itinerary. Each week there is a new artist that plays, some may be unfamiliar and others very recognizable.
If you are wanting to see a concert at the Grand Ole Opry be sure to book your tickets before you go! If you would rather not see a concert or aren’t in town for one, you can also book a tour of the Grand Ole Opry to learn the legacy and history of the Opry.
Location: 2804 Opryland Dr
7. Shop Local at the Nashville Farmers Market
Every weekend merchants from all over the Nashville area come to the Nashville Farmer’s Market to set up stands of locally grown produce, cured meats, artesian cheese, fresh flowers, clothing, and other goods. Stop by and see if you can find anything unique to bring back from this local market. We picked up some yummy jams and produce to take home.
Location: 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd
Hours: Sunday-Saturday: 7am-8pm
8. Try Some Famous Tennessee Barbecue at Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Like most of Tennessee, Nashville is also well-known for its barbecue. One of the best is Edley’s Bar-B-Que which has a few locations in the downtown Nashville area. Lines here start getting long right at 11am so it’s best to get their early or prepare to wait in line!
When we visited Edley’s Bar-B-Que we tried the hot chicken and pulled pork sandwiches which were both amazing! Though we didn’t try it this time, we’ve heard good things about their brisket as well. 🙂
Location: 2706 12th Ave S
Hours: Sunday-Friday: 11am-10pm, Saturday: 9am-10pm
Photo Credit: Edley’s BBQ
9. Venture the Floors of ACME Feed & Seed
ACME Feed & Seed is one of the most lively places as far as downtown Nashville attractions go. In the evening, the four floors are always packed and you’ll probably hard-pressed to try to find a seat if visiting on a weekend. However, it’s a place that is worth a visit on your Nashville trip.
On each floor, you can find a different bar and/or restaurant offering sushi, burgers, and sandwiches. From the rooftop, you can see a stunning view of the downtown city lights of Nashville.
Location: 101 Broadway
Hours: Sunday & Saturday: 10am-11pm, Monday-Thursday: 11am-1opm, Friday: 11am-12am
10. Visit The Parthenon at Centennial Park
Don’t have your ticket to Athens? Then check out this full-scale replica of The Parthenon in Centennial Park. This replica was originally built for the 1897 Centennial Exposition but now serves as a “pinnacle of classic architecture” as well as, Nashville’s art museum.
Inside you’ll find collections of many different 19th and 20th-century art pieces. It also offers different exhibitions monthly to attend and get a glimpse of this famous downtown Nashville attraction.
Location: 2500 West End Ave
Hours: Sunday: 12:30-4:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday: 9am-4:30pm, Closed Mondays.
11. Rent A Bike to Tour Downtown Nashville Attractions in Different Areas
While Nashville is a big city, it is fairly walkable or bike-friendly in many different neighborhoods. If you are looking for a unique way to experience some of these downtown Nashville attractions, renting a bike from B-cycle is an inexpensive way to view the city versus calling an Uber from place to place.
12. Check-out the Views at the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge offers some of the best views of downtown Nashville, especially at night. The bridge itself is a sight to see as it spans 960 meters over the Cumberland River and is one of the largest pedestrian bridges in the world.
Location: Cumberland River Downtown Nashville
Where to Stay in Nashville
There are a ton of hotels,
- Budget: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville
- Mid-range: Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt Downtown
- Boutique: 21c Museum Hotel Nashville
- Luxury: Omni Nashville Hotel
Which one of these things to do in Nashville would you like to try?
Want to visit some other spots in Tennessee?
Cummins Falls State Park in Cookeville, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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20 Comments
Sierra Dehmler
May 3, 2017 at 5:30 PMYou had me at BISCUITS. Holy moley. I forgot how much I loved Nashville until right now. You’re making me want to go back just to explore more! (The only time I’ve been was on tour and I was working my butt off, so didn’t get much time to explore, sadly.)
ashley
May 4, 2017 at 7:06 AMwait i was LITERALLY going to type “you had us at biscuit french toast,” and then saw sierra’s comment. BUT SERIOUSLY.
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:30 PMWould have eaten it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if the opportunity had presented itself! 🙂
Robert
May 4, 2017 at 9:05 PMDefinitely planning an RV Camping trip to Nashville from BC Canada very soon. Looks like a lot of great things to see and eat! 🙂 The Biscuit French Toast looks amazing! 🙂
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:30 PMWonderful Robert! Where else will you be stopping? Nashville will be perfect for your road trip. 🙂
John
May 5, 2017 at 12:52 PMSome of my favorites! Biscuit Love, Edley’s …. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! 😀
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:31 PMCan’t wait to go back and enjoy more delicious food! 🙂 Completely forgot to take a pic of the hot chicken!
Natalie
May 6, 2017 at 6:22 PMBiscuit french toast?! YUM! Absolutely amazing photos you guys! That flower truck is stinking adorable
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:21 PMThank you! We had a blast visiting Nashville. I’m pretty sure our waistlines are still trying to recover from all the delicious food. 😉
nbosken
May 7, 2017 at 6:08 PMI went to college only an hour north of Nashville (WKU) but haven’t done at least half of these things. I’ll have to add all of this to the list next time I come. A cupcake ATM sounds awesome!
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:22 PMSo funny to hear that! I’m sure you could give us some other things to do and places to eat that we didn’t even think of. 🙂
Stacey Billingsley
May 8, 2017 at 5:46 PMI’ve been to Nashville, but you list of activities makes me want to go back. When I was there, when we went on the Pedestrian Bridge, it started to thunder and lightening. I have never been so scared about lightening! We got off of there fast! I want to try Edley’s BBQ if I ever go back.
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:26 PMHello Stacey! I don’t think I could have stood on the bridge if it was storming either! Definitely go to Edley’s BBQ if you have the chance! The line is long but worth the wait.
Kelly
May 10, 2017 at 4:49 AMI’ve been daydreaming about Nashville SO MUCH recently – think we need to plan a trip there soon! Going to bookmark this so we have it when we go 🙂
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:29 PMNashville is one of the most fun cities to visit! You’ll definitely never grow bored. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Stephanie
May 13, 2017 at 4:46 PMI have never been to the US, but when I go, I definitely want to visit Nashville. Looks like such a unique city.
x
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:20 PMIt definitely has a lot of character! I hope you’re able to make it someday.
Kallsy Page
May 14, 2017 at 11:22 PMIt’s definitely a neat place to visit!
beck
June 15, 2017 at 3:36 AMGreat Post! I really loved Nashville but I was only there for a couple of hours! I went to the Parthenon which was pretty cool and had dinner and I think that was about it. It was a couple of years ago but I definitely need to come back one day! Loving the pictures! 🙂
Kallsy Page
June 21, 2017 at 1:00 PMThank you very much! I’m glad to hear you loved Nashville as well, you definitely need to go back to spend a bit more time there. 🙂