Disclosure: Hotels.com asked us to share our travel experiences in Nashville, while all opinions remain our own.
Nashville is best known as the birthplace of Country music. With that in mind you will have a blast during your two days in Nashville, exploring the city and walking through neon lights and enjoying endless good music. Although Country Music is an important part of Nashville, this vibrant city has so much more to offer to its visitors.
While two days in Nashville is not near enough time to fully explore the city it is the right amount of time to see the highlights and enjoy Nashville’s musical culture. In this 2 days in Nashville itinerary we include the best things to do in Nashville including museums, city markets and historic sites.
Where to stay in Nashville
Most people chose to stay at a hotel in the heart of downtown Nashville as it is a walkable downtown and the majority of the things to do in Nashville are located there. We always recommend to book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.
Day 1 in Nashville: Exploring downtown and visiting the museums
Country Music Hall of Fame
Start of your first day in Nashville by learning a little bit more about Country Music and its main icons. There is no better place to do that than at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Here you will journey back through Country Music history and the importance of the genre to Nashville.
Other museums that are of great interest in Nashville are the Johnny Cash Museum, where you can witness some of the largest collection of memorabilia of Johnny Cash, the Patsy Cline Museum and the George Jones museum.
The Music City Walk of Fame Park
After visiting the museums and having a better knowledge of the country music stars, head over to the Music City Walk of Fame Park, where you will find plaques honoring some of the biggest names in the Music Industry in Nashville.
Ryman Auditorium
Finish your day at what was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. If your timing is right you can enjoy a live concert at the auditorium, otherwise you can take a guided or self guided backstage tour. The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most important buildings in the Music City and without a doubt one of the best things to do in Nashville.
Day 2 in Nashville:
On your second day in Nashville we have added some of the best things to do in the city, beyond its music with some tips on how best to spend your weekend in Nashville.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Start by taking a morning stroll crossing over the Cumberland River on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge all while getting fantastic views of downtown Nashville skyline.
Tennessee State Capitol
The majestic Tennessee State Capitol building was completed in 1859 and can be visited by taking a guided tour during the weekday. The Tennessee State Capital is home to the Governor’s office and the General Assembly of Tennessee. Although the tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM leaving hourly, it is still a beautiful building to stop by on the weekend.
On your way down from the Tennessee State Capitol you can stop for early lunch or late breakfast at the Nashville Farmers’ Market.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
If you are looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy a warm afternoon, one of the best spots is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Throughout the green park there are plaques with a quick history of Tennessee along with different gardens representing some of the ecosystems found around the state. At the northern end of the park is the 95-bell Bicentennial Carillon which plays a section of the Tennessee Waltz every 15 minutes and the full tune on the hour.
Parthenon
Finish your day taking a quick trip to Greece! Outside the downtown are you will a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens. The Parthenon was originally built as part of the city’s centennial celebration. Due to its popularity, this permanent replica was constructed along with a full-size replica of the 42 foot Athena Parthenos statue.
Disclosure: Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic some attractions maybe closed or limited at this time. Make sure to consult local authorities about current restrictions and guidelines. Please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you do decide to travel at this time, please wear a face mask, wash your hands regularly and bring hand sanitizer with you.