Nashville might revolve around CMA Fest for a few days each June, but spend a little extra time in Music City and you’ll quickly realise the real magic often happens beyond the main stages. Whether you’re chasing country music history, great food, hidden bars or something a little different, here’s a guide to 12 things to do while you’re in town.
Printers Alley – Nashville’s Best-Kept Nightlife Secret
Tucked just off the chaos of Lower Broadway, Printers Alley offers a completely different kind of Nashville night out—one that feels more like stepping into the city’s past than its party present. Once the heart of Nashville’s publishing and speakeasy scene, the alley still carries that moody, neon-lit charm, with live jazz, blues and smaller, more intimate venues replacing the thumping cover bands of Broadway. It’s the perfect escape when you want great music without the crowds: less polished, more atmospheric, and undeniably cooler, giving you a taste of the Nashville locals quietly try to keep to themselves.
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s more than just a museum, it’s a timeline of country music’s evolution. From handwritten lyrics to iconic costumes, it gives you a deeper appreciation of the genre you’re hearing all week. They also host musical events during CMA Fest week so, for example, Charlie Worsham is doing a set on Sunday 7th June that you can grab a ticket for.
The Ryman Auditorium – The Mother Church
Step inside the Ryman Auditorium and you’ll instantly feel the weight of history. Known as the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, it’s one of the most revered stages in music. Even if you’re not catching a show, a daytime tour is well worth it. We've got tickets to ERNEST's charity benefit show on Tuesday 3rd June, headlined by Ella Langley, and there is an Opry show there on the Saturday afternoon featuring Pam Tillis and Morgan Myles.
The Grand Ole Opry
For a true bucket-list Nashville experience, head out to the Grand Ole Opry. It’s still the beating heart of country music, where legends and newcomers share the same stage. You never quite know who’s going to show up, which is part of the magic. Carrie Underwood traditionally helms a two-show double header on the Tuesday of every CMA Fest week – this year rising star Avery Anna has been confirmed to appear alongside her. There are also shows on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of CMA Fest week featuring artists like Flatland Cavalry, Laci Kaye Booth, Lanie Gardner, Deana Carter, Old Crow Medicine Show and more!
East Nashville – The Creative Hub
Cross the river and you’ll find a completely different side of the city. East Nashville is where songwriters, artists and locals hang out. Spots like The Basement East offer brilliant live music in a more intimate setting, while the neighbourhood itself is packed with cool bars, record stores and laid-back cafés. No vinyl lover should miss out on a trip to the iconic Grimey's store whilst Five Points Pizza is the best place in town to eat that iconic Italian food. Massive New York-style slices, great garlic knots, buzzing atmosphere and exactly the sort of place you stumble into after a gig or writers round. It’s been repeatedly voted Nashville’s best pizza by locals and still feels like the city’s benchmark slice joint.
Belle Meade – A Step Back in Time
Take a break from the music and visit Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. Just outside the city centre, this historic estate offers a glimpse into Tennessee’s past, complete with grand architecture, sprawling grounds and even wine tastings. It’s a slower, more reflective side of Nashville that contrasts nicely with the festival buzz. We've been and it's a delightful day out stepping back into a Dixieland history that brings the era alive.
Hot Chicken Done Right
You can’t come to Nashville and not try hot chicken. Prince’s is where Nashville hot chicken began. Full stop. The story goes back generations, and every hot chicken place in town owes something to the Prince family. It’s less polished than some newer spots, but that’s part of the appeal. The chicken has a deeper cayenne-heavy heat and a more old-school feel than many tourist-focused places. If you want authenticity and bragging rights, this is the pilgrimage stop.
Yes, tourists go there. Yes, there are queues. But there’s a reason for both. Hattie B’s gets the balance right between flavour, crunch, heat and consistency. The sides are genuinely excellent too, especially the pimento mac and cheese. It’s probably the safest recommendation if you’re visiting Nashville for the first time because the experience is reliable, lively and very “Nashville.”
Bolton’s is where you go when somebody says, “I want the real hot stuff.” This place doesn’t mess around. The spice levels are notorious, the setting is no-frills, and it feels far more local than polished. Reddit threads constantly mention Bolton’s alongside Prince’s as one of the true OG Nashville experiences. It’s rougher round the edges and honestly better for it.
Honourable mention goes to Red's Hot Chicken, which a lot of locals now swear by for sandwiches and flavour balance, especially if you want something slightly less tourist-heavy. Reddit food rankings regularly place it among the city’s best newer-school hot chicken spots.
The Gulch – Food, Views & Modern Nashville
For a more polished side of the city, head to The Gulch. It’s full of great restaurants, rooftop bars and skyline views. It’s also home to some of Nashville’s most Instagram-famous spots, but beyond that, it’s a great place to unwind after a long day of music. The Gulch has become Nashville’s polished, modern playground, part foodie hotspot, part boutique shopping district, part rooftop-bar heaven. It’s more upscale than Broadway and trendier than downtown proper, but if you know where to go, there are some genuinely brilliant places worth building an afternoon or evening around.
If you only do one brunch in Nashville, Biscuit Love is probably the place. It started life as a food truck before becoming one of the city’s signature breakfast spots, and it still absolutely delivers. The “Bonuts” — fried biscuit dough covered in lemon mascarpone — have become borderline legendary, while the chronic bacon and biscuit sandwiches are exactly the sort of Southern comfort food you want before a long CMA Fest day. Expect queues, but they move fast.
One of the Gulch’s standout dinner spots, The Iberian Pig brings a slightly more sophisticated edge to Nashville dining. It’s Spanish-inspired tapas done properly: rich pork dishes, excellent charcuterie and a lively atmosphere that works equally well for date night or groups.
The Gulch isn’t really about cowboy boot souvenir shops, it leans much more fashion-forward, and Blush Boutique is a good example of that. Expect trendy women’s fashion, Nashville-meets-LA styling and the sort of place you’ll probably walk into “just for a look” before leaving with three bags. It fits perfectly with the Gulch’s modern, Instagram-friendly energy. Similarly, part hotel boutique, part curated lifestyle store, the shop inside the W Hotel feels very “new Nashville.” You’ll find stylish clothing, design pieces and gifts that are much cooler than the standard tourist tat downtown. Even if you don’t buy anything, the W itself is worth wandering through for rooftop cocktails and skyline views afterwards.
12 South: Shopping & Southern Cool
If you want a break from the noise and neon of downtown Nashville, a few hours in 12 South District is exactly what you need. This leafy, walkable neighbourhood feels like a completely different city: slower, more local and effortlessly cool. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a coffee, wander between independent boutiques and actually take your time rather than rushing from bar to bar. You’ll find a mix of stylish shops, vintage stores and well-curated local brands, making it one of the best spots in town to pick up something unique that isn’t a Broadway souvenir.
It’s also one of Nashville’s best daytime food scenes. Whether you’re stopping for brunch, a light lunch or just something sweet, 12 South has you covered with laid-back cafés and crowd-favourite restaurants dotted along the strip. There’s a real sense of community here too, locals walking dogs, friends catching up over coffee, and visitors discovering a more relaxed side of the city. After a few days of CMA Fest intensity, spending a morning or afternoon in 12 South feels like a reset button: proof that Nashville isn’t just about the party, but about pace, personality and place as well.
Writers Rounds and Beyond
Some of the best music in Nashville happens in small rooms. Head to The Listening Room Cafe and catch a writers round. You’ll hear the stories behind the songs and often from the people who wrote the hits you’ve been listening to all week. There are also fan parties at The Listening Room during CMA Fest week.
If you really want to understand why Nashville calls itself ‘Music City,' spend an afternoon or evening at the legendary songwriter rounds at 3rd & Lindsley. These shows strip country music back to its roots: just a handful of writers on stools with acoustic guitars telling the stories behind the songs that became massive hits for artists like George Strait, Carrie Underwood and Eric Church. The famous ‘Backstage Nashville' daytime sessions have become one of the city’s best insider experiences, giving visitors the rare chance to hear the people who actually wrote the songs explain how they came together, often with humour, heartbreak and total honesty.
Centennial Park & The Parthenon
For a breather, spend some time in Centennial Park and visit the city’s full-scale replica of the Parthenon Nashville. It’s one of Nashville’s more unexpected attractions and a great spot to relax in the sun away from the crowds downtown.
Great BBQ – A Nashville Essential
If hot chicken is the headline act, barbecue is the slow-burning co-star and you need to try both. Right downtown, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint serves up whole-hog barbecue with deep, smoky flavour and a buzzing atmosphere that makes it a perfect stop between CMA Fest events. Head out to 12 South and you’ll find Edley's Bar-B-Que, a local favourite known for its burnt ends, brisket and laid-back Southern vibe. Between the two, you’ll get a proper taste of Nashville done right.
CMA Fest might be the reason you’re heading to Nashville, but it’s everything around it that will make the trip special. Step away from the main stages, explore a little deeper and you’ll find a city that’s as rich in character as it is in music.
