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Last Updated on December 8, 2023
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Nashville, appropriately named Music City for the city’s honky-tonk reputation, is well-known for its street art, rooftop bars, and incredible food. There’s never a shortage of things to do any hour of the day, making it hard to cram everything you want to see in your short weekend trip.
That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try! If you want to do as much as you can over a three-day weekend, especially if you’re a first-time visitor, we recommend the following trip itinerary.
Friday Night in Nashville
Since there are so many fun things to do in Nashville, we recommend flying on Friday Night. If you’re landing at Nashville International, start by taking a walk near Seigenthaler Bridge.
- John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge: You can get a great view of downtown from the bridge. You’ll also get the chance to see a gorgeous sunset behind the tall buildings.
- Husk on Broadway: In a large 19th-century mansion, a Nashville restaurant favorite called Husk serves incredible Southern cuisine off of a constantly changing menu. You’ll love the cornbread, shrimp and grits, filet, and whiskey if that’s your thing.
- Honky Tonks on Broadway: If you love live country music and cold beer, check out one (or two) of the Honky Tonks on Broadway, like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
We recommend staying at either the Gaylord Opryland Hotel or Omni Nashville. Both are located in the heart of the city, have pools and dozens of restaurants on the main floor.
Saturday in Nashville
On your first full day in Nashville, put most of your focus on downtown. You can use a rideshare to get around, but most of our inclusions are within walking distance. Start with brunch.
- The Southern Steak & Oyster: A great spot with shucked-to-order oysters, Caribbean culinary elements, crab cakes and hashbrowns, and incredible cocktails.
- Country Music Hall of Fame: This museum has over 2.5 million artifacts and items from country music stars. Anyone who loves music will want to visit.
- Centennial Park: At the park, you can see a full-size replica of the Pantheon as well as several walking trails, a garden, a beautiful lake, and several other local attractions.
- Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: For dinner, check out one of the best fried chicken restaurants around. Try not to go overboard on the sauce; it can be quite spicy.
We also recommend a tour of the Ryman Auditorium, an auditorium where famous country acts used to perform, Pinewood Social for bowling, or The Listening Room for great music.
Sunday in Nashville
Welcome to your final day in Music City. There’s still a lot to see, most of which are still downtown. Start your day with some Brunch at Biscuit Love’s Gulch or Hillsboro Village location.
- Biscuit Love: At Biscuit Love, you’ll be able to taste the most pillowy biscuits in Nashville. It’s a popular joint, so try to get there early for their sausage and grits.
- Street Art: If you’re in the Bulch, take a picture with the Wings Mural. If you’re in Hillsboro Village, you’ll be next to multiple murals that guide you through 21st Ave.
- Belle Meade Plantation: The Belle Meade tells an important story of the Harding family, the third-largest slaveholder in Texas, and the enslaved people who lived there.
- Whiskey Tasting: Texas is famous for its whiskey, so there’s no better place to try out some booze. We recommend Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and Corsair Distillery.
If you’re staying in the city for dinner, we have a few recommendations. Pelican & Pig offers fried provolone, sweet corn, and pork chop dishes. East Side Banh Mi comes through with incredible salads, rice, and noodle entrees. Lyra has plenty of vegan options for vegetarians.
