Destination of the Week: Nashville

Photo credit: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

This week, Daily Travel Source is featuring the exciting city of Nashville, Tennessee. We caught up with Heather Middleton, Chief Marketing Officer, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, to learn about where to enjoy Nashville’s thriving music and culinary scenes along with tips on family friendly activities.

Nashville truly has it all from many of the best musicians in the world to beautiful nature! Starting with nature, what are some must-see destinations in the Nashville area that families have to add to their bucket lists? 

Nashville is full of natural beauty that families will enjoy exploring. Radnor Lake and Warner Parks are great for scenic hikes and picnics. Percy Warner Park hosts the Full Moon Pickin’ Parties throughout the summer with live music under the stars. Just a few minutes from downtown, Centennial Park is home to the Parthenon, the only full-scale replica of the original in Athens. This year is a great time to visit, as it’s celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Athena Parthenos statue—the largest indoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is another favorite, especially for families. The gardens are beautiful to walk through, and kids love the TRAINS! Enchanted Express, a charming outdoor interactive model train.

Nashville also has several museums that are great for all ages. The Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has hands-on songwriting activities, along with tour props and costumes donated by Taylor herself. The Frist Art Museum offers FREE admission for anyone under 18 and has the Martin ArtQuest space—an interactive area where kids can create art inspired by the current exhibits.

The National Museum of African American Music is another must-visit. It’s full of immersive experiences—you can create your own beats, sing with a gospel choir, have a dance battle, and even test your skills at rapping.

For adventure, check out The Adventure Park for ziplining and climbing, or head to the Adventure Science Center for hands-on STEM fun.

And of course, no trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Grand Ole Opry—especially during its 100th anniversary celebration this year. 

As a huge music fan, I’ve always wanted to take in the history of Nashville’s music scene while also witnessing its thriving live scene today! How can you make a day around this? 

Nashville has more music museums than anywhere else in the world and over 230 live music venues, making it the perfect place to explore music history and today’s greatest hits.

Visitors can start the day at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where they can add on tours of Hatch Show Print, a working letterpress shop, and Historic RCA Studio B—where Elvis recorded more than 200 songs.

Explore music of all genres at the National Museum of African American Music, the Musicians Hall of Fame, and learn about the legend himself at the Johnny Cash Museum. You can also take a self-guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium one of the most legendary venues in the world.

Visitors can also check out the city’s vibrant collection of record stores and instrument shops, like Carter Vintage Guitars and Gibson Garage in The Gulch and Grimey’s New & Preloved Music in East Nashville.

Catch FREE live music all day and night on Lower Broadway by spending time on Honky Tonk Highway. Then, for a truly only-in-Nashville experience, don’t miss a songwriters show at The Listening Room Café or The Bluebird Cafe—where you’ll hear the stories behind the hits.

End the night at one of the local independent venues like The Station Inn, Exit/In, The Basement, or The 5 Spot, where you can discover rising stars and enjoy all genres of music. Or, for a more classic Music City experience, see a show at the Grand Ole Opry to see country’s biggest stars as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

For families visiting Nashville for the first time, where do you recommend they consider staying or is it ideal to stay in a few places during their trip? 

Nashville’s downtown is very walkable, making it a great choice for first-time visitors—especially families who want easy access to top attractions, music venues, and museums. Staying downtown means you can explore a lot without needing a car, but since it’s centrally located, Nashville’s other neighborhoods are just a short drive away.

Nashville also has many neighborhoods with their own unique personalities and local charm:

• The Gulch and Midtown offer a trendy, urban vibe with great restaurants, walkability, shopping, and easy access to downtown.

• 12 South and Green Hills provide a quieter stay with beautiful parks and local boutiques—perfect for families who enjoy strolling and shopping.

• For a more artsy or eclectic feel, East Nashville is a fun option with family-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, and music and vintage shops.

All the foodies out there have to know where your favorite places are to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

Nashville’s culinary scene is truly thriving—with more award-winning chefs and restaurants than ever. There’s something for everyone here, from iconic Nashville Hot Chicken and Southern staples to global cuisines and inventive, chef-driven concepts.

For breakfast, Pancake Pantry and Loveless Cafe are longtime Nashville gems. Frothy Monkey is a local go-to for delicious coffee, and D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe, a James Beard Semifinalist, is known for its beautiful pastries.  

For lunch, you can’t visit Nashville without trying Hot Chicken. Prince’s Hot Chicken and Hattie B’s are two of the best, and both have locations downtown at Fifth + Broadway. Assembly Food Hall is another great option, especially for groups, with more than 30 eateries, so everyone can find something they love. And if you want a classic Meat & Three, you can’t go wrong with Arnold’s Country Kitchen—it’s one of Dolly Parton’s favorites!

There are plenty of delicious dinner options. We have some incredible award-winning and chef-driven restaurants, such as Rolf and Daughters, Noko, Husk, and iggy’s. You really can’t go wrong! 

What are some of the best times of year to visit Nashville and are there any upcoming events that travel enthusiasts should make note of?

Nashville is truly a year-round destination, so there’s really never a bad time to visit! The summer is packed with exciting events, from music and food festivals to sporting events and outdoor activities.

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4 is our FREE family-friendly Independence Day celebration. During the day, families can enjoy the Amazon Family Fun Zone, followed by live performances from artists Dierks Bentley, Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon, and Grace Bowers and The Hodge Podge. The night will end with one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY Award winning Nashville Symphony.

Fall has a rich lineup of live music and cultural events, fall festivals and the star of the NFL and NHL seasons. The Americana Music Fest takes center stage each September.

Winter is a special time too, with Gaylord Opryland Resort’s Country Christmas, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Holiday Lights, and themed pop-ups across town to celebrate the season.

Nashville also hosts Jack Daniel's New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash, one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country. The FREE event rings in the new years with live music from global headliners.

Spring offers beautiful weather and plenty of outdoor activities, concerts, and live music events including Tin Pan South, the largest songwriter festival in the world.