Ellis HartAs a lifelong country music fan, going to Nashville felt like stepping into a dream—or maybe a really good country song.
I nearly cried when I saw the Ryman Auditorium, and I definitely embarrassed myself trying to sing along at a Johnny Cash tribute (turns out, I only thought I knew all the words).
That’s the thing about Nashville: you come for the music, but you’ll stay thanks to all the surprises the city has to offer. Here are some of the best attractions in Nashville that every music lover—or fun lover, even history lover—should check out.
1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Website: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/
Address: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-416-2001
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Admission Costs: Start at $19.95 (Kids) and $29.95 (Adults)
We spent half a day at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and could’ve stayed longer. This place is huge. It’s right in downtown Nashville, and once you’re inside, it feels like it just keeps going. Good thing we wore sneakers!
We started with the main exhibit, Sing Me Back Home, which walks you through the whole history of country music. We saw everything from old cowboy outfits to Taylor Swift’s sparkly dresses.
The tour of RCA Studio B was awesome. Our guide had jokes, stories, and facts about everyone from Dolly Parton to Elvis. We got to stand in the exact spot where Elvis recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”.
Families seemed to love the Taylor Swift Education Center—it had interactive stuff for kids and plenty of space to run around while learning something. We didn’t go in (we’re not the target audience), but it looked fun!
Pro Tip:
Allow at least 2–3 hours to fully enjoy the experience! There’s a lot to take in—historic instruments, handwritten lyrics, stage outfits, and interactive exhibits. Rushing through would be a shame.
2. Grand Ole Opry
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Website: https://www.opry.com/
Address: 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-871-6779
Admission Costs: Start at $64
We finally made it to the Grand Ole Opry, and let me tell you—this place knows how to put on a show. It’s not just any concert hall. It’s where country music basically grew up, and it’s been around for 100 years.
You can feel the history the second you walk in… or maybe that was just us getting emotional before the music even started.
We went to a show one night and the energy was wild—in the best way. The sound was perfect, the lights were just right, and the mix of new artists and old favorites kept things exciting. One minute we were clapping like happy kids, the next we were quietly tearing up.
After the show, We did the backstage tour and we highly recommend it! We saw the Artist Entrance, the dressing rooms, and the Family Room where the stars hang out before performing.
We also got to stand on the wooden circle—the very spot where icons like Dolly and Johnny Cash once stood. It gave us chills, and not just because the air conditioning was working overtime.
Pro Tip:
If you’ve got little ones in tow, daytime tours are a budget-friendly win! As long as they’re with a paying adult, kids under 12 can join the tour for free.
3. Ryman Auditorium
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Website: https://www.ryman.com/
Address: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 800-733-6779
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Admission Costs: Start at $36.22 for Self-Guided Tours, $46.65 for Guided Backstage Tours, $62.56 for VIP Tours
The Ryman Auditorium is one of those places that just feels special the moment you walk in. It’s old, but in that charming, full-of-stories kind of way. The Grand Ole Opry called it home for years, and just about every famous singer you can think of has stood on that stage!
We did the guided backstage tour, which started with a really interesting short film. After that, we wandered through exhibits with signed posters, vintage costumes, and memorabilia that made us really geek out.
We also got a peek behind the scenes—dressing rooms, hallways, the works. Our guide shared stories and fun facts sbout singers who have graced the stage. Our favorite part was standing on stage for a photo, doing our best not to cry (of happines, of course).
At night, the Ryman really comes to life. We caught a show while we were in town, and the sound was unreal. You could hear every note, every breath. The wooden pews aren’t exactly luxury seating, but honestly, we were too busy enjoying the music to care.
Pro Tip:
Buy your tickets online ahead of time. You’ll save $5, skip the ticket line, and lock in your preferred tour time—especially helpful during busy hours/
4. The Parthenon
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Website: https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/
Address: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-862-8431
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 7 PM; Friday, Saturday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM; Sunday – 12:30 to 4:30 PM
Price Range: Prices start at $10 (Adults), $8 (Senior aged 62+, Youth aged 4 to 17)
We didn’t expect to find ancient Greece in the middle of Nashville, but there it was—standing tall and proud in Centennial Park.
This full-size replica of the original Greek temple was built way back in 1897 for Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition, and today it’s a museum featuring art with even bigger statues. Inside, we were totally blown away by the 42-foot-tall Athena!
Downstairs, we wandered through the James M. Cowan Collection, which has over 60 paintings by American artists–lots of moody landscapes, seascapes, and gorgeous portraits that had us admitring the brush strokes even though we’re not art experts.
The museum also has changing exhibits, and we got lucky with The Muses by Christy Lee Rogers! The exhibit comes with fun workshops and community events that help people get creative and try new things.
Pro Tip:
Discounts are available for students and nurses, so bring your ID just in case. It’s always worth asking at the ticket counter—those few dollars saved could go toward a coffee or something fun in the gift shop.
5. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
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Website: https://thehermitage.com/
Address: 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-889-2941
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Price Range: Grounds Passes start at $21 (Adults and $14 (Youth aged 5 to 12); Mansion Tours start at $28 (Adults), $25 (Seniors aged 62+, Veterans, Active Military), $18 (Youth aged 5 to 12)
For those interested in history, try spending a few hours at The Hermitage! Just ten miles from downtown Nashville, this place was once home to Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.
Now, it’s a beautifully preserved museum where history feels real, not just something you read in school. The house itself is massive—8,000 square feet of original furniture, old wallpaper, and even Jackson’s slippers.
We joined a guided tour through the mansion, and while we couldn’t take pictures inside (trust us, we tried), it was worth it just to see the tiny beds and very serious portraits. The guides knew their stuff and made the past feel alive!
Outside the mansion, we wandered around more than 1,100 acres of farmland. The walking trails led us through gardens, Jackson’s tomb, slave cabins, and fields that seemed to go on forever.
After all that walking, we were ready for a break. The on-site winery came to the rescue with local wine, craft beer, and snacks. Yes, there’s wine at a presidential home—Jackson probably would’ve approved.
Pro Tip:
Pets are welcome outside, but they can’t go inside the mansion or museum buildings—totally understandable. If you’re bringing a pup, just plan to explore the grounds together.
6. Centennial Park
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Website: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/parks/centennial-park
Address: 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-862-8400
Centennial Park is one of those places that makes you think, “Why don’t all cities have something like this?” We spent an afternoon there and could’ve stayed all day. The star of the park is the Parthenon, but there are other spots to check out too!
We strolled around Lake Watauga, which is peaceful and full of ducks doing their duck business. Then we wandered through the Sunken Gardens—gorgeous flowers, shady benches, and even a Taylor Swift bench (we sat on it, obviously).
The park has walking trails, wide open lanes, and a playground if you’ve got kids to wear yot. We saw people doing yoga, playing frisbee, reading books, and just living their best lives. There’s also a dog park where dogs were sprinting around!
The whole place had this relaxed, everyone’s-welcome kind of vibe that’s hard to find. Later in the day, we caught some live music at Musicians Corner. It was totally free, and the bands were really good!
Pro Tip:
The park is beautiful year-round, but spring and fall are definitely the sweet spots. In spring, the flowers in the Sunken Gardens are in full bloom. In the fall, you get cooler weather, changing leaves, and fewer crowds.
7. Johnny Cash Museum
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Website: https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/
Address: 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-256-1777
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM
Price Range: Starts at $27.95 (Adults) and $23.95 (Youth aged 6 to 15)
If you’re in Nashville for the music, the Johnny Cash Museum is a place that shouldn’t be missed. It’s been voted Best Music Museum in America for several years for a reason!
From the moment we walked in, we were completely pulled into the life of the Man in Black. This museum is small but mighty, kind of like Johnny himself. There are walls full of his records, handwritten notes, guitars, and even some of his outfits!
The exhibits take you through his life, from growing up in Arkansas to becoming a legend. There’s even a station where you can listen to his songs every decade.
The whole space is clean, easy to walk through, and packed with little surprises–one minute, we were looking at his Grammy awards, and the next, we were tearing up watching his final video for “Hurt.” They really saved the gut punch for the end!
Pro Tip:
Make sure to hit the restroom before you finish the exhibit. Once you walk out into the lobby or gift shop, you won’t be allowed back in.
8. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
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Website: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/
Address: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-833-1534
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Price Range: Start from $20
We spent a full day at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere and had an absolute blast. This place has everything—animals, zip lines, playgrounds, and even a piece of Nashville history.
We started with the animal exhibits, which were way more immersive than we expected. The red pandas were cute, the tigers looked majestic, and the giraffes looked like they stepped out of a nature documentary.
Then, we found ourselves surrounded by kangaroos in the Kangaroo Kickabout. At Lorikeet Landing, a bird tried to land on my head (I think we bonded).
The Jungle Gym was an unexpected highlight—66,000 square feet of pure chaos and joy. It’s the kind of playground that maks adults wish they were kids again. The Soaring Eagle Zip Line was thrilling and slightly terrifying, but in a fun way.
Later, we wandered over to the Grassmere Historic Home. It’s a big, old farmhouse from 1810 with a garden and, cemetery—the whole place felt quiet, perfect for a breather after running around like zoo animals ourselves.
Pro Tip:
Food and drinks inside the zoo can be pretty pricey. The good news is, the zoo allows you to leave and come back on the same day; just keep the receipt! Pack sandwiches, snacks, and water bottles for a little picnic in the car.
9. Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
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Website: https://visitbellemeade.com/
Address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-356-0501
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Price Range: Start at $15
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is one of our favorite spots to visit in Nashville. It’s just a short drive from downtown, but once we got there, it felt like we stepped in time—with horses, history, and wine. Lots of wine.
The place started as a thoroughbred horse farm in the 1800s, and it still has that Southern charm!
We started with a tour of the big mansion—this thing looks like it came out of a movie! Our guide knew everything, from horse racing history to real stories about the people who lived and worked there, including the enslaved individuals. It was eye-opening and respectful—not boring at all.
The tour ended with a wine tasting, which felt like a well-earned reward. The wines were way better than we expected, especially after walking around in the heat. There’s also a bourbon tasting and wine & food pairings for those feeling extra fancy.
We also had lunch at the Belle Meade Meat & Three. It’s simple Southern food—nothing too fancy, but it does the job!
Pro Tip:
Try arriving a little early. There’s plenty to explore—gift shops, walking trails, lawn games, and even a café for coffee or ice cream. Extra time lets you enjoy the place more before the tour starts.
10. Tootsies Orchid Lounge
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Website: https://www.tootsies.net/
Address: 422 Broadway, Nashville, TN (in Honky Tonk Highway)
Contact Details: (615) 726-0463
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 3 AM
Price Range: $$
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is pure Nashville. This famous honky tonk isn’t just a bar–it’s a big part of Nashville’s music history!
Legends like Willie Nelson used to sing here or come in through the back door after their shows. Inside, the walls are covered with old photos and keepsakes that tell stories of all things country music.
There are three floors of live music, loud crowds, and good times. Each level has its own bar and band, so if you don’t like what’s playing downstairs, just keep climbing. We ended up on the rooftop, and the view of Broadway was awesome!
Food’s nothing fancy, but after a few drinks, those wings and Philly cheesesteaks taste like gourmet. And the bands? Top-notch!
Pro Tip:
At night, Tootsie’s gets packed fast. Show up early or go VIP to skip the wait, get a private table, and enjoy your own bartender. Great for parties or just living like a star for the night!
