Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Raymond Boyd//Getty Images You can't go to Nashville without learning about country music, and one of the best places to do that is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Located on Music Row in downtown Nashville, this large museum celebrates all things about the genre.
Meet animals at the Nashville Zoo.
Misty Mullican//Getty Images Whether or not you're traveling with little ones, it's worth a trip to the Nashville Zoo. Not only are there plenty of animal exhibits, but there are also fun family-friendly experiences, like zip lining, a carousel, and animal shows. Make a day out of it by enjoying some of the dining options, including a pizza kitchen and a creamery.
Stop by the Johnny Cash Museum.
Raymond Boyd//Getty Images Fans of Johnny Cash will not want to miss the Johnny Cash Museum, which features the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia. It's one of the top attractions in the area—and right next door, you can grab something to eat at Johnny Cash's Bar & BBQ.
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Find snacks at the Nashville Farmers' Market.
Richard I'Anson//Getty Images A stop at the Nashville Farmers' Market is a must for anyone who wants to do something low-key. The large market features artisanal food, fresh produce, restaurants, shops, and crafts. Grab some snacks or something to cook later if you need a break from eating out.
Walk the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
Photo by Mike Kline (notkalvin)//Getty Images Take in incredible views of the river and downtown skyline by walking the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which is closed to car traffic. The historic bridge built from 1907-09 connects downtown Nashville to East Nashville.
Explore the Adventure Science Center.
Courtesy of Adventure Science Center If you're looking for a way to entertain the kids, head to the Adventure Science Center, a non-profit science museum for children. There, you'll find over 175 hands-on interactive exhibits, from climbing structures to the Sudekum Planetarium.
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Experience the Honky Tonk Highway.
Bruce Yuanyue Bi//Getty Images One of the most famous streets in Nashville, the Honky Tonk Highway (aka lower Broadway) is a stretch of honky tonk bars known for their music and atmosphere. For a more family-friendly vibe, go before 8 p.m. If you want to get a little wild, head there after dinner. You'll find iconic spots, like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and The Second Fiddle.
Enjoy the outdoors at Cumberland Park.
Jena Ardell//Getty Images If you want to get out of the city for a bit, Cumberland Park is a great spot to walk along the water and enjoy river views. You can walk The Explorer Trail if you want to see butterflies, or take the kids to the play area.
Get a glimpse of (or go inside!) the Parthenon.
Douglas Sacha//Getty Images Located in Centennial Park, the Parthenon in Nashville is the world's only exact-size and detail replica of the original in Athens, Greece. It was once created for a celebration—but it was so popular, it stuck around. Today, the building regularly hosts art exhibits.
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Browse the Nashville Flea Market.
Liv Oeian / EyeEm//Getty Images The Nashville Flea Market at The Fairgrounds is only open during the fourth weekend of each month (with some exceptions), but if you catch it, it's worth a visit. It features a wide variety of shopping booths—and if you're looking for unique antiques and vintage items, it's a great place for browsing.
Catch a show at The Bluebird Cafe.
Robert Alexander//Getty Images The tiny Bluebird Cafe isn't just a place to get something to eat: It's one of the most iconic listening rooms in the world. Artists like Taylor Swift and Faith Hill have had career-defining moments there, and the place is teeming with country music history. There are two shows a night and reservations are highly recommended.
Stay at the iconic Hermitage Hotel.
Raymond Boyd//Getty Images There are a lot of hotels to choose from in Nashville, but an iconic and classic option is The Hermitage Hotel—where music greats like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash have stayed. It's located in a prime downtown Nashville spot and offers gorgeous rooms and luxury amenities.
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Eat at The Grilled Cheeserie.
The Grilled Cheeserie There are tons of great restaurants to choose from in Nashville, but The Grilled Cheeserie can't be missed. The food-truck-turned-restaurant is known for—of course—grilled cheese. Try one of the popular gourmet options, like the Buffalo South Melt, or make your own.
Spend time in The Warner Parks.
Leila Grossman from Grannis Nashville There's so much to do in the city of Nashville that it's easy to forget that there are a lot of nature-centric things too. Edwin and Percy Parks, collectively known as "The Warner Parks," create one of the largest parks in Tennessee. You'll find these iconic Allée steps, hiking trails, golf courses, dog parks, horse trails, scenic overlooks, and more.
Have lots of fun at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort.
Georgiy Datsenko / EyeEm//Getty Images If you visit Nashville during the spring or summer months, wear the kids out at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort, a waterpark (with 1 million gallons of water!), adventure course, and campground located on Percy Priest Lake—just 10 miles from downtown Nashville. You can rent a lakeside cabin, go zip lining, rent a pontoon boat, go on the water slides...the list of activities is basically endless.
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Embrace music culture at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum.
Royce DeGrie There's a lot to see at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, so plan accordingly! See instruments used by famous artists, like Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, and more—and actual studio booths used by the likes of Elvis.
Spend an evening at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.
Alex Rockafellar Visit Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory at Vanderbilt University for tours, telescope nights, meet the astronomer evenings, and more. It's not open all year round, so check the website for hours and ticket information.
Jessica is a freelance writer from New York who loves kale salads and hanging out with her cats.
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