In Downtown Nashville, Music City comes to life with plenty of entertainment options and historical sites. Tourists and locals alike make their way to Downtown to hear live music, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, catch a Predators game at Bridgestone arena, or take in the skyline at one of the city’s many scenic rooftop bars. With so much to see and do in this melodious neighborhood, we decided to help you jumpstart your journey with our curated list of things to do in Downtown Nashville.

Looking to move to Nashville? Reach out to AptAmigo. With our expert local knowledge, you’ll have all the information you need to make a confident decision in your next home. But first, read up on everything you need to know before moving to Nashville.

Related: Is Nashville a Good Place to Live?

Best Nightlife

You can find the best nightlife in Downtown Nashville. All genres of music pour onto the streets from restaurants and live music venues. Downtown harmoniously mixes equal parts whiskey, honky-tonk dancing, and incredible live music.

The oldest honky-tonks are still some of the most popular. Long-standing establishments like Robert’s Western World and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge attract big crowds looking to catch local artists or world-famous touring acts. Enjoy these performances while feasting on the “Recession Special:” a fried bologna sandwich, PBR, and a moon pie. 

For an exceptional rooftop experience, ACME’S Feed and Seed combines music, cocktails, and unparalleled views. Heading towards the Gulch, you’ll find trendy restaurants and hotel bars where you can dine on oysters and end the night with a live DJ set. One of our favorites is LA Jackson, a rooftop bar at the beloved Thompson Hotel.

Still not ready to call it a night? Why not check out Dolly Parton themed treasure, the rooftop bar, White Limozeen?

Best Outdoor Activities

Downtown Nashville grants you easy access to all of Nashville’s abundant green space. Get your nature fix at Riverfront Park, then catch stunning views of the Cumberland River and the downtown skyline from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. 

A short drive away from the city in Southern Jackson County flows one of the most impressive waterfalls in the state, Cummins Falls. You’ll find locals escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city at this scenic spot. The hike to the basin can become a bit treacherous at times, but the views are well worth it. Tip from a local: enjoy this cascading beauty on a weekday when the crowds remain sparse. 

Summer sports in Nashville usually take place on the nearest body of water. Ask any native, and they’ll tell you how to survive the hot months by stepping into a kayak, canoe, or boat. At Percy Priest Lake, Nashville’s largest lake, you can boat to undiscovered islands for a savory picnic with a spectacular backdrop. The Harpeth River, a short 20-minute drive from the center of the city, offers the perfect location to enjoy a day of kayaking. 

When the summer months trail away, and the weather turns crisp and cool, Nashville’s public parks present ideal locations to spend the day. Grab lunch from the Nashville Farmers’ Market and head to the gorgeous Centennial Park. This expansive, 132-acre green space comes complete with the backdrop of the iconic Parthenon and a scenic walking trail with stunning views of Lake Watauga.  

Best Food

In a city known for its burgeoning food scene, Nashville hot chicken remains the city’s most talked-about delicacy. Locals and tourists alike will flock to a few favorites to challenge their spice tolerance. Hattie B’s is the most popular, with multiple locations throughout the city that make it easily accessible as you tour different places. If you feel brave, Hattie B’s offers a “Cluckin’ hot” that will kick things up a notch — and maybe even make your eyes water. 

Locals will debate endlessly on the best place to try Nashville’s famed hot chicken, but Prince’s Hot Chicken, founded in 1945, receives credit for popularizing the dish and inspiring many other restaurants to carry similar variations. Most of these places keep their recipes closely guarded, so making a culinary trip just for Nashville’s hot chicken scene serves as an attraction in its own right.

For a meal on the lighter side, Nashville offers an impressive list of other world-class options, many of which can be found in the heart of downtown. Experience Skull’s Rainbow Room, a speakeasy lounge established in the 1940s at the cornerstone of Nashville’s legendary Printer’s Alley. With exceptional food and burlesque performances, this bar creates a truly memorable evening. 

Best Attractions

Downtown Nashville is energetic, historical, and bubbling with year-round crowds. Locals and tourists alike indulge in the world-famous music scene, both past and present. With live shows every night and some of the greatest museums in the world, plenty of entertainment options fill this neighborhood.

The acclaimed Country Music Hall of Fame boasts rotating exhibits and famous traditional instruments. The museum provides a comprehensive history of country music’s roots and Nashville artists that rose to fame over the years.

The Grand Ole Opry, a country music stage originally founded in 1925, sits in a new home today in between the world-class mall, Opry Mills, and a resort with an entire indoor ecosystem, a boat, and a waterfall. The Opry plays a huge role in Nashville’s history and in country music as a whole.

Ryman Auditorium, a premiere live-performance venue located downtown, was previously the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Many musicians view this stunning building as the most prestigious place to play. If you can’t snag a ticket to an upcoming show, you can pop in for a tour to get a glimpse into this iconic auditorium. 

No trip Downtown is complete without basking in the lights of the bustling and well-known Broadway Street. The neon-illuminated buildings filled with honky-tonks, restaurants, and hotel bars offers the best people-watching in Nashville. On Broadway, cowboy boots hit the pavement, and music pours out of every establishment. The palpable energy here indicates just how much fun awaits. Head south of Broadway, and you’ll find a more modern aesthetic in the area known as “The Gulch,” a neighborhood outfitted with glamorous buildings and incredible eateries. 

Find Your Dream Nashville Apartment

Now that you know the best things to do in Downtown Nashville, check out our favorite studio apartments. Need something bigger than a studio? Reach out to AptAmigo to find your dream home. All you need to do is tell us your preferences, and we’ll compile a list of buildings you’ll love. Once you choose your top buildings from the curated list we created, we will schedule a day of tours and go with you to ask all the easy-to-forget questions. The best part? It’s completely free.

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* The original version of this article was first published on October 7, 2020.