9 Cool Things to Do in Nashville Right Now

Nashville is bursting with talent: Visit the FirstBank First Saturday Art Crawl downtown, the East Side Stumble, and Arts & Music at Wedgewood-Houston. The Jefferson Street Art Crawl highlights the heart of historically black North Nashville where Jimi Hendrix played blues clubs before construction of I-40 displaced residents and forced businesses to close.

Much has been made of Nashville’s honky-tonks and hallowed music halls like the Ryman Auditorium. (And if you have the chance to see any show at the Ryman, go!) But in recent years, the area has amped up its outdoor venues, providing opportunities to soak up the songs amid the city’s natural beauty. Musicians Corner hosts concerts featuring local artists in Centennial Park, for example. At Ascend Amphitheater, guests can spread blankets on the lawn beside the Cumberland River and sit before a stage backlit by the skyline.

Sure, you can start at the Country Music Hall of Fame, but we’d really prefer to pay our respects and learn a little more about beloved country crooner, Johnny Cash. The Johnny Cash Museum and Café feels less overwhelming than the Hall of Fame, and you’ll get to see the largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. johnnycashmuseum.com

And he or she might not even know it yet. The Bluebird Café has long been the ultimate stop for singers destined to become country stars, but if you want a place a little less touristy, try out The Listening Room Café in the SoBro district. listeningroomcafe.com

Give your taste buds a Tennessee whiskey experience. While we all know Jack Daniels, you can find a distillery a little closer to home base, right in Nashville. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery touts just as much history and offers tours and samples daily. greenbrierdistillery.com

Because Nashville boasts more than just country music and too-cool art districts. We’re thinking the former home of President Andrew Jackson holds a whole lot of history. It’s definitely a looker. thehermitage.com

Fun fact: One of our Southern Living Hotel Collection locations can be found in the heart of downtown Nashville, and it’s named The Hermitage Hotel. thehermitagehotel.com

The local boutique scene has been thriving and growing due in part to the Nashville Fashion Alliance (NFA). With the NFA as your guide, visit designer shops like Black by Maria Silver (who moonlights as a drummer) in East Nashville’s The Idea Hatchery, a collection of tiny stores with lower rents to help incubate new businesses. 

Or check out shops like Emil Erwin for luxury leather goods you won’t find at the mall back home. emilerwin.com

Make sure to hit Otis James for caps and neckties along Buchanan Street. Its products make the Southern gentleman stand out in the crowd. otisjames.com