71 Best Sights in Nashville, Tennessee

First Horizon Park is home to Nashville's triple-A baseball team, the Nashville Sounds. Game attendees will enjoy a variety of concessions, including craft cocktails and small bites at the outfield bar, The Band Box. And if you can't sit through an entire baseball game without getting fidgety, the park also has ping-pong tables and a minigolf course to keep you entertained.

Founded in 1866, Fisk is Nashville's oldest university. In 1930, it became the first historically black institution to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the 40-acre campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. Its students were instrumental in many of the sit-in demonstrations in Nashville. The Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery has an extensive art collection worth visiting, and the Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure in the South built for the education of black students, is where you'll find a floor-to-ceiling portrait of the original Jubilee Singers, who started touring in 1871 to raise funds for the university; they performed for Queen Victoria. Tours are available.

The Fontanel Mansion is a 33,000-square-foot log cabin in Whites Creek, Tennessee, filled with country music memorabilia, instruments, and stories. It was once home to country music star Barbara Mandrell, and her glitzy taste is unmistakable throughout. (There’s even an indoor shooting range.) Guided tours of the mansion are offered daily, but that’s only the beginning. The Fontanel estate also includes the Natchez Hills Winery Tasting Room; Prichard’s rum and whiskey distillery; Café Fontanella; Adventureworks Old Forest Adventure Park; a boutique hotel; more than 3 miles of wooded trails; and Vintage Creek, a clothing boutique and gift shop.

The history of this Civil War–era fort is told through videos in the visitor center and panels along outdoor pathways. Veterans events take place throughout the year, and there’s a gift shop and great views of the Nashville skyline. Revitalization plans for the park include adding 1½ to 2 miles of trails and additional interpretations to highlight African-American history from the Civil War to the civil rights era. Sheep are sometimes used for natural landscaping, watched over by a so-called livestock guardian dog. Be advised: you may also come across a deer on the grounds.

Guitars are a dime a dozen in Nashville, but the axes on display at the Gallery of Iconic Guitars on Belmont University's campus are truly one-of-a-kind. From vintage instruments to guitars owned by legendary musicians, the guitars in Belmont's collection live up to their "iconic" name. The gallery sits within the heart of Belmont University, internationally renowned for its various music programs. Check the GIG's website before visiting, as University closures or holidays may affect hours.

Technically the Gaylord Opryland Resort is a hotel and convention center, but it’s worth a visit even if you aren’t staying the night. For one thing, there are 9 acres of gardens inside, all laced with walking paths, fountains, and rivers. These gardens feature more than 50,000 tropical plants, contained within a soaring glass ceiling that lets the sun shine through during the day and reflects a thousand warm twinkle lights at night (particularly at Christmas). Even the locals can’t resist an occasional walk through the immaculately tended branches and waterfalls of the Cascade Atrium—especially when you consider that you can do it with a beer, cocktail, or cup of gelato in hand. There are almost 20 restaurants to choose from if you get hungry, and plenty of kitschy shops if you’re in the market for souvenirs. To avoid the hefty parking fee, it’s recommended that you park next door at the mall and walk over.

Home to the Major League Soccer club Nashville SC, this 30,000-seat stadium is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada. The venue opened in May 2022 and has quickly become a towering feature of the neighborhood, both literally and figuratively. Single game tickets run about $20 to $30. Concerts and other events are staged here in addition to soccer games. Tours are available on Fridays when no events are scheduled and must be booked in advance. The Nashville SC Team Store off Benton Avenue is open daily.

While there are a couple of distilleries on the Marathon Village property, the casual yet sophisticated setting of Grinder's Switch Winery ought to please the wine lover in your group. Expect everyday favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, but their specialty is blends like their white table wine as well as fruited wines like Razzbury (raspberry) and Cou Rouge (strawberry). While you're there, pick up a curated local gift or craft in the winery's attached shop. If you're wondering where the wine is made, it comes from their vineyard in middle Tennessee.

Built in 1910, this Beaux Arts building has classic Italian and French Renaissance features that help create such a storied space, and you'll no doubt feel that greatness as you ascend the grand staircase into the magnificent lobby. From hosting guests like Babe Ruth and John F. Kennedy to playing a role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, this building has seen it all. In 1920, all eyes were on Tennessee, as it was the last state with the power to ratify—or nullify—the 19th Amendment. Both supporters and those who opposed women's suffrage made their headquarters in the hotel while waiting to vote on the amendment's ratification in the nearby state capital. Fortunately, the pros won out by a single vote. You can learn about the War of the Roses at a small exhibit in the lobby. The Draper James–inspired Afternoon Tea on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is worth your time, as is grabbing a drink or a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant Drusie & Darr (check out those ceilings). We'd be remiss if we didn't suggest you check out the bathrooms.

This popular small-batch brewery outgrew its first location, so "The Ranch" is now its sole outpost. Housing a taproom, event space, and brewing facility in 15,000 square feet, it doesn't disappoint. Available beers include a year-round standard selection, along with seasonal brews and special selections. The taproom serves a limited menu, but you can bring your own food and food trucks are typically on-site. Tours of the brewing facility, which typically last 45 minutes, are available and are open to children at a discount and with reservations. The patio is considered one of the best in town and dogs are welcome. Weekly events include trivia nights and group jogs.

For something really down to earth, visit Jae’s Gem Mine to learn about the minerals, fossils, and gemstones native to Tennessee and beyond. Their mission is more scientific than metaphysical, though they do sell crystals—as well as gems and minerals presented through an interactive simulated mining experience. In addition to retail, they’re a full-service rock shop, offering everything from lapidary services (cutting and polishing stones) and geode cracking to rockhounding classes and trips that take you into nature to find geological treasures of your own. While you’re there, be sure to say hello to the shop dog, whose name is (obviously) Rocky.

This 3,150-foot-long pedestrian-only truss bridge crosses the Cumberland River and connects Downtown to East Nashville. Its iconic look and location offer up one of the best views of the city and the perfect photo op.

The legendary Man in Black has a dedicated space in Nashville. Performance costumes, handwritten lyrics, a wall of gold and platinum records—even a limestone wall from the home Cash shared with his beloved June—are among the items in this museum located between Broadway and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Interactive exhibits include presentations of Cash's music in formats ranging from 78rpm records to digital downloads. Clips of Cash's many appearances in films and on television are played in a small theater.

Sitting squarely in the Music Row roundabout (also known as Buddy Killen Circle), Musica was originally a point of controversy but now represents the artistic and cultural diversity of this thriving city. Musica is a bronze statue depicting nine dancing nude figures—including African American, Asian American, Native, and Latinx men and women—enthralled by music. At its pinnacle stands a woman holding a tambourine. The 14- and 15-foot-tall figures stand on limestone boulders, which are native to the area.

Located inside the Municipal Auditorium, the Musicians Hall of Fame is another powerful testament to the musical legacy of the city. You’ll find special exhibits on the Grammy Awards, Motown, Stax Records, Muscle Shoals, and more—and, of course, some Nashville pioneers. Beyond big-name acts, you’ll also learn about the lesser-known session musicians who played on some of the most popular recordings in history.

Part of the official Tennessee Whiskey Trail, this distillery is known for small-batch spirits with clever names inspired by Nashville, such as Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit and Crane City Gin. Tastings, cocktails, and bottle sales are available during operating hours, but tours that include tastings are only offered Thursday through Sunday for those 21 and older.

There's something going on at the fairgrounds almost any time of the year. The 117-acre site hosts auto races at the Speedway, craft fairs, monthly flea markets, the annual Christmas Village holiday market, concerts, and other special events throughout the year. It's also where you'll find GEODIS Park, Nashville’s soccer stadium. The newest event is the 10-day Nashville Fair held every September.

Stretch your legs, pet a kangaroo, and fall in love with a red panda or two. This 188-acre farm-turned-zoo is home to more than 2,764 animals, with more joining the herd every year. For older children and adults, a tour of the historic Grassmere Historic Home is a highlight. If you need a break from the Tennessee sun, follow the shady Bamboo Trail to visit the clouded leopards. Or, if it’s raining, just bring your umbrella. The animals don’t mind when it rains (they live outside, after all), and with all the fussy humans gone, you’ll practically have the whole place to yourself.

Home to the NFL's Tennessee Titans, this stadium has played host to CMA Fest, Tennessee State University's home football games, and more recently, three record-breaking nights in May 2023 for Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Plans for a new stadium are in the works, but private tours of the current stadium can be scheduled for groups of 20 or less. The on-site Pro Shop is open daily.

This recently constructed green space provides a welcome oasis in the middle of this high-rise district. A large shaded patio peppered with tables makes for an ideal spot to chow down on takeout from a nearby restaurant, and there are plenty of benches and even wooden loungers for soaking up some Southern sun. In the warmer months, the park hosts movie and music nights along with the occasional market.

A former sausage packing plant, this building with the asymmetrical slanted roof and the changing sculpture installation on the front lawn is now home to tiny contemporary galleries—including those from the COOP Curatorial Collective and Watkins College of Art (the WAG)—and artist studios. This is a popular stop during the neighborhood’s monthly WEHO Art Crawl on the first Saturday of every month.

Nashville's luxe Paddywax candles have become a national household staple with unique scent collections based on classic authors, national parks, and gourmand treats. Visitors to this brick-and-mortar outpost will not only be able to shop their established favorites, but they can also experience the fun of candle making with self-guided workshops or even grab an at-home kit for a DIY fix.

Perfect for groups, this candle shop and creator space offers hour-long classes by appointment where guests can select the vessel and scent to make their own custom candles. Since these creations take three hours to cool, you can arrange to have them shipped, wait on them at the fully-stocked bar, or explore the neighborhood and come back later. There's another location in The Gulch that offers more of a "pop in and pour" experience.

An exact copy of the Athenian original, Nashville's Parthenon was constructed for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition. Across the street from Vanderbilt University's campus in Centennial Park, it's a magnificent sight, perched on a gentle green slope beside a duck pond. Inside are the 63-piece Cowan Collection of American Art, temporary exhibits, and the 42-foot Athena Parthenos, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world.

If you don’t know where to find it, you’ll almost miss it. Printers Alley is a historic Nashville landmark reminiscent of a London side street that stretches between Church and Union Streets parallel to 3rd and 4th Avenues. It's full of watering holes, karaoke bars, and a jazz club, but you can have just as much fun chatting outside with the locals as you will entering any of its infamous haunts. The historic sign will let you know you’ve made it to the right place.

Known for formerly hosting festivals like Live on the Green or Nashville Pride, Public Square is located in front of the courthouse. Featuring an expansive green space perfect for having a picnic or playing ball, statuesque elevator towers that can be climbed for an expansive view, and fountains that children play in during warmer months, it’s a lovely place to take a break from the hubbub of Downtown.

The spacious greenery of Richland Park is situated opposite several of Charlotte Avenue’s walkable independent shops and eateries. Covered picnic tables and a small playground share an easily accessible parking lot with a quaint public library branch and tennis courts. The Richland Park Farmer's Market operates every Saturday morning beside the playground.

Though considerably smaller than the Mississippi, the Cumberland River has been as important to Nashville as the Mississippi has been to Memphis. This welcoming green enclave on its banks has an expansive view of the river and Nissan Stadium, where the Tennessee Titans play. The park serves as a popular venue for free summer concerts, block parties, and the annual New Year's Eve and 4th of July celebrations (Nashville boasts the largest fireworks display in the South). It's also home to Fort Nashborough Interpretive Center, which was home to the city's first European settlers in the later 1700s.

Shelby Park (as well as the connecting Shelby Bottoms and Cornelia Fort Airpark) is an East Nashville gem. With more than 336 acres of park land, hiking trails, public recreational facilities, and bike/pedestrian paths, Shelby offers a wide variety of free outdoor activities to locals and visitors alike. There's a public 18-hole golf course, too, so bring your clubs.