Nashville is definitely a party town. While a lively honky tonk can be fun, there’s more to see and do during a weekend in Nashville, outside of the downtown/Broadway corridor.
What to do during a weekend in Nashville
Visit the Grand Ole Opry
Seeing a show at the Grand Ole Opry is a must for a weekend in Nashville! This is truly such a uniquely Nashville experience that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. Even if you aren’t a big country music fan there’s something for everyone from country to folk to bluegrass and more. The show is more of a variety show format. With 8 different acts each playing 3 songs while also sharing stories with the audience, the show moves quickly.
What’s also unique about the show is that it is broadcast live on the radio, and has been running since 1925 making it a part of music history.
There is truly no bad seat in the venue. Even last minute tickets in the upper level on the side of the stage have clear views of the performers.
Tips
The Opry is about 20-30 minutes northeast of downtown Nashville, so plan your travel into your schedule.
The show starts promptly at 7pm and runs until 930pm. Arrive early to get any photos inside or outside of the venue and find your seat.
The bar line is LONG so if you don’t need a cocktail, head to the grab and go for canned beverages (beer, wine, cocktails). You’ll be in and out much faster than going to the bar.
There are plenty of cars and vans available via Uber and Lyft after the show, but there is no designated Uber/Lyft pick up zone, so finding your ride is a bit of a nightmare. If you are able, pre-schedule your ride ahead of time.
Visit the Parthenon
This was initially built in the late 1800s to celebrate Tennessee’s 100th year of statehood. In the 1920s a more permanent structure was created. The impressive statue of Athena was not added until 1990.
If I’m being totally honest I was confused when I heard there was a to-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon built in Nashville, and wasn’t sure what to expect. The existing Parthenon in Greece being thousands of years old has deteriorated over time and lost many of the features from the original temple. This attraction is actually surprisingly interesting because it explains how they were able to piece together information on what the original looked like and the process of working with different local sculptors to create the new version.
The first floor features a small permanent art collection as well as two rotating exhibitions which are very interesting. Plan time to walk through those as well.
Tickets are $10 per person and you can plan to spend about 45 minutes exploring the space.
The Parthenon is located in Centennial park which features a large lawn and lake if you’re looking to spend some time relaxing outdoors before or after your visit.
Go to Drag Brunch
Tennessee isn’t known for being particularly progressive or supporting the LGBTQ community, especially with recent legislation specifically targeting drag shows. What better way to combat that than to attend a drag brunch?
Our group went to Suzy Wong’s Drag Brunch. For $32 you get appetizers for your group, a main brunch entree and non-alcoholic beverages. Tips for servers and the queens are extra, so bring cash or have your Venmo ready.
The show features 3 drag queens that each perform 2 different songs. There is a lot of crowd interaction and participation as well which adds to the fun.
This is a strictly 21+ show, and IDs are required for all guests. Be prepared for half of the attendees to be bachelorettes.
The space opens up about 30 minutes before the official entry time and you’re able to order drinks at the bar while waiting.
Day trips during your weekend in Nashville
Mammoth Caves:
If you’re looking to escape the city you can drive 90 minutes north into Kentucky to visit the Mammoth Cave National Park.
Where to stay during your weekend in Nashville
- For my recent group trip we stayed in 2 different houses in East Nashville (half the group stayed an extra night). The first house was in the Historic Edgefield neighborhood, which has beautiful old houses. The second was a newer townhouse in the Maxwell neighborhood.
- East Nashville is the perfect area to stay because it has a lot of great food and drink options within a short drive or walk, and tons of cute local shops to explore.
- This is also only about 10-15 minutes into downtown or 15-20 minutes to the Gulch or Music Row.
Where to Eat during a weekend in Nashville
Germantown
Monell’s
I cannot recommend this strongly enough. Do not leave from your weekend in Nashville without going to Monell’s! This was hands down the best food and the best fried chicken I had in weekend in Nashville. Every single thing they serve is delicious.
Seating and food are community style. Their motto is “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends.” This means you will be at a table with other groups. The food also comes out family style, so you take what you want and always “pass to the left”. If you run out of food, just ask the server and they’ll bring another plate for the table.
They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are cutoff times for each seating as the food changes with each course. The breakfast cutoff is 11am and the last seating is at 1045.
There are no reservations, so get there early and plan to wait especially if you have a larger group and/or you are trying to get in for a specific meal.
Our all you can eat brunch was just under $20 including tip.
East Nashville
The Pharmacy
This East Nashville Restaurant had outstanding food, fantastic servers and an expansive outside patio area.
Recommendations: get the tots over the fries. Be sure to order the beer cheese dip to share, 1 ramekin will be enough for a table of 4-5. They also make their own in house sodas for your choice of custom phosphate drinks (with or without alcohol).
If you’re not in the East Nashville area they also have a location at the assembly food hall downtown and at the airport so you can stop in before flying home.
Cheap Charlies Taco Shop
Located in a gas station parking lot in the 5-points area of East Nashville, this lives up to its name as a great cheap spot to grab food. The tacos are $2 each and the larger items (nachos, burritos, quesadillas) are mostly $10 and under.
Sky Blue Cafe
You’ll find this small neighborhood cafe in East Nashville near East Park. They have a great brunch menu, and you can get a mimosa or bloody mary while you wait to get seated.
Where to get drinks in Nashville
Bars that aren’t Honky Tonks
If you do want to go out downtown, but can’t handle the chaos of Broadway, head a few blocks north to Printer’s Alley. This has a wide variety of bars to serve every need from dancing to karaoke or just grabbing a drink. Some of these do have a cover charge depending on the time of night, or if they have a live show.
Skull’s Rainbow Room is a cool old school kind of bar. They have a late night burlesque show on the weekends, but if you arrive after the show there’s no cover, and more tables available.
Things to note when going out during a weekend in Nashville
Many restaurants include tips when you get the bill but they do not tell you. This means you’ll end up giving 35-40% tip instead of 15-20%. Check your bill before you finish paying.
Nashville is serious about checking IDs, they do it everywhere, not just bars. So if you’re planning to have a vacation cocktail with brunch make sure you don’t forget your ID or wallet back at your hotel or rental house because they will not serve you. We had this issue with someone in our group that forgot their ID, and despite being very obviously over 40, they couldn’t get served.
