Lace up your dancing footwear, you’ll want them for this epic itinerary for a weekend in Nashville! With two days, you’ll have the ability to dive into the wealthy musical tradition of the capital of Tennessee. There are wonderful museums, markets, and historic venues to select from, making Music Metropolis the right alternative for a weekend getaway.
When night time falls, it’s time to hit the city for some reside music. From worldwide acts taking part in in a sold-out enviornment to up-and-coming native bands searching for their break at dive bars, there’s all the time a present happening.
Nashville has a particular place in my coronary heart (and possibly my liver from all of the partying I’ve performed there!). I used to reside down the street in Murfreesboro and have spent many nights consuming sizzling hen and jamming out to reside music. It’s simply one among my favourite American cities, and after you spend a weekend in Nashville, I’m positive you’ll agree.
This submit was up to date to incorporate new points of interest and actions for a weekend journey in 2023.
Learn on for an in depth take a look at learn how to spend 2 days in Nashville in addition to suggestions for the perfect locations to remain.
The Excellent Weekend in Nashville
Listed here are my recommendations for an unforgettable weekend getaway in Nashville, based mostly on my numerous days (and nights) exploring the Music Metropolis.
Day 1 in Nashville
You solely have a weekend in Nashville, so make it rely! On the primary day, you’ll get a pleasant introduction to town and its wealthy musical tradition. It’s not overwhelming like New York or LA, so you possibly can cowl some critical floor even on a brief weekend journey.
Morning
So far as breakfast goes, you’ve got a lot of choices downtown.
In the event you’re up early sufficient, get a desk at Frothy Monkey. They’ve a strong breakfast menu (together with their Tacky Grit Bowl) and plenty of tasty espresso choices.
Those that are like me and wrestle at getting out the door in time can simply swing by Drug Store Coffee for a to-go breakfast sandwich and a robust cup of joe.
An effective way to get your bearings in any metropolis is by taking a strolling tour. Free Tours Nashville comes extremely really useful. They run excursions at 9 AM that final for about an hour and a half.
This is likely one of the best things to do in Nashville whenever you first arrive. The strolling tour provides you with a pleasant introduction to downtown Nashville in addition to strong suggestions from an area.
As with free excursions all around the world, guides depend on your suggestions, so return that southern hospitality when you benefit from the tour!
Another choice is this paid walking tour which affords totally different departure occasions. At round $25, it’s nonetheless an inexpensive choice.
In the event you don’t really feel like strolling and need to add some tasty meals to your morning journey, take a look at this fun experience which takes you round Nashville in a hop-on-hop-off bus.
I appreciated my expertise on the bus testing Nashville’s many neighborhoods, studying concerning the metropolis and consuming my approach round. This highly-rated tour is a should in your weekend in Nashville, and you may be taught extra here.
Afternoon
You’re spoiled for lunch decisions in downtown Music Metropolis. In the event you’re simply spending a weekend in Nashville, a strong alternative is one among my favorites, Acme Feed & Seed.
This large area on the riverfront has a enjoyable weekend brunch from 10 AM to three PM with loads of mouthwatering choices. There’s additionally an intensive cocktail menu and a “construct your personal mimosa” choice. Oh yeah, and there’s reside music, too.
Talking of music, you possibly can spend the remainder of your afternoon testing among the many music-related sights. There’s the Country Music Hall of Fame, which can take you on a journey by the entire historical past of the style that put Nashville on the map.
The museum is open from 9 AM-5 PM and tickets value round $25 for adults. Click here to seize your tickets on-line prematurely and save time.
There’s additionally the Johnny Cash Museum, which is an interesting place to go to for any followers of the Man in Black. He’s one of many best-selling artists of all time and an absolute legend within the music world. It’s my favourite spot in Nashville to study one among my favourite nation music icons.
You possibly can go to the museum from 9 AM to 7 PM, and head to their website to choose up your tickets.
Whichever museum you go to, it’s price it to make a fast detour by the Music Metropolis Stroll of Fame Park. It options plaques honoring among the greatest names within the metropolis’s musical historical past.
In the event you’re feeling actually motivated together with your weekend in Nashville, you can too squeeze in a go to to the historic Ryman Auditorium.
It was the house of the Grand Ole Opry for 30 years however ended up dealing with the bulldozer when the Opry modified areas.
Fortunately, the efforts to save lots of and finally restore the Ryman paid off. It’s as soon as once more a world-class place to see reside music and it even hosts Opry reveals once more (from November to January).
The Ryman is open each day from 9 AM to 4 PM and you may take a self-guided tour. Tickets value round $27 (click here to guide them on-line), so choose one up and add the “Mom Church of Nation Music” to your Nashville weekend journey.
Night
Whereas it’ll nonetheless be vibrant out whenever you go away the Ryman, it’s nonetheless the right time to transition into the “night” portion. In spite of everything, the get together begins early on a weekend in Nashville.
Simply throughout the road is the famed Honky-Tonk Freeway filled with Nashville’s iconic reside music bars. The get together is principally happening all day on daily basis at these locations. Better of all, there’s by no means a canopy cost!
Some of the well-known Nashville honky-tonks is Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. My favourite place to hang around is on their rooftop with a view of day turning into night time in Music Metropolis.
The place you go from right here will rely largely on what (and the way a lot) you needed to drink on the honky-tonk bars.
I do know you’re in Tennessee, however don’t go too wild on the whiskey. There’s nonetheless rather a lot to do together with your valuable 2 days in Nashville.
In all honesty, you might simply keep on this block for the remainder of your night time and have an absolute blast.
There are such a lot of bars to select from right here they usually all have reside music, so it’s enjoyable to simply bounce round. The place else are you able to see 10-15 totally different bands in a single night time and never pay a single cowl cost?
You’ll finally want some meals to absorb that booze. With a bit of little bit of liquid braveness in you, I’d say you’re able to sort out Nashville’s legendary sizzling hen.
Try Hattie B’s Hot Chicken with a number of areas across the metropolis. A phrase of warning — even the medium is extremely spicy. If it’s your first time consuming sizzling hen, it’s finest to ease your self into it. Severely, these things is fairly intense. You’ve been warned!
☞ SEE ALSO: 2 Days in Savannah – the Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Do you have to get a second wind and need to preserve the get together going, then go for it. Bars keep open till 3 AM and it’s all the time a very good time downtown over the weekend in Nashville.
Day 2 in Nashville
Life is all about decisions, together with how finest to spend your weekend in Nashville. The way you go concerning the 2nd day will rely upon how arduous you went that first night time.
Morning
Those that choose to color the city and dance the night time away may have a late begin to day two. You positively received’t be the one one sleeping in and nursing a hangover on a Sunday in Nashville. Belief me, I’ve been there.
In the event you didn’t get completely wild the night time earlier than, you’ve got some extra choices with learn how to spend your day. I’ll present choices for each the get together animal and the early chicken.
The go-getters on the market can think about heading out to one of many many historic sights within the space. Some of the common is the Belle Meade Plantation.
You will get your self on the market when you lease a automobile (click here to get instructions). It’s open from 9 AM to five PM and tickets value round $28 on the weekend. With this ticket, you’ll obtain a guided tour of the mansion and the grounds, go to the thoroughbred horse farm, and have a wine tasting…and bourbon if you’d like.
Not into the thought of getting up early for an enormous tour? No worries. There are many leisurely methods to spend your 2nd morning in Music Metropolis.
Seize a espresso downtown then begin out on the Tennessee State Capitol. They don’t run the free guided excursions on the weekend, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price it to take a look at this historic constructing and the on-site museum.
From there, it’s a pleasant stroll by the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
Remember to take a look at the 95-bell carillon that represents the musical heritage of the state of Tennessee. There’s one for every of the state’s 95 counties. Attempt to time it on the high of the hour to listen to them play the Tennessee Waltz.
The explanation I didn’t provide you with a breakfast advice but is that you simply’ll discover loads of choices on the Nashville Farmer’s Market. The market is house to twenty totally different native outlets and eating places. It’s positively a must-visit for a weekend in Nashville.
Afternoon
Whilst you’re over right here, you can too drop into the Tennessee State Museum. It’s the perfect place to be taught all concerning the historical past of the Volunteer State. I additionally prefer it as a result of it’s completely free.
As soon as once more, I’ll current a number of totally different choices so that you can benefit from the 2nd half of your weekend in Nashville.
If it’s a gorgeous day exterior, you could need to head on over to Centennial Park. It’s house to a full-scale reproduction of the Parthenon, so that you’ll see why Nashville can be known as “The Athens of the South.”
This huge public park is the right place to get pleasure from a while exterior, with a lake, mountain climbing trails, and rather more. There are sometimes cultural occasions right here, together with free concert events.
Talking of music, one of the vital common Nashville points of interest is the Grand Ole Opry. That is the longest-running radio broadcast within the USA, going approach again to 1925. It’s even known as “the house of American music.”
There are reveals on the Grand Ole Opry each Friday and Saturday night time, however you possibly can take a tour any day of the week. Click here to see a wonderful reside present.
In the event you’re feeling extra of a celebration vibe, why not tour an area distillery? There are fairly a number of decisions within the space, however private alternative is all the time Corsair. They attempt to place Nashville in a bottle and I’d say they do a tremendous job.
On one among their 30-minute guided excursions, you’ll see the method they use to make their distinctive grain-to-glass spirits. You’ll additionally get to style 5 of them. At simply $13, this can be a steal.
Night
Nonetheless you spent your afternoon, it’s price it to drop by the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Take a stroll above the Cumberland River to soak up the views and watch town gentle up. Positively deliver your digital camera for this one.
Along with your weekend in Nashville coming to a detailed, it’s time to seize some dinner and equipment up for an additional night time out in town. Head over to the Gulch to have your choose of a number of eating places and bars.
A few spots I prefer to exit for dinner embody Peg Leg Porker (BBQ), Stock & Barrel (burgers & bourbon) and Arnold’s Country Kitchen (southern soul meals).
The place you go from right here actually depends upon what time of yr you go to Nashville and what you’re into.
That is Music Metropolis, in spite of everything, so chances are high there are dozens of reveals to select from. Click here to take a look at a calendar of reside music and see what’s taking part in.
In the event you’re into sports activities, you possibly can test to see if there’s a house sport happening.
Town is house to the Predators (hockey), Sounds (minor league baseball), Titans (American soccer), and the brand-new Nashville SC (soccer). Native followers are actually passionate and the video games are tons of enjoyable.
After all, you might all the time simply return to honky-tonk hopping downtown. No matter you do, take advantage of the previous couple of hours of your weekend in Nashville.
Insider Suggestions for a Weekend in Nashville
You’re positively in for a very good time whenever you take a weekend journey to Nashville. You’ll have a good higher time when you comply with these useful suggestions:
Take it simple – It’s simple to crank it as much as 11 and go all out in Music Metropolis. When the bands are jamming and the bartenders are pouring all day lengthy, you may get a bit of too sloppy too shortly right here. Don’t neglect to remain hydrated and eat meals in between all that partying.
Don’t eat the most well liked sizzling hen – Guys, this one is particularly for you. I do know you need to seem like a badass by consuming that “XXX Scorching” number of sizzling hen. Belief me after I say it’s not price it. You’ll be paying for that unhealthy determination all weekend!
Overlook the automobile – Nashville doesn’t have the perfect public transportation, so you could be tempted to lease a automobile. In the event you’re solely spending a weekend there and need to have a very good time, although, a automobile actually isn’t mandatory. Let Uber drive you again to your resort.
E-book forward of time – I gave you a lot of choices on this information, however you possibly can’t do all of them. I like to recommend checking to see if there are any video games/reveals you actually need to go to and planning round these. You’ll be bummed when you get there and discover out the present you need to hit is bought out.
Equally, if there’s a restaurant you don’t need to miss, positively try to guide a desk forward of time to keep away from disappointment.
Attending to Nashville
Most vacationers arrive in Music Metropolis on the Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA).
It’s well-connected to most main American cities. There are only a few direct worldwide routes, together with Toronto and London. The airport is only a few miles from downtown Nashville.
By Bus
In the event you don’t really feel like renting a automobile there, the most cost effective choice is to hop on the Route 18 WeGo bus.
After getting your baggage, head out to the Floor Transportation on Stage 1 and search for the signal. There’s an categorical bus that takes about 20 minutes and an area one which takes extra like 30-40.
This route operates 7 days every week and there’s a bus about each half hour throughout the day. It’s simply $2 to get you downtown! Click here to take a look at a PDF with all of the related data for the airport bus.
Taxi/Rideshare
With only a weekend in Nashville, it’s comprehensible when you don’t need to wait round for the bus. Fortunately each Uber and Lyft are available in Music Metropolis.
Each rideshare apps choose you up on the identical Floor Transportation space the place you catch the bus. Lyft drivers use Zone Some time Uber makes use of B and C. Getting your personal automobile prices about $20-30 downtown relying on visitors.
There are additionally common taxis on the airport that can take you downtown for a flat charge of $25.
Renting a Automotive
Some individuals love having their very own wheels, and I completely perceive that. Go forward and lease a automobile on the airport when you don’t need to type out public transportation or order a bunch of Ubers.
One factor I’ll warn you is that visitors will be fairly unhealthy, as town has grown rather a lot in recent times however roads haven’t improved a lot.
This inflow of newbies to Music Metropolis additionally means lots of people driving round who don’t actually know what they’re doing.
You probably have simply 2 days in Nashville and also you’re staying downtown, I see no want for a rental automobile. For my part it’s higher to let another person do the driving when visiting a metropolis for only a weekend.
Arriving in Nashville by Bus
Those that are already touring across the US could need to think about catching a bus to Nashville. Each Greyhound and Megabus function within the metropolis.
In the event you’ve by no means taken a Greyhound bus within the United States, nicely you then’re in for fairly the expertise! Let’s simply say I’ve met my justifiable share of characters the few occasions I’ve taken a bus in or out of Music Metropolis.
It’s price it to try to plan your route on Megabus nicely prematurely as they’ve some nice offers on early chicken tickets. My spouse and I’ve gone from Chicago to Nashville for simply $10 every!
Greatest Place to Keep for a Weekend in Nashville
So the place do you have to keep for a weekend in Nashville? If you wish to maximize your time having fun with all that town has to supply, the straightforward alternative is downtown.
With simply 2 days in Nashville, it’s good being in the course of the whole lot. Staying downtown means a fast stroll to the museums, state capitol, music venues, and nightlife.
You’ll find lodging to go well with all budgets right here within the metropolis middle. Listed here are some strong suggestions for the place to remain in downtown Nashville:
This apartment is a strong alternative as nicely and is in a wonderful location. As is this beautifully designed apartment is just 2 miles out of town — strolling distance to the whole lot!
There are additionally some high quality choices within the Gulch, which is virtually downtown and has a lot of nice decisions for eating and nightlife of its personal.
In the event you don’t thoughts getting a cab or ready on the bus a number of occasions, you possibly can keep in one of many neighborhoods simply exterior the middle like Midtown, 12 South, or East Nashville.
These are all good decisions for a extra native and fewer touristy expertise (i.e. you received’t see too many individuals stumbling down the road in cowboy boots).
FAQs A couple of Nashville Weekend Getaway
Listed here are solutions to some generally requested questions.
Sure! Nashville is a really enjoyable metropolis to spend a weekend in. You’ll need to keep downtown so that you’re within the middle of the whole lot and might maximize your time. Nashville is enjoyable whether or not you’re a solo traveller, on a visit with pals, or are spending the weekend in Nashville as a pair. Learn how to line dance, join a pub crawl, or get in a helicopter for a sightseeing trip over the city — there’s one thing for everybody. Even with 2 days in Nashville, you possibly can see and do rather a lot!
Sure, you possibly can positively get pleasure from a romantic weekend in Nashville. In the event you’re trying to go to town together with your particular somebody, you possibly can get pleasure from just about something on this Nashville 2-day itinerary. However if you’d like one thing a bit of extra romantic, you possibly can share a picnic collectively, go to the Grand Ole Opry, watch the sundown from the Pedestrian Bridge, go up in a helicopter over the city with champagne to return to your lodging and cook dinner you a romantic meal, or get pleasure from a tantra workshop for couples.
For the perfect climate the Music Metropolis has to supply, keep away from the winter and go to from April to October.
Sure, 2 days in Nashville is sufficient time to see all the major sights, eat all of the unimaginable meals, and have plenty of enjoyable!
Like many common American cities, Nashville isn’t the most cost effective place you possibly can go to. Nonetheless, there are some methods to save cash. Many sights are inexpensive (free strolling excursions), and meals received’t break the financial institution both. In the event you stroll, you’ll save on transportation. Both approach, a weekend in Nashville will likely be price each greenback!
Lodging will likely be your greatest price range expense in Nashville — particularly when you keep proper downtown. In the course of the summer time months within the middle, anticipate to spend $300+ per night time for a resort room, Airbnb flats are round $400+ per night time. For lodging, guide forward of time, go to within the low season, and think about a non-public room or shared lodging relatively than your personal condominium.
Now You Know What to Do with 2 Days in Nashville
That about does it for this information to a weekend in Nashville. Penning this has me pumped up for my subsequent journey to Nashville, which can most positively be filled with reside music, sizzling hen, and late-night shenanigans because it all the time is.
In the event you’ve bought any tidbits so as to add on what to do, the place to eat, and so forth, please be at liberty to drop a remark beneath and allow us to hear about it!
Like This Article? Pin It!
