Nashville is where American music history is still being written. Founded as Fort Nashborough in 1779, the city grew into a river trade hub before becoming “Music City,” a nickname popularized by the Fisk Jubilee Singers and cemented by the Grand Ole Opry. Today, you’ll find world-class venues, award-winning restaurants, and a creative spark you can feel block by block.

Fun fact: Nashville is home to a full-scale Parthenon, a tribute to its “Athens of the South” moniker and legacy as an education center. It’s also the birthplace of hot chicken—a fiery, addictive creation you’ll taste more than once this week. From historic studios to neon-lit honky-tonks, the city hums day and night.

Practical notes: Spring and fall bring ideal weather and a full slate of festivals. Downtown is compact and walkable; rideshares are easy for neighborhoods like 12South, Germantown, and East Nashville. Weekends can be busy—reserve top restaurants and shows in advance, carry a valid ID for bars, and pack comfortable shoes for long exploration days.

Nashville

Nashville’s greatest hits are all in reach: the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, and the Grand Ole Opry. But the deep cuts—Belle Meade’s Gilded Age history, Cheekwood’s gardens, holes-in-the-wall with legendary pickers—give the city its soul.

• Top sights: Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Parthenon at Centennial Park, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Johnny Cash Museum.
• Best bites: Hot chicken (Prince’s or Hattie B’s), whole-hog BBQ (Martin’s, Peg Leg Porker), farm-to-table favorites (Rolf & Daughters, Henrietta Red), classic meat-and-three, and decadent pastries at Five Daughters Bakery.
• Live music: Robert’s Western World and Acme Feed & Seed on Broadway, bluegrass at The Station Inn, songwriter rounds at Bluebird Cafe and The Listening Room.

Where to stay: Base yourself Downtown/The Gulch for walkability; pick Germantown or 12South for neighborhood charm; East Nashville for indie vibes. Browse stays on Hotels.com or check home rentals on VRBO.

Getting here: Fly into BNA (Nashville International). Nonstops often run ~1.5 hours from Chicago, ~2–2.5 hours from New York, and ~4–4.5 hours from Los Angeles; round-trip fares commonly range ~$150–$450 depending on season. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. It’s a 15–20 minute rideshare to Downtown (often ~$20–$35 off-peak).

Day 1: Arrival, Riverfront Stroll, and Broadway Warm-Up

Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and shake off travel with a riverside walk. Grab a latte at Crema Coffee Roasters and cross the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for skyline views that set the tone. If you’re peckish, snag a couple of tacos at Assembly Food Hall (great for groups and quick bites).

Evening: Kick off with Tennessee barbecue at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (downtown)—try the whole-hog sandwich or the “redneck taco” on a griddled cornbread hoecake. Then sample Broadway’s spectrum: classic honky-tonk at Robert’s Western World (live bands, fried bologna sandwiches), rooftop energy at Acme Feed & Seed, or a craft-cocktail detour to Skull’s Rainbow Room in Printer’s Alley for a throwback vibe.

Nightcap: Glide up to L27 Rooftop Lounge at The Westin for a night view of the neon and the Cumberland.

Day 2: Icons of Music City (Ryman + Country Music Hall)

Morning: Fuel up at Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village (banana bread pancakes are a favorite) or Big Bad Breakfast (steak and eggs with a biscuit). Then let a pro guide you through the must-sees with the all-in-one tour below.

Book the Discover Nashville City Tour with Entry to Ryman & Country Music Hall of Fame for a narrated city overview plus admissions to the two marquee attractions. Expect a comfortable drive-by of landmarks and ample time inside both venues.

Afternoon: At the Ryman, stand on the Mother Church stage and tour the backstage exhibits. Then browse the Country Music Hall’s costumes, instruments, and rotating exhibits; if interested, inquire on-site about pairing RCA Studio B for a later slot. Lunch nearby at Puckett’s Grocery (smoked meats, skillet mac) or at Assembly Food Hall’s Prince’s Hot Chicken stall for your first taste of the city’s spiciest export.

Evening: Dinner in Germantown at Rolf & Daughters for house-made pastas and inventive small plates (the heritage pork ragù is beloved). Cap it with an intimate songwriter round at The Listening Room—stories behind the hits in a low-key setting.

Day 3: 12South and The Gulch—Murals, Boutiques, and Bluegrass

Morning: Start at Frothy Monkey (12South) for a proper cappuccino and the California omelet. Snap a photo at the “I Believe in Nashville” mural, then browse Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James and White’s Mercantile for Southern-chic goods. Reward the walk with a 100-layer donut at Five Daughters Bakery.

Afternoon: Head to The Gulch. Shop at local boutiques, then dive into hot chicken at Hattie B’s (medium is plenty hot for most). If you’re into art and architecture, the Frist Art Museum—inside a 1930s art deco post office—is a short hop away and curates excellent traveling exhibitions.

Evening: Bluegrass night at The Station Inn, a legendary listening room where virtuoso pickers sit feet from your table. Dine beforehand at Henrietta Red in Germantown (oysters, wood-roasted vegetables, and seasonal plates) or keep it casual with Peg Leg Porker’s dry-rubbed ribs.

Day 4: Belle Meade History + Cheekwood Gardens

Morning: Coffee at Barista Parlor (East Nashville) with a buttery croissant, then make your way west (20–25 minutes by car) for a deep dive into 19th-century Tennessee.

Afternoon: Tour the grounds with the Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting. Learn about the thoroughbred legacy as guides illuminate the estate’s complex history, then sample local wines afterward.

Pair the visit with nearby Cheekwood Estate & Gardens—wander seasonal blooms, sculpture trails, and the historic mansion. For lunch, Café 29 on the grounds serves hearty salads, sandwiches, and Southern sides.

Evening: Dress up for Etch downtown, where chef-led global flavors meet Southern ingredients (the roasted cauliflower starter has a cult following; seafood dishes shine). If you’re in the mood for a show with your supper, book House of Cards for close-up magic, steak, and speakeasy ambiance—note the dress code and reservations.

Day 5: Day Trip—Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg

Make it a whiskey day with the Nashville to Jack Daniel's Distillery Bus Tour + Whiskey Tastings. It’s typically a full-day outing: a scenic 1.5–2-hour drive each way, an expert-led distillery tour through charcoal mellowing and barrelhouses, guided tastings, and free time around Lynchburg’s quaint town square.

For lunch, consider Southern comfort classics around the square (Miss Mary Bobo’s is a storied option if you book ahead). Back in Nashville early evening, keep dinner easy with a thick, old-fashioned burger at The Pharmacy in East Nashville or wood-fired pies at Folk.

Day 6: Parks, Museums, and the Grand Ole Opry

Morning: Stroll Centennial Park and step inside the full-scale Parthenon for the towering Athena statue and art galleries. Brunch nearby at Fido in Hillsboro Village—try the “mean green” scramble or a breakfast burrito with a side of sweet potato fries.

Afternoon: Dive into the Johnny Cash Museum’s timeline of recordings, costumes, and personal artifacts. Pop next door to the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. for a tasting flight or a hands-on candy-making session if slots are available. Early dinner at Puckett’s (shrimp and grits, cherry wood-smoked BBQ) or Merchants on Broadway (solid steaks and Southern sides).

Evening: Close the day with the show that made the city famous: Grand Ole Opry Show Admission Ticket in Nashville. Expect a mix of legends, rising stars, and surprise guests in a live radio-format performance.

Pre- or post-show, swing by The Nashville Palace for classic two-stepping and cold longnecks near the Opry complex.

Day 7: Brunch, Prints, and Farewell

Morning: Make the pilgrimage to Loveless Cafe (25–30 minutes from downtown). The biscuit basket with preserves is the star; add country ham and eggs if you’re hungry. On your way back, stop for a stroll at Radnor Lake State Park if you want a quick nature fix.

Afternoon: Squeeze in last favorites: Hatch Show Print (iconic letterpress posters), Marathon Village for Tennessee-made spirits and souvenirs, or one more walk across the pedestrian bridge for a final skyline photo. Depart in the afternoon with a playlist of new discoveries.

Where to book: Check flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and compare stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Extra tips: Broadway gets crowded at night—visit midday for easier bar-hopping, then switch to The Gulch, Germantown, or East Nashville in the evening. If you’re chasing the perfect hot chicken heat, start at mild/medium and work up; “extra hot” is no joke. Many top spots are first-come; arrive early or snag early dinner times.

One week in Nashville lets you trace American music history, taste the South’s evolving cuisine, and step into live shows that turn into lifelong stories. You’ll leave with biscuit crumbs on your shirt, a few new favorite artists, and a reason to come back sooner than you planned.