Nashville bursts with music, culture, food, and southern hospitality, offering plenty of activities that make any visit memorable. Start with music—this week, listeners can catch Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas live at Ascend Amphitheater tonight, August 22. Outdoor music lovers will enjoy this riverside venue’s atmosphere and scenic views, especially when a Grammy-winning act like Krauss takes the stage, according to the Ascend Amphitheater’s official lineup. For an authentic Nashville night, the Grand Ole Opry offers performances celebrating its hundredth year. Upcoming shows feature legendary names like Vince Gill, Riders in the Sky, and even Opry Square Dancers, blending tradition with new voices.
For a more intimate, local flair, 3rd and Lindsley hosts Bluegrass on 3rd—a Thursday afternoon showcase of top bluegrass acts. It's a new series created in partnership between Bluegrass Nashville and the popular listening room, drawing both locals and visitors missing that midweek music fix. This Saturday, August 23, their evening lineup continues to highlight regional talent. If you’re in town on Monday, August 25, 3rd and Lindsley also presents The Time Jumpers—a supergroup of Nashville studio legends playing Western swing, a well-kept local favorite.
Nashville's venues are legendary for good reason. The historic Ryman Auditorium, sometimes called the “Mother Church of Country Music,” offers shows in a breathtaking setting built in 1892. Next Friday, listeners can plan ahead for Anderson East’s soul-stirring performance at the Ryman, an experience that brings together exceptional acoustics and music history.
Art and architecture lovers should wander Centennial Park to see the full-scale Nashville Parthenon—complete with a 42-foot statue of Athena and rotating art galleries. The Lane Motor Museum houses rare cars, motorcycles, even microcars, offering a quirky and unforgettable collection that appeals to families and car buffs alike. The Johnny Cash Museum is another must, packed with memorabilia chronicling one of country music’s greatest outlaws.
Nashville’s creative energy doesn’t stop at music. The End and The Basement are iconic clubs booking up-and-coming artists across genres. Check their updated calendars for a surprise set that could easily become the highlight of your trip—many locals claim these smaller venues launch careers.
Outdoor fans will love a stroll or rental along the Cumberland River Greenway. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park delivers panoramic views of the state capitol, monuments, and even free walking tours that combine Tennessee history with fresh air. If you want a unique urban adventure, try a Nashville Pedal Tavern tour; it's part pub crawl, part sightseeing trip, powered by you and a group.
Craving a taste of Tennessee? Start at the Assembly Food Hall downtown. Here, dozens of chefs offer everything from Nashville hot chicken to artisan tacos under one roof. For something only found in Music City, Ole Smoky Distillery at 6th & Peabody serves craft moonshine, whiskey, and beer, with cornhole and live music every weekend.
Sports enthusiasts shouldn’t skip a Nashville Sounds baseball game; the city’s minor league team plays at First Horizon Park, where families, fans, and food trucks meet for an afternoon of classic ballpark fun. Soccer fans can catch Nashville SC matches—home games have become local events with a festival atmosphere.
Hidden gems add to the city’s charm. Printer’s Alley in downtown Nashville, once home to speakeasies, now mixes live jazz bars and lounges, transporting visitors back to a Prohibition-era nightlife. East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood is filled with murals, indie shops, and funky brunch spots that draw both locals and those seeking something off the beaten path.
Nashville never really sleeps. Each week delivers new concerts, pop-up art shows, chef takeovers, and block parties. Whether you tune in for the icons, the unexpected, or simply to savor the city’s legendary hospitality, any trip to Nashville is sure to echo with music and adventure.
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