Plan an unforgettable trip with these best Nashville Travel Tips for where to eat, stay, and play + the top hidden gems off the beaten path!
Nashville Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas
So are you planning or dreaming of a trip to Nashville Tennessee?
Whether you want to hear some great music or enjoy some yummy food, there is always something fun to see and do… and eat in Nashville!
You can use these Nashville Travel Tips as your very own Ultimate Guide for where to eat, what to do, and most importantly… where to enjoy some amazing music!
Take your trip to the next level with these insider Nashville Travel Tips!
Here’s everything you need to know BEFORE you go…
Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (21 Budget Travel Tips)
Insider Tips for Nashville
Roxana said: “I’m an Uber driver in Nashville and I have a few hot spots that you might be missing.
1. Broadway is often a scam luring people in to get their money. There are other hidden gems in downtown that you might not know about. Second Ave has BB Kings and George Jones restaurants. The famous Wild Horse Saloon is over there, too. Great ice cream and sandwich shops on second as well.
2. Printers Alley – Looking for more of the pub scene with the down town feel? Walk from Broadway to Printer’s Alley located on Church Street.
3. Arcade Alley – Just down the street on Church is a great place to grab lunch, smoothies at a fraction of the cost of the Broadway Strip.
4. If you’re taking the kids with you, go early downtown. Most revelers get started drinking around 11 am. No joke. There’s nothing that annoys me more as a driver than kids who have been put in unnecessary danger downtown. Kids run because that’s what they do and parents have no idea when they arrive in the afternoon and early evening exactly how dangerous it is for their small kids. Tennessee has strict minor laws, and you’d be surprised how many parents try to bring in their small children, older children and teens into the bars.
If you’re going downtown, head to the capitol. The Tennessee State Museum is fun and free! Go as early as you can and take the kids elsewhere after noon. 😉👍🙂
5. 12th Ave South – This area is just outside of the gorgeous Belmont University. Think cute shops (window shopping is free!). And splurge on the half scoops of Jeni’s Ice Cream. It’s only $5 for 2 half scoops and free samples of as many flavors as you like.
6. Five Points – Also a fantastic area to walk around with even more window shopping. This is where the younger crowd goes in Nashville to unwind for the day without all the chaos of downtown. Five Points Pizza was just recently voted #1 for best pizza in Nashville on Reddit.
7. Want to save even more in Nashville? Go out for lunch, eat in for supper and go out for dessert. It’s proven that lunch and desserts are far more affordable than dinner.
8. Avoid hot breakfast spots like The Lovelass Cafe, Pancake Pantry, and Biscuit Love. They might be delicious, but I have seen lines at some of these places for 30 minutes to hours (one passenger told me she waited 3 hours to get in at one place). Try booking a hotel or motel with breakfast? Have to have breakfast out? Try Fenwick 300. It’s an adorable retro brunch open from 7 am to 2 pm daily. Hope these help someone else out there!
Gail said: “You have to spend one evening on Broadway street. Awesome fun and great music.”
(A special thanks to frugal friend Briana for sharing this fun Nashville photo above)
Suzanne said: “We live just south of there. Puckett’s Leiper’s Fork on Open Mic nights for music. Definitely check out the historic sights. Tons of amazing restaurants in the area. If you’ve never had Nashville Hot Chicken, it’s a MUST.”
Marilyn said: “Take the trolley around — you can get on and off.”
Mandy said: “Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, and be on the look out for Elvis, he’s alive and well in Nashville. (He’s also everywhere)”
Jennifer said: “Go to the Bluebird for songwriter’s night. Amazing.”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! With so many things to do when your exploring all over town… you just might be needing a caffeine fix and a snack! There are so many Starbucks locations around Nashville to take advantage of, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
Kathryn said: “See the “Time Jumpers” Monday nights.”
Terri said: “Been there 6 times. Tootie’s Orchard Lounge is a must for country music lovers.”
Rhonda said: “I live about 15 mins from Nashville… so many things to do. If you like country music, visit Tootsies Orchid Lounge or Legends Corner Bar… some really good music and lots of fun. Also the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry are a must. You can check their website and see who’s performing.”
Barbie said: “General Jackson for a dinner cruise ‘n show, FYI it’s better in warm weather. Also, check Tin Roof to see who’s playing at Bridgestone Arena or t-PAC theater.”
Stephanie said: “LOVED Nashville. Been there three times. Chaffin Barn Theatre is a must. The food is good and the shows were as well.”
Char said: “I lived just south of Nashville for many years. My favorite places were BB Kings and Wildhorse Saloon. Beginning in November, the Opryland Hotel is amazing with the lights, living nativity and carriage rides.”
Jan said: “My favorite place to visit (and eat deep fried pickles!) was the Wild Horse Saloon! Fun!”
Kelly said: “I live here! Tootsies on broadway; Centennial park; Opry Mills Mall; Gaylord Opryland Hotel; The Rhyman; and The Country Music Hall of Fame are among the top things to do in Nashville!!!”
Jessica said: “Just went the beginning of January. The Oprayland Hotel, Ryman, Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Music Row were my favorite!”
Julia said: “Please see the Country Music Hall of Fame and be sure and stop by for a bite at the Loveless Cafe.”
Summer said: “Walking around in Opryland Hotel is always nice… you can park in the Opry Mills parking lot and walk over to the hotel (free parking!). If you are taking kids, there is a playground near Vanderbilt called Fanny Mae Dees Park (yet is often referred to as Dragon Park) that is a fun playground. It has a large mosaic dragon sculpture that the kids can play on, as well as a nice playground structure. Cheekwood often has cool exhibits. There is also a pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses over the river near Two Rivers Park that is a nice walk. Have a great time!”
Trina said: “I live here. Centennial Park (& the Parthenon), Frist Museum, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Nashville Zoo, Opry Mills Mall, General Jackson. Local restaurants: Loveless Cafe, Germantown Cafe, Mikado, Demos’.”
Brisa said: “Opry Mills mall and downtown the mall is huge!!!!”
Martha said: “Opryland Resort and Wildhorse Saloon.”
Teri said: “The Parthenon, The Hermitage, Sante Fe Cattle Company.”
Stacie said: “Not mentioned yet… Cooter’s Place (free). Backstage Tour of Grand Ole Opry was fun. We did Belle Meade Plantation, too. Went to Adventure Science Center with a reciprocal membership… so it was free. Parthenon was really cool and our daughter had read the Percy Jackson books twice before we went and we downloaded the movie for her to watch while we drove for the first time.”
Kim said: “Home Sweet Home! You must see The Hermitage, Carnton Plantation, Bicentennial Mall, Music Row, Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and and eat at Monell’s!”
Lasharne said: “I second Monell’s – go hungry, leave stuffed, but it’s soooooo good. Cheekwood is beautiful (we got married there)… You can’t go wrong with a stroll down Broadway & visit some honky tonks… but the Big Bang Piano Bar is a great night out”
Score a Deal on your Nashville Car Rental! There are so many amazing places to visit and explore all around the Nashville area… and you’ll need a car to see a lot of them!
There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use! Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…
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Audra said: “Check out Cheekwood! The Pharmacy Burger serves the best burger in town!”
Robin said: “Definitely eat at Demos’, reasonable prices, superb food, nice place.”
Sarah said: “Pancake Pantry & Bluebird Cafe are MUSTS!”
Joy said: “Pancake Pantry – Get in line early!”
LaShae said: “The aquarium restaurant that is in the mall by the Grand Ole Opry. It was so fun to eat under the sea.”
Jennifer said: “I love Jack’s BBQ. Still think about it 12 yrs later.”
Sarah said: “Eat at the Spaghetti Factory downtown.”
Susan said: “Fleet Street Pub on Printers Alley in Nashville. Great food and as a non-drinker I didn’t feel out of place.”
Mandy said: “Loveless Cafe or Pfunky Griddle. Corvette Museum an hour north in Bowling Green, KY.”
Teri said: “The Nashville Zoo is great for the kiddos, and mine also enjoyed the Science Museum with lots of hands-on activities. We toured Carnton Plantation in Franklin, which was also fantastic. And, shop in downtown Franklin, TN – great town square with wonderful restaurants.”
Kennie said: “You have to do the Nash Trash tour! It is a blast!”
Lori said: “The beginning of Natches Trace is west of Nashville. See the largest bridge of its kind.”
Leia said: “Carter House…one of my favorite civil war sites.”
Brittany said: “Go see Dave Ramey at Financial Peace Plaza!!” 😉
Shaun said: “Go watch the NHL Predators play hockey!”
Emily said: “I went about 10 years ago. The Hermitage Hotel is beautiful and there was a fantastic coffee shop called Fido!”
Amberly said: “I went like 4 yrs ago… If you go to the visitors center they have discount passes for things you pick which places you go. Can make it cheaper. May want to look into it!”
Heather said: “You can buy a pass at the visitors bureau and gets discounted tickets to 3 or 4 different places. Way cheaper than buying separate, plus you get half off tickets for the General Jackson Riverboat Cruise.”
Penny said: “General Jackson is a must, opt for the Breakfast Trip its cheaper and you get good food and the same great entertainment!”
Lia said: “The perfect day in Nashville: #1) Nashville Delicatessen for brunch #2) Shopping at Janie and Jack outlet at Opry Mills… AMAZING! #3) A stop at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and finally… Tavern Nashville for dinner”
Jim writes: “Look on Diners Drive-ins & Dives map for great spots to eat!”
How to Save Money in Nashville
Patricia said: “I stay with family instead of hotel or motels”
Teresa said: “The more meals you can “fix” vs eating out the more you save. A family of 4 breakfast could easily be $50, instead grab a box of cereal, disposable bowls, spoons and a quart of milk for a $10 breakfast. Have a cooler and pack it full of lunch options on ice… we stop at rest stops or parks and make our own lunch. Then we normally splurge on dinner.”
Cindy said: “Get the hotel’s free continental breakfast. Carry cases of water in the car trunk. Pack lunches and snacks. Only eat out once per day….and when the kids were little we looked for places kids ate free.”
Lori said: “We bring snacks and beverages and some meals with us, and have simple breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, muffins, fruit, etc. Have Crock pot soups and sandwiches for lunches.”
Danielle said: “We stay at hotels that provide breakfast. We take fruit, bread and sandwich fixings, and snacks for daily outings. Then have dinner at places that have 2 for $25 meals.”
Laura said: “Bring lots of food, get a hotel with a mini fridge and microwave, pick a hotel that has breakfast included, and choose free parking hotels.”
Cindy said: “We shop for snacks, beverages and sandwich items before we leave town. We stay in hotels that serve a free continental breakfast so we only eat out once a day.”
Letha said: “Stay where breakfast is included, have a light lunch and modest dinner… carry an ice chest for drinks and snacks.”
Kim said: “If staying at a hotel with free breakfast, I also grab extra fruit and bread. Most have small peanut butter (and jelly) packages for lunch. Also bottled water from the buffet.”
Elecia said: “We take our own drinks, snacks and lunches. Stay in hotels that offer breakfast. Find fun free things to do near the hotel. Use Groupon to find discounts to attractions and shows. And always enjoy the hiking trails, parks, and gardens!!!”
Crystal said: “Use rollaway cots in hotels. Pay a small fee to bring your dog so you don’t have to pay a dog sitter!”
Angela said: “Send for travel guides from the state or area you are visiting. Most times there are coupons or special deals included. If you’re staying at a hotel and going to a local attraction, ask if the hotel has a special deal for both. We always take breakfast and snacks with us and ask for a fridge in the room.”
Krista said: “We take our camper on some vacations and make fun and different foods. Or if we are in a hotel, we get one that comes with breakfast and we also get food to have a picnic with. We also buy some food to keep at the hotel for snacks. If there is no fridge, we always bring our cooler and use their ice. We also look for coupons at their grocery store and around town for any food places or nearby activities. We ask which paper of the week has coupons and buy it.”
Nashville Trip On A Budget
To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Nashville Trip Fund’.
Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here are my favorite Nashville Travel Tips for ramping up the vacation budget…
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Nashville Travel Tips – Where to Stay in Nashville
Wondering how to plan the perfect hotel stay for your next vacation? It’s so much easier than you think!
Don’t book your next hotel without knowing these secrets shared by Hotel Staff and Frequent Travelers…
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In addition to hotels, be sure to also check out VRBO for lodging on your trip to Nashville. They have so many vacation rentals listed by owner.
I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO rentals, and loved every one. Not only were they often significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came with a full kitchen. One even had in-room laundry!
Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO? These little known hacks will save you SO much money! Check this out…
How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO
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So… have YOU ever been to Nashville before?
What are some of your favorite Nashville Travel Tips for places to see, things to do, etc?
Leave a comment & share!
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Christie says
My husband and I have always wanted to visit Nashville and I will have to reference this list when we can travel again!
Heidi says
Yes… it’s definitely worth a visit, Christie!
Kylie says
I went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. The Country Music Hall of Fame was really cool. The Ryman Auditorium was pretty interesting. The Santa Fe Cattle Co. was good. We went to the Opry Land and that was amazing!! There is so much to do in the beautiful city of Nashville!
Wilbert Crawford says
Y’all miss the best part of nashville, go to lovers lane
You must bring a bottle of wine and a friend and watch the sunset
Jordyn says
I’m going to Nashville for my 21st birthday in June with my fiancé and I want to know which hotels I should check out to be within walking distance to lots of good bars and restaurants?!
Michelle says
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. We walked to Broadway every day, it was just a couple blocks away. Although, a little pricey at around $300 a night.
Shelbi says
Most hotels have shuttles to Broadway that run til midnight. If out later than that you would need a cab. Seeing it is your 21st, you will need a cab! Have fun and be careful!!
Taylor says
As a local: Visit The Green Hills Mall, The Parthanon, Downtown Franklin, and Jack Daniel’ Distillery in Lynchberg ( It is a little far but it has too much character to pass up).
lisa miller says
another fun and quirky place to visit is the dukes of hazard museum, just around the corner from the grand ol opry