25 Best Things to Do in Downtown Nashville (2025 Local’s Guide)
From honky-tonks to hidden gems, discover the ultimate list of things to do in downtown Nashville—live music, food, history, and secret spots only locals know!
Nashville’s Downtown Explosion
Whether you’re here for bachelorette shenanigans, family fun, or a solo adventure, this 2025 guide covers the best classics and newest openings—plus pro tips to dodge tourist traps.
Quick Facts – Nashville
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Religion | Predominantly Christianity |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Capital | Nashville is the capital of Tennessee |
| Visa | ESTA for eligible countries, standard US visa for others |
| Climate | Humid subtropical – hot summers, mild winters |
| Power Plugs | Type A / B (120V, 60Hz) |
| Apps | Uber, Lyft, Google Maps, OpenTable |
Things to Do in Downtown Nashville
🎸 Music & Nightlife
- Honky-Tonk Highway
- Must-Visits: Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (free live music daily) and Robert’s Western World (RIP fried bologna sandwich).
- 2025 Tip: New Nashville Live! complex has a 360° rooftop stage.
- Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
- See where Beyoncé just recorded her country album (yes, really).
- National Museum of African American Music
- Interactive exhibits on blues, gospel, and hip-hop’s ties to Nashville.
- Skull’s Rainbow Room
- Sip cocktails with live jazz/burlesque in this revived Printer’s Alley gem.
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Assembly Food Hall
- 35+ stalls, including Prince’s Hot Chicken and Bastion’s secret cocktail bar.
- The Twelve Thirty Club
- Justin Timberlake’s swanky supper club (try the “Southern sushi” rolls).
- Biscuit Love
- Go early for the East Nasty biscuit sandwich (bonus: they now deliver via drone!).
- Hidden Bar: Attaboy
- No menu—tell the bartender your mood (find it behind an unmarked door).
Honky Tonks – Rooftop Bars in Nashville
| Venue | Description |
|---|---|
| Acme Feed & Seed | A lively rooftop bar offering great views, live music, and Southern-inspired food. |
| AJ’s Good Time Bar | Classic honky-tonk with live country music and a rooftop overlooking Broadway. |
| Category 10 | A vibrant bar with a mix of great drinks, music, and a fantastic rooftop scene. |
| Chief’s on Broadway | One of the newest rooftop bars featuring live entertainment and great city views. |
| Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row | Offers a mix of country music, craft cocktails, and a spacious rooftop. |
| Fogg Street Lawn Club | A casual, laid-back rooftop with lawn games and a great drink selection. |
| Friends in Low Places | Garth Brooks’ bar featuring a multi-level experience with a rooftop patio. |
| Hank Williams Jr Boogie Bar | A fun honky-tonk with a lively rooftop atmosphere and iconic music vibes. |
| Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar | Southern food, drinks, and music with stunning views from the rooftop. |
| Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk & Steakhouse | One of the largest venues on Broadway with a high-energy rooftop bar. |
| Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up | A stylish honky-tonk with a rooftop perfect for drinks and live country tunes. |
| Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink | Multi-level bar with live music, great food, and a rooftop overlooking Broadway. |
| Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa | A country-chic honky-tonk with a colorful rooftop bar and Tex-Mex cuisine. |
| Morgan Wallen’s This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen | A mix of classic honky-tonk vibes and a modern rooftop experience. |
| Nashville Underground | Multi-story venue with dance floors, live music, and a rooftop beer garden. |
| Nudie’s Honky Tonk | A vibrant honky-tonk with vintage décor and a lively rooftop setting. |
| Ole Red | Blake Shelton’s bar featuring great drinks, country music, and a rooftop lounge. |
| Redneck Riviera Bar and BBQ | A patriotic-themed honky-tonk with great BBQ and rooftop views. |
| The Stage on Broadway | A legendary live music venue with a spacious rooftop area. |
| Tin Roof Broadway | A relaxed honky-tonk with rooftop seating and regular live music performances. |
| Tootsies Orchid Lounge | One of Nashville’s most famous honky-tonks with a bustling rooftop scene. |
| Whiskey River Saloon | A country bar offering a mix of rock, country music, and rooftop views. |
🎨 Arts & Culture
- Frist Art Museum
- 2025 Exhibit: AI-Generated Country Music Album Covers.
- Johnny Cash Museum
- New VR experience lets you “walk the line” with the Man in Black.
- Street Art Crawl
- Murals: “What Lifts You” wings + new Dolly Parton hologram mural.
🏛️ History & Quirky Stops
- Ryman Auditorium Tour
- Sit in the pew where Dolly first sang “Jolene.”
- Tennessee State Museum
- Free and packed with Civil War relics + Nashvillian Native American history.
- Goo Goo Cluster Shop
- Make your own chocolate cluster (now with CBD-infused options).
- Patsy Cline’s Old Apartment
- Peek at her former home (16th Ave S)—it’s still a private residence!
🌿 Outdoor & Hidden Gems
- Pedestrian Bridge at Sunset
- Best skyline views (and a new LED light show at 8 PM nightly).
- Riverfront Park
- Free yoga Saturdays + kayak rentals on the Cumberland.
- Printers Alley Ghost Tour
- Spooky 2025 update: AR glasses show “ghosts” of old gangsters.
- Third + Broadway
- Rooftop mini-golf (!) above the new Country Music Hall of Fame expansion.
Rooftop Hotels in Nashville
| Hotel | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 Hotel Nashville | Eco-luxury hotel with a stylish rooftop bar and lounge. |
| AC Hotel by Marriott | Modern rooftop experience with skyline views. |
| Bobby Hotel | Trendy rooftop with a vintage bus and cityscape views. |
| Cambria Hotel Downtown | Rooftop bar offering live music and drinks. |
| Canopy by Hilton | Stylish rooftop lounge with a cozy ambiance. |
| Embassy Suites Nashville | Features a rooftop bar with great city views. |
| The Fairlane Hotel | A boutique hotel with a rooftop bar offering signature cocktails. |
| Four Seasons Nashville | Luxury hotel with an elegant rooftop terrace. |
| Graduate Hotel | A trendy rooftop featuring colorful decor and stunning views. |
| Grand Hyatt Nashville | Offers a rooftop bar with panoramic city views. |
| JW Marriott | Upscale hotel with a rooftop cocktail bar. |
| Moxy Nashville Downtown | A casual, modern rooftop space perfect for socializing. |
| Noelle Hotel | Boutique hotel with a chic rooftop bar experience. |
| Thompson Nashville | Features a scenic rooftop bar with handcrafted cocktails. |
| Virgin Hotel Nashville | Trendy rooftop offering a vibrant nightlife scene. |
| Westin Nashville | High-end rooftop bar with sweeping city views. |
🛍️ Shopping & Local Finds
- Boot Country
- Still “Buy 1, Get 2 Free” (yes, really).
- Two Old Hippies
- Groovy guitars + vintage Levi’s—now with a vinyl listening lounge.
- Third Man Records
- Jack White’s spot: Press your own record in the booth.
🎉 Only-in-2025 Experiences
- Songwriters’ AI Lab
- At the Country Music Hall of Fame, co-write a hit with ChatGPT-Nashville.
- Dollywood Express Pop-Up
- A pink Dolly-themed trolley with karaoke (launches May 2025).
- Nissan Stadium Zip Line
- New! Soar over the Titans’ field pre-game.
🛏️Places to Stay in Nashville
- The Capital Hotel Downtown
- Placemakr Premier Sobro
- TownePlace Suites
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Nashville Airport
- Hilton Brentwood Nashville Suites
- Margaritaville Hotel Nashville
💡 Pro Tips for Downtown Nashville
- Parking Hack: Use the Nashville Parking App to reserve $5 spots in advance.
- Avoid Broadway Crowds: Visit honky-tonks before 5 PM or after 11 PM.
- Free Rides: The Downtown Circuit bus runs every 15 minutes.
FAQs
Is downtown Nashville walkable?
Yes! But wear comfy shoes—Broadway’s cobblestones are brutal in cowboy boots.
Best time to visit?
April-May or September-October. Summer is HOT and packed.
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