Four-Day Nashville Itinerary: Exploring the Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of the Music City

Broadway in Nashville

When most people think of Nashville, they might immediately think of the numerous crowded bars on Broadway, each filled with affordable beer, unruly bachelorette parties, and country music from local and emerging talent from across the country. But there’s so much more to the Music City than clogged honky-tonks and neon-lit Broadway. More so than most cities in the Southern U.S., Nashville has an eclectic array of attractions outside of the usual tourist traps, each of which is well worth visiting upon your arrival to Tennessee’s most famous metropolis.

Above all else, Nashville specifically includes plenty of sights that cater to numerous individual tastes and interests, from local-favorite farmers’ markets and hot chicken restaurants to carefully preserved historic homes dating back to the 19th century. With that being said, here is a curated list of some of the best things to do during your time in the Athens of the South, including helpful advice on hotels to stay at, restaurants to visit, and daily activities capable of catapulting your trip to whole new heights.

Table of contents: (Hide)

Where To Stay: Four Seasons Nashville

Does it get any better than the Four Seasons? Like each of its sister locations around the globe, Nashville’s Four Seasons offers an upscale experience for anyone fortunate enough to stay there. With state-of-the-art accommodations, spacious layouts, scenic views of the nearby Cumberland River, and a favorable distance to Nashville’s most popular points of interest, Four Seasons is an unforgettable Nashville destination in and of itself.

Where To Stay: Margaritaville Hotel Nashville

Alternatively, if you’re inclined to choose a more casual hotel to reserve a room, we highly recommend checking into Margaritaville Hotel Nashville—an exotic, carefree resort that brings the laid-back atmosphere of the Caribbean to the hustle and bustle of Tennessee. Surprisingly spacious in its rooms and incredibly accommodating in its food and bar service, Nashville’s Margaritaville is the ideal option for anyone looking to experience Nashville’s downtown life, especially given the hotel’s close proximity to Broadway (it’s only three blocks away!).

Day 1: Explore Nashville’s Most Popular Destinations

Morning: Grab A Quick Breakfast at Your Hotel

Upon your arrival in Nashville, it’s a good idea to start your day with a bountiful breakfast at your hotel. Whether you hit the snooze button on your alarm a few times or pop up out of bed like an overly-caffeinated trapeze artist, hotel breakfasts are a great introduction to the flavors and scents that await your ongoing vacation. From ordering room service to venturing down to the ground-floor dining establishments (Mimo’s for Four Seasons, JWB Grill at Margaritaville), you’ll definitely want to fill up on as many fresh-cooked eggs, croissants, and other flaky pastries as you can for the scheduled day ahead of you.

Late Morning: Get A Formal Introduction to Nashville with Gray Line of Tennessee

What better way to experience an initial glimpse at the sprawling Music City than through Gray Line of Tennessee – Nashville City Tour? Boarding an intimate and easily accessible coach, Gray Line’s knowledgeable drivers take riders past some of the most well-known and iconic areas of the city, including such fabled honky-tonks as Robert’s Western World and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, as well as heavily-frequented outdoor venues like Centennial Park and the picturesque Capitol Hill. Not only will this experience serve as a welcome prelude to the start of your trip, it’ll also help you familiarize yourself with some of the city’s most popular attractions, many of which you’ll venture into at some point or other on your itinerary.

Afternoon: Roll Up Your Sleeves For Some BBQ At Chief’s on Broadway

Rounding out your sightseeing tour of the city, it’s now time for a quick but incredibly filling lunch at the local-favorite BBQ joint, Chief’s on Broadway. While Nashville might be more readily known for hot chicken, Chief’s offers a compelling case as to why BBQ should be on every visitor’s radar when they step foot in the city. Spanning six stories and featuring a rooftop lounge, guests can spend their afternoon licking barbeque sauce off their fingers and listening to local musicians take to the stage. Above all else, be sure to try the pork belly burnt ends for an appetizer, the Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich, and Ella’s banana puddin’ for dessert. Trust us, it’s to die for.

Late Afternoon: Learn About Music History At the Country Music Hall of Fame

A visit to Nashville is simply incomplete without stopping in at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Quite possibly the most famous museum for music fans the world over, the Country Music Hall of Fame highlights the unique accomplishments of the country music industry as a whole. Charting its gradual growth from post-Civil War regional folk music to the hit musical acts of today’s generation, the Country Music Hall of Fame is guaranteed to leave visitors a newfound appreciation for the distinctly American musical genre, regardless of it you enjoy the work of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Taylor Swift or not.

Evening: Experience Unique Culinary Creations at Black Rabbit

Modeling itself after a Prohibition-era speakeasy, Black Rabbit is also notable for its range of flavor-packed dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Within its unassuming walls, the restaurant specializes in fascinating culinary creations that cater to the more adventurous palettes, as seen through its rabbit-pork spam appetizer or its seven-ounce rack of grilled elk. Of course, any visit to Black Rabbit warrants an opportunity to choose an equally tasty cocktail to accompany your meal, from a barrel-aged bourbon Old Fashioned to the jalapeno and tequila-infused Hot Lips Houlihan.

Late Night Outing: Listen to Bluegrass Talent at the Station Inn

Often hailed as one of the finest bluegrass venues in the world, the Station Inn is a must-stop location for anyone in the mood for sweeping live music. Nestled along the border of Music Row, the Station Inn is a smaller music hall that boasts some of the finest musicians across the country, with some of its many past performers including the likes of Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire. Seats inside the inn are first come, first served, so you should arrive as early as you can. Don’t worry, the bar has plenty of local draft beers to keep you company as you wait.

Day 2: Museums and Concert Centers Galore

Morning: Start the Day Right With Breakfast at Biscuit Love

Having spent the majority of Day One on your feet, you’re more than likely to wake up today more than a little peckish. With that in mind, you might as well load up any one of the elegant dishes at Biscuit Love. A Southern breakfast and lunch venue with a modern twist, Biscuit Love offers all of the signature items you’d expect to find on a traditional Deep South breakfast fable, including mini buttermilk biscuits, thick-cut slabs of bacon, massive egg plates, and an unending stream of fresh-squeezed orange juice (made to order, of course).

Late Morning: Create Your Own Playlist at the National Museum of African American Music

Having toured the world-famous Country Music Hall of Fame already, you can focus more explicitly on comparatively lesser-known museums moving forward, such as the utterly terrific (and highly underrated) National Museum of African American Music. Inside the sleek halls of the museum, visitors will learn about African Americans’ impact on American mass culture, including its clear influence on the roots of country music. As fantastic as the museum is in its own right, the National Museum of African American Music is perhaps most worth visiting for its more immersive features, including the customizable playlist you can build as you tour the museum’s interactive musical exhibits.

Afternoon: Heat Things Up With Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Every city has its signature dish, whether it’s the Philadelphia cheesesteak or the New York slab of pizza. Of course, Nashville is no different, with the city’s best-known contribution to world cuisine taking the form of piping hot chicken. At Hattie B’s, diners can crank up the heat with the restaurant’s celebrated fried chicken platters, allowing patrons to test their spice tolerance with Hattie B’s crispy delicacies. Whether ordering the pimento-topped chicken sandwich or the signature dirty bird fries, every bite of your dish at Hattie B’s is packed with unparalleled flavor and toasty warm spices.

Late Afternoon: Tour the Ryman Auditorium and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Nashville might be more often associated with cult favorite country musicians, but the city also has a rich connection to other branching forms of entertainment. Taking that fact into consideration, you might be interested in visiting some of Nashville’s other notable musical venues, including the Ryman Auditorium and the relatively newer Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

At Ryman, guests can tour the venue of choice for the Grand Ole Opry, a musical organization dating back to 1925. A former gospel tabernacle initially constructed in the late 19th century, Ryman has since been alternatively described as “The Birthplace of Bluegrass,” “The Mother Church of Country Music,” and “The Carnegie Hall of the South.” Seeing the building in person and learning about its deep connection to Nashville’s musical past, it’s easy to see how Ryman earned such judicious monikers in the first place.

In contrast to Ryman’s historical roots, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center stands among the latest music halls in Nashville’s contemporary layout. First opened in 2006, the Schermerhorn features classical performances from both legendary and modern composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, John Williams, and John Coltrane, among many others. Needless to say, both venues continue to offer regular performances on a year-round schedule.

Evening: Taste Bold New Flavors at Sunda New Asian

In between the afternoon’s festivities and your post-dinner revelry (more on that below), you’ll have time to sneak in a quaint dinner at the utterly sensational Sunda New Asian. Located in the heart of the up-and-coming neighborhood affectionately dubbed the Gulch, Sunda combines traditional East Asian flavors with a shareable tapas-style approach to dining. Emphasizing creativity in the kitchen and on your dinner plate, diners can discover a wide array of dishes they won’t find anywhere else, including such unforgettable concoctions as lobster-wagyu rolls, spicy tuna tails, wagyu-topped crispy rice, and the utterly “Ridiculous” dessert (vanilla ice cream, ginger carrot cake, and glazed walnuts drenched in a rich caramel sauce so thick, you need two hands to pull the spoon out of it).

Late Night Outing: Reserve Your Seat at the World-Famous Bluebird Cafe

Since opening its doors in the summer of ‘82, the Bluebird Cafe has become a must-see destination for anyone visiting Nashville, be it their first, fourth, or 99th time in the city. A 90-seat cafe with limited availability, the Bluebird Cafe allows a mixture of local and up-and-coming artists to perform their songs in front of an appreciative audience, free from the distance of a stage or overly theatrical spotlights. Serving as the venue that helped launch the careers of Garth Brooks and a then-14-year-old Taylor Swift, you simply never know who you’ll find playing at the Bluebird Cafe, be it a noteworthy songwriter of the present industry or a young talent destined for greatness in the immediate years ahead.

Day 3: Venture From North of Broadway to Germantown

Morning: Enjoy a Fresh-Made Breakfast at Mimo Restaurant

Whether you’re a guest or simply visiting from another hotel, you might want to consider dropping into the Four Seasons, even if only for a chance to dine at the hotel’s exquisite ground-floor restaurant, Mimo. Here, diners can try a variety of delicious pastries, accompanying breakfast items, and immune-boosting smoothies and juices, the perfect fuel for the action-packed day ahead.

Late Morning: Learn About the Recording Process at the Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame might take up more of the spotlight, but as we’ve mentioned previously, there are numerous other fantastic museums spread throughout Nashville. Take, for example, the Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum: a factual love letter to the artistry behind recording a full-fledged musical album. Highlighting some of the many unsung heroes who served as studio musicians on some of the most famous albums ever recorded, the Musician’s Hall of Fame is a breathtaking exploration into the actual act of making music, rather than merely looking at the artists and their contributions to the industry alone.

Afternoon: Grab a Bite at the Nashville Farmers’ Market

Hopefully, you saved a little room after breakfast because now you’re about to explore the diverse lunch options presented at Nashville Farmers’ Market. Boasting enticing meal opportunities around every corner, there is simply no wrong choice when it comes to choosing where to eat inside the marketplace. With standout options including Lilly’s Hot Chicken, Chicago Style Gyros, Farm City Coffee, El Burrito Mexicano, and Succulent Vegan Tacos, the Farmers’ Market might incidentally be a place you find yourself returning to again and again in the course of your trip.

Late Afternoon: Uncover State History at the Tennessee State Museum

As one of the first states to join the Union after the Revolutionary War, Tennessee has a long and storied place in U.S. history. At the Tennessee State Museum, visitors can track the Volunteer State from the Cretaceous Period to modern day, including the important Civil War battles that happened in this border state. Featuring exhibits around such famous Tennessee natives as Davy Crockett, Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston, and James K. Polk, the Tennessee State Museum offers a comprehensive look at the state’s undeniable influence on American culture, from its most famous historical ties to its clear accomplishments within the fields of art, entertainment, and culture.

Evening: Experience a Flavorful Dinner at Urban Grub

You’ve definitely gotten your steps in today, so now it’s time to sit back and enjoy. At Urban Grub, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of the most memorably tasty entrees on your trip, from grilled garlic parmesan oyster appetizers to thick-cut boneless NY strip steaks. With a menu roughly the size of a Tolstoy novel, Urban Grub is guaranteed to leave you patting your stomach and licking your lips for the rest of the night.

Day 4: Experience Nashville’s Shopping District at 12 South

Morning: Stop in For Brunch at The Butter Milk Ranch

With all the action and excitement you’ve witnessed over the last three days, you’ll likely have started to slow down a bit by day four of your vacation. With that in mind, why not sleep in a little bit and wake up to a fantastic brunch at The Butter Milk Ranch – AKA the best breakfast/lunch cafe in the entire city.

Evoking a retro facade straight out of the 1950s, The Butter Milk Ranch has a wealth of options when it comes to everyone’s flavor palettes and dining desires. Known for their decadent pastries and croissants, every one of The Ranch’s cafe products is baked the day you visit, ensuring every bite you take is joyously fresh and sinfully delicious. If pastries aren’t your go-to brunch item, The Butter Milk Ranch also offers an extensive menu of specialty mocktails, cocktails, coffees, juices, and both savory and sweet breakfast and lunch meals, including such memorably colorful dishes as gruyere and chive French omelettes and cream-cheese-smothered blueberry pancakes.

Late Morning: Shop Til You Drop Along the Upscale 12 South

If you happen to save enough room after your hearty brunch, feel free to explore Nashville’s shopping district along 12 South. An easily navigable stretch of road dotted with coffee shops, book stores, and premium clothing vendors, it’s a must-see for anyone with an express love for fashion, the arts, and a strong cup of homemade coffee.

Some shops running along the length of 12 South might prove a bit on the pricier side, but every dollar you spend is well worth the product itself. At imogene + willie, for example, patrons can purchase a number of specialty-made products like hemp T shirts and raw denim jeans, allowing for a pair of pants that adjusts to your body each time you wear them. Alternatively, if you’re still feeling a bit peckish from breakfast, you can always stop in for a warm cookie and a glass of milk at Christie Cookie Co., smack dab in the center of the street.

Afternoon: Historic Homes and Vintage Guitars at Belmont University

A short distance away from 12 South lies the scenic campus of Belmont University. Founded in 1890 and built around the historic Belmont Mansion, visitors are still able to tour the inside property of Belmont’s 19th-century site. Constructed in the early 1850s by the influential entrepreneur Adelicia Acklen, the current Belmont Mansion is filled with carefully recreated rooms modeled after its original incarnation, complete with meticulously decorated dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and personal studies. Affording visitors a glimpse at life in the mid-1800s, it’s also among the most historically astounding sites in all of Tennessee.

Speaking of history, it’s well worth walking over to Belmont University’s nearby library following your mansion tour. You can get an up-close look at the university’s Gallery of Iconic Guitars, which features over 100 historic guitars from Gibson, Fender, Martin and Co., and many other reputable manufacturers. Most interestingly, the Gallery of Iconic Guitars boasts several on-floor guitars that visitors can actually pick up and play for themselves. Whether you’re a longtime amateur musician or someone who’s never even held a guitar before, there’s no better way to celebrate the artistic and musical influence of Nashville than strumming a 70-year-old guitar at the Gallery – a singular experience unlike any other in the city.

Evening: Indulge in the Robust Flavors of Chauhaun Ale and Masala House

Having spent so much time on your feet, it’s fair to say you earned a bountiful meal to wrap up your trip to Nashville. Once again, while there’s plenty of great options around town, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the above-bar quality of Chauhaun Ale and Masala House. This decadent Indian restaurant offers numerous unique dishes. There are simply no bad options when it comes to ordering from Chauhaun. Whether you choose to order the tandoori chicken-smothered poutine, the creamy whipped paneer, the masala-braised lamb, or the gulab jamun cheesecake, you’re guaranteed to board your flight home with a full stomach and a massive smile on your face, rounding out your vacation in the best way possible.