Making the most of Music City: How to spend 48 hours in Nashville | Sightseeing + things to do guide

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

48 hours in Nashville isn’t a lot, but it’s still possible to see the highlights. Here are the most important things to do in Nashville if you only have two days (or a long weekend to explore).

My 48 hours in Nashville began something like this:

I stood on the sidewalk. Bar after bar stretched before me on both sides of Lower Broadway, like a deck of cards spread by a generous dealer.  Despite only being 11am, the streets were alive with the sound of music; a jaunty bassline somehow making itself heard above the cacophony.

I took a few pictures, then continued to observe my surroundings. There was a lot going on, even this early in the day.

A steady stream of tourists crowded the thoroughfare, stopping intermittently to survey the musical stylings of the city’s best performers.

As they listened, filmed the action with their phones, and bopped their heads to the beat, an identically behatted and beshirted bachelorette party (the first of about ten I would see during my two days in Nashville), charged past them, most likely late to their next rendezvous. They were a blur of pink and perfume.

I chuckled and adjusted my shades. Though I was only a few hours into my two day stay in Nashville, it was immediately apparent how it had earned the nicknames “Music City” and “Nash-Vegas”.

I may have just arrived, but I knew that I liked this place already!

Why you should visit Nashville- there are so many things to do in Music City!

I’ll be honest: I was surprised by the multitude of cool things to do in Nashville.  The problem, perhaps, is that I went with some preconceived notions, which a good traveller should never do.

Because, to keep it 100: I had no desire to visit Nashville until I got hired to write about it. Not that I had anything against it, of course.  But it just didn’t seem like it would be my… thing.

Let me explain.  Though I knew nothing about the city, I figured that Nashville would be small– I am a city slicker.  I figured the demographics of the people there would be “white” and “old”– I’m black and young. I figured it would be “bland”– I’m allllll about the vibes.

This is the problem with preconceived notions: they’re made hastily and not rooted in fact or experience. Luckily, I got to Nashville and was soon proved very wrong.

For, the city tiene sabor– flavour– and there are a few key reasons why you should visit.

For one, there’s a variety of fun things to do in Nashville. With nearly two million residents living within its metropolitan area, Tennessee’s capital is also its most populated city.  It’s filled with history, art (both street and traditional), and attractions to keep even the most restless visitor occupied.

Secondly, as home to universities like Vanderbilt, Belmont, Tennessee State, and Fisk, Nashville’s a hub for young professionals.  The city has an expanding culinary scene that makes it an attractive stop for foodies; it’s also become the leading non-Vegas destination for bachelor(ette) parties.

And then, of course, the top reason you should to go to Nashville is for the tunes.  It ain’t called the “Music City” for nothing: there are hundreds of live music venues around town that will have you dancing in the streets (as evidenced in my intro)!

How to spend two days in Nashville (aka how to make 48 hours in Music City worthwhile)

In a nutshell, a visit to Nashville should be on your radar.  Ideally, you’d spend four to five days in Music City to drink in its full essence, but if you’re like me (my travel schedule is a beast these days), you might only have two days to spare.

Thus, here are my recommendations for how to spend 48 hours in Nashville, the most music-filled city in the southern USA.

What to do and see in Nashville when you’re short on time

See at show at the Grand Ole Opry. 48 hours in Nashville just doesn’t make sense without taking in a country music show at the world renowned Grand Ole Opry.  I repeat, a visit to Nashville doesn’t make sense without seeing a show at Opry! This historic venue is where country music was born, and where megastars like Dolly Parton cut their teeth in the industry.  Real talk: spending an evening at Opry was the absolute highlight of my trip, and I’m not even into country music.  It seriously is my top pick for things to do in Nashville, which surprised the heck out of me.  Stay tuned for my full blog post on the experience!

Get thee to Lower Broadway.  If Nashville is the Music City, Lower Broadway, known as the “Honky Tonk Highway”, is its heart.  This legendary strip in downtown Nashville is lined with “honky tonks”, which, for the uninitiated, are bars that play live country music.  If all the raw talent and rocking music aren’t enough to entice you, the price tag will– honky-tonks typically don’t charge cover, so all that musical goodness is free to enjoy.

Indulge in Nashville’s culinary specialities. Nashville’s up and coming status as a foodie city (look out, Austin!) is due in part to its homegrown eats.  Thus, one of the things you must do in Nashville is try “hot chicken”, which is Music City institution.  Made of chicken that’s been breaded, smothered in cayenne pepper, then fried and served with white bread and pickles, it’ll definitely leave an impression on your tastebuds.  Check out this website for more info on the best places to eat hot chicken, as well as where to eat in Nashville in general.

Visit the Johnny Cash Museum.  Not a country music connoisseur? No biggie. Chances are you’ve still heard of Johnny Cash, a country music icon and one of the best-selling music artists (from any genre) of all time.  Ranked the #1 music museum in the world by the likes of Forbes and Conde Nast, this colourful and interactive space tells the story of the Man in Black’s life and career. It also houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of Cash memorabilia and artifacts in the world.

Scope out the street art.  Nashville is a hub for street art… who knew! Whether you’re an art head or simply looking for a way to brighten up your Instagram feed (#nojudgement), Music City has loads of colourful tableaus for your viewing pleasure.  While there are too many murals to name and more springing up seemingly monthly, my girl Kristin Luna (the longtime blogger and Nashville resident who so graciously met up with me while I was in town) has an exhaustive blog post listing all the top street art spots in the city.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhpWQkhnJB6/?taken-by=oneikatraveller

Explore the neighbourhoods of 12South and The Gulch.  Even if you only have 48 hours in Nashville, taking the time to explore a few of its diverse neighbourhoods is a good look.  I wandered around the hipster-friendly area known as 12South, which has a plethora of funky shops, scene-y restaurants, and– you guessed it– street art.

Another thing to do in Nashville is wander around the historic Gulch district.  While 12South screams hipster (at least to me), The Gulch is more my speed.  Frequented by the young urban/ upwardly mobile crowd, the area’s renovated spaces are a reminder of its industrial past, all whilst still oozing an aura of sophistication and effortless contemporary cool.  Go there for the upscale restaurants and hopping nightlife.

Go cowboy boot (window) shopping.  If cowboy boots are your thing (and even if they aren’t) I heartily encourage you to take a stroll through downtown Nashville.  There, shops hawking western-themed footwear are about as numerous as bakeries in Paris– it feels like there’s at least one on every corner!

Bond with nature at Cheekwood Botanical Garden.  I know what you’re thinking– of all the things to do in Nashville, prioritizing a visit to a botanical garden on your 48 hour trip seems bizarre. But hear me out: Cheekwood’s beautifully landscaped grounds provide an oasis of calm that’s necessary after all the booming music and frenzied activity. Go at the right time of year like I did and you’ll be rewarded with allll the gorgeous tulips.

Where to stay in Nashville

Two days in Music City means that your time is better spent sightseeing than getting stuck in traffic. For this reason, I’d recommend basing yourself in a fairly central area of the city, so your commute to Nashville’s most salient attractions is drastically reduced.  While staying downtown might be the obvious choice, The Gulch, East Nashville, The District, and 8th Avenue South all seem to be great options.

As for me? I stayed at the swanky Thompson Hotel in the Gulch.  Luxurious and modern (it opened about two years ago) it quite successfully fulfilled my bougie tendencies *laughs impishly*.  Bonuses were the full-sized dark chocolate bar that awaited me when I got to my room after check-in, and the glitzy rooftop bar with great views of the city.

Tips for making the most out of your two days in Nashville

There’s no doubt about it: 48 hours in Nashville will be a whirlwind.  Here are a few of my tips to make your short trip run a bit more smoothly.

+ Don’t visit Nashville on a weekend. Hate crowds?  Lines? Bachelor(ette) parties? Plan to visit Nashville mid week.  While there’s no guarantee it won’t be busy, it’ll still be quieter (and cheaper) to visit than on the weekends.

+ Book tickets in advance.  Want a good seat at the Grand Ole Opry?  Shows have a tendency to sell out, so avoid disappointment by booking before you get there.

+ Use Lyft to get around.  I’m a huge fan of ride-sharing services as they are often more convenient and cheaper than taxis.  Kristin recommends that visitors take Lyft over Uber.

The Takeaway: 48 hours in Music City is a great taster

Whether you have two days in Nashville or twenty, one thing is abundantly clear: Music City is worth a visit. There are so many things to do in Nashville that it’s suitable for music lovers, foodies, and those just looking for a good time.  I can’t wait to return and do a deeper dive into the city’s culture!

Have you ever been to Nashville? If not, have I piqued your interest in going?

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This post was written in partnership with Grand Ole Opry, but the relentless gushing about Nashville is all mine!

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