Published 25th Jul. 2023
Reading time
They call it Music City; the spiritual heartland of the USA's country music scene and home of the honky-tonk (we’ll explain that one later…). But Nashville is more than just square dancing and Stetson hats. It’s street art and deep fried chicken, wild parkland and a Grecian Parthenon and more museums than you can shake a stick at. To help you plan your trip to Tennessee, we’ve hand-picked a selection of must-sees in Nashville that you won’t want to miss on your USA holiday (cowboy hats and boots optional).
Your first hint of what this building holds lies in its architecture. From the outside, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum resembles a huge piano; with dark thin rectangular windows scoring its white arched walls. But the homage to harmonies really continues inside, where galleries and exhibitions chart the evolution of country music all the way from Southern folk and bluegrass to pop country and the likes of Tim McGraw, Little Big Town and Taylor Swift. Country fan or not though, you’ll easily lose a few hours ogling Elvis’ Cadillac and Carl Perkins’ blue suede shoes. But for those of you that really just can’t get enough, the Historic RCA Studio B tour is sure to scratch your country itch. See where legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded some of their biggest hits and swing by Hatch Show Print, the historic print shop that’s been producing posters for artists and performers since 1879. Of course it would be rude to leave without your own replica poster too.
With no permanent collection, you never quite know what you might encounter in the galleries of the Frist Art Museum. Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that was once Nashville’s main post office, the museum feels like a work of art itself (see for yourself at its free architecture tour every Saturday at 3.30pm). Don’t sweat if you’re visiting with children though, the museum has plenty to keep them entertained. At ArtQuest, an award-winning space, little ones can get hands-on with activities like drawing and painting and creating their own art inspired by the works on display in the exhibits. Entrance to the museum and ArtQuest is free for under 18s, making the Frist one of the more family-friendly must sees in Nashville.
A 132-acre oasis in the city, Centennial Park has everything you’d expect from an urban greenspace (think water fountains, walking trails, a playground) and one thing you certainly wouldn’t: a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens. Inspired by Nashville’s nickname ‘the Athens of the South’ (because of the city’s Greek-like dedication to education and learning), the Parthenon was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 and remains the centre piece of the park today. It’s also home to an art gallery, the highlight of which is a 42-foot-tall gold statue of the Greek goddess Athena. Much like the building itself, it must be seen to be believed (it’s the tallest indoor statue in the US), so of course it’s one of our must sees in Nashville. Take a stroll through the greenery, wander around the lake and take a pew on one of its many benches. Rumour has it Taylor Swift enjoys doing the exact same thing…
The neon-lit Honky Tonk Highway on Lower Broadway is Nashville’s most famous district. A rowdy row of bars or honky-tonks where music fills the streets from 10.00am to 3.00am, what’s not to love? But ‘what is a honky-tonk?’, we hear you whisper. Quite simply, it’s a bar where musicians, locals and tourists come together to drink, dance and delight in the disorderly atmosphere. These are your typical no thrills come as you are kind of places so as long as you have one hand free for whiskey shooting and the other to sway in the air, you’ll be just fine. Get a local to teach you how to line dance and put your newly purchased cowboy boots to good use for the night. If you want to kick back and sample some Southern musical magic without the crowds though, visit during the day for a more relaxed low-key experience.
Tennessee might be best known for Jack Daniel’s (the distillery is in Lynchburg, a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Nashville), but if you want to try a tasting session without leaving the city, we recommend Corsair Distillery in Marathon Village. In 2010, it became the first craft distillery in Nashville since prohibition, producing award-winning small-batch whiskey and gin. Take a tour of the distillery (tastings included) then retire to the tap room to continue with cocktails at the bar. Refuel with fresh pizza and pick up a souvenir from the bottle shop. If spirits aren’t your tipple, they also have a tempting menu of local craft beers as well as non-alcoholic beverages.
Since opening its doors in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music has become a staple must see in Nashville. The only museum dedicated to celebrating the history of Black music in America, it explores more than 50 musical genres created or inspired by African Americans, including blues, jazz, hip hop, R&B and gospel. While country music commands much of the attention in Nashville, this museum tells the story of how Black musicians and artists have actually shaped much of the musical landscape both in the city and beyond. The immersive exhibits include recording rooms where you can lay down your own track and share it with friends on social media (if you dare).
From New York to California and all the states in between, our team knows the USA's hotspots incredibly well. What we really excel at, though, is the under-the-radar regions, thanks to our in-depth experience and the hand-picked guides we work with on the ground. Whether you’re travelling as a family or à deux, road trips are the ultimate way to explore the USA, and we're brimming with suggestions to improve journeys, from scenic route options to photogenic stop-off points (all based on our own experiences, of course). And if that's not enough, you'll have our in-country Concierge team on hand at all times for extra help and advice.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Wondering what to see in San Francisco? Wonder no more. This is your invitation to discover the city beyond postcards and social media posts (though we’ll admit, it’s a very photogenic place). We’ll delve into its history, highlight some of the most walkable neighbourhoods and lead you to green spaces for a breath of fresh air. Explore the fantastic food scene and find the best spots to enjoy unforgettable views.
18th February 2026 - USA Travel Inspiration
Spring in the City of Angels has had some rather downbeat descriptions over the years, with Angelinos annually bemoaning May Gray and June Gloom. April, however, retains a glowing reputation – and not just because it’s a harder rhyme. Always an exciting time, April is marked by desert-dwelling festivals, migrating marine mammals and a (slight) decline in crowds. For the lowdown on all the exciting events popping up in and around the city, read our roundup of reasons to visit Los Angeles in April.
16th February 2026 - USA Travel Inspiration
Love it or hate it, winter rolls around every year. So, why not spend this polarizing time on a polarized continent? From skating on the frozen lakes of the Canadian Rockies and crunching through the snow-blanketed plains of Alaska to sampling internationally renowned wines in the vineyards of Northern California and cruising between the laid-back microcosms of The Florida Keys, North America has something for everyone during winter.
24th December 2025 - USA Travel Inspiration
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
