2 Days in Nashville Itinerary: How to Plan the Perfect Weekend in Nashville, TN

Planning to spend a weekend in Nashville? Be sure to read this 2 days in Nashville itinerary for all the top picks on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and tons more helpful tips!

Nashville was a city that had been on my bucket list for a long time. For whatever reason, it took me a while to get there, but I’m glad I finally made it!

It’s a city full of live music, colorful murals, delicious food, and having a good time – my kinda city! It’s such a unique city that combines music, culture, and Southern charm.

Nashville has a reputation for being a party town, and has exploded in popularity with bachelor and bachelorette parties. Heck, it even garnered the nickname “Nashvegas.” But I think the city offers way more than that!

I loved checking out all the fun photo ops (here are my favorite Nashville Instagram spots), listening to country music, walking down the streets of Broadway, indulging in decadent Southern food, hanging out in the beautiful green spaces, and wandering through some vibrant neighborhoods.

It’s a city that combines all the best things about Austin, New Orleans, and Portland (and even Las Vegas) – which are some of my favorite cities!

A weekend in Nashville isn’t enough time to experience it all, but it’s enough to get a taste of what this city has to offer, and see what makes it so special! Keep on reading for the perfect 2 days in Nashville itinerary, with tons of advice on the best things to do, what to eat, where to stay, and more!

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A few things to know before your weekend in Nashville…

• You don’t necessarily need a car: Prior to my 2 days in Nashville, I kept reading that you need a car to get around town, but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. Hotel parking can run you up to $60/night and traffic can be annoying, so I don’t think it’s worth it to have a car. Nashville itself is spread out, but the neighborhoods themselves are (I definitely got my steps in). You can easily take an Uber to travel in between. Just plan efficiently so you aren’t going back and forth too much, and time them so that you aren’t paying crazy surge fees!
  
• Summers are hot & humid: Nashville *is* located in the South after all, so it shouldn’t be surprising that summers here tend to be hot and humid. Highs tend to be around 90° F with around 80% humidity. Even in late May, it was already in the mid-80s and it was so humid that I was sweating balls within 5 minutes of being outside. Summers also tend to be busy in Nashville, so I’d honestly recommend visiting during another time of year (spring and fall, to be exact).

• Prepare for rain: One thing to note about Nashville (that may or may not be surprising) is that it rains 120 days out of the year, with the rainiest months being April and May. The showers usually only last a few hours in the afternoon, but sometimes last all day. I highly recommend packing some rain gear! I didn’t and it rained on and off one of the days I was in Nashville, and it made me hide out in my hotel lobby for half the day (which was really cute, but still!).
  
• Weekends are BUSY: Nashville is super popular with the party crowd, and for bachelor/bachelorette parties, so it gets super busy on the weekends. The city’s honky tonks and bars are lively throughout the week, but are especially crowded on the weekends. If you want to experience the city with a more chill vibe (and without the crowds), consider visiting during the week.
  
• Pay attention to the events calendar: Nashville plays host to a number of popular festivals and events, including the CMA Fest Bonnaroo, and even the Hot Chicken Festival. What this means is that hotel prices tend to be expensive during these times (and draw crowds as well)! Unless you’re planning to visit specifically for the event, check the events calendar to make sure your visit doesn’t coincide with them.

Where to Stay in Nashville

Nashville has plenty of accommodation options to suit your budget and style. Where you stay will depend largely on your preferences, as each neighborhood has a different vibe and accommodation style. 

Read on below for the best places to stay in Nashville:

Downtown/Broadway: This is the heart of the city and where you’ll find all the action. By staying downtown, you’ll be near all the honky tonks of Broadway – which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you’re looking for. You’ll also be close to some of the city’s top attractions, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and Johnny Cash Museum.

Here are a few picks in Downtown Nashville:

• Hermitage Hotel: This beautiful 5-star hotel is housed in one of the longest-standing buildings in Nashville, and with sophisticated rooms and unparalleled hospitality.
• Noelle Hotel: This stylish boutique hotel is an immersive property and creative gathering place, designed by some of the area’s best artists and makers.
• Bankers Alley Hotel: This boutique hotel is housed in a historic building located near the city’s top attractions, and has vintage furniture, original artwork, and stylish rooms.

Midtown: This area surrounds Vanderbilt University and is close enough to the top sights that you can get to them easily, but not so close that it’s not too crazy. You’ll find a lot of unique boutique properties in this area.

Some top picks:

• Graduate Nashville: This is where I stayed, and I loved it soooo much! This photogenic hotel has so many cool design details inspired by the city of Nashville and nearby Vanderbilt University, with Dolly Parton-inspired rooms (and rooftop restaurant/bar), and inviting common areas.
• Kimpton Aerston: Another stylish boutique hotel with upscale amenities, open spaces, original artwork, and an industrial chic design.

Wondering what it’s like to stay at one of Nashville’s trendiest hotels? Check out my complete review of the Graduate Nashville, which also includes *tons* of photos!

The Gulch: This is one of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods, located in between Midtown and Broadway. There’s a hip vibe, with plenty of cool restaurants, bars, and cafes. It’s one of the more upscale neighborhoods in the city, so it’s all about high-end hotels here.

Some recommended places to stay:

• W Nashville: It’s modern, chic, and swanky, as the W brand is known for. Find moder-luxe rooms with music-inspired artwork, state-of-the-art amenities, and inviting lobby.
• Thompson Nashville: This contemporary upscale hotel has polished, warmly decorated rooms that fuse classic country soul with modern sophistication. They also have a rooftop with some incredible views over downtown Nashville.

East Nashville: If you want to stay in a less touristy area, then consider staying in East Nashville. This area is hip, artistic, and diverse, with tons of murals, and a much more local vibe. One caveat is that it’s further away from the main attractions, so keep that in mind as you plan how to get around.

Some picks in East Nashville:

• The Russell: This boutique hotel is housed in a 115 year old church building, and retains some of its historic charm mixing them with modern elements. The design is colorful and bright, and there’s some stunning stained glass windows. They also have an initiative to give back to the homeless people of the city.
• The Gallatin: This vibrant boutique hotel is highly Instagrammable, with rainbow murals and art installations, and colorful rooms. Like the Russell above, they also have a program to give back to the city’s homeless population. 

The Perfect 2 Days in Nashville Itinerary

DAY 1 (South Broadway + Iconic Nashville)

The first day of your 2 days in Nashville itinerary focuses on the attractions located around iconic South Broadway. This area is known for its lively nightlife, especially the honky tonks; during the day, you can visit some of the music museums, take in the views from the riverfront, and get an introduction to Nashville. Now, let’s get to it!

Coffee at Crema

Start off your busy 2 day Nashville itinerary with some coffee! Nashville has no shortage of amazing coffee shops, but one of the best is Crema. 

They are an award-winning coffee roaster, and focus on the art of coffee. Coffee nerds can partake in a roasting or brewing class, or you can just stop in for a drink to start your day. They also focus on sustainability, and are a zero-waste roaster.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything at Crema, but their specialty lattes are top notch. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try the coffee soda!

Country Music Hall of Fame

Given that Nashville is the county music capital of the world, visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must during your two days in Nashville! The museum is dedicated to preserving the history and art of country music, and boasts the largest collection of country music artifacts in the world – over 2.5 million of them, in fact!

I don’t consider myself a big fan of country, but I ended up visiting mostly because I was looking for something to do on a rainy morning. I was glad I did, because there was a lot to see, and it was a good way to spend a few hours! You’ll find artifacts and memorabilia dedicated to anything and everything country music here, and there was plenty of stuff for this non-country fan to find interesting.

I especially loved seeing all of the costumes, blinged out guitars, letterpress posters, and souped up classic cars. I also enjoyed the exhibits dedicated to Taylor Swift (Nashville’s most famous star), and Black country musicians (which you don’t hear too much about).

Lines can get long, especially on the weekend (or in inclement weather), so I highly recommend booking your skip-the-line tickets in advance!

On the way out, stop by the Music City Walk of Fame, located in the park across the Hall of Fame. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there are sidewalk plaques of over 80 famous musicians, including Elvis, Emmy Lou Harris, Peter Frampton, and more. It’s not limited to just country musicians, just those who have a connection to Nashville.

Optional: Hatch Show Print

Also located in the same building as the Country Music Hall of Fame is Hatch Show Print, a letterpress studio. You can book a tour of the print shop, during which you’ll create your very own letterpress poster. This is something I really wish I did, because I am a design geek and *love* letterpress anything!

At the very least, I recommend stopping in their shop and looking at their selection of cool letterpress posters, which is a feast for the eyes (I ended up buying one to take home)! You can also get a peek into the studio and the letterpress equipment, which was pretty cool, but it made me wish I booked the tour.

Pro tip: If you’re planning to visit both the Country Music Hall of Fame and do the Hatch Show Print studio tour, be sure to book this combination ticket.

Lunch at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

If there’s one iconic food that you have to try during your weekend in Nashville, it’s Nashville hot chicken. And, one of the best places to get it is Hattie B’s Hot Chicken!

They have a number of locations throughout the city, including inside the Fifth + Broadway shopping center on Broadway. I actually visited the one in Midtown since it was next to my hotel, but I’ve heard this location has a shorter line.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a hot chicken sandwich that’s come close to the one I had at Hattie B’s – it’s just perfectly crisp and moist on the inside, aka perfection! 

My only complaint is that I thought the mild could’ve had a bit more kick, but I’m a spice wuss so I didn’t want to get too crazy. Next time, I’d order the medium, though.

Or, go to Prince’s Chicken: This is actually the original hot chicken spot, and some people recommend it over Hattie B’s. However, I’ve heard that the chicken is significantly spicier, and being afraid of spice, I opted for Hattie B’s instead. If you go, there’s a location inside the food hall at Fifth + Broadway.

Afternoon: More Museums + Other Attractions on Broadway

After lunch, spend more time wandering around Broadway. There’s plenty of fun stuff to do around here to add to your 2 days in Nashville itinerary, from more music museums, historic attractions, and cool shops.

Here’s some of the spots to check out:

Tour the Ryman Auditorium: Dating back to 1892, the historic Ryman Auditorium is one of the most celebrated music venues in the nation. It’s best known for being the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, before it moved to its current venue in Music Valley.

Known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” many famous musicians have taken the stage here, from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash (who met June Carter here), Hank Williams, Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline, and more. 

It’s especially known for its acoustics, so if you have a chance, definitely catch a performance here. At the least, you should book a self-guided tour to check out the auditorium, learn about its history, and admire the stained glass windows, which are absolutely stunning.

Johnny Cash Museum: This is another one of the city’s most popular museums, dedicated to Johnny Cash. The artifacts and memorabilia here tell the story of his life, from his humble roots, his time in the Air Force, his activism, and his love story with June Carter Cash.

I’m not a huge country music fan so I admittedly didn’t know a whole lot about Johnny Cash, but I came out with a newfound appreciation for him! I also liked that the museum was on the smaller side so it didn’t feel overwhelming (which the Country Music Hall of Fame can be), so you can really take your time to look at the artifacts and the accompanying information.

Goo Goo Cluster: You may be thinking…”a what?!” Honestly, I’d never heard of these things prior to visiting Nashville, but it’s one of the city’s most iconic treats. A Goo Goo Cluster is a tasty treat of nuts, caramel, nougat, and milk chocolate rounded into a delicious cluster. It was also apparently the first combination candy bar, which is pretty cool! 

You can find Goo Goo Clusters being sold all over the city, but since you’re downtown, I recommend visiting the flagship store. Here, you can buy all kinds of Goo Goo Clusters, which aside from the original, come in all sorts of varieties from peanut butter, pecans, and more. There’s also boozy milkshakes, wine pairings, and whiskey here!

For extra fun, you can even create your very own giant Goo Goo Cluster in a hands-on workshop, which also includes a tasting.

Printer’s Alley: This little historic alley gets its name because it once used to be the home of over 10 printers back in its heyday back in the early 1900s. It also housed over a dozen publishers, including The Tennessean and The Nashville Banner, two of the city’s largest newspapers. 

These days, Printer’s Alley is much different, and is now a nightlife hub. You’ll see it lined with many bars and clubs. It’s also known as the place that helped launch the careers of many well-known musicians, including Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, and the Supremes.

I really loved the combination of brick, vibrant neon signs, and the twinkling string lights that hang above the alley, and it’s definitely worth a quick walk through! 

Fifth + Broadway: You’ll probably have headed here for lunch, so take a walk around after lunch to check out this outdoor shopping center. If you happen to have more room in your stomach, there’s a number of eateries as well as a food hall to pick up more snacks. You’ll also find cool shops, and some cute photo ops here!

Boot shops: Given that Nashville is a country music and line dancing hub, especially in this part of town, there are tons of boot shops that line the street. Similar to my weekend in Austin, I loved popping into these shops, and seeing all of the boots, available in every kind of style and color imaginable! Definitely check out Boot Central, which is known for its buy 2 pairs, get 1 free deal – I wish I had room in my luggage to take advantage!

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

After spending your afternoon exploring more of Broadway, head over to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which spans over the Cumberland River and connects downtown Nashville to East Nashville.

Built in the early 1900s, the bridge spans over 3000 feet and is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. While the bridge itself is pretty cool looking, you’re really coming here for the views – it’s got some stunning views over the Nashville skyline and waterfront! 

I suggest timing your visit around sunset for the best views – it’s one of the city’s best sunset spots.

Dinner at Pinewood Social

Pinewood Social is one of Nashville’s most popular hangouts, and has a restaurant, bar, bowling alley, pool, and an outdoor patio with bocce ball, ping pong, putt putt, and cornhole. There’s a lot to do, and you can literally spend all day here – however, for the sake of this 2 day Nashville itinerary, I suggest at least having dinner here.

The menu is full of Southern inspired fare, like fried chicken, steak with brown butter bourbon sauce, and seared scallops with blue corn grits. In addition, there’s a fabulous drink menu featuring creative house cocktails.

If you have extra time after dinner and are in town with a group of friends, you can also rent a lane for a game of bowling. The bowling alley here is super photogenic, with the iconic teal neon sign with a scripty font that oozes retro vibes. 

It gets pretty busy here, especially on the weekends, so make sure you make a reservations!

Spend the night on the Honky Tonk Highway

A weekend in Nashville itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lower Broadway, aka Honky Tonk Highway. This stretch of Broadway is lined with honky tonk bars, with its bright neon lights and live music. 

It’s kinda a cross between Las Vegas and Bourbon Street in New Orleans (and also like Sixth Street in Austin), and you’ll see why Nashville is often referred to as Nashvegas. 

First of all, what exactly is a honky tonk? It’s basically a venue that combines 3 things: country music, drink, and dancing. 

Even if you don’t feel like it’s your scene, you’ve gotta experience it at least once! I know that this area of Nashville is known as the raging party area, inundated with woo-ing bachelorettes and bachelor parties. But it’s more than that – it’s such a big part of Nashville’s culture, and moreover, it’s all about the music here.

Seriously, though you’ve gotta experience it, even if only for a little bit! Even this late old, cranky, late 30s lady enjoyed getting just a little taste of the Honky Tonk Highway (although I was back in bed by midnight, thank you very much lol).

It’s so not my scene, but I loved hearing all the music! My favorite part was just being able to hear the music as you walk down the street. It almost even made me a country music fan? (*almost*)

There’s over 30 bars here, but my favorite was Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. When asking around which honky tonk I should go to, this was the one that came up the most. You’ll find a mix of the best local musicians as well as famous acts here, as well as an awesome view of the city.

Other recommended spots are the multi-level Honky Tonk Central, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, and Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa.

Pro tip: If you want to experience the honky tonks but not necessarily the madness (I get it), an option is to visit during the day. The bars start playing live music as early as 11 am, but they aren’t as crazy during the day as they are at night (and you’ll see fewer people throwing up in the streets).

DAY 2 (Neighborhoods + Murals)

On the second day of your two days in Nashville itinerary, we’ll get out into some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods – the Gulch and 12 South! These areas are known for its colorful murals, cool boutiques, and hip restaurants, and are fun to just wander around and see what you find. 

Then, we’ll end the day visiting one of the city’s best green spaces (which features a full-scale replica of the Parthenon), grabbing drinks + dinner at a Dolly Parton-themed rooftop, and experiencing some of the live music that Nashville is famous for.

Coffee at Barista Parlor

Time to kick off your second day in Nashville! Grab a cup of coffee at Barista Parlor, one of Nashville’s most iconic coffee shops. 

They have a number of locations all around the city, which all feature bright, airy interiors with wood details and a hipster vibe. 

You’ll find a selection of unique specialty drinks, like a bourbon vanilla latte, whiskey caramel latte, and carrot cake latte. Coffee purists can also find your standard espresso drinks, drip coffee, and pourovers. 

Sadly, the location with the cute blue, white, and red exterior closed recently, but the other shops are equally aesthetic! The location most convenient for this Nashville 2 day itinerary is the one inside the W Hotel in the Gulch.

Murals + Shopping in the Gulch

The Gulch is one of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its upscale boutiques and hip restaurants. It’s also known for its street art, and you’ll find some of the city’s most popular murals here.

It’s also home to the Frist Art Museum, a renowned art museum that’s actually housed in the historic U.S. Post Office building. The museum showcases a collection of rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new. There’s also a stunning Art Deco lobby here.

Spend the morning wandering around the Gulch and wandering the streets, checking out the shops, and taking photos of the murals. The main drag here is 11th Ave South, and you’ll find a lot of gems here. 

You can take a Street Art & Instagram Tour in a golf cart to take you to some of the best murals in the area. This makes an especially fun activity for a girls trip or bachelorette weekend!

Otherwise, here are some of the top murals to stop at:

• What Lifts You Wings by Kelsey Montague (302 11th Ave S): This is one of the most well-known murals in the entire city and exploded to fame when Taylor Swift posted a photo with one of Montague’s works. These wings encapsulate the spirit of the city, and if you look closely you’ll see motifs such as guitars and music notes, to symbolize the country music scene. There will likely be a line here (even during the week), but everyone is super patient and nice.

• Nashville Walls Project by Jason Woodside (299 11th Avenue S): This one is just down the street from the What Lifts You Wings, and is such a fun one! It’s got geometric shapes and bright colors, and is huge. There’s also another large-scale mural right beside it.
  
• Acoustic Skyline by Allison Johnson (915 Division St): This one is such a cool mural that captures the spirit of the city, with the city’s skyline jutting out from a striking white guitar. So cool!
  
• Candy Hearts at Finnleys (601 8th Ave S, Nashville): These adorable candy hearts are located in front of the Finnleys clothing store, each adorned with a different saying. It’s especially fun for bachelorette parties, as one of the hearts says “bach please,” but is fun for all occasions! Do note that it’s in a parking lot, so if there are cars parked, you’ll have to get creative with angles.

Looking for more murals + photo spots? Check out my guide to the 27 best Nashville Instagram spots!

Brunch at Biscuit Love

I mean…if you go to the South and don’t eat some biscuits smothered in gravy, then did you even really go to the South? And honestly, can you ever have too many biscuits?

One of the best places to get some biscuits and gravy in the city is Biscuit Love, which is also one of the most popular restaurants in the city. It’s a must on your Nashville 2 day itinerary, as the biscuits are sooo mouth-wateringly delicious here!

The thing to order here is the East Nasty sandwich, which has won awards. It’s got a crispy, juicy chicken thigh sandwiched between two perfectly buttery, flaky biscuits, covered in a rich sausage gravy. It’s SO good and you’ll want to lick your plate clean, trust me!

I also hear that the Bonuts (biscuit donuts) are amazing here, but it was just me here and I was way too full to try them, boo! If you get them, let me know how they are!

Wander around 12 South

After brunch, it’s time to walk off your biscuits while exploring the 12 South neighborhood. This is another one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods, and was my favorite that I visited on my weekend in Nashville!

You’ll find the streets lined with trendy boutiques, cute coffee shops and bakeries, fun restaurants, bars, and more, along with charming historic bungalows and leafy green spaces. And my favorite part – there’s tonsssss of colorful murals here (it’s home to some of the best Nashville Instagram spots)!

Here’s some of the highlights of 12 South:

• I Believe in Nashville mural (2702 12th Ave S): If you only make time to stop at one mural on your 2 day Nashville itinerary, make it this one! It’s one of the most iconic symbols in the city (so much that it graces postcards, T-shirts, shot glasses, and other souvenirs), and just captures those Nashville vibes so perfectly. Designed by local artist Adrian Sporiti in 2012, the emblem is meant to capture the city’s strength, resiliency, and ability to come together.
  
• Draper James (2608 12th Ave S): Located right across the alley from the I Believe in Nashville mural is the original location of Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s clothing boutique. You can go shopping for pretty feminine pieces that are inspired by classic Southern style; or you can just take some photos with the two murals here (the classic blue and white stripes, and a pretty floral mural).

• Five Daughters Bakery (1110 Caruthers Ave): The cutest little donut shop, with an adorable teal and pink facade, and a fun I <3 Donuts mural that make the perfect photo op. You absolutely must pick up one of their 100 layer donuts (sort of like a cronut), which was easily one of my favorite things that I ate in Nashville!

• Looking Pretty Music City mural (2705 12th Ave S): This cute mural is designed by Emily Eisenhart and Eastside Murals, and is another favorite in the city. It’s located on the side of the Madewell building and has bright, happy colors, with whimsy motifs. It’s pretty big though, so you’ll have to use a wide angle lens and/or get creative with angles.

• Floral mural (2900 12th Ave S): This one is located about a block away from the Looking Pretty Music City mural, and will make you feel like you’re frolicking in a field of wildflowers.

• Frothy Monkey Coffee (2511 12th Ave S): This is another one of Nashville’s most popular coffee shops, and there’s also a Nashville Looks Good on You mural, designed by local designer nash.TN. It’s hidden inside the parking lot, so be sure to look for it.
  
• Amelia’s Flower Truck: Check to see if you might be able to find this adorable flower truck in the neighborhood! It moves around every day, so check the schedule.

Centennial Park

After exploring the 12 South neighborhood, head over to Centennial Park, one of the city’s best green spaces. There are a number of walking paths and grassy areas if you want to lay out and soak in the sun, as well as a few memorials and monuments. 

However, most people come here to check out the full-size replica of the Parthenon, which was built in 1897 as part of Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition. It seems a bit random, but it’s actually quite impressive, and you’ll get a sense of what the Greek Parthenon must’ve looked like long ago.

If you have time, you can check out the art museum inside, which showcases 19th and 20th century American art.

Also, if you’re into murals, you’ll find Off the Wall nearby. This outdoor street gallery features around a dozen large-scale murals. The murals are huge and they’re located along a busy street, so they might be a bit difficult to photograph.

Dinner + Drinks at White Limozeen

Next, off to one of Nashville’s hottest rooftops! White Limozeen sits atop the Graduate Nashville hotel, and is a Dolly Parton-themed bar and restaurant. It’s such a fun spot, especially if you’re coming with a group of girlfriends!

This place is a *vibe*, and everything is super pink, bold, and over-the-top, much like Dolly Parton herself! Everything is super photogenic here, with velvet plush chairs, extravagant chandeliers, bold paintings, and hot pink pink chaises.

The patio has a pool area, with scalloped pink umbrellas, chicken-wire sculpture of Dolly, and some amazing views over the city. Sadly, the weather wasn’t great when I was up here, so I didn’t really get to check it out, but the pictures look SO fun!

I recommend at least coming for drinks, but you can have dinner here as well. I’m always wary of super Instagrammable places like this, but I actually enjoyed the food much more than I thought I would. I ordered the mussels, which came with a deliciously buttery and garlicky sauce, which I happily soaked up with fries.

The cocktails here are every bit as fun as the bar itself, and matches the feminine, pink vibe. I ordered the Another Day in Paradise, which was basically like a pina colada with passion fruit. Sadly, it’s no longer available, but there are lots of other yummy cocktails on the menu!

This is one of the trendiest places in the city, so be sure you make a reservation!

Experience Nashville’s live music scene

And lastly, to close out your Nashville 2 day itinerary, go see some of the live music that the city is known for! Nashville is nicknamed “Music City” after all, so it’s almost criminal to not experience some of its music scene.

There’s literally hundreds of music venues, theaters, clubs, and bars that you can head to, so you’ll find something for everyone! Here are a few recommended spots:

Grand Ole Opry: The Grand Ole Opry is a Nashville institution, and one of music’s most famous performance venues. Seeing a performance at the Grand Ole Opry is one of those must-do Nashville experiences! It’s also known for its one-hour radio “barn dance,” which is actually the longest-running radio show in history.

They put on performances 3 times a week, so if you’re in town on one of those days, definitely go! You’ll find a variety of acts gracing the stage, from country music legends to up-and-coming performers. Sadly, there wasn’t anything going on while I was in town, so I didn’t get to go, but almost everyone who has been says it’s a can’t-miss experience.

If you want to learn more about the legendary venue, you can also do a backstage tour. 

Ryman Auditorium: As I mentioned earlier in this two days in Nashville itinerary, the Ryman Auditorium is another one of the city’s iconic venues. In addition to tours, they hold live performances here, so be sure to check out the show calendar to see if there’s anything going on during your visit.

Bluebird Cafe: If singer-songwriters are more of your thing, then check out the Bluebird Cafe. On any given night, there are at least 3-4 up-and-coming singer-songwriters who take the stage here, playing their songs and accompanying each other with harmonies and instrumentals.

The Bluebird Cafe’s claim to fame is that this is where Taylor Swift was discovered here, as well as Garth Brooks and Faith Hill. So, you never know, maybe you’ll see the next big act here!

Logistics for Planning Your 2 Day Nashville Itinerary

When to Visit Nashville

The ideal times to visit Nashville are during April and October, when the city sees warm weather, perfect for being outside. 

Summers (June-early September) are the most popular time to visit, so expect to see crowds. This is also when the city puts on its most popular festivals and events, like the CMA Fest, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and even the Hot Chicken Festival. If you’re here during these events, expect to see higher accommodation prices and extra crowds.

Another thing to note about summers in Nashville is that they’re quite hot and humid, with highs in the 90s to be expected in July and August. 

If you’re looking to escape the crowds while still enjoying nice weather, shoulder season (April-May and late September-early November) is a better time to visit. However, do note that the spring months are the city’s rainiest – I visited in May and encountered a fair bit of rain. Don’t worry though, there’s still plenty of fun things to do while it’s raining!

Winters are the least popular time to visit (late November-early March). You’ll see the fewest crowds and lowest prices during the winter months, however, do note that the weather can be unpredictable.

Temperatures range from the 20s to the low 60s, with January being the coldest month. Lows can be below freezing at night, so if you’re visiting in the winter, definitely bundle up!

Getting to Nashville

Nashville is the capital of Tennessee, located in the northern part of the state.

Did you know that 40% of the US population lives within 600 miles of Nashville? This means that Nashville is super easy to get to for many people, making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway!

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy for those of us on the West Coast (which is outside of the 600 mile radius). Airfare tends to be more expensive (with fewer direct flights), but you can still find some deals. I paid around $350 round trip (with a layover), which wasn’t bad at all for a flight booked less than 2 weeks in advance.

Flying to Nashville

You’ll fly into Nashville International Airport (BNA), located about 7 miles southeast of downtown Nashville. The airport serves 15 million passengers a year, and offers connections to many cities in the US and a few internationally.

From BNA, I hopped in an Uber, and it was an easy 20 minute ride downtown. The trip should cost ~$20, but can cost significantly more if there’s traffic and/or demand. To use Uber/Lyft, head over to Level 1 of the Ground Transportation Center, and look for the “Ride App Pickup” signs where you can meet your ride.

If rideshares are too expensive, you can also take a taxi, which has a flat $25 fare to and from downtown Nashville (and the Opryland Resort). 

Otherwise, the cheapest way to get into the city center is by catching the WeGo Public Transit bus, operated by the Nashville MTA. The fare is only $2, and buses run every hour. If you hop on the express Route #18, it only takes about 20 minutes (if there’s no traffic).

Other Ways to Get to Nashville

Driving: Nashville is connected by 3 interstate highways, so it’s easy to drive if you’re coming from nearby destinations in the South and Midwest. I-65 connects Nashville to Louisville in the north (175 miles), and Birmingham in the south (200 miles). I-40 connects Nashville to Memphis (215 miles) in the west, and east to Knoxville (180 miles), Asheville (300 miles), Little Rock (350 miles), and Oklahoma City (650 miles). There’s also I-24, which goes to St. Louis (310 miles), and Atlanta (250 miles). 

Trains and buses: You can connect to other cities in Tennessee and in the South via Amtrak rail, Greyhound buses, or Megabus.

Getting Around in Nashville

Walking: While Nashville is pretty spread out, it’s pretty walkable within the neighborhoods themselves, and especially downtown. I tried to walk as much as possible during my Nashville 2 day itinerary, and I definitely got those steps in!

Ride Shares: To travel in between destinations that are too far for walking, you can take ride shares around the city. Uber and Lyft both operate in Nashville, and I found cars to be pretty easy to find. 

I didn’t find fares to be too bad, and most of my rides were $10 or less. Of course, this depends on timing and demand, so it may be more expensive during busier times. Sometimes, waiting just 10 minutes will save you quite a bit of cash, so if things look super pricey, wait and check again!

Driving: Some people say that renting a car is a must in Nashville, but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. I got around mostly on foot, and then Ubering to where I couldn’t walk and it worked out perfectly fine! Honestly, hotel parking can get pretty expensive, running $40-60 a night, so I don’t think it’s worth it.

If you do decide to rent a car, I recommend booking on rentalcars.com, which allows you to compare prices from the top car rental companies and offers a price match guarantee.

Public Transit: Nashville has a pretty well-connected bus system by WeGo Public Transit, which runs 46 bus lines that will take you around to all the tourist spots. There’s even a Music City Circuit line, which takes you around downtown for free!

Otherwise, it’s $1.70 per ride, or you can purchase an unlimited all-day pass for $4. You might also consider getting a WeGo QuickTicket or downloading their app for maximum convenience.

Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley: This is a fantastic way to get around the city and see all its main sights, especially if you’ve only got limited time. The full route takes 90 minutes, and you can get off or on at one of the 14 stops at some of Nashville’s top attractions. In addition, there’s audio commentary about what you’re seeing, and the city’s history!

Have you ever been to Nashville? What would you do in a weekend in Nashville?

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