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Nashville is popular for a lot of different reasons - from being known for its several live music bars, being the birthplace of many legendary artists, and having some amazing things to do, to also being home to some of the most iconic entertainment venues in the country like the Nashville Music City Center, there's so much that this city in the South has to offer. Whether you're an art fanatic and want to experience some art galleries or want to learn the history of the state through its several historic buildings, Nashville will make you feel like it's your home away from home.
There are several attractions to enjoy in downtown Nashville, but our favorite experience that we highly recommend having is sitting at one of the many music bars, listening to live bands play while sipping on some cold beverages. Downtown Nashville is also famous for having great food served across the best restaurants - chef-led fine dining places, food trucks, and street food joints. Market House is a food hall that serves some amazing food options. Here's a complete guide of the places to visit and hotels to stay at in downtown Nashville.
Places To Visit In Downtown Nashville
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
One of the most popular things to do in downtown Nashville is to take an audio tour of the museum. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a top attraction in the city. Home to over 2.5 million beautiful artifacts, it's also where you can learn more about the history of the Music City, which is what Nashville is called. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a gold mine of unique recordings and historic material, instruments performed by music giants, and incredible costumes worn by the biggest country music singers. The enormous 40,000 square foot museum boasts gorgeous architecture, honors country music luminaries, and displays a tonne of gold and platinum records on a Wall of Honor that various country music performers have made throughout the years.
Johnny Cash Museum
This Johnny Cash monument honors the life and career of one of the greatest country music artists ever and has been repeatedly renowned to be the world's best music museum by Forbes, Conde Nast, and National Geographic Traveler. More artifacts and Man in Black memorabilia are on display at the Johnny Cash Museum than at any other museum worldwide. Explore engaging interactive exhibitions, amazing archive films, and more to follow his journey through music history. Fans of "Man in Black" will find this place to be their own personal heaven.
Tennessee State Museum
The Tennessee State Museum offers the necessary insight into the rich cultural influence that Tennessee has had on the entire country. Here, you can explore the interactive displays of the "Tennessee Time Tunnel" for an immersive experience into the history of the state, and learn about the intriguing past of the native peoples who formerly called the land home after which you can move on to understanding the early days of the Southern colonization. Discover how historical leaders like Andrew Jackson influenced the development of the prosperous region that would become the United States. You can also bask in the enormous collection of artwork and artifacts at the Tennessee State Museum to explore the progression of thousands of years of Tennessee history, including the state's magnificent landscapes, varied animal and plant life, and ancient beginnings.
Ryman Auditorium
We highly recommend taking a tour of the Ryman Auditorium while in Nashville. It was built in 1885 and is now a National Historic Landmark. With its stained glass windows, polished oak benches, and incredible acoustics, a large portion of the spectacular original building has been exquisitely conserved. Legendary country musicians like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline got their start thanks to it. Enter the space and explore the displays honoring the historical greats. Following in the footsteps of renowned musicians like Elvis, you can feel the "Nashville Sound"'s vitality.
Top Hotels In Downtown Nashville
Grand Hyatt
Image Credit: Grand Hyatt Nashville
At the luxurious Grand Hyatt Nashville in the heart of downtown, you can stay in the heart of city, within walking distance from several top attractions. The Grand Hyatt Broadway Hotel has one of Music City's tallest outdoor rooftop bars, a rooftop pool, a spa, and seven dining options, and is a short stroll from The Gulch and Midtown. Relax and unwind while staying in one of their 591 elegant hotel rooms, including 53 suites, during your time in downtown Nashville. The motel also welcomes pets. The Nashville Grange is located on the lobby level and serves breakfast, lunch, and supper, with stunning views of the famous Broadway.
Hermitage Hotel
Image Credit: The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
Built in the early 20th century, the Hermitage Hotel's construction was actually led by the people of Nashville who felt that it was imperative to have a fine lodging option in the city. They rallied to raise $300,000 in a civic campaign through the sale of stock and succeeded. Known as Nashville's first million-dollar hotel, the residents watched this 10-story tall stunning feat of architecture rise up. It has since garnered a reputation for being the best hotel in Tennessee to date. It has won many awards and is the prime choice for anyone visiting Nashville to soak up the rich culture and history of the city.
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