Things to Do in Nashville
Welcome to Nashville! This is a selective guide of places to eat and things to do and see in downtown Nashville and nearby. For further recommendations, consult Nashville Downtown, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, or the Nashville Scene. Map items from this list at Google Maps.
The Music City Circuit offers free bus transportation around downtown. The conference hotel is closest to the blue circuit, which operates 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Outdoors
- Metro Historical Commission self-guided walking tours (pdf)
- Centennial Park - Nashville's premier, 132-acre park with one-mile walking trail
- The Parthenon - Replica of the Athenian Parthenon built for the 1897 Centennial Exposition
- Nashville B-cycle bicycle rental - 24 hour pass for $5, station close to the hotel
- Bike map of downtown Nashville (pdf)
Arts & Entertainment
- Frist Center for the Visual Arts - Non-profit museum highlights visual art from local, state and regional artists and hosts major exhibitions
- Country Music Hall of Fame - Museum dedicated to identifying and preserving the history and traditions of country music
- Tennessee State Museum - Museum featuring Tennessee art, history and culture
- Ryman Auditorium - Notable performance venue first opened in 1892
- Music City Walk of Fame - Landmark tribute to those who have significantly contributed to the music industry in Music City
Nightlife
- The Station Inn
- Oak Bar at the Hermitage Hotel
- Lower Broadway - honky tonks (Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Robert's Western World, The Stage, and more)
- Big River Grille & Brewing Works
- Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Shopping & Books
- Nashville Public Library
- Tennessee State Library and Archives
- Ernest Tubb Record Shop - Country and bluegrass recordings, books and memorabilia. Founded by Grand Ole Opry star Ernest Tubb.
- The Turnip Truck Urban Fare - Locally owned natural food store.
- More downtown shopping suggestions at Nashville Downtown
Special Weekend Events
- 2013 TN Association of Craft Artists Craft Fair - Fri and Sat 10 am to 6 pm, Sun 10 am to 5 pm, at Centennial Park
- First Saturday Art Crawl - Art gallery receptions and art openings, Sat 6 pm to 9 pm
Dining
We suggest checking with the restaurant about reservations. Overwhelmed by Nashville's dining options? Get help at Urbanspoon or Nashville Scene.
Reasonable walking distance from conference hotel
- Capitol Grille (Hermitage Hotel) Southern cuisine
- Koto Sushi Bar Japanese cuisine and Sushi bar
- 417 Union American fare with emphasis on southern traditions
- Demos' Restaurant American cuisine and family dining
- Jack's Bar-B-Que Barbecue and southern cuisine
- Ichiban Japanese Cuisine Japanese cuisine and Sushi bar
- Old Spaghetti Factory Italian cuisine and family dining
Taxi or car suggested - local planning committee favorites
- Urban Flats Stoneoven & Bar Contemporary American
- Suzy Wong's House of Yum Asian fusion
- Gabby's Burgers and Fries Burgers (dinner service only available on Fridays)
- The Wild Cow Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare
- Germantown Cafe Contemporary American
- Caffe Nonna Italian cuisine
- Monell's Restaurant Southern food, served family style (communal dining)
- F. Scott's Contemporary American; Jazz bar with separate menu
