You found love and you’re in Nashville — who could be luckier than you right now?
Whether you’re in the market for first date ideas, honeymoon attractions, or you’re simply trying to keep the flame alive, The Music City is full of unforgettable experiences and memories waiting to be had by you and your sweetheart.
Listed below are over 35 of Nashville’s most original and exciting experiences for you and your loved one, organized by category.
Table Of Contents
Unique Experiences
Dance classes
Having many options of dance classes to pick from is just one of the many benefits of living in or traveling to The Music City.
This wonderful place offers line dancing, contra dancing, salsa dancing, ballroom dancing, and so many more! Some dance classes are even offered for free at places like Wild Horse Saloon!
Sip n Strokes
Bring out your artistic side and try your hand at a new skill. Paint in a relaxed, booze-friendly, environment under the guidance of a fun and informed instructor, and take home a painting as a souvenir of your charming night out together.
Can’t make it to the studio? No problem! Sip n Strokes also offers off-site, and in-home classes, so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home, or designate a driver!
Go antiquing
Nashville is chock full of fascinating history, and its relics are scattered amongst a plethora of antique stores operating in the area.
Take your date on a tour of some of the notable ones like East Nashville Antiques & Vintage, where you can find an incredible selection of furniture, clothes, and old books, or attend a live auction and score an amazing deal and a one-of-a-kind experience.
Picnic in the park or by the Cumberland River
What could beat a picnic in a beautiful location like Centennial Park or the Cumberland River bank with your sweetheart on a crisp Tennessee evening? Bring a blanket, your favorite meal, a bottle of wine, or a thermos of something warm, and stretch out in nature with the one you love.
Cheekwood Estates and Gardens
The Cheekwoods Estate and Gardens is a fantastic way to incorporate a variety of interests that you and your partner may share.
On this beautiful, expansive, property, there are stunning botanical gardens, historic buildings, and incredible sculpture gardens. Sign up for a tour, or walk independently through the estate, but make sure you have at least a few hours to fully enjoy this amazing location.
The Nashville Farmers Market
A romantic dinner at home starts with good produce and ingredients from trusted sources, like The Nashville Farmers Market, one of the oldest farmer’s markets in the United States. This isn’t your average farmers market either — here you can find an enormous selection of delicious produce, dairy, meats, and more offered daily, rain or shine, year-round.
Trivia Night at Southern Grist
Come for the trivia, and stay for the beer! Southern Grist is one of Nashville’s most popular breweries, but trivia and beer aren’t all they do well — if you like barbeque, they do an amazing brisket! Trivia starts at 8:00 pm on Friday nights, bring a date and compete together (or against each other) in a battle of wits!
Karaoke at The Lipstick Lounge
Tell your spouse or sweetheart that you love them through the power of song! This eclectic bar offers nightly karaoke, as well as other events such as drag shows, and games. Stop by to impress your date with your amazing singing voice and enjoy delicious drinks amongst a welcoming crowd.
Tour some local bookshops
Nashville is home to an amazing assortment of quality bookshops. Spend a romantic afternoon together looking amongst your favorite titles, or pick a new book out to read together. Also, check the websites for a few of the more well-established bookshops which hold events like book signings and poetry readings.
Book a romantic river cruise on The General Jackson Showboat
You wouldn’t expect the ability to book a romantic cruise line getaway in somewhere as inland as Nashville, but luckily, there are options!
The General Jackson Showboat has an unforgettable and classy experience for couples looking to eat five-star meals in breathtaking dining halls, see an amazing live performance, and witness incredible views of the city from the Cumberland River.
Bell Meade Plantation and Winery
Romantics simply can’t resist the charm of Belle Mead Plantation. This historic site is nestled in the Cumberland Valley and waiting to be explored by you and your loved one.
Smell the sweetness of blooming cherry blossoms on a warm Nashville afternoon as you tour the charming grounds. Stop by the winery for a wine tasting and make your way to the gift shop for a souvenir!
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
This one is especially for couples who value history and charming aesthetics. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the site of Andrew Jackson’s home before and after he served his presidential term.
Not into history? You can still find things on the grounds that suit you or your sweetheart’s interests such as participating in a wine tasting or viewing the magnificent architecture.
Request “your song” at Sid Gold’s Request
Sid Gold’s Request is a fun cross between a piano bar and a karaoke lounge. Take your date for a couple of drinks and surprise them by requesting you and your date’s song. The piano player will play the tune while you sing!
Tour the city the old-fashioned way with Suger Creek Carriages
What’s more romantic than being carried around in a horse-drawn carriage? Snuggle up with your loved one and get glimpses of the city in style with this unique tour group.
Active & Adventurous
Pins Mechanical
Those couples looking to play a few rounds of duckpin bowling, toss the bocce ball around, beat each other’s pinball high score, or just looking for a lively place to score some tasty food and wet their whistle with some cold brews should consider spending their next outing at Pins Mechanical, Nashville’s premier duckpin bowling alley.
Additionally, if you or your partner work in the service industry, bring a punch slip to Pins Mechanical on Monday night at 8:00 pm and you’ll receive a service industry discount.
Take them ice-skating
There are two amazing places to take your date ice skating in the Nashville area, Centennial Sportsplex and Ford Ice Center.
There are pros and cons to both, but the appeal of Centennial Sportsplex is that there are many other activities that you could take part in together while you’re there, including swimming, aerobics, weight training, and many more.
If you’re local to the area, the two of you could also sign up for one of the many classes that Centennial Sportsplex has to offer and have many dates scheduled for the future.
Stretch it out with a yoga class
For those couples who aren’t into the honkytonk scene, there’s a fantastic option in Nashville’s yoga scene. Get into shape, focus your energies, and improve your flexibility and balance.
There are many yoga groups to choose from for classes, from independent meet-ups to well-established yoga studios like Nashville Yoga Company, which offers options for beginners, as well as seasoned stretchers.
Go ziplining at Adventure Park
You don’t typically have the option of taking your date on a zipline tour, but with Nashville’s surrounding lush forests and Adventure Park’s fantastic equipment and guides, ziplining with your loved one is an amazing possibility.
Nashville’s Adventure Park takes you and your date from tree to tree, safely along one of many canopy trails which are organized by difficulty. Booking opens on March 3rd and the season will end on June 19th, so book your reservation today!
Hit some balls at D-BAT
Baseball is often hailed as “America’s Favorite Pastime,” so if you’re looking for the perfect pastime for you and your date in Nashville, hitting a few balls at D-BAT’s batting cages might be a great place to start. D-BAT also offers classes so if you and your sweetheart are new to baseball or batting cages, you can hire a paid professional to show you the ropes.
Check out the local hiking scene
Nashville‘s surrounding natural areas have so many amazing hiking options for couples looking to truly experience the great outdoors and get some valuable exercise in the process. The best part? No lines, no admittance fees, and no equipment rentals!
Take a look at a few of the Nashville or Tennessee Parks Department’s websites that provide insight into the trails and facilities in the area, and see which one of these special areas inspires you!
Take a couples' bike tour
Traveling by bike allows you to experience Nashville differently than you would by car or walking. The speed of the bike makes your trip efficient, but you’ll still be exposed to plenty of fresh air and 360 views of the city!
There are many great route options! You could take the Mill Creek Greenway, which runs between I-24 and Mill Creek, or you could just play it by ear and ride through Nashville’s wonderfully bikeable downtown area.
Visit one of Nashville’s many parks
Nashville’s beautiful and historic public parks are absolutely worth mentioning as a thoughtful and creative date idea for you and your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Take a picnic, toss the frisbee around, take the dog for a walk, or simply go for the wildflowers and scenery! No matter what part of the city you live in, or plan on visiting, there are many parks to choose from for your romantic outing.
Play a round of disc golf at Two Rivers Golf Course
Two Rivers Golf Course is a standard golf course with holes and clubs but if disc golf is more you and your date’s style, there is an amazing disc golf course located on the same property. Bring your own discs or rent a set for the day!
Rent a couple of scooters for a joy ride
Ever see Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck? At Dash Scooter Rentals, you can have your very own Nashville Holiday! Renting a scooter with your date is a great way to explore the city and getting from Point A to Point B with ease is an added bonus.
Music & Entertainment
See a show at Bobby’s Idle Hour
Considered one of the most authentic country music bars in the city, Bobby’s Idle Hour is a great venue for couples who want to see some live music but want to stay away from the crowds of downtown Nashville.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
On the list of iconic Nashville country music venues, this one has got to be close to the very top, but it’s also incredibly close to many other iconic Nashville music institutions, including The Johnny Cash Museum, and The Ryman Auditorium, which is located on the same city block.
It’s this convenience that led to some of the most recognizable country acts getting their start or making an appearance at Tootsies. Come see a show, or check out the wall of fame of famous customers and performers, which is an attraction of its own!
City Winery
It’s true, this venue also doubles as a winery, but it’s not just for wine lovers! It’s for music lovers! City Winery books huge names on a regular basis, has an amazing aesthetic and ambiance, and delivers an amazing product and food menu. Check out the events calendar and see if your favorite musician or band is coming to City Winery any time soon!
Bluebird Cafe
The Bluebird Cafe is a great place in general to take your date; the drinks and cozy atmosphere provide an intimate setting for you to get to know one another, or simply enjoy each other’s company.
But the real appeal is the space’s capability as a music venue! You can get up close and personal with some of Nashville’s rising stars, and experience acoustics that are nearly unmatched in Nashville’s music scene.
In addition to seeing amazing local performances, keep an eye out for spontaneous open mic night announcements on The Bluebird Cafe’s social media, for a chance to show off your own musical skills!
Belcourt Theatre
The Belcourt Theatre is primarily known as the Nashville area’s independent movie theatre, and a fantastic choice for catching a film that you might not normally get the chance to see at a more mainstream theatre like AMC.
But apart from being a great place to see independent films, it’s also a great place to see cultural events and speakers! Check the website’s showtimes and event calendar to see what’s happening this month!
The Station Inn
The Station Inn is a mecca for bluegrass fans and musicians! There are nightly bluegrass shows booked at The Station Inn’s stage, but for those couples who are experienced (or just getting the hang of) in bluegrass picking, The Station Inn also holds an open jam night for local musicians and couples traveling to the area who are looking for an incredible experience.
Additionally, The Station Inn also has a gift shop worth mentioning, so if you’re in the market for a special gift for your sweetheart, stop by and pick up a shirt, hat, or pint glass!
Zanies Comedy Club
We all know that couple who is quick with a good joke — if that couple is you and your partner and you’re local or traveling to the Nashville area, check out Zanies, Nashville’s most popular comedy club!
Zanies books the most popular comedy acts in the country and offers a great drink and food menu to add to the full experience. Check the website for a list of their scheduled acts.
See a classy performance at the Nashville Opera
Nashville has plenty of options for country or blues performances, but if you’re looking for something refined and upscale, consider getting tickets to the Nashville Opera. Performances are held year-round so whether you’re local or you’re just in town for a few nights, there’s almost always something showing.
Fun & Games
Game Terminal
What games will you and your sweetheart play together at Game Terminal? Maybe you’re pinball connoisseurs and looking to try out one or all 100+ of Game Terminal’s classic pinball machines. Or maybe the weather is too nice to be indoors and you plan on playing some cornhole on Game Terminal’s exquisite patio.
Whatever the two of you decide, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable time, fantastic drinks, and good food at Game Terminal, Nashville’s local Bar-cade!
Escape the room
Test your relationship’s ability to work together as a team and try your hand at one of the area’s many escape room challenges.
There are A LOT of escape room locations to choose from, but one of the more popular places is The Escape Game, which has 11 different themed challenges to choose from including a submarine theme, and a prison break theme, all of which are super aesthetically pleasing and realistic.
Game Point Cafe
Game Point Cafe is a super unique date idea for both long-term partners as well as a low-key icebreaker for new couples.
It serves as a cafe, restaurant, bar, and game store, but the highlight of this special place is the game room where you’ll be able to try out new games or play some old favorites. This place is a must-see for couples that enjoy games of all types.
Throw some darts or shoot some pool
Billiards and darts are some of the world’s oldest bar games, and they are a timeless activity for all game-loving couples. In Nashville, there are plenty of locations where one or both of these games are available.
One popular location is Melrose Billiard Parlor, where you can show off your pool skills, or throwing arm in darts. They also have an incredible drink menu and fantastic ambiance for those looking for a dive bar with charm.
Get into the game at The Rabbit Hole
If you and your partner have ever wanted to try VR but have never gotten the chance, you’ve gotta check out The Rabbit Hole. They offer a variety of games such as zombie defense or space-themed flights perfect for an out-of-the-box experience for you and your date to share.
Test your aim at Bad Axe Throwing
If you and your partner are looking for a fun and competitive activity outside of your typical bar games, check out Bad Axe Throwing. Blow off some steam, practice your aim, and enjoy a variety of cold beverages between throws.
Food & Beverage
Weak Coffee
First date? Need a caffeine buzz to take the edge off of the initial awkwardness? Or maybe you simply prefer morning outings?
Take your sweetheart to Nashville’s most popular coffee roaster and cafe, Weak Coffee. You’ll find both romantic seating and the most delicious coffee or espresso drink you’ve ever had in Nashville.
The Optimist
The Optimist is filed in the Nashville filing cabinet under “pulling all the stops”. Seriously, this place is extremely classy. Take your date out for oysters, lobster, or caviar to celebrate an engagement, or to impress someone special. Just make sure you plan well in advance because tables fill up fast.
Locust
Locust is appealing for a long list of reasons. This mysterious, elusive, establishment has no menu, no phone number, and is only open evenings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for dinner service.
But if you’ve been lucky enough to score a reservation (only available through text or email), you are guaranteed a memorable evening for you and your date.
Lockeland Table
Lockeland Table is more than just a restaurant — it’s an entire dining experience. Book a reservation and see for yourself the dazzling, creative plates that are painstakingly crafted in their kitchen. For what it’s worth, the cost is a little less than what you’d expect to pay at such a unique establishment, so don’t be intimidated by the fanciness of the food!
Attaboy
Looking for an after-dinner cocktail? This speakeasy-style bar is a classy way to end the night. Attaboy specializes in fancy, creative, cocktails, and unique libations.
There’s also a patio available if you need some fresh air on a warm Nashville evening. No reservations are needed (or accepted) and every drink order is first come, first served, so make sure you get there early.
Get a cocktail at Skull’s Rainbow Room
If you’re looking for an edgy and alternative date spot, check out Skull’s Rainbow Room. This speak-easy style cocktail lounge specializes in unique drinks and even more unique entertainment. Stop by after dinner for a cocktail and burlesque show.
Get dinner and a view at TENN on Top
TENN on Top is another great option for magical views of the city, but their food is far from a footnote. Their kitchen specializes in Southern-style cooking made tenderly with local ingredients. Get to know your new flame better or celebrate a milestone with your partner over delicious food and stunning views.
Santa’s Pub
No, this isn’t a Christmas-themed bar. But the proprietor, lovingly referred to as “Santa,” offers an amazing Nashville dive bar experience, perfect for your rough-around-the-edges spouse or date, or as a budget-friendly option for a night out that’s still enjoyable.
They also host an open mic night and karaoke stage for those who are bold enough to participate.
Take a food and drink tour of the city with A Little Local Flavor
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be on the Food Network, a tour with A Little Local Flavor is sure to capture the feeling. This tour group has specialized food and drink tours, perfect for any two people who consider themselves a “foodie” couple.
