Nashville, Tennessee, also known as “Music City” is a great destination for a long weekend. It’s also a very popular destination, so be sure to plan ahead and maybe visit between November and March when it’s low season. I was there on a girls trip in October, and it was still pretty hot and humid too, especially during the day. For this itinerary, it’s probably best to leave the kids at home since many of the activities are for 21+. Pack your cowboy hat and boots, and let’s head to Nashville!
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Here is a sample 3-day itinerary for Nashville, Tennessee based on a girls trip in October:
DAY 1: TRAVEL DAY, PLUS BOOT SHOPPING AND LIVE MUSIC
Assuming you’re arriving in the afternoon around check-in time, plan to settle in to your hotel and freshen up for a night out. I tend not to book any tours or shows on my first night, just in case there are any flight delays. There’s still plenty to do! As far as where to stay, you’ll definitely want to stay downtown within walking distance of Broadway where most of the bars and restaurants are. There are plenty of hotels in the area, but I’d recommend the Hilton Downtown Nashville, the JW Marriott Nashville, or if you’re ok with walking a bit more you could save a little money by staying on the West End near Vanderbilt at the Aloft.
One of the first things my friends and I did once we all arrived, was to head down to Broadway to do a little shopping. Several of us were on a mission to get some real, authentic cowboy boots, and there were plenty of good places to buy them. We even found a buy-one, get-one deal, so we were able to partner up (pun intended) and get a pretty good deal too! We had a casual dinner (there are lots of casual / touristy options on Broadway to choose from) and then hit the bar scene. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, here’s a great list of options for restaurants in this area, including one that has live jazz music as well!
When you walk along Broadway between Bridgestone Arena and the river, there are music venues lining the streets. Most are open for all ages until around 6PM, but later in the evenings they are all 21+. Typically there’s no cover charge, but the musicians appreciate tips. It’s a ton of fun to pop in and out of the venues along the way to enjoy some super talented musicians and do a little dancing too!
DAY 2: FOOD TOUR, MUSIC MUSEUMS, AND GRAND OLE OPRY
If you’ve read my blog posts before, you know I love a good food tour! I’d recommend booking a food tour like this one through Viator for Day 2. It’s a great way to see more of the area, learn about the history and culture, and get a free meal (probably enough food for 3 meals, really). Plan to do one late morning (the one I linked is about 3.5 hours), so that you have time for one more activity in the early afternoon before having to get ready for the evening.
After your food tour, it’s a good idea to keep moving for a while since you’ll probably be stuffed! There are several options for museums nearby, so plan to make a stop at one of the museums for a couple of hours. I’d recommend either the Johnny Cash Museum or the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
If you’re hungry at all, grab a snack or dinner and then head to the Grand Ole Opry for your evening on Day 2. The Grand Ole Opry is a must-do in Nashville. It originally started in 1925 as a live, country music radio station. From 1925 until 1974 it was located in downtown Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium, but as it grew in popularity it moved to the “new” location about 15 minutes outside of downtown in 1974, and eventually began regular television broadcasts of the performances in the mid-80’s. There are live shows there most nights (except Sunday and Monday), so be sure to book your tickets in advance.
DAY 3: BRUNCH, RYMAN AUDITORIUM, AND GHOST TOUR
For Day 3, maybe sleep in a bit or hit the gym before heading out for brunch. Here are several great brunch options nearby to choose from. After brunch, you could explore Broadway for an afternoon of live music and drinks, or perhaps take a tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium. There are several options to choose from, including a Haunted History Tour and a Backstage Tour, among others. Try to book this in advance. There are also regular shows throughout the week, so check the show calendar before your trip to see if you’d like to book tickets during your stay.
If you don’t have a show booked for the evening of Day 3, I’d recommend doing one of the many ghost tours if you’re in to that sort of thing. We did this Booze, Brews, and Boos Haunted Pub Crawl through Trip Advisor and had a blast! It was a 2-hour walking tour through the back alleys of Nashville, stopping at several spooky locations for drinks along the way. This Horror in Music City Tour looks fun as well, and does not include drinks, so it’s more family-friendly. Definitely do this activity after dark for the best experience.
Following your tour, grab some dinner downtown and check out some more live music on your last night in Nashville. Our group chose to do this Pedal Tavern tour after the pub crawl, but I would not recommend this! Maybe if you stay one more night…
