The Perfect Nashville Itinerary for 3 Days

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Planning the perfect Nashville itinerary? Nashville is one of those cities that somehow manages to feel energetic and laid back at the same time. You can spend the morning exploring museums, the afternoon making custom cowboy hats, and the evening listening to live music.

This Nashville itinerary is perfect for families, couples, or friend groups looking for a fun long weekend filled with food, music, and classic Nashville experiences.

While Broadway definitely has a party atmosphere at night, there are also so many activities for kids and teens throughout the city. Be sure to check out our full guide to the best things to do in Nashville.

Table of Contents

Nashville Itinerary Overview

Day 1:

Arrive in Nashville
Explore 12 South or The Gulch
Check into hotel
Relax by the pool
Broadway at night

Day 2:

Pancake Pantry breakfast
Country Music Hall of Fame
Pedestrian Bridge
Johnny Cash Museum
Assembly Food Hall
Little Words Project
Goo Goo Cluster experience
Pinewood Social

Day 3:

Opryland Resort
Opry Mills
Dinner with live music

Day 1: Arrive in Nashville and Explore

You can fly into Nashville International Airport which is only about 15 minutes from downtown. Most families will want to rent a car when they arrive.

While downtown is walkable, having a car makes it much easier to explore neighborhoods and attractions outside the city center. If you don’t have a car, Uber is a great option. You can also rent scooter through the Lime app.

Option 1: Explore 12 South

One of the cutest neighborhoods to include on your Nashville itinerary is 12 South. This trendy area is packed with boutiques, murals, coffee shops, and restaurants. We arrived around lunch time, so head straight to Fonda for some tacos.

A few favorite stops include:

Stoney Clover Lane for colorful travel accessories and patches
The famous murals throughout the neighborhood
Draper James (Reece Witherspoon’s lifestyle brand)
Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott

Option 2: Visit The Gulch

If you prefer a more modern vibe, head to The Gulch instead.

This area is known for shopping, restaurants, and fun photo spots. One of the most unique experiences here is designing custom cowboy hats at Rustler Hat Co. Kids and adults alike will love choosing bands, pins, and embellishments to create their own hat.

Afterward, grab a treat from Five Daughters Bakery. Their famous layered donuts are absolutely worth the hype.

Broadway at Night

No Nashville itinerary would be complete without experiencing Broadway.

Even if you are traveling with kids, it is still fun to walk the strip early in the evening and listen to live music pouring out of every doorway. Neon lights flash overhead while musicians perform everything from country classics to pop covers.

You can easily spend hours wandering from one venue to another.

Day 2: Museums, Food Halls, and Nashville Favorites

1. Breakfast at Pancake Pantry

Start your morning at Pancake Pantry, one of the most famous breakfast spots in Nashville. Expect a line, especially on weekends, but it moves fairly quickly.

The pancakes are delicious and the portions are huge.

2. Nashville Visitor Center

Next, stop at the Nashville Visitor Center to gather maps, attraction information, and recommendations.

3. Country Music Hall of Fame

One of the highlights of this Nashville itinerary is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Even if you are not a huge country music fan, the exhibits are incredibly well done. You will find costumes, instruments, memorabilia, interactive displays, and fascinating stories about the evolution of country music.

4. Walk Across the Pedestrian Bridge

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge offers some of the best skyline views in Nashville. It is a great place to take photos and stretch your legs.

5. Johnny Cash Museum

Music lovers should also visit the Johnny Cash Museum. The museum gives a deeper look into Johnny Cash’s life, music, and legacy.

6. Lunch at Assembly Food Hall

For lunch, head to Assembly Food Hall.

This giant food hall is perfect for families because everyone can choose something different. There are burgers, tacos, sushi, hot chicken, desserts, and more.

7. Make Little Words Project Bracelets

Kids and tweens will love creating friendship bracelets at Little Words Project. It makes a fun souvenir from your Nashville itinerary.

8. Make Your Own Goo Goo Clusters

One of the most unique activities in Nashville is making your own candy bar at Goo Goo Chocolate Co..

The hands-on experience is fun for both adults and kids.

9. Dinner at Pinewood Social

Head to Pinewood Social for dinner. This trendy spot combines a restaurant, bowling alley, and hangout space all in one.

The outdoor area has a relaxed atmosphere that works especially well for families.

Day 3: Opryland and Family Fun

1. Breakfast at Buttermilk Ranch

Start your final morning at The Butter Milk Ranch for Southern comfort food and breakfast favorites.

2. Explore Opryland Resort

The massive Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center almost feels like its own indoor city.

Families will love exploring the indoor gardens, waterfalls, and pathways. You can even ride the Delta Riverboats through the resort.

Parking Tips for Opryland

Parking at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center can be very expensive.

We parked in the free temporary parking lot, which gives visitors one hour of complimentary parking. That was enough time for us to take the Delta Riverboat ride and explore the beautiful indoor gardens.

After the free hour, parking jumps to around $40, so keep an eye on the time.

Another great option is parking for free at Opry Mills. There is a shuttle bus that runs between Opry Mills and Opryland, which is an easy way to save money.

3. Visit Opry Mills

Next door, Opry Mills offers shopping and several family attractions. Some favorites include:

Madame Tussauds Nashville
Aquarium Restaurant
The Great Big Game Show
The Escape Game Nashville

4. End Your Trip With Live Music

Before heading home, spend one last evening at The Listening Room Cafe.

This intimate venue gives you the chance to hear talented songwriters perform in a more relaxed setting than Broadway. It is a wonderful way to end your Nashville itinerary.

Where to Stay in Nashville

For this Nashville itinerary, we recommend staying at Kimpton Aertson Hotel.

The Kimpton Aertson Hotel is located in midtown, right beside Vanderbilt University. It is a more quiet part of town, but only a 10 minute Uber drive from downtown.

The hotel has a fun boutique feel that works well for families and couples alike. One of our favorite touches was the complimentary wine hour in the evening. The rooftop pool is also a great place to relax after a busy day exploring the city.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are visiting for the live music, incredible food, family attractions, or Southern charm, this Nashville itinerary offers a little bit of everything.

From custom cowboy hats and rooftop pools to museums and riverboat rides, Nashville is a city that feels exciting without being overwhelming.

Three days is the perfect amount of time to experience many of the highlights while still leaving plenty of reasons to come back again.

keep exploring

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