3 Days in Nashville Itinerary: The Ultimate Weekend in Nashville

This 3 days in Nashville itinerary is the perfect way to spend time in the city. While there are so many amazing things to do in Nashville, it’s one of those places that I’m sure you’ll visit again and again. When I found a cheap flight to Nashville, I jumped at the chance to book my Nashville weekend getaway. Arriving on a Saturday morning and departing on a Tuesday, I took full advantage of spending a full 3 days in Nashville.

While I was most excited to visit with friends that lived around the city, I realized that you really can’t see everything in Nashville in 3 days. I made the most of my time there, dividing my time between seeing friends and having some sightseeing time to myself. I wandered around downtown Nashville, explored several neighborhoods, ate so much yummy food and drank all of the coffee.

Here’s how I spent my 3 days in Nashville that will help you plan your awesome Nashville itinerary. I traveled there in December, so I had the opportunity to check out a couple of Christmas activities and events. After discovering how to spend Christmas in Nashville, I felt right in the spirit of the season!

Not travelling around Christmastime? I have a massive list of fun things to do in Nashville that are spectacular all year long. I’ll compile a list at the end of the article of what I didn’t get to see, but hope to visit the next time I’m in the city. Feel free to substitute these Nashville attractions in place of the Christmas ones that I mention below. It’s always great to have options when planning a trip to Nashville.

Here’s my 3 days in Nashville itinerary and travel guide, including everything that you need to see, eat, drink, and where to stay and play. Even if you only have a shorter amount of time, this will help you arrange your holiday to see Nashville in a day, a weekend in Nashville, or longer.

Where to Stay in Nashville

It really doesn’t get any better than this. The Stay Alfred SoBro is truly a home away from home. Feeling more like a boutique apartment than a hotel, the Stay Alfred SoBro Nashville (formerly called SoBro Guest House) combines the best of both worlds. This hotel/apartment is the best place to spend a Nashville weekend or 3 days in Nashville.

Much like an apartment, you have the comforts of home. Enjoy a full kitchen with everything you could imagine to prepare delicious meals, including local coffee beans and a French press for that morning boost. There’s a separate bedroom, a spacious bathroom, and a cozy living space. Staying true to Nashville’s name of Music City, your room even comes with a record player and a few records. And like a hotel, there’s housekeeping, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary parking (first come, first serve), and a safe.

The check-in process couldn’t be any easier. Unlike a traditional hotel with a front desk, you’ll check in to the hotel online or using your phone. When your room is ready, you’ll receive an email with your room number and door access codes.

The location of SoBro Guest House can’t be beat. Right in the middle of downtown, I could walk all over town to restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. It’s only three blocks away from the Lower Broad Entertainment District and several local hot spots. Please check out the trusted reviews of other travelers for more information. If you like what you see, book your stay here.

Nashville Itinerary: Day 1

After arriving in Nashville, arrange to take a taxi or an Uber into town. Thankfully, I was spending the day with my friend, Andrew, who I met at TBEX in Huntsville, Alabama. He was so nice to offer to pick me up from the airport! From there, we decided to go straight to a restaurant for brunch as I was pretty starving.

Brunch at Graze Nashville

Graze is a plant-based bistro and bar in East Nashville. On weekends, they serve brunch from 9:00am – 3:00pm. On the brunch menu, you’ll find breakfast favourites like tofu rancheros, a breakfast burrito, and smoothie bowls. Graze specializes in southern cuisine gone vegan, so there are several biscuits prepared in intriguing ways.

I’m not even sure if I’d had a biscuit before the one at Graze. Crazy, eh? Although I had no past comparisons, the biscuit was both yummy and deceivingly filling. It satisfied my rumbling tummy and it was really tasty.

I ordered the hot tempeh biscuit (tempeh with hot chicken spices, served on a biscuit with ranch, coleslaw and red onion), and Andrew ordered the cauliflower sausage biscuit (biscuit and veggie sausage, tempeh bacon, arugula, avocado, red onion and hollandaise).

Andrew hadn’t been to a vegan restaurant before and he remarked that his meal was quite delicious. The plant-based restaurants in Nashville are totally suitable for herbivores and omnivores alike. Spend part of your 3 days in Nashville dining at all of the vegan restaurants you can.

Oh, and we saw this pretty epic sign across the street from Graze, and couldn’t resist snapping a picture. The Rose Pepper seems to always have creative signs outside of their establishment. Take a peek while you’re over there!

Things to Do in Nashville: 12 South

12 South is one of those neighborhoods that you’ll want to wander around and explore on your Nashville trip. There are quirky storefronts, hip coffee shops, and colorful murals along 12th Avenue South. It’s home to the iconic, “I Believe In Nashville” mural, too. It’s not a massive neighborhood by any means, so you’ll be able to explore it on foot in a short amount of time.

First, you’ll want to be fully caffeinated for wandering, so stop by Frothy Monkey for a cup of coffee or espresso beverage.

Next, set out on your own two feet and discover the shops and street art on 12th Avenue South. Shopping in 12 South is a great Nashville weekend itinerary addition because there are so many unique shops. I popped into White’s Mercantile, a modern day general store with intriguing gifts and unique wares, owned by the granddaughter of Hank Williams. Another shop I browsed was Draper James, the clothing store owned by Reese Witherspoon. The clothes are beautiful, though a little out of my price range.

Speaking of murals, there are so many splashed across buildings and walls in 12 South. Peer around every corner, and you’ll stumble upon some beautiful works of public art. Discovering amazing street art was one of my favorite activities to do in Nashville in 3 days.

I tried another coffee shop in 12 South because you can’t have too much coffee, right? Portland Brew is a few doors down from Frothy Monkey, so you really have no shortage of options for an excellent cup of coffee.

Christmas At Gaylord Opryland OR Tour the Grand Ole Opry

Here are a couple of options for you whether you’re traveling during the holidays or the rest of the year. When I visited Nashville, I checked out the Christmas display at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you’re looking for an alternative activity, the famous Grand Ole Opry is right next door, so I suggest going on a tour there.

The Christmas lights and displays at the resort hotel, Gaylord Opryland, will put you right into the holiday spirit. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful, and the lights displays are both unique and impressive.

There are over three million twinkling lights, both outdoors and indoors. I highly recommend arriving in the early evening. Even though it might be a busier time, the outdoor lights look brilliant at night. There’s a nativity scene, a gigantic Christmas tree constructed with lights, and it seems as though everything is lit up.

Indoors, there are Christmas lights all around the atrium and the indoor gardens. I loved that there’s a “Music City” vibe with lights in the shapes of guitars and musical notation. While the Christmas lights displays are free to view, the self-parking fee is $29.

If you’re not visiting Nashville in December, I recommend going to the Grand Ole Opry for the sights and sounds of Nashville music history. There’s a fantastic backstage Grand Ole Opry tour that you can book that also includes a tour around the Gaylord Opryland resort. You won’t miss anything on this half day tour. Whether it’s the Gaylord Opryland resort or the Grand Ole Opry that you visit (or both!), they’re worthy additions to your 3 days in Nashville itinerary.

Dinner at The Wild Cow

For dinner, hop back to East Nashville for a meal at the vegetarian restaurant, The Wild Cow. They serve up vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals, as well as delectable desserts by local bakery, Vegan Vee.

Although we had to wait a little while to get a table (I highly recommend getting reservations on a Saturday evening!), it was well worth it. I ordered the Buffalo Beans & Greens bowl (garlic kale, pinto beans, organic brown rice, shredded carrots, grilled tempeh, all tossed in buffalo sauce and vegan ranch), and Andrew got the Veggie Quinoa Bowl (roasted seasonal vegetables over organic quinoa, topped with pumpkin seeds and garlic aioli).

We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals as they were a good combination of healthy and tasty. Of course, we balanced the healthiness of the meal with chocolate donuts and cookies for dessert.

Bowling and Drinks at Pinewood Social

From the moment Andrew mentioned going to Pinewood Social in the evening, I knew it was right up my alley (pun intended…there’s a bowling alley!). While we were a little too full to eat any more food, we opted for drinks at the wrap-around bar in the middle of the room. They certainly have some innovative (and yummy) cocktails.

Pinewood Social is also a chill coffee shop and place to hang out with friends. In the summer, there’s a pool, outdoor activities, and an Airstream with its own patio. Unfortunately, this space was closed for the season; however, at the back of Pinewood Social, there’s a retro six-lane bowling alley.

Andrew and I may both be horrendous bowlers, but we had an awesome time. I know I’ll be back to Pinewood Social on my next trip to Nashville. If I lived locally, I feel like this would be my local hangout spot, day or night. You need to include it on your 3 days in Nashville itinerary.

Nashville Itinerary: Day 2

For the second day of my 3 days in Nashville, Andrew picked me up from the Stay Alfred SoBro and we met Ashley (a travel blogger who you may remember from our trip around Ireland together). Ashley is a Nashville local, and we met at one of her favorite breakfast spots, The Southern V.

Breakfast at The Southern V

Update: This is The Southern V’s old location. They now have their own restaurant on Buchanan Street. I visited while they were still operating a quick food service business from a small trailer.

The Southern V specializes in southern cuisine gone vegan, which is perfect for anyone visiting Nashville or locals who love the food. For breakfast, you can choose from chick’n biscuits, chick’n and waffles, biscuit and gravy, or add on a potato casserole or veggie scramble. I tried the hot chick’n and waffles for the first time, and it did not disappoint.

Visit Downtown Franklin (for Christmas or All Year Long)

From there, the three of us drove from Nashville to the nearby historic town of Franklin, Tennessee. We met a couple of other travel blogging friends while we were there. It’s always great when you can gather up the gang, whether you love writing travel blogs or just traveling together in general.

That afternoon, Franklin hosted the Dickens of a Christmas event on their historic main street. Decorated Christmas trees, live music, and Charles Dickens era characters painted such a festive scene. Even if it weren’t Christmas, Franklin is a great place to explore for the afternoon. The Victorian-era architecture, quaint downtown vibes, and boutique shops makes Franklin an enjoyable diversion from the big city. Feel free to add a detour to Franklin on your 3 days in Nashville itinerary, whether it’s Christmas or the middle of the summer.

Bicentennial Park Nashville

Back to Nashville, take a stroll around the 19-acre Bicentennial Park, also known as the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. This urban park near downtown Nashville commemorates the 200th anniversary of Tennessee’s statehood.

There are several memorials within the park. The World War II monument features an 18,000-ton granite globe, surrounded by pillars with images regarding the war and Tennessee’s involvement.

The 95-bell carillon is an interesting feature of the park. Inside 50 tall columns, you’ll find all 95 bells. Every 15 minutes, the bells chime a portion of the Tennessee Waltz, and you can hear the full song at the top of the hour. A single, 96th bell in the state house also rings to connect the government to the people.

Are you a history buff? In addition to visiting Bicentennial Park and the Tennessee State Capitol building, you should check out this guided historic Tennessee sightseeing tour in Nashville. You’ll learn some interesting historic facts about Nashville and the entire state while touring around intriguing museums, manors, and other important places.

Nashville Farmers Market

When you visit Bicentennial Park, why not stop by the Nashville Farmers Market? It’s right next door. You’ll find many merchants selling local produce, groceries from around the world, baked goods, crafts, and unique gifts. There are a few restaurants at the Nashville Farmers Market with vegan options: Jamaicaway Restaurant, Swagruha Indian Restaurant, and Bella Nashville.

Nashville Itinerary: Day 3

On my final day of my 3 days in Nashville itinerary, I set out to explore the neighborhoods, parks, and gems that aren’t to be missed. As my hotel, Stay Alfred SoBro, was in such an amazing location, I walked all over downtown Nashville first thing in the morning.

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

For an iconic view of the Nashville skyline, head across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to Cumberland Park for the best scenery. It doesn’t take too long to cross the Cumberland River from one side to the other, and back again.

Take in the views from the bridge itself. You’ll take the best skyline photography from Cumberland Park where you can admire the AT&T building, best known as the “Batman Building“.

Explore Downtown Nashville

Explore the sights of downtown Nashville at your own pace. Don’t miss uncovering street art, murals, and the iconic sights along Broadway. From Printer’s Alley to the Smashville mural on the side of the Bridgestone Arena, there are so many emblematic displays all around town. Wander around and soak up your surroundings.

While I know that downtown Nashville completely transforms on the weekend evenings, there’s something almost serene about the area on a weekday morning. As the city wakes up, I watched delivery trucks stop at restaurants and bars. Local shop owners cleared their front walkways before opening up for business. As most residents headed off to work, there really weren’t any other people around, for the most part. Even in this busy city, I seemingly had much of it to myself.

I stopped at a coffee shop called The Well Coffeehouse. A large mug of coffee guarantees free refills, and the coffee is really delicious. If I had more time in Nashville to get some work done on my computer, I would have easily set up shop at The Well and spent hours drinking coffee and working on the blog.

Hatch Show Print

Since 1879, Hatch Show Print has designed and printed posters with traditional letterpress methods and machinery. It’s a Nashville institution and has a strong place in Nashville’s music history, creating posters for bands and artists for over 100 years.

It’s quite astounding to see this artistic process preserved and utilized still to this date. Own a piece of this history by purchasing a handcrafted item in the gift shop, or marvel at the creations in the art gallery.

As a massive nerd of paper art and letterpress design, I quickly fell in love with Hatch Show Print. Next time I’m in Nashville, I’ll come back for a full tour of Hatch Show Print for sure. Whether you go shopping or taking a tour, this unique spot deserves a place on your 3 days in Nashville itinerary.

Lunch at Grins Vegetarian Cafe

For lunch, I took an Uber to the Vanderbilt University campus to dine at Grins Vegetarian Cafe. Open to the public, the restaurant was populated mostly by university students in search of a hearty vegetarian or vegan meal.

I tried the vegan mac n cheese, which took a little bit of time to prepare, but it was worth the wait. The pasta was every bit as ooey-gooey delicious as its dairy-filled counterpart. I have to admit that wandering around the university campus and dining here was fun because it brought me back to my days as a student. Definitely include it on your 3 day Nashville itinerary.

Walk Around the Hillsboro Neighborhood

From the university, I walked from the campus to the Hillsboro Neighborhood to check out a few public art murals, shops, and cafes. There are numerous coffee shops and boutique stores to catch your attention. Enjoy a little retail therapy here or refuel with a caffeinated beverage. You can easily spend your entire day in Nashville at Hillsboro if you wanted, though I recommend spending a couple hours of your 3 days in Nashville here.

Centennial Park & The Parthenon

Not to be confused with Bicentennial Park, Centennial Park is home to Nashville’s Parthenon building. It’s the only full scale replica of the Greek Parthenon, and it’s right here in Nashville. Even if you only see the outside of the building, it’s worth adding to your 3 days in Nashville itinerary.

It was designed and built as part of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Today, it functions as an art museum. Unfortunately, the museum was closed when I arrived on Monday, so I’d love to come back and check out the inside of the Nashville Parthenon.

The Gulch Neighborhood

Primarily, I visited The Gulch to get my photo taken with the What Lifts You mural by Kelsey Montague. I was there on my own, but thankfully there was a small group there and one of the girls offered to take my picture for me. I also stumbled upon a couple of other bright and colorful murals in the vicinity, too. If you’d like to see more murals in Nashville, check out this Nashville street art tour by golf cart. You’ll get all of your Nashville Instagram pics with a local guide, no problemo!

Dinner at AVO

For my last meal after 3 days in Nashville, I wandered over to AVO. It’s a vegan restaurant using seasonal and local plant ingredients to create healthy, satisfying, and nourishing dishes. You can’t miss the building – there are avocados all over it!

I ordered the braised yu choy as my appetizer, which I adored. Soy and sesame braised greens, dusted in nori and glazed in miso butter…yum! For the main course, I couldn’t resist trying their veggie burger. The patty was made of lentils and walnuts, and the burger was topped with vegan cheese, tomato, onion, beet ketchup, and chickpea mayo. It was divine. I could see why this was one of their most popular menu selections.

Crema Coffee

Just one last cup of coffee on my Nashville trip, I thought. I had to try CREMA, a coffee house nearly around the corner from my accommodation. I’m glad I walked over there in the early evening, as it was quite possibly the best cup of coffee I enjoyed in Nashville. Although it was the most expensive coffee I enjoyed, the smooth and rich flavors were well worth the higher price tag. Make sure you stop here on your 3 days in Nashville.

Planning a Trip to Nashville Map

Want to see your long weekend in Nashville visually on a map? Check out this Nashville 3 day itinerary map!

More Things to Do in Nashville

This is precisely how I spent 3 days in Nashville. You might notice that I didn’t set foot into many museums or quintessential attractions. I’ve discovered that when I travel to a new place, I like to wander around as much as possible. It’s best, of course, when I can discover a new place with friends or even meet local residents. They always know the best spots.

There are many places that I didn’t get the chance to visit. With only 3 days in Nashville, there’s only so many hours in the day. I’d love to attend a concert or see band play at a local venue. Although I’m not really a fan of country music, I understand that Nashville is home to all genres of music. If you love country music or the local music scene, check out this Nashville music pass to see all of the famous sites.

Like I mentioned previously, I’d like to walk around the interior of the Parthenon building. It would also be interesting to tour the Ryman Auditorium, check out the gardens at the Cheekwood Estate, or visit the Belle Meade Plantation.

Getting Around Nashville

For the most part, I traveled around for 3 days in Nashville on my own two feet. Nashville, especially downtown Nashville and its surrounding neighborhoods, are extremely walkable. By exploring on foot, you can see all of the street art and murals, as well as stumble upon the hidden gems of the city. Downtown Nashville and all of the neighborhoods that I mentioned are extremely safe. Don’t worry about your safety in Nashville as a solo female traveler either. I spent lots of time on my own here and I wasn’t worried at all. Take regular precautions at night as you would in any unfamiliar city.

I also used Uber to get from point A to point B on some occasions where restaurants and attractions were too far from one another. For a third option, especially if you don’t feel like walking everywhere, take the Nashville hop on hop off trolley. There are 15 stops around the city and you’ll learn some interesting facts along the way, too.

Nashville is such a lively city with so much to offer visitors that keep them coming back time and time again. I hope to be one of the returning guests to Music City, hopefully much sooner than later. Spending 3 days in Nashville is only a start. Whether you can only see Nashville in a day, spend a weekend in Nashville, or 72 hours in Nashville, it’s worth making the trip.

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