One year during Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day weekend, we decided to go on a quick road trip with Nashville, Tennessee as our turnaround point. We had a great time spending a day in Music City, even though neither of us are huge country music fans. So if you’re going to spend one day in Nashville, what do we recommend seeing and eating?
MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS
There are plenty of museums, tours and attractions available to fill your day. Which ones would we suggest for a day in Nashville?
- Grand Ole Opry: We started off our morning with a backstage tour of this famous venue. Home to the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, this is a must-see if you are a country music lover. An impressive roster of artists have performed here and it is neat to experience the history with a behind-the-scenes look. The tour concludes with stepping onto the stage that has been shared by country music’s greatest stars. In fact, our tour was the morning after a Dolly Parton show celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Opry membership. Since tours can sell out, be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. Of course, if you can, go for a concert and stay for a post-show backstage tour!
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Located right in the heart of downtown Nashville, this is another great family-friendly attraction. Any fan of music should enjoy this museum. Walk through fantastic displays and exhibits detailing the origins and history of country music. Plenty of artifacts, photos, videos and other interactive elements will guide you along. For most families, you probably won’t need to spend more than 2 hours here.
- Centennial Park and the Parthenon: Within Nashville’s premier urban park is an attraction that seems a little out-of-place, but nonetheless spectacular. Of course, we are talking about the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the original in Greece. It was built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition and houses a full-scale replica of the 42-foot statue of Athena. The Parthenon also serves as Nashville’s art museum (admission fees apply). Even if you visit just to walk around the outside, the surrounding Centennial Park is a great place for families to relax and play outdoors on a beautiful day.
Here are some honorable mentions that we did not get to visit, but may be of interest if you have some additional time:
- Ryman Auditorium: This venue also has a ton of history as a former home of the Grand Ole Opry show. Catch a concert here or go on one of their fantastic guided tours.
- Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center: If you love walking around fancy hotels, you’ll want to add the Opryland Resort to your list. They even have an indoor garden conservatory! For free parking, just park your car at the nearby Opry Mills mall and take a short walk over to the hotel.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Nashville is not only known for music, but also for its food and bar scene. Here were our stops during our day there:
- Hattie B’s: If you mention Nashville hot chicken, chances are Hattie B’s is the first restaurant that comes to mind. Don’t be surprised to find long lines at this popular chain. We walked over from the Parthenon for lunch at the Midtown location near Vanderbilt University. We waited in line for at least an hour, but were pleased to find out the hype is worth the wait! They had some of the best hot chicken sandwiches we’ve ever had. If you don’t mind waiting, this is a must-add to your day.
- Prince’s Hot Chicken: Credited for popularizing Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s had more of a local feel than the tourist-favorite Hattie B’s. Stop here for some spicy friend chicken (be careful when picking your heat level!), which is traditionally served atop a slice of bread with pickles.
- Broadway: While the locals may not necessarily be thrilled about this, Nashville is also known for its party scene. Our Lyft driver definitely was not shy about expressing his disdain for seeing a bachelorette party at every corner and a pedal tavern on every street. And Lower Broadway is the center of it all. If you are looking for live music and drinks, you’ll have more than enough options here. There are honky-tonks one after another on both sides of the streets. Many of them have multiple levels, which means there are several live music options in a single establishment. This wasn’t really our scene, but we did enjoy a few beers and some tunes at Honky Tonk Central. It goes without saying that this area is probably best for an adults-only outing.
- Tacos Y Mariscos Lopez 2: When we returned to our room at Embassy Suites Nashville Airport (more details below) at the end of the day, we were pretty hungry. So to satisfy our late-night craving, we checked out this small Mexican restaurant. This is a great place for tacos and other authentic menu items, located less than 5 miles away from the hotel.
Some honorable mentions that we did not get a chance to check out:
- Biscuit Love and The Loveless Cafe: If you’re wanting some delicious biscuits to start your day with, consider one of these options. Just be ready for potentially long lines at these popular spots!
- The Bluebird Cafe: This small, intimate club which was featured on the TV show Nashville is known for featuring up-and-coming songwriters. Tickets sell out quick at this 90-seat establishment. They can be tough to get, so good luck!
HOTELS & LODGING
Lastly, depending on your visit, you may be looking for a place to stay for a night or two. If you’re looking for something in the heart of the city or with a unique neighborhood flair, downtown Nashville has plenty of hotel and rental options. But if you’re like us and wanted someplace a bit removed and quieter, we suggest the Embassy Suites near the Nashville airport. (Why are we loyal to Hilton hotels? Click here for more details.)
There were several reasons we loved this Embassy Suites location. One big plus are the lower rates here compared to the downtown hotels (which usually also have extra parking fees). But this location is only around a 15-minute drive both to downtown or to the Grand Ole Opry. So it is close enough to drive or get an affordable ride like we did since we didn’t want to deal with downtown parking.
We enjoyed a nice and spacious 2-room suite, typical of Embassy locations. If you have a family that likes to spread out, getting a single 2-room suite could be a more budget-friendly option that getting two separate rooms at another hotel.
Other reasons we loved our stay at this hotel were the standard amenities you find at Embassy Suites. Their free breakfast buffets with cooked-to-order omelettes are some of the best and consistent complimentary hotels breakfasts we have had. We always prefer hotels that offer free breakfast. It’s one less thing to think about and typically helps us save money for other things on our trips. We are also fans of the complimentary cocktail receptions. This location had a great spread of snacks and finger foods with friendly and efficient bartenders. We experienced long lines for the drinks, so we would recommend getting there a little before the receptions begin. Whether you want beer, wine or cocktails, this is a great way to get some free drinks (but be sure to tip your bartender!) and save some money at the bars and restaurants.
LET'S PLAN A TRIP TO MUSIC CITY!
As you can see, there’s plenty to do when spending one day in Nashville, whether you’re a family with kids or on an adults-only trip. What are you looking forward to doing in Tennessee’s capital city? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and check out our other Trips and Tips!