Nashville 3 day itinerary – 3 plans for families, couples and a bachelor party
In this guide, I have listed the three best Nashville 3 day itinerary options to enjoy the city with your partner, family and kids, or with friends for a bachelor party.
Having 3 days in Nashville may look like plenty of time to experience this city, but I tell you, you are going to miss out on a lot of things if you do not pre-plan it in advance.
And that’s where this guide comes to help.
You can follow the entire itinerary made of morning, afternoon and night activities or you can take it as a starting point to develop your personalized one.
But let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Unsure of where to stay? Check out my guide to the best areas of Nashville based on your type of trip (family, couples, nightlife, with or without car, etc)
Nashville 3 day itinerary – in a nutshell
I have organized the map below (check the interactive Google version here) highlighting the best areas of Nashville to stay and/or visit
If you plan to spend 3 nights but only 2 full days in the city, I suggest checking out my guide to 48 hours in Nashville, it may work actually better (check below for the night activities though)
- Nashville 3 day itinerary for couples: The unmissable Country Music Hall of Fame should be planned on the morning of Day 1, then spend the afternoon exploring North of Broadway. On Day 2 spend the morning at the amazing Museum of African American Music and wonder around the city with a Segway in the afternoon. Leave the tour of the Ryman Auditorium on Day 3 as well as the exploration of the best street art in Nashville. Read below a detailed morning and afternoon plan, including suggestions for lunch and dinner
- Nashville 3 day itinerary with families: Start your Day 1 with a tour at the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame and spend the afternoon in Music Valley for plenty of fun. On Day 2 visit the Adventure Science Center and take a Cart Tour around the city. Finish off your vacation on Day 3 checking out the Lane Motor Museum and watching a performance at the Nashville Children’s Theatre. Read more below for the best family itinerary with all the attractions for kids
- Nashville 3 day itinerary with friends: Start your fun trip on Day 1 with a visit to the Johnny Cash Museum (promise, this is the only museum in these 3 days 🙂 ). Keep going with a visit to the distilleries of Marathon Village, then party with a tractor and close your day at the iconic Honky Tonk Central. On Day 2 plan a day tour to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, a must if travelling to Nashville. On Day 3 take a Segway Tour, join a pub crawl and close your vacation with a night at Printers Alley. Read more below for a fun 72 hours in Nashville.
Here below, I share a Google map with a selection of the best things to do, places to see and experiences to have in Nashville.
I have used most of these places when planning an itinerary in Nashville.
Nashville 3 day itinerary for couples
Day 1 – Country Music Hall of Fame and North of Broadway
It’s the capital of country music, so what better way to start your trip than with a visit in the morning to the Country Music Hall of Fame (book your tickets in advance to avoid the lines)?
The museum was conceived in 1960 and has been built in stages.
Today, the building, with its facade evoking a keyboard, houses one of the world’s largest collections of music, especially for country and folk music.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a stroll down the Walk of Fame celebrating the greatest musicians.
You can read more about the Walk and the Music Hall of Fame in this post.
Country Music Hall of Fame Tickets
Want to have lunch at a casual place?
You must try the tacos at Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina, renowned for its delicious Mexican cuisine.
The rooftop is a popular spot for food and drinks during cocktail hour in the evening
After lunch, take a walk in the artsy North of Broadway.
You can find the Arts District just two blocks off of Broadway.
Discover the Tinney Contemporary Gallery, along with other artworks at the nearby Rymer Gallery, Chauvet Arts, and O Gallery.
As you turn left, you’ll reach the beautiful Legislative Plaza, where you’ll see the War Memorial Auditorium.
Down the street, you’ll see the Tennessee State Capitol, which was built in the Greek style of over 150 years ago.
Explore the surrounding area (20-30 minutes ), stopping at the Andrew Jackson Statue, the Capitol Steps, and the James K. Polk Tomb.
Spend your evening/night in Printers Alley, North of Broadway, for dinner and drinks.
The restaurants and live music venues in the area are a good mix of casual and elegant.
Book a table for dinner at the chic Black Rabbit after a cocktail at the Bobby Hotel‘s Rooftop Lounge.
For more information on North of Broadway, you should check out my guide to the best areas to stay and visit in Nashville.
Day 2 – Museum of African American Music & Segway
On your second morning, visit the National Museum of African American Music (buy your tickets online ahead of time to avoid the long lines).
With over 1,400 artifacts on display, this museum documents the musical genres that African-Americans created, developed, or influenced.
The museum is one of the best in its field, along with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, New York.
I wrote more extensively about the National Museum of African American Music here
African American Music Museum Tickets
Enjoy a guided Segway Tour in the city in the afternoon to explore Nashville in a more comfortable and convenient way
You will have more live bands to attend later in the day, so don’t get too tired during the day.
For a romantic way to end the day, why not taking a 15-minutes helicopter tour at sunset.
A bird’s eye view of Nashville is best during this time of the day.
And you will not have to break the bank because the flight is at a very reasonable price.
Check price for the Helicopter Tour Segway Tour
Downtown offers a variety of options for dinner and live bands.
Look no further than Robert’s Western World if you are looking for a budget-friendly restaurant with live music delivering affordable food with a genuine service.
This is one of the most iconic music bars on Broadway.
Alternately, you can dine at one of the charming restaurants like the Merchants and attend a concert at the Music City Center, Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee Performance Arts Center or The Station Inn.
Day 3 – Ryman Auditorium & Street Art
The Ryman Auditorium, also known as the “Mother Church of Country Music”, is another unmissable place you should visit in Nashville.
The Ryman is celebrating 130 years of its existence in 2022.
It was once known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle and was used for gospel meetings.
The main reason this place is so iconic is that it was home to the original Grand Ole Opry.
When you arrive at the building, you will find a statue of Ryman right outside.
As you enter the lobby, you will find a bronze tribute honoring music greats Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff.
It was a perfect venue for events because of its unique acoustics.
Also nicknamed the ‘Carnegie Hall of the South‘, it has hosted icons like Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin, Katharine Hepburn, Bob Hope and Mae West among others.
After the Opry moved from this location, the site went through some major renovations from 1994.
The original oak pews were removed and reinstalled after the work was completed.
The renovations included bigger dressing rooms, upgraded sound and lighting, a large ticketing booth, concessions and a gift shop.
On weekends and school holidays, I recommend buying the tickets in advance to skip the line.
For lunch, head to Acme Feed & Seed.
This is a multilevel pub/restaurant with live music. On a nice warm day, head to the rooftop for the beautiful view of the Cumberland River.
Start the afternoon with a walk over the pedestrian John Seigenthaler Bridge direction the Cumberland Park, just a stone away from the pub.
It’s the perfect spot for a few photos of the downtown area and the river.
Back into downtown to join a Street Art Golf Cart Tour of Nashville.
This is a city with many interesting murals, however, they are not concentrated in an area, as you can experience, for example, in Brooklyn (NYC) with the Bushwick Collective.
To give you an idea, the popular WhatLiftsYou Wings mural (by Kelsey Montague) is in The Gulch neighborhood, meanwhile the I Believe in Nashville is in Marathon Village, over 1 mile away.
The Golf Cart will be a very handy way to see all without being exhausted for the long walk around downtown and the nearby areas.
Moreover, the guide will give you some of the background on the murals and the artists, which is always nice to have.
For dinner, you have a couple of options.
For a fancy night, head to The Gulch area, where you will find a good selection of chic restaurants like Marc House.
Alternatively, head to SoBro to check out Husk, a farmhouse-themed spot famous for the amazing southern dishes whether you are in the mood for a barbeque or fried chicken.
If you are after dinner or/and drinks with live music, check out the Listening Room Cafe, a really fun place to visit and experience.
It is a quaint little restaurant serving American Cuisine with live music performances in the background setting the perfect mood.
Accommodations and experiences for couples:
- Best Hotels: Virgin Hotel (lux with amazing rooftop pool, in Midtown), Courtyard by Marriott (value for money in Downtown)
- Stylish Hotels: Graduate Nashville (unique interior design with a great rooftop bar, in Midtown), Union Station Hotel (iconic, in The Gulch)
- Hostels & Cheap: The Lee Apartment (the bargain, in Midtown)
- Organised experiences:
Above accommodation options are mostly in downtown. You can see here more areas of Nashville where I suggest booking your hotel or Airbnb.
Nashville 3 day itinerary for families
Day 1 – Country Music Hall of Fame & Music Valley
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a popular and iconic stop in Nashville for families.
Children will enjoy the interactive parts of the museum, which have been designed with them in mind.
It is best to plan your visit in the morning when the children are at their most attentive.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance so you can skip the lines.
As you leave the museum, stroll down the nearby Walk of Fame to see some notable names such as Keith Urban, Jimi Hendrix and Kings of Leon.
Check out this post for more information on the Walk and the Music Hall of Fame.
Lunch time? Enjoy a wide variety of restaurant and eateries options at Assembly Food Hall.
In the afternoon, explore the backstage of the famous Grand Ole Opry by taking a taxi or driving (20 minutes) to Music Valley.
Walk down to the Opry Mills to see some of the best Lego constructions at the LEGO Store.
Last but not least, you can play mini-golf and drive go-karts at Grand Old Golf & Go-Karts center.
For dinner, check out the family-friendly restaurant Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, a historic and old-style restaurant that offers live music in the evenings.
For a more detailed account of the above day’s activities, including interesting and funny facts about the famous Grand Ole Opry, read my comprehensive one day in Nashville for families description.
Country Music Hall of Fame tickets Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
Day 2 – Adventure Science Center & Cart Tour
Start the second day in the morning with a visit to the Adventure Science Center, just outside the downtown area (for the bus timetable, check out the WeGo website)
The Adventure Science Center was launched on October 31, 1945, and was previously known as the Children’s Museum of Nashville.
It is located in the old University of Nashville building.
It was the brainchild of Sgt. John Ripley Forbes whose love for children and the future sparked this vision.
In the 1980s, an expansion was completed with newly opened spaces, including the Adventure tower, the Space Chase and the Sudekum Planetarium.
There are plenty of exhibits that you can enjoy.
One of them is Body Quest where you can learn about the human body.
There is also All Aboard For Trains which tells stories of time from the Mesozoic era into the future.
You must check out Max Flight: Full Moon Simulator. This is where you can take a ride on the roller coasters, engage with interactive movies, and enjoy a ride on flight simulators.
End your museum tour on a high at the Sudekum Planetarium.
This state-of-the-art 63-foot dome theater has an advanced projection system where you can enjoy concerts, laser shows and planetarium presentations.
Return to downtown for lunch at Mellow Mushroom.
After lunch, join a Cart Tour that takes you to 35 of the city’s most iconic spots, including some hidden gems.
Kids will have a blast and they will learn a lot from the local guide driving the cart.
Day 3 – Lane Motor Museum & Nashville Children’s Theatre
In the morning, take the direct bus #55 from downtown to the Lane Motor Museum, a bakery converted in a showcase of interesting old vehicles.
The museum was started back in 2002 by Jeff Lane, a motor fan.
What started as a restoration of a 1955 MG TF, as a teen, gave rise to the Lane Motor outstanding collection.
The museum focuses on European cars and ensures that all vehicles in the collection are still running.
Kids have plenty to do while at the museum.
They can play with toys, do some coloring and play in this large indoor space.
Many events take place at the museum with kids in mind.
For example, there are Daddy Fun Days where kids hang out with their parents as they learn about cars.
There are also Microcar rides in the back parking lot of the museum.
It’s a great way for kids to learn about cars and their history. They can check out how each of them performs and also learn some neat car engine facts.
Head back to SoBro for lunch at Crema Coffee Roasters, a fantastic cafe offering outstanding coffee and a wonderful selection of brunches/lunches.
Who said that Nashville does not offer much to families? So wrong!
On the contrary, the city offers so much for kids, including a Children’s Theatre with performances that rotate through the year
The museum has been around for 91 years and still going strong.
The theater opened in 1931 and was supported by the Junior League of Nashville.
Its first production was “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp.”
In 2005, talks of renovations began and by 2007, the theater was relaunched and kept hosting great plays for families to enjoy.
The theater’s main purpose was, and still is, to give a thriving space for future theater enthusiasts.
Something that will interest kids (in case you will have a much longer stay in Nashville) are the drama classes held here.
It is open for kids between the ages of 3 to 18, while older kids take part in productions over the summer.
When you visit the theater, you will always find a production taking place.
With hundreds of plays having been held here for over 90 years, the kids will not miss something to enjoy.
Accommodations and experiences for families:
- Best Hotels: JW Marriot (lux in The Gulch), Moxy (Budget in SoBro/Downtown), Hyatt Place (Mid-Range in SoBro/Downtown)
- Best Airbnb/Apt: Sonder Elliston (value for money 2BR in Midtown), Sonder at The Saddlery (up to 6 people, in Downtown), Mint House at the Reserve (up to 6 people, in Downtown)
- Organised experiences:
Check more photos below of a 2 day in Nashville Itinerary.
3 days in Nashville for friends and fun or a bachelor party
Day 1 – Johnny Cash, Marathon Village and Honky Tonk Central
Spend the morning of your first day in Nashville visiting the Johnny Cash Museum.
Promise, I won’t include any other museums in this itinerary (this is a fun 3 days plan, with a few drinking opportunities, of course).
Still, it is a fascinating museum! Find out more here.
Finished with Johnny Cash? Then, explore the Marathon Village (in Watkins Park, just outside downtown), an area famous for its distilleries and events.
Join a tour at the Jack Daniel’s General Store or pick up a gift for your loved ones back home.
Southern Engine Deli is a great place to grab a quick lunch.
Follow that up with a tasting session at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery.
Take a few pictures of the murals along the way, such as the I Believe in Nashville.
Ok, it is time to get more active! Join the biggest City Tractor Party downtown.
Pulled in a wagon by a tractor, you’ll ride all over the city drinking and dancing along the way.
The many tourists in the downtown area will surely notice your display.
Last but not least, to finish off the night, go to Broadway’s Honky Tonk Central.
With three live bands playing on three levels, this venue can’t go wrong.
There is no cover fee, but expect to pay a premium for drinks, which is fairly common on Broadway anyway.
Weekends are the busiest times to go
Day 2 – Jack Daniel’s Distillery & Lynchburg
It would be a pity to be in Nashville and not visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, in Lynchburg, around 90 minutes from the city.
I would not recommend driving there, because there is a fair bit of tasting.
Join instead this Jack Daniel’s day Tour leaving from the downtown area in the morning.
You will start your tour at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor Center where you will learn about the 150 years of Jack Daniel’s story.
Then, you will discover how whiskey is made the Jack Daniel’s way.
You will see how Jack Daniel learned about whiskey making while living at the Call family farm in 1864.
In 1866, the distillery was opened with Old No. 7 winning a global award.
Old No. 7 is still going strong, and the visit includes a full tour on its making process.
Tasting is part of the fun of course, and be sure you will have a few opportunities during this day tour.
Sadly enough, you will discover that in 1906, Jack died after kicking a safe and hurting his toe.
Because he had no wife or children, the distillery was left to his nephew, Lem Motlow.
It is currently run by Master Distiller, Chris Fletcher.
While on this tour, you must check out Jack’s last resting place, the Lynchburg Cemetery, which was established around 1847.
The cemetery is near to Lynchburg Square. You will notice the well-maintained gravestones.
While in Lynchburg, check out the Exhibit Hall, the White Rabbit Bottle Shop, the Barrel Shop and the Hardware & General Store where you can buy memorabilia and cute souvenirs to take home with you.
Back in Nashville downtown, organize your evening/night on Broadway, and more specifically at The Valentine.
This is a 4 floors venue with a great rooftop space ideal for those warm nights.
Move to the lower levels for some food and, of course, fantastic live music.
Another great spot, also on Broadway, is Nudie’s Honky Tonk, with live music and a rooftop area too.
Jack Daniel’s Tour Price & Tickets
Day 3 – Segway, Pub crawl & Printers Alley
Take it easy in the morning (you need it after the last 48 hours) and book a Segway City Tour in the afternoon.
It’s one of the best ways to explore Nashville and have some fun as well.
An expert local guide leads the tour, providing information on what’s happening in the city as well.
Afterwards, enjoy an All-Inclusive Pub Crawl along Broadway, starting at Printers Alley.
Even though drinks are provided, this event is not just about drinking (is it?).
The tour is not only entertaining but also offers plenty of information about the different places visited as well as the local beers.
On the tour, you will also be able to meet new people and visit pubs that are less crowded and off the beaten path.
After the pub crawl, go back to Printers Alley for dinner and a few drinks.
Printer’s Alley is the hippest place in Nashville for live music and drinking.
With a more boutique selection of venues, it’s quieter than Broadway, but still lively enough to have fun.
At Alley Taps, there is live music all night long.
Make sure you check out the Whiskey Shot (you must be a whiskey connoisseur by now).
A great place to enjoy a cocktail is the Rooftop Lounge at the Bobby Hotel.
In addition to being a great place to eat, Bowie’s Nashville also has some cool live music.
There is no way to get it wrong in Printers Alley no matter where you go.
Segway Tour All-Inclusive Pub Crawl
Accommodations and experiences:
- Best Hotels: Hayes Street (budget-conscious, in Midtown), Studio 154 Luxury Hotel (great for groups), Courtyard by Marriott (value for money)
- Best Airbnb/Apt: Sonder at The Saddlery (up to 6 people, in Downtown), Mint House at the Reserve (up to 6 people, in Downtown)
- Organised experiences:
Above accommodation options are mostly in downtown. You can see here more areas of Nashville where I suggest booking your hotel or Airbnb.
More photos of the 3 days in Nashville Itinerary
