Nashville has become an extremely popular tourist destination in recent years. With its ever-present music scene and exploding growth, there’s no shortage of attractions, events, shopping, and tasty restaurants.

It can be overwhelming to plan a trip with so many options available. We’re here to help you navigate and select the best options for what you’re seeking.

If you think about your ideal Nashville experience, consider whether you want a vacation that’s bustling with people or one that’s more low key. While the city is always busy, there are times that are busier than others.

When to Visit

There are several factors when determining when to visit Music City. First, you’ll want to make sure to plan so you’re comfortable with the temperature. If you don’t mind heat, the summer will be a no-brainer for you. If you want to travel in the summer and are sensitive to heat, plan your outdoor activities in the morning and evening when the heat index is low.

Next, you’ll want to decide whether you want to visit during an event weekend. There are pros and cons to visiting during this time. There are oftentimes more free events happening, which are entertaining. However, flight and hotel prices tend to increase as well. Decide what you’re comfortable with and check the event calendars before booking.

Where to Stay in Nashville

We recommend staying as close to downtown as possible or in a hotel that offers a shuttle to downtown. Many of the big attractions are in walking distance to one another and staying downtown can be a very convenient option. Here’s a list we put together of the best affordable hotels in Nashville.

If you’re in town during one of the event weekends, the downtown hotels can be expensive, so in that case a hotel farther out might be advantageous. Price conscious travelers will want to compare rideshare prices to see if they’re really saving money by staying farther out.

What to Do in Nashville

Music is everywhere in Nashville and a great place to experience a lot of artists at once is Broadway. If you’re not familiar, Broadway is street in downtown that has a few blocks of bars, restaurants, and some shops. At night, it can get rowdy, so if you want to experience the area in a more relaxed manner, visit in the morning and on a Monday through Wednesday.

Here are a few places you won’t want to miss:

We’ve even come up with a list of romantic things to do in Nashville, free things to do, and a list of art galleries in Nashville that you won’t want to miss! Planning a bachelorette party in Nashville? We also have everything you’ll need to know.

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