Nashville, Tennessee is a vibrant big city with a small town feel, and it was recently ranked 28th on Bloomberg’s top 50 places to live. Whether relocating permanently or visiting for a long weekend, there are countless fun activities to do in Nashville. Here are five fun things for everyone.
1. Visit the Parthenon – Located in the heart of Nashville’s Centennial Park is a replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, complete with a giant statue of the goddess Athena. In addition to serving as a great architectural feat due to its intricate detail and design, the Parthenon also serves as the city of Nashville’s art museum. It is open year-round, with additional hours added during the summer months. After your tour of the Parthenon, spend the rest of the day relaxing with a picnic in the park!
2. Line dance at the Wildhorse Saloon – It would not be a proper trip to Music City, USA without a little line dancing! Stop by for a dance lesson after 5 PM, and stick around while the band plays in order to show off your new moves. The Wildhorse is conveniently located on 2nd Avenue, which is downtown Nashville’s main strip of bars and honky tonks.
3. Eat at the Loveless Café – You’ll definitely work up quite an appetite after line dancing, and there’s no better place for some real down home cooking than the Loveless Café. Tucked away on Tennessee Highway with a barn out back, this country gem is sure to leave you licking your plate clean. Stop by for a delicious made-from-scratch meal, with only the finest local ingredients that are grown exclusively in the wonderful state of Tennessee.
4. Tour Vanderbilt’s campus – Although Nashville has quite a few beautiful campuses to tour, including Belmont and its historic mansion, there’s just something about Vanderbilt University’s campus that captures the spirit of Nashville. Visit in the spring and take advantage of the blooming tulips and the full trees that line the campus. The campus is home to over 300 species of trees and shrubs, earning the designation of national arboretum. Once you’ve seen enough of main campus, use one of the two pedestrian bridges that connect to the Peabody campus and take a tour of the newly renovated Commons, a state-of-the-art student housing community that cost over 150 million dollars to construct. End your visit with a beer or a snack at the on-campus restaurant, The Pub, or eat at one of the many establishments that surround this beautiful school.
5. Attend a show at the Ryman Auditorium – The Ryman Auditorium (formerly the Grand Ole Opry House) is a historical music venue and is perhaps best known as the site of the Grand Ole Opry, in addition to being featured in several films and television specials. On any given day you can catch a variety of acts, ranging from country artists to indie rock bands to stand-up comedians. No matter your preference, there is something for everyone at this classic venue.
Bonus activities: hang out in Hillsboro Village and try to spot Taylor Swift or Ben Folds!