Nashville in 1 Day: all you need to know

For some people, a single day may seem like too little time to enjoy a city, which can lead them to give up on their plans to explore it as tourists and end up spending the whole day doing just one activity. However, with good planning, you can take part in many of the best things to see and do in Nashville, especially since most of them are in the same part of town.

With that in mind, I invite you to follow this fun itinerary I have prepared for you, as it is a tour that includes the most important attractions in the entire city. Everything is planned in a way that will allow you to manage your time properly so that by the end of the day you will have seen things that even those who spend a whole week in the city miss out on.

Nashville, like many other cities in the United States, is crossed by a river. In this case, the river has been part of the city's identity since its founding, making it an excellent way to enjoy the skyline. It's also a great way to begin familiarizing yourself with the culture of this place.

Keep in mind that taking a sightseeing cruise along the Cumberland River is something you could easily do in the morning as soon as you arrive in the city. Or you could do it when you leave your accommodation to start exploring the capital of Tennessee. These types of cruises usually take place on a 15-meter party barge and include a captain and a sailor to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

It can be a bit of a festive experience, as some cruises include a sound system. There is usually a bathroom, ice, almost always alcoholic beverages, and the atmosphere is often inspired by country music. This has a lot to do with the history of Nashville and its worldwide fame.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best tours in Nashville for the whole family. That is, as long as it is not one that is focused on groups over 21 years of age, as alcohol consumption is the main attraction of the experience on these types of tours.

Details of interest:

• Price: these types of tours vary greatly in price, but the usual rate is per person and is around 30 euros.
• Duration: a cruise on the Cumberland River through downtown Nashville usually lasts about two hours in total. This makes it an excellent activity to do in the morning if you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery that defines this city after sunrise.

Hard Rock Cafe is very representative of American culture as well as the music world around the globe. This restaurant chain has a presence in most of the world's most touristy cities, and Nashville, being the music capital of North America, is no exception to this rule. That's exactly why you should take advantage of your visit to the city to have breakfast at the Hard Rock Cafe located in downtown Nashville.

The location of this place couldn't be more convenient, as it's just a couple of blocks from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. You'll probably have to cross that bridge, as cruises on the Cumberland River usually drop you off at a pier right next to this spot. So take advantage of the opportunity to walk across it and enjoy one of the best views of downtown Nashville.

At the Hard Rock Café, I recommend you go for a typical American breakfast, either one that includes waffles with chicken and honey or hotcakes in the best Deep South style . Keep in mind that here you will find true wonders and treasures from Nashville's musical history. At the same time, you will be entering one of the largest branches of this famous restaurant chain on the planet.

This place is among the best things to do in Nashville in October because the tourist influx has decreased compared to the summer and you will rarely have to wait more than a minute to get a table inside the restaurant.

Details of interest:

• Price: the amount you pay for breakfast depends on how many people are with you and what each of them orders. However, keep in mind that a breakfast that includes a drink and dessert usually costs around $35 per person.
• Location: Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, 100 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201-2112.

If you continue walking down Broadway Street and then head north on Fourth Avenue North for about 10 minutes, you will reach the Musicians Hall of Fame. This place is one of Nashville's top attractions and features museum-style exhibits on true 20th-century music legends such as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and even an original stage where Jimi Hendrix once played.

When you buy a ticket to the Nashville Musician's Hall of Fame, you also get access to the interactive exhibition at the Grammy Museum Gallery. Here you can learn about the history of the Grammy Awards. You can also interact with different aspects associated with the music recording process from its beginnings to the present day.

You should also know that when you visit this hall of fame, you are also visiting the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. This is a very important cultural establishment in the history of the United States, as well as a basic and essential stop for all artists who include the capital of Tennessee as one of the cities to visit on their North American tours.

Details of interest:

• Price: admission to this important attraction is usually around €28 per person. Keep in mind that you won't spend more than an hour or two here, making it a convenient place to visit if you want to have the rest of the day free for other activities.
• Location: Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, 401 Gay St, Nashville, TN 37201-2000.

Conveniently, the Nashville Municipal Auditorium next to the Musicians Hall of Fame is located across from the Tennessee State Senate, as well as many other historic buildings that stand out for their architectural beauty. The Tennessee State Capitol, in particular, is a building in the Neo-Greek style that was constructed between 1845 and 1859. Note that the tomb of President James K. Polk is located inside this building.

Surrounding this site is a beautiful park that is often one of the favorite places for city residents to enjoy a nice day walking outdoors. Right next to the capitol is the Tennessee Supreme Court, and if you cross the street, you can walk through the legislative plaza, where you will also find the War Memorial Plaza.

All of these sites next to the capitol are must-see stops on :::link|text=Nashville City Tours.|element=sc-49-1676::: This makes sense, as they are the most important buildings in the city and are also relevant locations for the government of this famous American state. It's worth taking the time to visit them, as it won't take you more than 30 minutes to explore the entire area.

By the time you've finished touring the Tennessee State Capitol, you'll probably be ravenous. If you've spent the recommended amount of time at each of the previous stops on the tourist itinerary, then by the end of this short tour it should be 1:30 p.m. at the latest. So, at this point in your visit, it's an excellent idea to take one of the best food tours in Nashville, especially if you can choose one that focuses on exploring the city's downtown area.

These types of tours usually last about two hours at most and are basically a VIP experience where you'll enjoy an intimate look at the most popular food district in Music City, as Nashville is known in the United States.

Keep in mind that it's a fairly varied tour, and throughout the experience, you'll be able to enjoy all the typical flavors of the city, from Tennessee BBQ to Nashville Hot Chicken. It is also common to visit one of the famous distilleries located in the area near the city center, and a delicious dessert such as Apple Crumble Pie is usually included on the menu of these food tours.

Keep in mind that these types of tours are on foot and, on average, visit four restaurants as well as a street food specialty. Some alcoholic beverages and tips for each of the establishments visited on the itinerary are also included.

Details of interest

• Price: the price for participating in a food tour of this kind is usually around €150 per person.
• Location: The restaurants included in these tours are constantly changing. However, the most common meeting point is in Downtown Nashville, usually somewhere on historic Broadway.

Considering that the food tour will start at 2:00 p.m. and end at around 4:00 p.m., you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This is one of the most interesting and entertaining places in the entire city. In fact , this is one of the best museums in Nashville, which makes sense considering that country music has a direct and very close connection to the history and culture of Tennessee's capital.

When you visit this site, you'll find eye-catching clothing worn by giants of the music industry such as Dolly Parton. You'll also see exhibits on the history of the genre's most famous artists and enjoy some pretty impressive facilities. All of this is accompanied by the famous hospitality that defines the American South.

At this site, you will also have the opportunity to visit the famous rotunda where the honorary plaques of all the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame are displayed. In addition, you will have an audio guide in Spanish or English so that you don't miss any details associated with the exhibits at this interesting place.

Keep in mind that this site is easily accessible if you are touring downtown, as it is about a 5-minute walk from the famous Broadway Street. At certain times of the year, keep in mind that it closes its doors at 5:00 p.m. However, during the city's high tourist season, it extends its closing time to around 8:00 p.m.

Details of interest:

• Price: Admission to this important attraction is around €28 per person, which is quite reasonable compared to average prices in this city.
• Location: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203-4206

Since the idea of this itinerary is to make the most of your visit to Nashville even though you will only be in the city for 24 hours, there are still plans to enjoy after sunset over the Tennessee skyline. The next would be to take a night tour that will take you on a tram along the most iconic and visited streets of the city at night.

The starting point is usually Yee-Haw Brewing Co. This is because there is a historic distillery there where you can start drinking alcohol and beer if you wish while you wait for the tour to begin. If you don't want to partake in this type of activity because you are traveling with your children, don't worry, as the tram tour itself is one of the best activities to do in Nashville with children.

When the tour begins, you can admire some of the city's best and most important historic buildings. You've probably seen them throughout the day, but this time you'll be accompanied by a guide who specializes in the history of this city. This will allow you to learn all the details associated with their importance, as well as their influence on the city's musical culture and nightlife.

The tour is not too long, lasting an average of one hour and 30 minutes in total, and the starting point is also the return point. This means that you don't have to worry about the logistics of getting back to your accommodation. Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do in Nashville at night, and if you're left wanting more, you should know that the area around the distillery is one of the city's most important party districts.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate cost of this type of nighttime tram tour is usually around €45 per person. This is a reasonable price, considering that it includes the services of a guide.
• Duration: on average, these tours do not last longer than an hour and 45 minutes, even if there is a little traffic along the route.