Will be in Nashville for 1 1/2 days in late July. DH and I are mid-40s and our kids will be 13 (boy) and 10 (girl) at the time of travel. Our current plan is to arrive early afternoon on a Monday, visit Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Home in the afternoon and go to the Wild Horse Saloon that evening (our daughter will enjoy the line dancing). We are staying at the Inn at Opryland. On Tuesday we are planning to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, some shopping in Opry Mills and then the Grand Ole Opry that night. Leaving early Wednesday to continue vacation.

Other things we had discussed doing, but took out because of lack of time are Belle Meade Plantation and the Johnny Cash Museum. Do you think we should try to fit those in or replace something else with them? Do you recommend the additional tour of RCA Studio B while at the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Any other suggestions, tips, ideas, etc to make our short time in Nashville better? Restaurant suggestions?

Nashville things to do - opinion on best in list

We went out of our way to eat here and were mainly satisfied. Would be great if you were there in not so prime time,.

https://www.lovelesscafe.com/

I second the recommendation for the Loveless Cafe. They have the best biscuits ever!! I've been to Belle Meade and the Johnny Cash Museum, and I really enjoyed both. The tour of RCA Studio B is okay........... you might want to let your kids choose. My daughter, who was 12 at the time, was rather bored at Belle Meade, and unless your kids know who Johnny Cash is, they might not appreciate his life history. If they're into country music, they might like the Studio B tour better.

We were just there for U2 concert and so glad we stayed in east Nashville. I would not take a kid to downtown broadway or second street. It was nasty. Just be prepared for seeing some mental illness there. We literally saw a guy masturbating on the steps of the Ryman on our way to the concert. He had stripped on the sidewalk as we saw clothes lying there. Key West is my second home and it is mild compared to what we witnessed there. My one freind wanted to see Opryland hotel. 29.00 to park and we stayed an hour. Most places to eat were not opened till five and there really wasn't anything special about it except for the gardens.

We found some great places to eat in east Nashville, Local taco was the best but ate at Rudies Seafood and sausage place, The Pharmacy and loved 16th Street bakery for breakfast. We used uber to get downtown. Was not bad except night of concert we paid triple the price. Our driver going home was a Afghan refugee that had a target on his back for working with US military. It was the most interesting conversation. Master's degree but could not get a job in Nashville where they placed them. It broke my heart. He left everything behind to get his wife and kids to safety.

I have experience with Loveless Cafe. Great place.

Loveless Cafe is a fun and yummy restaurant, but it is a bit of a drive from Nashville proper so, in my opinion, including it on such a short trip would depend on where you are headed next--you could then stop on your way out of town. I think there is almost always a wait though.

Studio B is cool, but interest in it is probably dependent on knowledge of or interest in classic country artists--I loved it, but your kids might not. If you are staying near Opryland, that area is across the river from downtown Nashville. Since you are spending a lot of time in that area already and seeing a Grand Ole Opry show, you might consider taking a backstage tour there--it's pretty cool to get to see the backstage areas, etc. and all the work they did to recover from the massive 2010 flood. Have fun--it's a very fun city. I agree with Macross re: avoiding the Lower Broadway area with kids, especially at night, and the Opryland Hotel--meh.

musicfan, thanks for saying that. I did not understand the tipping at all. They were in your face with the bucket at The stage. I heard such booing from the crowds over this group singing a Doors song at Dierk Bentley's place. The lead singer said we sing anything and it will be over in three minutes if you don't like it. Someone gave them 20 bucks and they broke into highway to hell. I must say they had a great guitar player. and did do some good AC/DC. The windows were all open and all the music meshed together in the most unpleasant way. I think the Gaylord Palms is much nicer in Orlando. Same company. I just wasn't impressed.