Visit Nashville, TN: How to Explore, Eat, and Stay Like a Local

Booking a trip to Nashville, TN? This guide has everything you need, whether you’re planning a long weekend getaway or looking for a new place to live. Here, you can discover the best of Nashville, including insider tips on where to stay, must-visit restaurants, the best things to do and all that Nashville has to offer.

Arriving & Getting Around Nashville

Situated in the heart of Middle Tennessee, Nashville is easily accessible via major interstates and a rapidly expanding international airport.

• Nearest Airport: If you are flying, you’ll arrive at Nashville International Airport (BNA), located about 10 to 15 minutes east of downtown via I-40. BNA has undergone massive expansions, offering nonstop flights to major domestic hubs and several international destinations.
• Major Highways: Driving to Nashville is straightforward. The city serves as a major crossroads for three interstates: I-40 (running east-west), I-65 (running north-south) and I-24 (running northwest-southeast). Briley Parkway (TN-155) and I-440 form convenient loops around the downtown area.
• Ride Services & Transit: Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the metro area. While WeGo Public Transit operates bus routes and the WeGo Star commuter rail line, Nashville is predominantly a car-centric city. Renting a vehicle or using rideshares is recommended for getting around town quickly.
• Commute Test: Considering a move? The average Nashville commute time is roughly 25 minutes; however, during peak hours, that travel time can increase significantly. Rent a car and practice your expected daily commute. Pay attention to where traffic tends to back up – especially around the I-24/I-40 split, the I-440 loop and the river crossings heading into Downtown. Getting a realistic feel for traffic will help you narrow down which side of town suits your daily routine.

Where to Stay: Hotels vs. Living Like a Local

Where you stay in Nashville will shape your entire experience. Whether you want the resort-style amenities of a hotel or to fully immerse yourself in a neighborhood, Nashville offers a wide variety of comfortable places to stay.

Stay Like a Local: Airbnb & VRBO

If you are considering a move and planning a trip around a potential relocation, we highly recommend skipping the high-rise downtown hotels and opting for a short-term rental. Staying in a residential area lets you live like a local and gives a true feel for the neighborhood’s vibe, morning commute and how close you are to the nearest parks, grocery stores and nearby amenities.

• For Walkability & Urban Charm: Look for rentals in East Nashville (specifically near Five Points or Lockeland Springs) or 12 South. You’ll be within walking distance of local coffee shops, boutiques and neighborhood parks.
• For a Historic & Accessible Vibe: Search in Germantown, where cobblestone-style streets lead to historic brick homes and some of the city’s best dining, or Sylvan Park, known for its tree-lined streets, ample outdoor spaces and super-friendly residential atmosphere.
• For a Suburban, Family-Friendly Experience: Consider stays in Bellevue, Green Hills, Donelson or nearby satellite cities like Franklin or Brentwood to see what living just outside the urban core feels like.

Check out our guide to the Best Nashville Neighborhoods to find the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle before booking your stay.

Best Hotels & Modern Convenience

If you prefer full-service amenities and walkable access to attractions, hotels in Nashville are a convenient option for visitors ready to explore the city. You’ll find plenty of welcoming options for couples, families and even those traveling with pets.

• For Downtown & Lower Broadway Access: Iconic choices like The Hermitage Hotel (historic luxury), 1 Hotel Nashville or Grand Hyatt Nashville put you steps from Broadway, the Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena.
• For a Trendy, Convenient Stay: The Joseph or JW Marriott in SoBro offer proximity to nightlife and dining without being directly in the middle of Broadway’s chaos.
• For a Neighborhood-Centric Stay: Want to escape the neon lights of Broadway without giving up convenience? Try Gulch favorites, the W Nashville or The Thompson, or boutique stays like Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Midtown/Vanderbilt.
• For Something Outside the Box: At The Russell in East, you can stay in a converted church. Or, after a night at the Dolly Parton-themed rooftop, rest your head in one of the pastel rooms at The Graduate. Or, take the kids and explore SoundWaves waterpark, nightly light shows inside the atrium and admire more than 50,000 tropical plants at Gaylord Opryland Resort.
• For Airport & East Side Access: Hotels near the BNA corridor along Donelson Pike offer modern convenience and fast interstate connections if you’re keeping on the move. Early flight? No worries. Stay at Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal, which is directly connected to the airport.

Best Time to Visit Nashville

With its four distinct seasons and jam-packed calendar of things to do, there is never a bad time to visit Nashville! Visitors most heavily flock to town from late spring to early fall, with June through August being the peak.

• Spring (March – May): Warm temperatures, blooming dogwoods and lower humidity make spring peak season for outdoor activities. Catch a show at Tin Pan South (the world’s largest songwriters festival!), participate in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville or place your bets at Iroquois Steeplechase.
• Summer (June – August): Expect hot, humid days with temperatures frequently reaching the upper 80s and 90s. Summer is packed with outdoor concerts, rooftop season and major events like CMA Fest in June and Tomato Art Festival in August. In town for the Fourth of July? Celebrate at Let Freedom Ring, one of the country’s largest free fireworks shows.
• Fall (September – November): Widely considered the sweet spot by locals, fall in Nashville can’t be missed. Mild days, crisp evenings and fall foliage along the Natchez Trace Parkway make fall ideal for hiking, festivals and football games. Pay a visit to the pumpkin houses at Cheekwood Harvest or brush elbows with your favorite author at the Southern Festival of Books.
• Winter (December – February): Winters are generally mild with occasional snow and plenty of rain. It is the quietest time for tourism, offering lower hotel rates, easier restaurant reservations and festive events like holiday lights at Cheekwood, the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival at Zoolumination or ring in the new year at Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.

Things to Do: Nashville Highlights

You won’t have to look far for something to do when visiting Nashville. Beyond the neon lights of Broadway, Nashville is rich with culture and history, and plenty of green spaces to explore. If you only have a weekend to explore, here are a few must-dos to get you started:

• Explore Music History: Step into the “Mother Church of Country Music” at the Ryman Auditorium, tour the historic RCA Studio B in Music Row or explore interactive exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Traveling with a Swiftie? Don’t miss the Taylor Swift Education Center.
• Get Outdoors: Located on the city’s southwest side, Warner Parks cover over 3,100 acres of forest, hiking trails, paved scenic drives and equestrian paths. It is the gold standard for outdoor recreation in Nashville. Test your endurance up the steep incline of 179 steps at Percy Warner Park. Or, explore the serenity and abundant wildlife at Radnor Lake State Park.
• Visit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens: A 55-acre botanical garden and art museum housed in a historic Georgian mansion, offering seasonal floral displays, outdoor sculpture trails and family programming.
• Discover Local Arts & Culture: Walk through The Parthenon in Centennial Park – a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece, that houses a 42-foot statue of Athena – or spend an afternoon exploring art galleries inside the Frist Art Museum or at the Carl Van Vechten Gallery.
• Experience Live Music Beyond Broadway: There are too many must-visit musical spots to mention – Nashville is called Music City after all! Catch a writers’ round at The Bluebird Cafe (no phones allowed!), see a show at the iconic Exit/In in Midtown or grab a drink while listening to live jazz or bluegrass at The Station Inn in The Gulch.

Want to plan the perfect itinerary? From must-do outdoor adventures to can’t-miss festivals and hidden gems, you’ll find it all in our Things to Do in Nashville Bucket List.

Where to Eat & Drink: A Taste of Nashville

Nashville’s food scene is centered around the city’s reputation as a culinary destination, blending traditional Southern comforts with global, chef-driven concepts. Whether you’re planning a night out downtown, visiting a beloved neighborhood spot or looking for a quick bite between your adventures, there is no shortage of delicious dining spots.

• Local Legends: You can’t visit without trying Nashville Hot Chicken. Head to Prince’s Hot Chicken (the originator) or Hattie B’s Hot Chicken for classic, fiery fried chicken. Enjoy refined Southern cooking at Husk, seasonal farm-to-table menus at Rolf and Daughters, a world-famous biscuit from The Loveless Cafe or the classic meat-and-three comforts from Arnold’s Country Kitchen.
• Coffee & Craft Brews: Start your neighborhood scouting trip with a visit to Barista Parlor (multiple locations), Crema Coffee Roasters or Frothy Monkey. Explore local taps at Bearded Iris Brewing (famous for IPAs), Jackalope Brewing Company or Fat Bottom Brewing.
• Convenient Mainstays: Grab tacos and a beer at Baja Burrito, try the Asian flavors at International Market or Indian delicacies from Chauhan Ale & Masala House. Head east for Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden or grab a slice at any of Five Points Pizza’s three locations around town. On a budget? Don’t miss the Recession Special at Robert’s Western World. And if you’re traveling with a group who can’t decide, try your luck at Assembly Food Hall or Hunters Station.

Hungry for more? Explore our guide to the Best Restaurants in Nashville to plan your own tour de cuisine.

Thinking of Turning Your Visit into a Move?

After just a few days in Nashville, it’s hard to want to leave. There are tons of things to do, great places to eat and a whole host of unique neighborhoods to choose from. If you find yourself wondering what it would be like to live here full-time, you’re not alone! Use these tips to structure your investigation to get the most out of your visit to Nashville.

• Commute Test: Drive I-40, I-65 or I-24 during peak hours to test your daily route. You’ll get a realistic sense of traffic patterns and see how your drive compares to Nashville’s 25-minute average commute.
• Grocery Store Test: Nashville benefits from a wide range of grocery stores and markets. Shop at any Kroger, Publix Super Market or Trader Joe’s around town to gauge local convenience and pricing. Or, visit one of the locally-owned, neighborhood markets like the Turnip Truck, the Produce Place, Silo Market or Sperry’s Mercantile. For local produce, check out any one of the more than dozen year-round and seasonal farmers markets, including the daily Nashville Farmers’ Market downtown, weekly offerings of Richland Park Farmers’ Market in Sylvan Park and seasonal selections of the East Nashville Farmers Market and 12 South Farmers Market.
• Explore Surrounding Suburbs: Nashville is a major metro with plenty of great surrounding suburbs. Drive 20–30 minutes outside the city center to check out neighboring communities. Explore historic downtown Franklin, fast-growing Murfreesboro or family-friendly Mt. Juliet and Hendersonville to compare home styles, school districts and pace of life.
• Neighborhood Vibes Check: Explore a few different neighborhoods to compare lifestyles and atmosphere. Walk through East Nashville to experience a creative community full of indie coffee shops, vintage boutiques and historic homes. Head to The Gulch for upscale high-rises and trendy nightlife, drive through Sylvan Park for a close-knit community with tree-lined streets and greenway access, or check out Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo) for a creative, industrial area packed with new restaurants, art galleries and local breweries.

Don’t just take our word for it. Nashville is a booming city with a variety of neighborhoods that fit a range of life stages and commutes. Check out the Nashville real estate summary for an overview of the most popular neighborhoods in Nashville

Best Nashville Neighborhoods