Nashville as a getaway destination offers so many things to do, see and visit. Whether you are traveling as a couple, as a family or as part of a larger group, there are experiences for everyone. Be it history, sightseeing, or connecting with nature, Nashville has you covered.
Take a Tour of Nashville Taking a tour of an area can be a wonderful way to discover places you may not find on your own, plus a tour guide who is native to the area may even show you some secret spots to make you feel like an insider. Nashville is rich with history, restaurants and experiences, and tours are one of the best ways to experience everything at once! Here are some tour ideas that range from relaxing to adrenaline charged:
Trolley Tours One of the most popular ways to tour Nashville is to hop on a trolley. The Old Town Trolley Tours offer a hop-on hop-off pass, a Soul of Music City tour, and even special tours for wedding, bachelor/bachelorette parties as well as other group tours.
Riverboat Cruise Tour Lively entertainment and Southern-style fare accompany a lunch or dinner cruise on the General Jackson Showboat. Enjoy the views of Nashville from the beautiful Cumberland River all while having a knee-slapping good time.
Helicopter Tour Looking for a bird’s eye view of Nashville? What better way to see the remarkable architecture of Music City than on a helicopter tour. Helistar Aviation has tours to help you celebrate a special occasion and can create a custom tour based on what you would like to see.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Imagine crystal clear skies, visibility for miles, and the gentle soaring of a hot air balloon. Taking a hot air balloon ride is a quieter, more gentle alternative to see the landscape of Nashville and surrounding lands. Nashville Balloon can help you plan a group ride with up to six people, a private ride for a special occasion, and even have a hot air balloon tethered at an event.
Monster Truck Tour
Want a jacked-up joy ride through the streets of Nashville in a Monster Truck? Joy Ride Tours can make that happen. Take eleven of your closest friends in one truck and enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage as you take in the sights of Nashville.
Day at a Museum
Want to know the history of Nashville? Maybe get a glimpse of how the Music City got its name? See real country music memorabilia from some of the greatest country musicians of their time? A museum could be just what the historian ordered. Check out these museums to see what they have in store:
Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum located in downtown Nashville boasts the largest and most comprehensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the life and music of the Man in Black. The tour through the museum is self-guided, so take as little or as much time as you want to relive Johnny Cash history.
National Museum of African American Music
Get into the groove of the National Museum of African American Music or NMAAM for short. Tours start every 30 minutes, but you can take as much time to explore on your own as well. Travel through time to discover and learn about the influence the African American culture has had on music through religion and traditions.
Frist Art Museum
Located in a former federal post office, the Frist Art Museum has rotating exhibits and is currently featuring textile art, salvaged materials art, and art created by young Tennessee artists. With a donation, you can even become a member of the Art Deco Society which cares for and maintains the beautiful art deco building that the museum calls home.
Tennessee State Museum
Hankering for some Tennessee state knowledge? Then head on down to the Tennessee State Museum and learn all about the history and culture of the volunteer state. Exhibits include art throughout Tennessee history, Civil War reconstruction, and a Tennessee Time Tunnel just to name a few.
Park Adventures
Whether you’re looking to have a picnic, go for a hike or view some wildlife, there are many great parks to visit with the whole family. Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville? Then go explore to one of these parks for some nature time:
Radnor Lake State Park
In Radnor Lake State Park there is a visitor’s center, walking/hiking trails, and an abundance of native flora and fauna to view and photograph. Open daily, this state park also offers a wide range of wildlife viewing from birds and mammals to reptiles and amphibians. Check in to see if there are any ranger-led hikes or tours that spark your interest.
Centennial Park
Home of a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s most famous parks. Along with the Parthenon, it features a band shell, sunken garden, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Arts Center and much more. Festivals, music concerts and other events are planned at the park with thousands of visitors flocking to the park yearly.
Cumberland Park You can find Cumberland Park along the riverfront in Nashville. It is part of a larger riverfront revitalization project to attract visitors and families to enjoy a day getting some energy out and exploring. It features fountains to cool off in on hot days, a climbing wall for kids who like to monkey around, and an explorer trail.
We hope these Nashville experiences inspire you to plan your next getaway. If you have visited one of these places in Nashville and would like to tell us about it, please reach out to us at winniwanderer@winni.com. Hearing from you will make our day! 12 Unique Things to Do in Nashville
By Staff Contributor