If you’re a fan of live music like I am, Nashville is one of the top US cities to get your fix. Your Nashville travel will not be complete until you can see you’ve seen a show at one of the many honky-tonks along Broadway or in one of the famous venues like the Ryman Auditorium.
Not only should your Nashville travel include world-class live music, but also world-class food. Within the last 10 years, Nashville has made a name for itself as a foodie city. One could even argue that the food scene alone is worth making a Nashville trip. With that said, let’s dive into one of my favorite cities in the southeast to visit.
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Best Credit Cards to Use in Nashville
Image Credit: Citi
Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier Card are cards on my shortlist to take with you on your Nashville travel. These cards are ideal to use for a variety of bonus categories.
You earn 4x points at restaurants and US grocery stores with the Amex Gold Card. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on dining and travel. With the Citi Premier, you earn 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels.
What is the best month to visit Nashville?
April and October are ideal months to visit Nashville. The average highs are 71-72 and average lows 47-49. In addition, you have a lower percentage chance of rainfall compared to the rainier months of May, November, and December. These averages are based upon US Climate Data.
Even if April and October do not work out for you, the summers and winters are relatively mild. So, both indoor and outdoor activities are on the table for your Nashville trip.
How to Fly to Nashville
All of the major US airlines as well as Air Canada and British Airways fly to Nashville (BNA) from its hubs. Nashville’s airport code BNA is derived from Berry Field Nashville.
You can fly nonstop to Nashville from cities across US, Canada, and Europe. Alaska Airlines flies nonstop to Seattle. American Airlines flies nonstop to Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Chicago–O’Hare, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Washington–National. Delta Air Lines flies nonstop to Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma, Boston, New York–LaGuardia, Raleigh/Durham. JetBlue flies nonstop to Boston, Cancún, Fort Lauderdale, New York–JFK. Southwest flies nonstop to major cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–LaGuardia, and Washington–National. United Airlines flies nonstop to Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington–Dulles.
Where to Stay When Visiting Nashville?
Downtown Nashville is where the action is so finding a hotel in this area is key. Separately, hotels near Vanderbilt are also a prime location. With Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG, you have several fun hotel options that you can book with points.
Holston House Nashville and Thompson Nashville are the two Hyatt properties to consider booking. Marriott properties to check out are Noelle Nashville, Union Station Hotel Nashville, JW Marriott Nashville, and The Joseph. Hotel Indigo Nashville, and Kimpton Aertson Hotel.
What is there to do in Nashville in 3 days?
Three days in Nashville is plenty of time. However, if you’re looking to add day trips from Nashville, giving yourself more than three days will ensure you’re not rushed. With that said, here’s what to do in Nashville in three days:
Day 1
Grab a coffee at one of the coffee shops in Where To Get Coffee in Nashville. CREMA is likely the most convenient if you’re staying at the hotels mentioned above. Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ryman Auditorium, and The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe the morning of your first day.
38 Standout Dining Destinations in Nashville has a host of lunch options for you to choose from. Butcher & Bee is one of my personal favorites and it has solid outdoor seating.
Head over to East Nashville for a walk around the neighborhoods and shops. Shelby Bottoms Greenway gets my vote for something to check out on my next visit.
Day 2
Pick out a coffee spot from Where To Get Coffee in Nashville and then walk off your breakfast en route to Centennial Park. Once there, see The Parthenon before grabbing lunch at one of the highly-rated Tennessee BBQ establishments in the list above. After lunch, grab an Uber/Lyft out to Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery for the second half of the day.
When you’ve made it back to the hotel from Belle Meade and recharged, find your choice of live music at a venue on Broadway or at a historic venue like the Ryman Auditorium.
Day 3
Where To Get Coffee in Nashville is where you start day three. At this point, you may be running on fumes so treat yourself to a high-octane coffee. Leisurely explore downtown Nashville on foot before indulging in what Nashville is known for in hot chicken. Where to Eat Nashville Hot Chicken in its Hometown is going to make sure you don’t miss out on this deliciousness.
If you visit in the fall and on the weekend, you can either call it day and head to the airport or catch a Tennesse Titans’ game. Either way, you’ve soaked in what this to city has to offer.
Are there day trips from Nashville?
3 Best Day Trips from Nashville and The 8 best day trips from Nashville are excellent resources showing you day trips from Nashville.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center, Tims Ford State Park, Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., Lynchburg Winery, Rock Island State Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, Chattanooga, and Memphis are some of the top sights on my list.
Common Nashville Travel Questions
Is Nashville worth visiting?
If you’re a fan of live music, good food, history, and the outdoors, Nashville is worth visiting.
What should you not miss in Nashville?
Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, and Ryman Auditorium are places to visit on your first trip to Nashville.
Conclusion on Nashville Travel
Before you get to Nashville, make sure you bring credit cards with high rates on food and drinks as you’ll likely be doing a lot of both. When you commit to making the trip, April and October are generally the best months to visit. Nashville airport is served with nonstop flights from across the US so you’ll have no problem getting there. Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG each have points hotels to consider booking. All in all, three days in Nashville gives you a flavor for what it’d be like to live there as a local.
What do you think of this Nashville travel guide? What other US cities do you recommend visiting? Please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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