9 Absolutely Free Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
9 Absolutely Free Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
Amy Is Going Places
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Who said vacations had to be expensive? Whether you're just passing through or have booked several days to explore Music City, USA, here are 9 absolutely free things you can experience throughout the city!
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Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
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Opryland Resort and Convention Center offers an relaxing, memorable experience for individuals, couples, families, or groups.
The 4-star resort includes a 9 acre atrium with walking paths (free and open to the public, whether or not you are staying at the resort), a spa, and SoundWaves - an expansive waterpark with indoor and outdoor attractions.
Check the resort website for seasonal attractions, particularly around Christmas, when the resort is alight with holiday magic, ice skating, tubing, and more!
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The Parthenon
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Situated in Nashville's Centennial Park, the world's only full scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon is a favorite attraction for visitors and locals alike.
Enjoy the grounds and Parthenon exterior for free, but don't miss the chance to see inside! For a minimal fee, enter the museum with rotating exhibitions on the lower level, a towering statue of Athena in the grand central interior space, and family-friendly creative workshop spaces in the galleries above.
For a full list of hours, ticket pricing, and upcoming events, visit the Parthenon's website below.
Things to know:
- Parking is free at the Parthenon
- The Parthenon provides numerous accessibility accommodations, including mobility aids and sensory sensitive tours
- Consider making a day of it and picnicking on the grounds
- The Parthenon makes a great photo op backdrop to memorialize your time in Nashville!
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Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
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This 11-acre park is a walkable history of Tennessee, including "a 200-foot granite map of the state, a World War II Memorial, a 95-Bell Carillon, a Pathway of History and the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains."
Situated between the State Capitol Building, the Nashville Farmer's Market, and historic Germantown, the park provides downtown Nashville with a luxurious greenspace for all ages.
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Frist Art Museum
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The historic Art Deco post office building opened its doors in 2001 as the Frist Art Museum and has since become one of Nashville's most beloved cultural landmarks. With no permanent collections, the Frist Art Museum is guaranteed to be a unique experience every time you visit.
General admission tickets and guided tours for individuals or groups may be purchased at the door or in advance.
Looking for free fun? Join the Architecture Tour, available Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30pm. A docent will guide you through the history of the building, its design details, and its significance in the history of Nashville and the greater story of America. (This was one of my favorite hidden museum experiences in Nashville!)
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The Music City Walk of Fame Park
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Walk among the stars! Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame features inductees who made a lasting imprint on the world of music and who have ties to the city of Nashville. You'll find names like Little Richard, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, and Alabama among the notable music makers honored in the park.
Located adjacent to the Bridgestone Arena, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Music City Walk of Fame is open 24 hours a day and free to access.
If you happen to catch a rare induction ceremony, it too is free to the public!
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Radnor Lake State Park
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Escape the noise of the city to wander hiking trails around scenic Radnor Lake.
Located just south of Nashville, the park is a beautiful place to go for a run, explore as family, or stretch your legs. Some of the trails are paved and wide enough to accommodate strollers or mobility aids.
Educational signage placed throughout the park inform visitors of the wildlife and plants that make their home there. Additional information is available in the Walter Criley Visitor Center, located at the west parking lot off Otter Creek Road.
The park is free to access and open year round from 6:00am until 20 minutes after sunset.
For more information, visit the website below.
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Tennessee State Capitol
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A registered National Historic Landmark, the Tennessee State Capitol building is among the oldest working capitols in the country.
Home to the offices of the governor, the Tennessee General Assembly, and the historic Capitol Library, the Tennessee State Capitol is open weekdays from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Visitors can enjoy either a guided tour or self-guided tour for free. For groups of 10 or more people or for special accommodations for mobility or language translation, please contact the capitol in advance to plan your visit.
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The Bankers Alley Hotel Nashville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
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Tucked away inside this hotel is more than 10,500 square feet of artwork. The gallery is accessible daily for free tours and is bookable for events. Contact the hotel for current availability for guided tours, events, and accommodations.
Hotel amenities include smoke-free facilities, fitness center, on site restaurant, and valet parking for a fee. Small pets are permitted for an additional fee.
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Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery
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Tour the permanent collections, explore rotating exhibits, and join in an open drawing class at the Vanderbilt University Art Gallery.
Check the link below for hours and upcoming events to plan your visit.
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Bonus Activity
Nashville's iconic murals are scattered throughout the city, and most are easily accessible as you walk around town. If you want to see more in less time, however, consider booking a mural tour like these:
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Want more?
More Nashville!
Hang up your hat and stay a while at any one of the best hotels in Music City.
From coffee and breakfast to dinner and dessert, Nashville has no lack of delights for the palate. Indulge in a taste of the city and make lasting memories with experiences like chocolate factory tours, ice cream making classes, and more!
Help!
Planning a trip can feel overwhelming. I'd love to help!
If you have a general idea of where you'd like to go and when, but planning what to do day by day seems like A LOT of work, let me handle that for you with Custom Trip Itineraries.
And if you're more of a figure-it-out-as-you-go kind of traveler, I can provide you with Curated Recommendations suited to your interests and travel style.
Let's get started!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amy Is Going Places
Available for hire
US native. Former resident of Romania. Current solo female globe trotter.
I've ventured to more than a dozen countries across four continents as part of group tours, volunteer work, solo travel, studying abroad, and teaching internationally. I lived for over a year in Romania, many years in Tennessee, and several months in England.
My travel style is slow, spontaneous, and - shall we say - richly flavorful. I prefer to stay longer lengths in places instead of having a whirlwind sightseeing venture. I'll skip the chain restaurants for a hole-in-the-wall café any day of the week. I prefer a loose itinerary and remain open to what each day brings.
My favorite things to do and see as I travel are...
- EAT -
Try whatever is local. Order the special of the day. Talk with the restaurant staff.
- WALK -
It encourages me to slow down, notice, and get a feel for community.
- HIKE -
I'm a lazy hiker. By "hike," I mean a few hours at a slow pace.
- MUSEUMS -
Spend an afternoon. Read the descriptions on exhibits. Talk with the docents. Buy something in the giftshop.
- CHURCHES -
I'm fascinated by the various ways people have worshipped the God of the Bible over centuries and across borders. Many older churches are also museums or tourist-friendly spaces. Some additionally hold regular liturgical services.
- CASTLES -
Castles, fortresses, palaces, big ol' houses: these places transport me back in time. I imagine the people who built, lived in, and defended them. What would they think of how we now live?
If this kind of travel sounds ideal to you, hit the Contact Me button! I'd love to help you experience slower, more meaningful travel. We'll discuss tips for how to make the most of your trip, with low stress, reasonable safety, affordability, and lots of fun. Book one of my custom services, and we'll work together to get you wheels up on your next adventure! Follow me to easily access all the resources I create.
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