Nashville—Music City—was founded in 1779 on the banks of the Cumberland River and grew into a global stage for country music legends. From the Grand Ole Opry to Ryman Auditorium, the city breathes live music in every key, while neighborhoods like The Gulch, 12South, Germantown, and East Nashville add modern style and serious culinary depth.

Beyond the honky-tonks on Broadway, Nashville tempts with hot chicken, whole-hog barbecue, farm-to-table cooking, and inventive cocktail bars. You’ll find world-class museums, vibrant murals, artisan markets, and a booming “hat bar” scene where you can custom-brand your own cowboy hat—very Nashville, very you.

Practical notes: Nashville International Airport (BNA) is 15–20 minutes from downtown by rideshare ($20–35). The city is walkable in core areas; otherwise, rideshare and scooters fill the gaps. For bars and venues, bring a valid ID; lines can be long on weekends—go early or book timed experiences.

Nashville

Nashville is equal parts heritage and happening. Spend mornings chasing third-wave coffee and murals, afternoons shopping stylish boutiques and maker studios, and nights soaking up guitar picks and neon lights. Food lovers can graze from hot chicken to heirloom vegetables; music lovers can hop between intimate stages and bucket-list halls.

Top highlights include the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, the Gulch’s “Wings” mural, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge skyline, Germantown’s dining scene, Marathon Village’s makers, and hat bars where you design your own head-turning souvenir.

• Where to stay (neighborhood vibes): Downtown/Broadway for walk-to-honky-tonks energy; The Gulch for upscale dining and murals; 12South for boutiques and cafés; Germantown for chef-driven restaurants; East Nashville for indie shops, bars, and great coffee.
• Book accommodations: Browse stays on VRBO Nashville or compare hotels on Hotels.com Nashville.
• How to get here: Fly into BNA—shop flexible fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Most US hubs offer nonstop or easy one-stop options; typical roundtrips run ~$150–$450 depending on season.

Day 1: The Gulch murals, downtown flavors, and a speakeasy night

Morning: Travel day. Land at BNA and rideshare into town (15–20 minutes). If you’re early, grab a smooth cappuccino at Crema Coffee Roasters (riverfront) or Frothy Monkey (Downtown) and stretch your legs on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for a skyline intro.

Afternoon: Kick off with a street-art spin that’s fun and photogenic: Murals of Nashville Instagram Tour by Golf Cart (about 90 minutes; great way to see The Gulch, 12South, and hidden gems).

Afterward, browse The Gulch: pop into Parish for gifts, Lucchese for boots, and vinyl at Grimey’s out in East Nashville (short ride away) if time allows.

Evening: Dinner near the action: choose fiery hot chicken at Hattie B’s (lines move fast) or smoky ribs at Peg Leg Porker (classic Westside BBQ). Then slip beyond Broadway’s neon with Nashville's Speakeasy Secrets: Murder True Crime Cocktail Crawl, a guide-led wander through hidden doors and Prohibition-era lore—great for adventurous night owls.

Post-tour, catch a set at Robert’s Western World (classic honky-tonk) or bluegrass at The Station Inn in The Gulch.

Day 2: Hat making, 12South shopping, and the Grand Ole Opry

Morning: Power up with biscuits and “bonuts” at Biscuit Love (The Gulch) or a 100-layer donut at Five Daughters Bakery (12South). Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame (exhibits rotate; allow 1.5–2 hours) and peek into Hatch Show Print’s letterpress shop next door to see how those iconic concert posters are made.

Afternoon: It’s hat time—lean into Nashville’s most stylish souvenir with a custom hat experience. Book a session at Rustler Hat Co. (Wedgewood-Houston) or American Paint Hat Co. (The Gulch) to shape, burn, brand, and accessorize your felt or straw. Prefer downtown convenience? Try the Nashville Hat Bar on or near Broadway for trims, bands, pins, and feathers. Break for a hot-chicken lunch at Prince’s (the O.G.) or a meat-and-three plate at Arnold’s Country Kitchen (homey classics, check hours).

Evening: Go iconic with the Grand Ole Opry Show Admission Ticket—a living showcase mixing country legends and rising stars; seats sell out on weekends, so book ahead.

Pre-show, dine near Opry Mills (Bavarian Bierhaus for steins and schnitzel; Mission BBQ for easy brisket) or head back downtown after for late bites at City House Pizza (Germantown) or Rolf and Daughters (house-made pastas; reservations recommended). Nightcap at White Limozeen (Dolly-inspired rooftop) or Rare Bird (Noelle hotel rooftop) for sweeping views.

Day 3: East Nashville eats, markets, and a downtown finale

Morning: Coffee at Barista Parlor (East Nashville) sets the tone for a food-forward morning: join the Nashville: Food Tour with 5+ Tastings of Local Delicacies to sample hot chicken, pulled pork, biscuits, and sweets while hearing neighborhood stories.

Prefer DIY? Hit the Nashville Farmers’ Market (next to Bicentennial Capitol Mall) for local produce, Prince’s pop-ups, and international stalls.

Afternoon: Shop and stroll 12South: imogene + willie (heritage denim), White’s Mercantile (Reese Witherspoon–curated general store), and Draper James for bright Southern style. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams delivers. Back downtown, craft your own confection at Goo Goo Chocolate’s on-site experiences (tastings and candy-making classes run throughout the week) and explore Marathon Village for Antique Archaeology, local distilleries, and artisan studios.

Evening: Cap your trip with live music or skyline views. If you skipped it earlier, book the Murals by Golf Cart for golden-hour photos, or settle into Germantown for dinner at Henrietta Red (oysters, seasonal plates) or Geist (garden patio). For a final music fix, try 3rd & Lindsley (touring acts) or return to Broadway for a last dance at Robert’s. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, consider a quick dusk helicopter flight over the skyline for a memorable goodbye.

Food & Drink Shortlist (save for later)

• Breakfast & coffee: Crema (smooth espresso), Barista Parlor (design-forward roastery), Frothy Monkey (all-day café), Proper Bagel (New York–style).
• Lunch favorites: Hattie B’s or Prince’s (hot chicken heat levels from mild to “Shut the Cluck Up”), Martin’s BBQ Joint (whole hog), Assembly Food Hall (variety under one roof).
• Dinner highlights: Rolf and Daughters (inventive pastas), Henrietta Red (seafood, veggies), Etch (global-leaning plates), Lockeland Table (East Nashville neighborhood gem).
• Bars & music: Robert’s Western World (classic honky-tonk), The Station Inn (bluegrass), Attaboy (no-menu cocktails), The Patterson House (speakeasy), White Limozeen and L27 (rooftops).

Getting Around & Tips

• Airport transfers: Rideshare is fastest; WeGo Route 18 also connects BNA and downtown (budget-friendly).
• Timing: Opry shows often run Thu–Sat; in winter some shows move to Ryman—check schedules when you book.
• Lines & covers: Broadway bars rarely charge cover before evening; arrive early on weekends to avoid queues.
• Budget fit: With a budget of 80/100, mix casual lunches with one or two reservation-worthy dinners and pre-book 2–3 paid experiences.

Bookable Experiences Included in This Itinerary

• Murals of Nashville Instagram Tour by Golf Cart

  

• Nashville's Speakeasy Secrets: Murder True Crime Cocktail Crawl

  

• Grand Ole Opry Show Admission Ticket

  

• Nashville: Food Tour with 5+ Tastings of Local Delicacies

  

For flights, compare fares to BNA on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For stays, check dates and neighborhoods on VRBO Nashville and Hotels.com Nashville.

In three days you’ll taste Nashville’s essential flavors, design a custom hat, collect mural photos, and hear live music where legends are made. Pack your appetite and your dancing boots—Music City rewards the adventurous traveler from morning coffee to last-call encore.