Sometimes when we’ve made it to a special place, it wasn’t always completely intentional. With all of the activities available and sights to see, it’s unlikely that you planned to be in Nashville for only two days.
Still, with the following guide, you can be sure that your trip to The Music City won’t be one that is easily forgotten, no matter how short it may be.
Below we have organized a 48-hour itinerary, equipped with must-experience activities and sights, and arranged by interest type (music, action and adventure, and unique experiences) so that you can make the most of your two-day trip.
Table Of Contents
- The Music Lover’s 48-Hour Itinerary
- The Action Junkie’s 48-Hour Itinerary
- The Unique Experiences Itinerary
The Music Lover’s 48-hour Itinerary
You’re a music lover in The Music City; it’s a match made in heaven, but with only 48 hours to spare, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the best options. Here are our picks:
Day 1
Take a jaunt down Music City Walk of Fame Park
Start your morning off with a relaxing walk through Walk of Fame Park — a Hollywood-style walk of fame but featuring the names of Nashville’s most iconic artists and performers, and some of the most breathtaking foliage and beautifully manicured gardens that Nashville has to offer.
Here you’ll walk amongst the legends that made Nashville known as The Music City, and if you’re lucky, you may come across one in the flesh at a dedication ceremony, which is free and open for the public to attend.
Get lunch at Acme Feed and Seed
Acme Feed and Seed is one of Nashville’s most historic dining establishments that also doubles as a music venue. You’ll catch some of Nashville’s most popular artists here, even during lunch service when you wouldn't typically expect to see big-name artists.
Acme Feed and Seed’s food also should not be slept on — they feature a delicious lunch menu with all of the Southern favorites such as shrimp and grits, barbeque, and of course, Nashville hot chicken.
Get a drink and see a show at City Winery
If you’re not a wine drinker, don’t be discouraged by the name — City Winery is primarily a music venue that also happens to make fantastic wine. The stage is amazing, and the venue holds a larger crowd than you would expect.
But if you are into wine, let it be an added bonus, because in addition to being one of the most exciting venues in Nashville, they also have an amazing line of local wines that will have your palette asking for more! They also offer a full menu with many incredible dishes so you can fuel up before hitting the dance floor!
Day 2
Grab a cup of coffee and catch a show at The Listening Room Cafe
A good cup of coffee is an important start to any morning in a new city. You’ll have your choice of fantastic cafes in Nashville, but as a music lover, the obvious choice should be a place where you can see a live show while you drink your morning cup of coffee, right? Luckily for you, there’s The Listening Room Cafe.
The Listening Room is primarily a music venue with a huge stage that features many popular artists, but in the last few years, they’ve added a cafe and restaurant to the venue, so you can grab a cup of coffee or some brunch while you see your favorite artists perform.
Tour The Ryman Auditorium
Possibly the most recognizable historic landmark in the city, The Ryman Auditorium serves as a museum, music venue, and monument to the previous home of The Grand Ole Opry, and the birthplace of many legendary country artist’s careers, such as Loretta Lynn’s and Hank William’s.
Take a tour and learn about the history of country music and hear the story of the lives of those who created it for us, or stop by for one of the many shows booked throughout the week.
Grab a drink at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
After you’ve toured The Ryman, continue the music magic at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge located only seventeen steps away in the Ryman Alley.
The relationship between The Ryman Auditorium and Tootie’s Orchid Lounge is historic. In short, it’s always been the closest bar to the historic country music stage, and so after legends such as Hank Williams, or Willie Nelson would play there, they would often go next door to Tootsies for a nightcap.
You can find cheap drinks at all hours of the day, a live show, and a historic wall of fame with autographed headshots of the many legendary artists that have visited over the years.
The Action Junkie’s 48-Hour Itinerary
You’re the type of person that can’t sit still for too long. The thought of watching TV in the hotel room on a trip to a new city just doesn’t sit right with you. We’ve got the perfect 48-hour itinerary for you chock-full of exciting activities to keep you active and energized.
Day 1
Start off with a morning hike at Radnor Lake State Park
There are countless options for an unforgettable hiking experience in the Nashville area, but towards the top of the list, you’ll find Radnor Lake State Park.
Radnor Lake State Park is just a few minutes outside of downtown Nashville and provides several trails ranging from easy to more challenging.
You’ll get a great view of Radnor Lake from most of these trails, and you’ll be provided with many options for viewing wildlife and birdwatching, so make sure you take your camera or binoculars with you on your morning burn!
Get lunch and practice your aim at Bad Axe Throwing
After getting some cardio in at Radnor Lake State Park, try your hands at some target practice with axe throwing at Bad Axe Throwing, Nashville’s premier axe-throwing bar. There are no reservations required and the galleys are top-notch.
Additionally, it’s a great place to grab lunch and an afternoon beer to cool off after working up a sweat. You can find classic bar food here — mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and poutine, but it’s all made with high-quality ingredients and packed with calories and protein so you can be fueled up for the next adventure.
Hit the track at K1 Speed
Still haven’t had enough adrenaline for one day? K1 Speed has the cure. This state-of-the-art speedway provides a one-of-a-kind track and unforgettable experiences for racing junkies.
They also provide a full restaurant and lounge serving delicious grub so you don’t have to leave and come back when you need to refuel, and they’re open late — 10:00 pm during the week and until midnight on Friday and Saturday, so you’ll have no problem satisfying your racing fix.
Day 2
Start off the day with a morning climb
Climb Nashville is a perfect option for out-of-town action junkies just looking to fill a few hours or an entire day with some rigorous climbing adventures.
They provide a $20.00-day pass for first-time climbers and that includes all the necessary gear needed, climbing shoes, and access to staff help with any guidance or assistance you might need. You’ll also be given access to any fitness or yoga classes that may be happening that day so you can get the most out of your experience there.
Tee off and grab lunch at Topgolf
For those that aren’t familiar, Topgolf is a fun hybrid of traditional golf and virtual golf. It’s kind of like a batting cage for golfers, but with its virtual technology, you’ll be able to play full games with your friends, without the need for a full golf course or the use of golf carts.
Another fantastic plus of Topgolf is that they have an onsite restaurant and bar where you can get a delicious lunch with plates such as nachos, burgers, or wings, and you’ll have access to a full bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Finish off the day with a hot air balloon ride with Nashville Balloon Flights
Because of air pressure conditions, hot air balloons must be flown in the two hours after sunrise or the two hours before sunset making this the perfect activity to finish off a day of adventure. You can truly get a fantastic view of the area, and burn off the last of your adrenaline before heading back to the hotel on your last day in town.
Nashville Ballon Flights is the Nashville area’s only hot air balloon company, but they’ve been operating in the area for over 40 years, so you’ll be getting the best experience possible when you sign up for your flight.
The Unique Experiences 48-Hour Iterirary
Have your friends described you as a little bit of an oddball? Maybe a little quirky? There’s nothing wrong with thinking outside the box when planning a trip to a new city, and for your convenience, we’ve gathered 48 hours' worth of strange and interesting activities for your trip to Nashville.
Day 1
Get breakfast at Pfunky Griddle
Pfunky Griddle is an oddly delightful breakfast spot that’s famous for its pancakes. These pancakes are exceptionally delicious, but that’s not the only reason people are talking about them — Pfunky Griddle is the pancake house that lets you cook your own breakfast.
They’ll bring you the batter, and fixings, and you’ll prepare them on your very own hibachi-style griddle right in the center of your dining table. Your chef will also give you the option of cooking some dishes for you to go with your pancakes, such as omelets, grits, or hashbrowns.
Go on a mural tour
Nashville is famous for its art scene and the many breathtaking murals located here is just one of the many examples of that unique art scene that people know us for.
You’ll see many delightful pieces scattered throughout the downtown area and suburbs including “Umbrella and Doughnuts,” Home is Where the Heart Is,” and “Just a Few Gents.” See the complete guide to all of Nashville’s murals here.
Book a night (or two) at Creature Camp
Sculpture gardens are a fun way to spend an afternoon, but have you ever wanted to spend the night at one? Creature Camp provides that option! Each campsite includes a fire pit and a handmade, unique, wooden sculpture, typically of cute monster-like creatures, colorfully painted to brighten up your camping experience.
Creature Camp also provides many other fun recreational activities such as fishing, biking and hiking trails, fishing, and boating all located in the beautiful forests surrounding Nashville.
Day 2
Walk around historic Cornelia Fort Airpark
There are plenty of parks to choose from in Nashville for a relaxing morning walk before a day of sightseeing and adventure. But for those looking for a unique and different experience, Cornelia Fort Airpark is definitely worth checking out.
Cornelia Fort Airpark is a former airport turned recreational park. But back in the day, there were some pretty odd circumstances including the crash of Earl Scruggs's plane, and the refueling of Patsy Clines's plane before her tragic death. This historic place is sure to make your oddball heart swoon.
