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Exploring a new city is all about discovering its unique pulse and character, especially if you go off the beaten path. Choosing non-touristy things to do in Nashville gives you a truer sense of the city’s authentic charm and warmth.
As a professional travel writer with over 10 years of experience, I’ve explored incredible destinations across the United States. My mission is to help people plan unforgettable vacations, complete with detailed itineraries experiencing the best each location has to offer.
Want to make things easy? Purchase my Nashville Weekend Itinerary Guide and have everything you need for a fantastic vacation at your fingertips!
Having toured Nashville multiple times, I’ve developed a keen eye for finding those special places that often fly under the radar. I’m always on the lookout for exciting, new ways to experience iconic destinations like Nashville—be it a hidden speakeasy, a gorgeous waterfall, a cool hands-on activity, or a quirky museum.
While I’m definitely a fan of Nashville’s classic attractions, there’s so much more to discover in the city and its surrounding area. Read on for the top lesser-known things to do in Nashville, perfect for a second trip to the city or if you’ve just moved there and are ready to explore your new home.
My Top 3 Picks
1. See a burlesque show. When you visit Nashville, you expect to see a country music performance. But a sultry burlesque show? That’s next-level. Most tourists miss seeing this outstanding performance at Skull’s Rainbow Room.
2. Go winetasting in the country. Getting a little outside the city is a great way to experience what the surrounding region has to offer. I’m especially partial to winetasting, which is always a fun and relaxing activity, especially when you do it by the river at Wines in the Fork.
3. Kayak through downtown. A great, non-touristy activity is kayaking down the calm Cumberland River that runs through Nashville. A shuttle picks you up in the downtown area and takes you upstream. From there you launch in the water for a one-hour paddle on your own.
Non Touristy Things To Do In Nashville
These non-touristy suggestions will show you a side of Nashville that most visitors miss. If you’re also interested in the classic sights, check out my first-timers guide to Nashville.
Now let’s dive into Nashville’s lesser-known wonders and discover why exploring beyond the usual routes can make your trip even more special!
1. Learn to line dance
To really fit in in Nashville, you should probably learn to line dance. Take a class for beginners and finally nail those steps. It’s one hour of instruction and after the class, you get a video of your class session to review whenever you need a refresher. Then you can take those skills to Broadway Street (aka Honkytonk Highway) and show them off in the bars.
✅Check availability and book your dance lesson by clicking here!
2. Eat more than biscuits
Biscuits are a quintessential Southern food. If you’re not from the region, then you’ll probably want to down a few buttery biscuits. But don’t stop there—branch out and try some of Nashville’s best but affordable eats.
Two of my favorite places are in the 12 South neighborhood (more on that below). Eat killer shrimp tacos at Bartaco, a coastal Mexican joint where they squeeze fresh lime juice for the margaritas (try the mezcal one!). Then have dessert at Five Daughters Bakery, famous for 100-layer doughnuts that are just as delicious as they are beautiful.
3. Write and record your own song
Nashville is the capital of country music and aspiring songwriters and musicians can be found everywhere. Could you be one of them?
Write and record your song with a professional songwriter during a private, three-hour session in her home studio. Your song will be sung (by you or the songwriter) to acoustic guitar or piano. Go home with an mp3 recording of your song—now that’s a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
✅Check availability and reserve your songwriting session by clicking here!
4. Shop the farmer’s market
Speaking of souvenirs, the downtown Nashville Farmer’s Market is a great place to pick up local goods. Stroll through the covered farm sheds loaded with produce, flowers, and everything from teas and moonshine to candles, pottery, and local art.
When my group visited, we purchased some flavored whiskeys and then hit up the market’s indoor food hall for lunch and funky-flavored scoops at Jeni’s Ice Cream.
5. Go see Graceland
From Nashville, it’s easy to do a day trip to Memphis like I did with my extended family. It was a bucket-list experience for the Elvis Presley fans in our group to see his famous estate. But every person enjoyed learning about Elvis’ eccentricities and seeing where he spent his downtime.
My favorite things were seeing his stage costumes in the “Dressed-to-Rock” exhibit and boarding his private jets. If you don’t have a car, take this guided Nashville-to-Memphis tour to see Graceland and other Memphis sights in one day.
✅Check availability and book your Memphis tour by clicking here!
6. Jam at the Gibson Garage
The Gibson Garage in The Gulch neighborhood of Nashville is a mecca for guitarists. My husband is a huge fan of Gibson guitars and paying a visit to their flagship store was a must.
Check out the original Gibson guitars from the 1800s on display, drool over the latest beauties going by on the conveyor belt, and try out any guitar (you just have to ask to get it unlocked).
7. Relive the “Dukes of Hazard”
Luke, Bo, Daisy and their fast cars and comedic action made the “Dukes of Hazard” one of the most popular TV shows to watch back in the 70s and 80s. If you’re like me and grew up watching the show, a visit to Cooter’s Place will bring you back to the good old days.
It’s a free museum owned by Ben Jones (the actor who played Cooter the mechanic) where you can see set props and show memorabilia and pose for pictures with stunt cars.
8. Visit a goat farm
Noble Springs Dairy is more than a goat farm churning out delicious cheeses and goat milk soap. It’s the place you go for the smile-inducing, stress-relieving opportunity to cuddle baby goats. You can do this throughout spring and summer—check their website for dates.
Even better? Go visit the farm when they have one of their quirky “Goats and Guitars” events. You can listen to live music, pet the goats, and enjoy a cheese board. Located in scenic, small-town Franklin, the farm is just a 30-minute drive from Nashville.
9. Check out the most unusual cars
Get an eyeful of beautiful and unusual vehicles at the Lane Motor Museum. It has the largest collection of European cars in the U.S., from the early 1900s to today.
Check out tiny microcars, one-of-a-kind custom cars, motorcycles, and more. Though you’re not allowed to touch the vehicles, there are no ropes or gates up so you can get up close. It’s a car lover’s dream!
10. Shop in the 12 South neighborhood
My absolute favorite place to go off-the-beaten-path in Nashville is the 12 South neighborhood.
It’s a small community that just feels like home to me with a leafy green park and a main street dotted with trendy boutiques and eateries. It’s perfect for a leisurely day out, especially if you enjoy shopping.
Stroll down 12 South Avenue and be sure to pop into Draper James, a Southern-inspired clothing store owned by actress Reese Witherspoon. Don’t miss snapping a pic with a mural on the outside of the store too.
Another must-stop shop is White’s Mercantile, a general store filled with housewares and knick-knacks. It’s owned by singer-songwriter Holly Williams, the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr.
Non Touristy Things To Do In Nashville For Couples
Venture beyond the honkytonk bars for non-touristy date night. You’re much more likely to rub elbows with locals at one of these under-the-radar activities.
11. Play old-school arcade games
Flex your Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Mortal Combat skills at Nashville’s largest arcade, Game Terminal. They have more than 200 arcade games and pinball machines from decades past, and most of them are free to play! You can also play giant Jenga, ping pong, and corn hole outside if the weather is nice.
Grab a cocktail, an alcoholic slushie, or lemonade, and have a blast playing games from your childhood. They also serve food, so you can hang out here all night.
12. Sip a sophisticated cocktail
There’s no kitsch at The Patterson House, a classy speakeasy serving curated cocktails and small bites in the Midtown neighborhood. Come here a little dressed-up, put your cell phone away (house rules discourage using them), and get ready to lean in close in a dimly-lit, leather booth.
Creative concoctions with top-shelf alcohol, sophisticated ambiance, and friendly, unpretentious service make this the perfect place for a couple to spend a night out. Keep in mind that they don’t take reservations—it’s first come, first seated.
13. Watch a burlesque show
Va-va-voom! The combination of craft cocktails and sexy burlesque shows at Skull’s Rainbow Room bring a smoldering heat to a Nashville date night.
The vintage bar opened in 1948 and over the years performers like Johnny Cash, Etta James, and Bob Dylan have graced the stage. So there’s definitely a vintage vibe going on here.
Make a reservation up to two weeks in advance for a late, fancy dinner, and then take your time eating so you get a chance to see the burlesque show, which you can catch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11 p.m. You’ll be treated to live jazz music before the show too.
Otherwise, if you want to come just for the show, it’s standing-room only.
14. Go winetasting
If you’re a couple going on a daytime date, get out of the city and head to Wines in the Fork. The winery is located in the small, adorable town of Leiper’s Fork, a 30-minute drive from Nashville.
They sell local wines by the glass, the flight, or the bottle. You can also pair wine with either a chocolate or cheese board.
At the very least, get a glass of your favorite to sip outside in the Adirondack chairs near the creek (or sometimes in the creek so you can dip your feet in on hot days).
Listen to the gurgling water, or live music if they have it, and daydream about moving to the country.
15. Catch a comedy show
There’s nothing like busting a gut laughing to bring you closer together. Spend an evening at Zanies comedy club to see local acts or well-known comedians in a smaller, intimate setting.
In addition to purchasing tickets, there’s also a two-item order minimum (and one of those has to be a food item) per person.
Also, the seating isn’t assigned so get there at least 45 minutes early to get a better seat. If possible, avoid sitting in the back of the balcony where you won’t be able to see the stage.
Another insider tip? The place is usually packed, so before the show starts hit up the bathroom and pay your bill to avoid the rush.
Outdoorsy Things To Do In Nashville
Whether you’re enjoying the scenery in Nashville or the green rolling hills of the surrounding countryside, getting outdoors is always a good idea. Nashville weather is mildest in late spring and early fall, making it an ideal time to do these outdoorsy activities:
16. Kayak through downtown
On a warm day, it’s great to get off the pavement and onto the water. Go kayaking to see the skyline and sights of Nashville from the calm Cumberland River.
You get picked up and dropped off upstream to do a leisurely, one-hour paddle. It’s a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
✅Check availability and reserve your kayaks by clicking here!
17. Hike to waterfalls
Nature lovers should head to Burgess Falls State Park about an hour from the city. Walk the short, easy trails along the river and ridgetop to look down on four gorgeous waterfalls flowing through a canyon.
Don’t have a car? Don’t worry! You can still go waterfall hunting on an organized day trip from Nashville.
This waterfall tour takes you to Falls Creek Falls State Park where you hike to five waterfalls (some trails are strenuous!), cross suspended swinging bridges, and sit back and soak up the scenery on the 2-hour drive there and back.
✅Check availability and book your waterfall tour by clicking here!
18. Go ziplining
About 15 minutes north of the city, you can zipline through an old-growth forest any time of the year. Whoosh down nine ziplines that span 1.5 miles.
On the five-minute hikes between zip lines, the guide points out local flora and fauna too. This is a fun (and bonding!) activity to do with family, friends, or even as a date.
✅Check availability and book your zipline adventure by clicking here!
19. Stroll a botanical garden
Take a break from Nashville’s streets and step into the Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Arboretum. It’s the historic estate of the founder of Maxwell House Coffee.
Explore 55 acres of manicured gardens that include a Japanese garden, a rose garden, a children’s garden, a wildflower garden, and a color garden bursting with hues.
Cheekwood is a 20-minute drive from downtown. If the weather takes a turn for the worse or you need a break from the summer heat, you can also go inside to tour the 1930s mansion and art museum.
Where To Stay
If you want to do non-touristy things, stay outside of the downtown area. Try quieter Nashville neighborhoods like 12 South, East Nashville, and The Gulch. Or get out of the city altogether and overnight in the country.
Here are some places I recommend:
BUDGET OPTION
Stay in modern, clean apartments far enough away from Broadway Street’s nightlife to sleep peacefully, but close enough to walk there in 15 minutes. Kasa The Gulch Nashville apartments are in The Gulch neighborhood, which is within the hop-on-hop-off bus route.
You’ll find the famous “What Lifts You” wings mural in this part of Nashville, a great biscuit joint (Biscuit Love), and the Gibson Garage guitar shop.
The self-check-in apartments start at $131 a night and can accommodate two to six guests with studios to two bedrooms available.
Enjoy the views of the city from the rooftop terrace, work up a sweat in the 24/7 gym, and take a dip in the outdoor pool.
PRO TIP: Pop into Whole Foods Market next door to grab snacks or groceries to cook meals in the apartment’s kitchen.
✅Check prices and book your stay at Kasa The Gulch Nashville by clicking here!
MID-RANGE OPTION
Live like a local in my favorite Nashville neighborhood, 12 South. This peaceful community is a 15-minute drive from downtown and has trendy eateries, fun boutiques (Reese Witherspoon’s flagship store is here!), and a leafy green park.
Book a stay at one of seven apartments at CoWrite, a stylish boutique hotel in a quiet area.
These two-bedroom, two-bath, two-level apartments start at $233 a night and have full kitchens, comfy beds, and are a 5-minute walk to the shops of 12 South.
Each space is decked out differently, but all have a touch of mid-century-modern design. These are my favorite apartments out of the bunch:
PRO TIP: Take advantage of the downstairs businesses—do a spin or yoga class at the exercise studios and dig into breakfast tacos and coffee at Ladybird Tacos.
✅Check prices and book your stay at CoWrite Nashville by clicking here!
LUXURY OPTION
One of the best non-touristy things to do on a trip to Nashville is to get out of the city and into the country. Why not stay in the adorable Sweeney Cottage, where history (it was built in 1892) and luxury meet?
The Victorian cottage sleeps up to six people and starts at $299 a night.
Just a 40-minute drive from the city, the cottage is located in Leiper’s Fork, a charming small town known for being a relaxing Nashville getaway. It’s within walking distance of all the village restaurants and shops including Fox and Locke, a country store famous for its live music shows and southern food.
Choose from two queen bedrooms upstairs and a trundle bed downstairs. Unwind in the soaking tub, cook a hearty meal in the gourmet kitchen, relax on the porch swing, and enjoy s’mores around the firepit.
The home, decorated by singer-songwriter Holly Williams (daughter of Hank Williams, Jr.) is full of Southern charm but nothing is too precious.
Grab the Gibson guitars from the wall to strum some tunes or feel free to bring your dog—the place is pet-friendly and comes with bougie dog beds too.
PRO TIP: Holly sends you her own travel guide for exploring Leiper’s Fork and beyond. Be sure to read through it for her insider tips!
✅Check prices and book your stay at the Sweeney Cottage by clicking here!
FAQs
If you’ve never been to Nashville, you probably have a few questions. Get the info you need to plan a trip to Nashville with answers to frequently asked questions below.
What is not to be missed in Nashville?
The one thing you shouldn’t miss seeing in Nashville is a show at the Grand Ole Opry. It’s the longest-running radio show in U.S. history since 1925 and it put country music on the map.
Playing at the Grand Ole Opry is a milestone in a country music career and you can be there to see it happen for both famous performers and emerging artists.
The show is broadcast live while the audience watches eight or more performances from church-pew seats.
Can you go to Nashville if you don’t like country music?
A visit to Nashville is a dream for country music lovers. However, you don’t have to like the toe-stomping genre to enjoy a trip there.
Like any city, there are a ton of things to do, from museums and a botanical garden to comedy shows, great restaurants, fun bars, and cool neighborhoods to explore.
If you go off-the-beaten path, there’s even more to experience like wine tasting, zip lining, and even cuddling with baby goats!
Is Nashville a walkable city for tourists?
Downtown Nashville has a lot to see and many of the attractions are within walking distance of each other. Within a 10-minute walk, you can reach the honkytonk bars on Broadway Street, the Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline Museums, the Goo Goo Chocolate Co., the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Ryman Auditorium.
If you want to go further afield, you can rent scooters to zip around the city or take the hop-on-hop-off bus to get to all the major tourist attractions.
The Takeaway
Exploring Nashville beyond its popular tourist spots to experience hidden gems will make your visit truly memorable. From learning to line dance and recording your own song to visiting quirky museums and cuddling baby goats, the city offers a diverse array of activities that cater to all interests.
Diving into these non-touristy things to do connects you with Nashville’s authentic charm. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a new resident, there’s nothing like stepping off the beaten path to see the heart of this incredibly fun city!
Ready for a weekend in Nashville?
Get my Nashville Weekend Itinerary Guide for an easy-to-follow plan with a mapped-out route and activities to do each day in Nashville along with the best places to stay and eat. Use it to make the most of your vacay days!
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