Make the Most of Your Time in Music City
Discover all that Nashville has to offer beyond the conference. From iconic music landmarks and cultural attractions to scenic outdoor spaces and vibrant neighborhoods, this curated list of activities helps attendees make the most of their time in Music City. Whether you’re looking to explore between sessions or extend your stay, these experiences showcase the unique energy, history, and hospitality that make Nashville an unforgettable destination.
Art and Culture
Photo Source: Frist Art Museum
Occupying Nashville’s former main post office building, the Frist is a 124,400-square-foot facility with more than 45,000 square feet of combined exhibition and public space. The city’s treasured art deco structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The Frist is a non-collecting museum and presents on average 12–15 exhibitions a year from some of the most prestigious collections in the world, as well as award-winning shows organized in-house.
Photo Source: Cheekwood Estates & Gardens
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate. Since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, Cheekwood has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and an historic estate unlike anything else. Visitors enjoy family activities, programming for all ages and year-round festivals celebrating the four seasons.
Photo Source: The Parthenon – Nashville.gov
The Parthenon in Nashville is the world’s only exact-size and detail replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece. When Tennessee celebrated its 100th year of statehood with the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, Nashville took advantage of its nickname “Athens of the South” and built the Fine Art Building as a copy of Athens’ most famous building and the epitome of Greek classical architecture.
The Parthenon features an art collection inside a historical landmark within Centennial Park. It is a legacy of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition and currently owned and operated by Metro Nashville Parks & Recreation. Its stated mission is to share the artistic and educational ideals of Nashville by connecting people of all ages with art, architecture, and history.
Music and Nostalgia
Photo Source: Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a legendary live country music stage show and radio broadcast in Nashville, Tennessee, widely regarded as the home of country music. It began on November 28, 1925, as the WSM Barn Dance on Nashville’s WSM radio station and adopted the name Grand Ole Opry in 1927, making it the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history.
Over nearly a century, the Opry has helped shape and celebrate country music’s evolution — from traditional string bands and bluegrass to contemporary stars — and contributed to Nashville’s reputation as “Music City, USA.”
Today, weekly live shows at the Grand Ole Opry House feature a mix of country legends, award-winning artists, and rising stars. Attendees can experience performances that blend history with current hits, honoring the genre’s roots while spotlighting its future.
Photo Source: National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, is the only U.S. museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacies of African American music genres like spirituals, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and R&B, using interactive technology and history to tell the story of the American soundtrack.
It features immersive galleries, digital experiences, and educational programs, allowing visitors to create personalized playlists and learn about the impact of Black music on global culture, connecting history with interactive fun.
Learn more about the National Museum of African American Music
Photo Source: Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum is a unique music attraction in Nashville, Tennessee that honors all musicians — not just front-stage stars — by celebrating the artists, session players, producers, and engineers behind some of the most iconic recordings in history.
Located on the first floor of the historic Municipal Auditorium, the museum showcases actual instruments, memorabilia, and exhibits used by legendary artists across genres — from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Jimi Hendrix, Garth Brooks, and more.
A highlight of the visit is the interactive GRAMMY Museum Gallery, where guests of all ages can explore the recording process, try instruments, and learn about songwriting, producing, and studio work.
Photo Source: Country Music Hall of Fame
Built in 1957, RCA Studio B became known as the birthplace for the “Nashville Sound,” a style characterized by background vocals and strings that helped establish Nashville as an international recording center, located on Nashville’s Music Row.
Once the recording home of popular music titans such as Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, and the Everly Brothers—is both a classroom for Nashville area students and a popular cultural attraction.
Photo Source: Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum celebrates the life, legend, and musical legacy of Johnny Cash — the iconic “Man in Black.” Opened in 2013, it houses the world’s largest collection of Cash memorabilia, including personal artifacts, rare recordings, and interactive exhibits that trace his journey from humble beginnings to global stardom. Visitors can explore exhibits on his early life, military service, prison concerts, and genre-spanning influence across country, rock, gospel, and blues. The museum has earned top travel and culture accolades and remains one of Nashville’s most beloved music attractions.
Outdoors and Scenic Spots
Photo Source: Tennessee State Parks
Radnor Lake State Park is a peaceful, day-use natural sanctuary just south of downtown Nashville that showcases Tennessee’s natural beauty amid an urban setting. Designated in 1973 as the state’s first Class II State Natural Area, the park protects more than 1,300 acres of hardwood forest, rolling hills, and an 85-acre lake originally created in 1914 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
The park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, birding, photography, and nature education. A network of trails—ranging from easy, accessible paths around the lake to more challenging ridge hikes—lets visitors see deer, otters, wild turkeys, and over 200 species of birds, especially during migration seasons.
Photo Source: Tennessee State Parks
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre urban state park in the heart of downtown Nashville, created in 1996 to commemorate Tennessee’s 200th anniversary of statehood. Modeled after the National Mall in Washington, D.C., it links the Tennessee State Capitol with educational, cultural, and recreational features that showcase the state’s history, geography, and heritage.
Highlights include a 200-foot granite map of Tennessee, fountains representing the state’s major rivers, a 1,400-foot Pathway of History chronicling key events, the Walkway of the Counties honoring all 95 counties, and the Court of Three Stars with a 95-bell carillon that rings Tennessee-themed music.
Photo Source: The Cultural Landscape Foundation
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is a historic and scenic pedestrian and bike bridge spanning the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville. Originally opened in 1909 as the Shelby Street Bridge (and initially called the Sparkman Street Bridge), it was one of the first bridges in North America to feature arched concrete trusses and served vehicular traffic for much of the 20th century.
Renamed in 2014 in honor of journalist and civil rights advocate John Seigenthaler, the bridge now connects Riverfront Park with Cumberland Park and provides one of the best panoramic views of the Nashville skyline, day or night, making it a must-see for visitors and photographers alike.
Food Institutions
Photo Source: Monell’s
At Monell’s, you’ll feast on plates of Southern classics and comfort foods, piled high on serving plates and shared family-style with your neighbors. Their menu changes each day. Enjoy Skillet Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Cheese Grits, Cornbread, Biscuits and Gravy, Pork Chops, and Pot Roast. Come on in, grab a seat at large tables and start passing the bowls to your left. Their set price includes meats, vegetables and salads of the day, plus drink and dessert.
Famous for family-style Southern dining, serving classic dishes like fried chicken and biscuits.
Photo Source: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
In 2006, after a decades-long career in food and hospitality, Nick Bishop Sr. tried to retire. It didn’t take. The next year he opened Bishop’s Meat & 3, an old-school, cafeteria-style restaurant in Franklin, Tenn. Folks started showing up. Around that same time, Nick Jr. wanted a break from the music business in Nashville and joined his Dad behind the counter.
Soon after, father and son introduced hot chicken to the menu and began tinkering around with their own spice blend. More folks started showing up. By 2011, the Bishops were offering a variety of heat levels, and the idea for a hot chicken restaurant was born. The next summer on August 9, 2012, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken made its debut, just off Broadway. More than a decade later, with a dozen restaurants and hundreds of employees across five states, we still feel like we’re at the beginning of our story.
A must-try for Nashville Hot Chicken, with various heat levels.
Photo Source: Mas Tacos Por Favor
At Mas Tacos Por Favor, located in the heart of East Nashville, a vibrant culinary adventure awaits. This beloved Mexican eatery has garnered a loyal following for its tantalizing tacos, including the crowd-favorite Fried Avocado Taco, and exceptional Chilaquiles, available on Saturday mornings. The inviting atmosphere features a colorful outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying a refreshing Horchata or quart-sized margaritas alongside your meal. Customers rave about the authentic flavors and the delightful crunch of their Elote. With friendly staff and a warm vibe, Mas Tacos Por Favor truly captures the essence of Mexico, providing an unforgettable dining experience.
Beloved for cheap, delicious tacos and plantains (cash only!).
Photo Source: Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Arnold’s Country Kitchen was opened by Jack and Rose Arnold in Nashville, Tennessee in 1982. Since then, Jack and Rose’s children have continued serving Nashvillians and visitors. Arnold’s is a ‘mom and pop’ family business. Food is made fresh daily from scratch just like your grandma’s homecooking. On any given day you can bet you’ll find at least three of the Arnolds here cooking and serving the folks.
A James Beard Award winner, known for authentic Meat-and-Three plates.
Photo Source: The Nashville Grange
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Nashville Grange is located on the Lobby Level of the Grand Hyatt and features incredible views of famed Broadway, nearby Union Station and the vibrant, surrounding city. A stylish yet casual venue, The Nashville Grange is inspired by the comforts and bounty of the farmstead and the agrarian legacy of the region.