Weekend guide
A weekend in Nashville
Live music on every block, hot chicken, and the Grand Ole Opry — Nashville is built for a weekend with friends. Here's how to spend two or three days there, and how to book it all at once with Jaunt.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC. Credits
Plan this weekend in one message
"Nashville for a weekend, 4 friends, live music every night, hotel near Broadway"
Build my Nashville tripWhen to go
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) have the most comfortable weather. Summer is hot and humid and busy with festivals, including CMA Fest in June. Weekends book up fast, so reserve hotels early.
Getting there and around
Fly into Nashville International (BNA), about 15–20 minutes by car from Downtown without traffic. Downtown, the Gulch and SoBro are walkable. Use rideshare for East Nashville, Germantown and 12 South. Downtown hotel parking is expensive, so you may not need a car.
Where to stay
- Downtown / Lower Broadway — steps from the honky-tonks, the Ryman and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Loud on weekends.
- The Gulch — newer hotels, restaurants and shops, a short walk from Broadway.
- East Nashville — laid-back bars and restaurants across the river; quieter nights.
- Germantown — historic brick streets and some of the city's best restaurants.
What to do
Honky-tonks on Lower Broadway
Downtown
Bars with live country music from late morning until late, usually with no cover charge.
Grand Ole Opry
Music Valley
The long-running country radio show, with several artists each night. Shows also run at the Ryman Auditorium at times.
Country Music Hall of Fame
SoBro
Costumes, instruments and history of country music. Plan two to three hours.
The Bluebird Cafe
Green Hills
A small, famous songwriters' room. Seats are limited, so reserve online well ahead.
Nashville hot chicken
All over town
Fried chicken coated in cayenne paste. Order a milder heat level the first time.
Radnor Lake State Park
About 20 minutes south
Quiet wooded trails around a lake, a good morning reset after a night out.
A simple weekend plan
Friday
- Land, check in, hot chicken for dinner.
- Live music on Lower Broadway.
Saturday
- Country Music Hall of Fame in the morning.
- Lunch and a walk through the Gulch or Germantown.
- Grand Ole Opry show at night.
Sunday
- Morning hike at Radnor Lake or brunch in East Nashville.
- One last set on Broadway before your flight.
Good to know
- Bring cash for tip jars — bands on Broadway play for tips.
- Many bars are 21+ after a certain hour; bring ID.
- Book the Opry and the Bluebird before your flight; both sell out on weekends.
Opening hours, prices and schedules change. Check each place before you go. Or see a weekend in Miami