Curator’s statement
I may be a little biased being a Nashville resident, but it is one of the most traveled cities in the US. Being a city known for its food and rooftop bar scene, this city is a foodie's dream! Of course, Music City brings a ton of talented people throughout the country to perform live music downtown. No matter the time of year, the city is always busy. It's called Middle Tennessee for a reason. You can head East to the Smokies or West to Memphis for some of the best BBQ! Nashville is a vibe. Whether you're into downtown city life, or prefer a small-town feel, Nashville offers the best of both worlds.
The Fora Difference
Book with Courtney to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Nashville
Unlock perks by contacting Courtney to book your trip.
Things to do in Nashville
Neighborhoods of Nashville
Brewery Hopping- Nashville has a TON of breweries! My top 5 are Living Waters, Southern Grist, ENBW, Jackalope, & Tn Brew Works.
Parthenon- an exact replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece. Book a tour or walk around Centennial Park!
Tours/Shows- Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Cash Museum, George Jones Museum, General Jackson Showboat in Hermitage. The Belle Meade location of the historic plantation & winery offers a mansion tour. Catch a show or event at the Brooklyn Bowl
Speak Easy- Nashville has some off-the-grid New Orleans Style Speak Easies- my top 2 choices: Pushing Daisies & the exclusive Red Phone Booth *Member Access Code Required for Entry.
Themed Seasonal/Holiday Bar- Nashville is a food/rooftop bar city! Depending on the time of year, there are a ton of festivals, bar events, & more! Cheekwood is a great location for Fall Pumpkin Patch and Christmas lights! These next two aren't exactly seasonal, but Pinewood Social & Hampton Social are both great places for group hangouts!
Kayaking on the Harpeth or Cumberland! We may not have beaches, but Nashville has some cool waterways for summertime boating & activities! Tims Ford is my absolute favorite lake, but this is a bit further outside of Nashville. The Old Hickory Lake & Percy Priest are the two most well-known lakes closest to Nashville.
Nashville Soccer Club, Nashville Sounds Baseball, or Nashville Predators- always a fun time to catch a sports game while in town!
If you're looking to shop, 5th & Broadway gives a New York vibe with shops & boutiques; my favorite local store, Nash Collection, is a great place for souvenir apparel! 12South is another great selection with more upscale boutiques.
Day Trips
Head out East for White Water Rafting on the Ocoee- this is for the adventure-seekers!
Local from Nashville, Leiper's Fork, located right outside of Franklin, TN, has not only a distillery but a lot of history! This is where the original "Pucketts Grocery", now renamed back to its original name- Fox & Locke venue is located.
Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN- a little bit of a drive, but still doable as a day trip. Of course, TN Whiskey being a staple in TN, this is a fun tour- be sure to include the lunch option at Ms. Mary Bobo's Kitchen!
There are a ton of Waterfalls and hiking options right outside Nashville- Fall Creek Falls, Ruby Falls, Rock Island, & Greeter Falls are a few faves!
Waverly, TN is West of Nashville, which has a secret location view from Kentucky Lake off-the-beaten-path, and can also visit the Natchez Trace State Park out that way!
Places to eat & drink in Nashville
NEIGHBORHOODS of NASHVILLE: Local Scene
The Gulch- the place known for the infamous wings mural!
Biscuit Love- Hands down, one of my favorite brunch spots! The variety of options are endless! Recommend the Bloody Mary- it's spicy, or the Mimosa- fresh squeezed orange juice makes all the difference!
UP, Rooftop Lounge- cannot beat the views of the city without the hustle and bustle of Downtown. This is also, the FIRST Rooftop Bar in Nashville- iconic if you ask me!
12South- More of a local vibe
BarTaco- 11 different taco choices!
Ember's Ski Lodge- Great beer selection & happy hour.
Five Daughter's Bakery- Probably the most well-known place for donuts in Nash!
East Nash- "hipster" & dive bars
5 Points- Best Pizza in town!
Living Waters Brewery- In my top 5 breweries, that says a lot considering how many are in Nashville alone. This place has a cool vibe and the cool thing is they also brew coffee. You can either grab a really bold cup of brew or share a flight of some really good brews!
Rosemary & Beauty Queen- not your average "bar"- it's a house and garage bar, literally.
Wedgewood & Houston- Locals refer to as "We-Ho"
Bastion- BigBar- this is a hole in the wall, but cool aesthetic on the inside. Drinks are phenomenal, and it also becomes a music venue!
Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.
Travel Advisor
Courtney Lynn
Get in touch with Courtney
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can normally expect a response from Courtney within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Julie Guaderrama’s guide, Nashville Nights: A Bachelorette Bash to Remember.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Nashville.