Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nashville?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nashville?

Many visitors spend two to three days in Nashville during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to listen to some live music, dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, and spend time at the museums.

Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee. It's also a country music capital with many unique attractions relating to the music scene. Many legendary country music singers had their start in Nashville and the city continues to have a thriving nightlife and music scene with Honky Tonks, and other live music venues. You'll also find the iconic Grand Ole Opry in town.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Nashville? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is 3 days enough time in Nashville?

Three days in Nashville is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend two to three days here. This amount of time is perfect if you want to listen to some live music, dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, and spend time at the museums. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

How to spend 3 days in Nashville

Don't miss the Grand Ole Opry during your trip to Nashville, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Live music is very popular in Nashville, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

You'll want to have around 2 hours for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It's a nice activity for families and is known for being the leading museum and hall of fame dedicated to the history and stars of country music. It's around $30 for adults, with discounted rates for seniors, military members, and children under 18..

It's worth around 2 hours for Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Entry is around $20 for adults, with discounted tickets available for children, seniors, and military personnel.. It's known for honoring the achievements and contributions of session musicians and artists across all music genres.

It's worth around 2 hours for The Parthenon of Nashville. Entry is $10 for adults, $6 for children aged 4-17, and free for children under 4 years old.. It's known for being a full-scale replica of the ancient Parthenon in Greece and housing a colossal statue of Athena.

The Johnny Cash Museum is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for anyone. Known for its extensive collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia and engaging exhibits dedicated to his life and legacy, entry is $22.

Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Frist Art Museum, which is $15. It's great for families and is known for showcasing rotating art exhibitions in a historic Art Deco building with community-focused programs.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Nashville is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. This is a moderate sized city with a great music and entertainment scene.

You'll want to have around 2 hours for Grand Ole Opry. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for live country music performances and historic radio shows. It's around $35 for adults, with discounted rates available for children and seniors; tour packages may vary in price..

Ryman Auditorium is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its rich history as the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and its excellent live music performances, entry is $25.

You'll want to have around 2 hours for Bluebird Cafe. It's a nice activity for couples and is known for being a legendary live music venue featuring intimate songwriter performances and uncovering new talent. It's about $15 per person, with some shows offering different pricing tiers and reserved seating available..

It's worth around 2 hours for Tennessee State Capitol. Entry is free. It's known for its historic Greek Revival architecture and role as the seat of Tennessee's government.

Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Broadway Street, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its lively live music venues and iconic honky-tonks that define Nashville's nightlife and country music culture.

Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Printer’s Alley, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its lively nightlife, historic charm, live music venues, and bars.

A few tour suggestions include:

Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration ($39)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Is 4 days enough time in Nashville?

With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Nashville has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Nashville as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying plenty of live music, the food, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Nashville, Tennesse

How to spend 4 days in Nashville

If you have more than 4 days in Nashville, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

After you've explored most of Nashville, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nashville.

Is 5 days enough time in Nashville?

Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Nashville, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to listen to some live music, dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, and spend time at the museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Nashville as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend 5 days in Nashville

Having 5 days in Nashville will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Nashville is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Nashville, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.