Nashville Itinerary : Perfect 2 Days In Nashville

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Are you planning a trip to Nashville, the well known music city of Tennessee? If you are going to spend only a weekend or 2 days here, this Nashville itinerary will help you see the best of the musical city.

Nashville is a city that never disappoints. Whether you are a fan of country music or not, it does not really matter. Abundance of musical venues, enthralling street arts, ever booming nightlife, amazing eateries, honky tonky bars and a charming Pedestrian bridge will carve joyful memories about your trip to Nashville. There are a plethora of things to do and see in Nashville. This city is truly entertaining in all aspects.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we have got your trip covered with our 2 day Nashville itinerary. We have also mentioned information regarding the best hotels to stay in and about transportation services at the end of the itinerary. So, let’s get started.

Contents

Nashville Itinerary : Top Things To Do In 2 Days

Day 1 : Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum/Mural Art Tour, Cruise On Cumberland River, Honky Tonky

Morning – Afternoon : Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Mural Art Tour

Ryman Auditorium

Start your Nashville itinerary with a visit to the iconic Ryman Auditorium. This is a historic building that dates back to the 19th century and is considered as ‘The Mother Church of Country Music’. It was originally built as a church, the Union Gospel Tabernacle. In later years it served as a home to the Grand Ole Opry.

In the present time it is used as a venue that holds musical concerts by popular country music stars. Take a self guided tour to learn about the intriguing story telling facts related to the Ryman Auditorium.

Insider tip : If you are a music lover, you can also record a song in the recording studio. You can take a copy of it home. It’s a lovely souvenir which comes with a memory that you will cherish after your trip to Nashville.

• Opening Hours : Saturday to Thursday – 9 AM to 4 PM and 9 AM to 2:15 PM on Fridays
• Entrance Fees : USD 27 per Adult and USD 18 per child (ages : 4 to 11). This fee is for self guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium. You can book your self guided tour of Ryman Auditorium here in advance.

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

Located a short walk from Ryman Auditorium is the Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s another must visit attraction in Nashville. This museum is filled with cool exhibits associated with legendary and iconic music stars. You will find a collection of records, awards, hand written notes, costumes, musical instruments and more pieces of memorabilia relating to various music stars of all times.

They have classics like Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Loreta Lynn, but they have also got artists like Shania Twain and Taylor Swift from the modern era. For a fan of country music, a visit to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is certainly the best thing to do in this Nashville itinerary.

• Opening Hours : 9 AM to 5 PM

Click here to book your entry tickets for the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum.

If you are up for some snacks or food, make your way to Etch. They serve the tastiest shiitake meatballs, lamb chops, steak and salads in Nashville. Its a great option for dine in as well. This restaurant is located near Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Go On A Mural Tour

In addition to music, you will also find art murals in Nashville that are worthy of admiration. One of the most fun ways to see them is by a guided golf cart tour. You can book one here to discover the astounding street art culture of Nashville.

Lunch : General Jackson Showboat/Kayaking

Have your lunch while sailing on a cruise on the Cumberland River in Nashville. The General Jackson Showboat is one of America’s largest paddlewheel river boats that offers live entertainment and sumptuous lunch along with the scenic views of the city’s skyline. This activity is one of the best and most memorable things to do in your Nashville itinerary.

Evening : Honky Tonky

Save your evening time for exploring various Honky Tonks located on lower Broadway. This area is basically filled with bars and cafes where people gather to enjoy live music, drinks and food. The Robert’s Western World, Legend’s Corner and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge are our favorite picks for Honky Tonkying in Nashville.

Day 2 : Grand Ole Opry House, Centennial Park, Historic Germantown, Farmer’s Market, Sunset At Pedestrian Bridge, Walk Along Cumberland River

Morning : Grand Ole Opry House

If you are visiting Nashville for the first time, one thing is for sure, that you should not miss the Grand Ole Opry House. It’s like a pilgrimage for country music fans. This place is known to be the longest running radio broadcast in the history of the United States. Catch a live show featuring new and legendary country music stars.

The performances and aura at the Grand Ole Opry House are extremely exhilarating. Make sure you book your tickets for the show in advance to avoid long queues.

You can also take a backstage tour to see behind the scenes experiences. There are also chances that you may run into a country music star during the backstage tour. You can go for the tour anytime during the day while the live show is hosted during the evenings.

If you are not a fan of country music, we still recommend you to see the Grand Ole Opry House for its opulence and the backstage tour experience.

Afternoon : Centennial Park, Historic Germantown, Pedestrian Bridge

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is more than just a city park. There are several historic monuments, the charming Lake Watauga, a replica of Parthenon – the most famous building in Athens, an art gallery and a one mile walking trail that’s worth exploring. Located at the center of the park, the Parthenon is a very picturesque spot.

A fun fact behind the existence of Parthenon in Nashville is that, long before it came to be known as the Music City, it was popularly designated as the Athens of the South due to its dedication towards higher education (having a high number of colleges and universities.).

• Opening Hours : 6 AM to 8 PM
• Entrance Fees : Free

Food Tour At Germantown

Germantown is Nashville’s hottest neighbourhood that you should not miss out visiting. You will find charming historic homes, cute cafes, restaurants, restored Victorian buildings and boutique stores. Visit the Farmer’s Market to have a feast on a variety of lip smacking Global delicacies – Mexican, Korean, Indian, Cajun, Mediterranean and more.

An amazing way to explore Germantown is through an organised food tour that takes you to the best food outlets while soaking up the history and architecture of this urban neighborhood.

Evening : Leisurely Walk Along Cumberland River, Sunset At Pedestrian Bridge

End your day with a leisurely walk on the Pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland river. Try to reach there during the sunset hour to see the beautiful transition over the city’s skyline and the river below.

For an ultimate dinner experience in Nashville, head to Acme Feed and Seed. It serves the best Southern cuisine (hot chicken, mac and cheese) in generous portions, has a lively ambiance and hosts live music too.

The views of the pedestrian bridge and the river from the rooftop seating area adds more to the amazing atmosphere. Do not forget to make reservations in advance if you are visiting during the holiday season or weekend.

General Information

Where To Stay In Nashville

For any kind of trip to Nashville, the best place to find an accommodation is the Downtown area. It is the heart of the city and a hub for entertainment. Almost all the popular attractions are located at a close proximity from Downtown, which itself is worth exploring. Accommodation in Nashville can be quite expensive, but its not necessary that you will have to splurge for your stay.

Below are a few recommendations that we found valuable for staying in Nashville. We have categorized it to help you find your perfect stay as per your budget.

Budget (Below $100) : Comfort Inn offers a very affordable stay in Downtown Nashville. It provides facilities like rooms with essential amenities, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness centre, sun terrace, picnic area and good American breakfast. Its a good deal for an exceptionally valuable stay on a budget in the downtown area. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

Midrange ($100 – $200) : Located in the heart of downtown Nashville is the trendy Drury Plaza. Rooms are spacious, comfortable, beautifully designed and are filled with modern amenities. The hotel also provides facilities like an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, fitness club and onsite restaurants. A generous buffet breakfast is included during your stay. The Drury Plaza is located at a short walking distance from attractions like Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ryman Auditorium and Cumberland Park. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

Luxury ($200+) : The Omni Hotel is the best option if you are looking for a luxurious stay in Downtown Nashville. It is located adjacent to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Music City Walk of Fame Park. Rooms are well equipped, spacious, beautifully designed and have excellent views of the city. Other facilities include a wellness spa, fitness centre, rooftop swimming pool, seasonal poolside bar, sun loungers and hearty breakfast options. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

How To Get Around Nashville

Commutation within Nashville is very easy. The most convenient mode of commuting within the city is by using the MTA bus services. There is also a free MTA bus service referred to as Music City Circuit to help you get around the downtown area. It has two routes, the Green Circuit which operates between the Gulch and downtown, while the Blue Circuit operates between Bicentennial Mall and Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

There is also a rail system which provides easy access to various attractions through its limited number of stations.

If public transportation does not seem suitable to you, hire cabs using apps like Lyft and Uber. There are other fun ways to commute throughout Nashville which include electric scooters, rental bikes, golf carts and trolleys.

Nashville is one of the best cities to visit in Tennessee. In no time you will find yourself grooving to the country music and will fall in love with city. We hope that our 2 day Nashville itinerary would help you in exploring everything that this music city has to offer.

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