THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Nashville (Updated 2024)
Things to do in Nashville

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Nashville

Things to Do in Nashville

Go behind-the-scenes of Nashville’s music row at the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. Then, head downtown for live music, good Southern food, and buzzing nightlife.


Top Attractions in Nashville

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Gardens
Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center has earned an international reputation for its service and amenities but is equally well known for its nine acres of lavish indoor gardens. Boasting 50,000 tropical plants, rare international blooms and romantic Southern species, the horticultural displays at Gaylord Opryland are among the most exquisite in the world. Meticulously selected and lovingly maintained by a staff of 20 full-time interior horticulturists, the landscaping is a colorful, year-round paradise tucked inside this amazing resort. Each of the gardens is housed under one of the hotel's soaring atriums, creating a series of breathtaking horticultural wonderlands. An elaborate climate-control system keeps the temperature at 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Relative humidity stays around 55 percent most of the time. There is also an air exchange system to ensure air in the atriums does not become stale. The system exchanges air four times in a 24-hour period. The Garden Conservatory features a collection of 10,000 tropical plants, representing more than 215 species. Towering palms and banana trees rise 60 feet above the atrium floor. In all, there are 37 different families of trees represented, including ficus, banana trees, palms and a sampling of miniature orange trees. In August 1982, months before opening, a staff of 10 began landscaping the Garden Conservatory, which was at that time one of the largest facilities of its kind in a single, glass-topped room in the world. Many of the taller plants were put in place before construction was completed, in advance of installing the thousands of flowers that add color and texture to the majestic space. It took staff 3 months to install the gardens of the Garden Conservatory Atrium. A precise drip-irrigation system was developed that allows many plants to be watered slowly over the course of several hours. The soil is a special mixture of pine, peat and cypress bark solelite developed specifically for the environment. For the Cascades Atrium, dozens of Florida nurseries were visited before staff selected more than 8200 tropical ornamental plants representing 449 species. Plant varieties range from an Alexandria palm tree towering more than 40 feet high to six-foot-tall ginger bushes and jasminum vines. Sunlight levels are higher in the Cascades than in the Garden Conservatory, providing a sustainable environment for different plant varieties. Beyond the Cascades is the Delta Atrium, an amazing indoor garden with a subtropical feeling. Even though it is an indoor environment, 370 trees and palms--between 20- and 40-feet tall--share space with thousands of smaller plants. To create the appearance of the outdoors, black olive trees and West Indian mahoganies were chosen for their resemblance to oaks. Unlike oaks, they do not shed their leaves. And in true Southern tradition, Spanish moss trails from their imposing branches. Design of the Delta's gardens began two years before the Delta's opening in June 1996. Most of the plants originated in Florida. It took 32 tractor trailers to transport them to their new home in the protected environment of the Delta Atrium. The Delta is a true garden of the South with 120 sabal palms, tall lady palms, camellias, banana trees and cycads. Primary hedging plants are ever-blooming gardenia and camellias pittosporum (both green and variegated). There are 1500 plants representing 30 varieties of camellias in the Delta. Two 40-foot-tall Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolias) accent the front of the Delta Mansion. ABOUT GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., is the largest non-gaming hotel facility in the continental United States and the flagship property of Gaylord Hotels. The newly-renovated resort features nearly 3,000 guest rooms and more than 700,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Sheena D
    15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My husband and I visited the Opry on a Friday night and really enjoyed the experience. The facility was very clean, and the staff was friendly. Great visit!
    Written May 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ashley M
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hannah was amazing, her vibes literally shined the whole room! Keep shining girl and keep up the great work! Will definitely return!
    Written May 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jacqueline T
    New York City, NY3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pleasure. Enjoyed it very much even with 11 and under children. Tour was informative. I think they should allow children to learn about the jubilee and slave waiters though.
    Written April 24, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James M
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved the venue. Really enjoyed the show. (Tracy Lawrence).

    Was really overwhelmed to be in such an historic place. Very intimate setting for a concert. Wish I lived close enough to see shows here on a regular basis.
    Written May 5, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 60745Mary
    Boston, MA129 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting museum, highlighting both well known and lesser known artists. Exhibits are well curated, and lots of costumes and music throughout the museum!
    Written May 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Travelling Andy
    Harvey, Canada217 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited Studio B – was a very informative tour but to sit in the Studio where so many famous singers sat and created #1 hits – it was indescribable. A tour guide was very animated which was very welcomed.
    Written April 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margaret C
    71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great presentation of his life as the President , military man and family man. Museum, mansion , cemetery and farm are well-maintained.
    Written May 7, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LoveVirginia
    Washington DC, DC227 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The gardens are very beautiful and have a nice sound of running water falls. There are ground paths and upper level walkways. It is nice to see at night and day. There are not many places to sit in the gardens but it is a great walk.
    Written April 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RandyRoss
    Ridgetown, Canada12,391 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The third place that we visited on our first full day in Nashville was downtown. Some of it has changed since 1997 but much has not. This is the only place that we had to pay for parking ($25.00 US). That said, it was quite a busy place on a Monday afternoon.
    We wanted to eat lunch at Hatie B's but there was a long lineup (over an hour) so we chose the Blanco Cocina + Cantina restaurant instead. We ate at Hatie B's the next day at one of their other locations.
    Written April 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rita P
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely the BEST music museum I’ve ever seen! The layout, articles , presentations, clothing, documents were amazing AND all staff especially Randell was very friendly, informative and jovial. Don’t miss out on this experience…. And JC bar next door has great food and continuous live entertainment!!!!!
    Written May 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Twinsmom99
    Dyer, IN653 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great distillery! We didn’t do the tour but enjoyed a flight of bourbon. Fun place to visit while in Nashville. Nice alternative to Broadway!
    Written April 29, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • HollyKG1231
    Nederland, TX43 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow, we absolutely LOVED our visit to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. It was like getting a behind the scenes tour of the music industry. Well thought out presentation, incredible information and SO many one of a kind items in this museum collection. We would highly recommend visiting!
    Written February 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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