10 Things to Do in Nashville in Winter

Winter is a very interesting time of the year to enjoy some of the best destinations in the United States. Nashville is one of these places and I invite you to read on to get an idea of what you could do in this beautiful city.

Keyvis Montilva

Keyvis Montilva

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Nashville in Winter

Snow in Nashville | ©Kid-d

The capital of Tennessee, Nashville, is a tourist destination par excellence in the United States and is undoubtedly one of the most visited places in the plains that lie between the South and the Midwest of the country. At the same time, the best things to see and do in Nashville are constantly changing throughout the year. For summer weather is not the same as winter weather and therefore activities have to be planned accordingly.

With that in mind I recommend you to keep reading this post to have a more concrete idea about the activities you could enjoy when visiting the Music City of the United States during the months of the coldest season of the year.

1. Spend the afternoon in the Gulch neighborhood

The Gulch, Nashville.| ©Travis Estell
The Gulch, Nashville.| ©Travis Estell

Another favorite activity for tourists when visiting Nashville in winter is touring its best neighborhoods. In turn, one of the favorite places for the best tours of Nashville is passing through a modern neighborhood with a very extensive history called The Gulch. Basically, it is a neighborhood that has been in the city since its founding and has recently been renovated to have exclusive restaurants, fashion boutiques and many entertainment venues.

The idea of visiting this place is to combine it with another activity that is quite special during the winter. That is why a guided bike tour that includes this specific neighborhood in the itinerary is something you should not miss when visiting the capital of Tennessee. This is due to the fact that a cycling session will help you warm up while getting to know one of the favorite neighborhoods for locals when it comes to looking for entertainment during the winter season.

Rent a bike in Nashville

2. Visit the Arcade for winter shopping

Arcade Shop| ©Bill Badzo
Arcade Shop| ©Bill Badzo

As Nashville is a place that mixes the country culture of the United States with a strong musical identity, decoration and clothing have always been very interesting elements in this city. For this reason a shopping session is always a good idea and specifically during the winter is even more recommended. This is due to the fact that all the oldest and most curious coats go on sale in the most iconic markets and stores of the city.

In this context the Arcade is a place you cannot miss when visiting this city. It is the first enclosed shopping mall in the city and is more than 100 years old. It is an Art Deco building where you can find the best Vintage elements of the whole city. As well as a variety of art galleries and local craft stores.

In turn, when you have finished these activities is an excellent idea to take advantage of your time in Downtown to have a tour of the best pubs in Nashville. The consumption of alcohol and specifically Bourbon and beer is one of the great experiences in a visit to this city.

3. Participate in the excitement of the Music City Bowl

Super Bowl| ©djanimal
Super Bowl| ©djanimal

Just like in so many American cities, Nashville also has a strong sports culture and one of the biggest soccer events in this city takes place right at the beginning of winter. This is the Music City Bowl and it is basically a game that always takes place at the end of December between a local team from the Southeastern Conference college league against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

This is one of the best things to do in Nashville during the winter because of the fact that it is an opportunity to see how the culture of this city works. As well as enjoying a music festival that takes place before and after the official game. In fact every year there is a battle of the bands as well as other activities very specific for the fans of both teams.

Keep in mind that this event usually takes place in the late afternoon and therefore you can dedicate your whole day to other activities such as visiting the best museums in Nashville or enjoy a very good lunch at Hard Rock Café. Keep in mind that this city's branch is one of the largest in the world and the identity of Country music is perceived in every corner of this place.

Meet the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville

4. Go to the New Year's Eve concert in Broadway

Nashville's Broadway Street| ©Victor Hamberlin
Nashville's Broadway Street| ©Victor Hamberlin

New Year's is one of the most important festivities of the winter season and if your trip coincides with this date then you should welcome the new year in the best style of the locals of the Music City. In this city the tradition is to go to Broadway Street located in the limits of Downtown to enjoy a free outdoor concert. This always combines Country music artists as well as good Rock'n'Roll exponents.

Anyway, if your visit to the city is at the beginning of January and you feel a little sad for having missed the New Year's celebrations you should know that many plans are extended until the middle of the month. So you could visit some of the field hockey games held at the Bridgestone Arena during various times of the month. The beginning of the year is also usually marked by a series of shows that rotate every year at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

Finally, you could also enjoy a lunch and dinner cruise along the Cumberland River to celebrate the arrival of the New Year even after the New Year has passed. And this is highly recommended, as it is among the best things to do in Nashville during the month of January because many people do it knowing that their visit did not manage to coincide with December 31.

5. Don't miss out on Black Heritage Month activities

Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame| ©Jonathan Cutrer
Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame| ©Jonathan Cutrer

On the other hand, I have to point out to you the fact that the history of Nashville and specifically the state of Tennessee is one of the most interesting in the entire country. That's why the activities that take place during Black Heritage Month are one of the best things to do during the winter. At least if you are interested in familiarizing yourself a little bit with the past of the place you are visiting.

This celebration basically is a month that occurs from February 1 to March 1 in the United States to commemorate the past of African American history. As well as to remember a little about the injustices that this community lived in the country for centuries.

The activities organized by the City Council for this month change every year. However, the most common is that sites such as the Country Hall of Fame or the Musicians Hall of Fame hold special exhibits on African American artists. In addition, it is common for the rest of the museums in the city to have lectures or special events.

Keep in mind that Nashville City tours are a good idea to enjoy these commemorative dates. During the month it is common to organize some tours that focus exclusively on historical events of the African American community in this city. You should also keep in mind that this is one of the best things to do with kids in Nashville, at least if you are interested in educational and harmless plans.

6. Take a field trip on Presidents Weekend

Belle Meade| ©Ron Cogswell
Belle Meade| ©Ron Cogswell

Another of the best things to do during the winter in the city and specifically one of the best activities to enjoy in Nashville during the month of February is an excursion during Presidents Weekend to some of the most important places in the state. This weekend, which runs from Saturday to the third Monday of the month, is one of the first opportunities of the year for Americans to enjoy a long weekend.

So when you are in Nashville during this time of the year, you cannot miss the opportunity to join one of the entertaining excursions that are taking place during the weekend. The ones organized to the Bell Meade Mansion are one of the most attractive of all.

If you don't know what it is, you just have to keep in mind that it is one of the most important buildings that survived the Civil War in the state of Tennessee. So by being there you will be able to see what the southern plantations in the United States looked like and you will also be able to enjoy the tour of one of the most beautiful mansions in the whole country.

Belle Meade mansion guided tour with complimentary wine tasting.

7. Warm up your palate with Tennessee BBQ

Tennessee BBQ| ©Rien T. Fertel
Tennessee BBQ| ©Rien T. Fertel

Winter in Tennessee isn't exactly mild. For this reason it is a good idea that you seek to enjoy the hottest foods in town and in this case I have to offer you the Tennessee BBQ, as it is something you can not miss when you are in this city during the winter.

This style of barbecue that is enjoyed throughout the state and that originated in the city of Nashville is one of the most important culinary aspects for this community. That is why my advice is to participate in one of the best gastronomic tours in Nashville, as they will probably take you to the most famous establishments that prepare this specific dish.

If you do so, do not hesitate to accompany your barbecue with a cold beer or even a good Bourbon cocktail. This is due to the fact that these two beverages are other staples of the culinary world in Nashville.

Barbecue, Beer and Bourbon at Nashville Adventure

8. Pay a visit to Belmont Mansion

Belmont Mansion| ©Mandie Guy
Belmont Mansion| ©Mandie Guy

When you are in Nashville in winter you should take the opportunity to visit the Belmont Mansion, especially for the fact that during this season you could do it the day you want knowing that the tourist influx drops considerably.

This site is one of the largest houses in the city that still survive the Civil War. So it is a good alternative to appreciate the original architecture of the state of Tennessee, especially if the idea of enjoying a tour that is extremely long does not appeal to you.

Keep in mind that this is one of the best fun things to do in Nashville, because in this site you will find some beautiful gardens are preserved significantly well during the winter. You will also be accompanied by a guide who specializes in the history of this beautiful and interesting place.

Full day admission to Belmont Mansion in Nashville

9. Enjoy a night tour of Downtown Nashville

Nashville Night| ©Michael Gaylard
Nashville Night| ©Michael Gaylard

As one of the oldest cities in the country, it makes sense that there are hundreds of interesting stories in Nashville, and many of them can be learned about during a night tour. Specifically the best Nashville ghost tours are a good activity to do during the winter, as the weather conditions of the season make them a little more creepy and interesting for those who like this kind of activities.

With these tours you are likely to visit sites with stories marked by the tragedy of the Civil War. As well as other more recent events that have blurred the boundaries between the paranormal world and the reality of today's earthly world.

Book a ghost tour

10. Take a tour to the Jack Daniels distillery

Jack Daniels Distillery| ©frogdiva214
Jack Daniels Distillery| ©frogdiva214

Another of Tennessee's great cultural landmarks is the Jack Daniel's distillery. So you can't miss your winter visit to Tennessee's capital city to take a tour of the distillery's facilities. Which would include a tasting of the most famous Bourbon in the world.

Value the fact that this is one of the most important attractions in Nashville and its surroundings. So the opportunity to warm up and enjoy a good alcoholic beverage during one of the coldest months of the year is something you shouldn't pass up if you have the time and money for it.

Travel from Nashville to the Jack Daniel's distillery and back

Temperatures in Nashville in winter

Winter in Nashville| ©borabora_54
Winter in Nashville| ©borabora_54

Nashville is a significantly cold place during the winter compared to other cities in the American South. Maximum temperatures during this season usually reach 10 °C while minimum temperatures easily drop below 0°.

Nashville's winter tourist flow

Streets of Nashville| ©Kari Nousiainen
Streets of Nashville| ©Kari Nousiainen

Nashville's tourist flow during the winter is lower than during the rest of the year. The only exception to this may be the first days of January and the last days of December for the Christmas holidays as well as for the New Year.

Prices in Nashville in winter

Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

Winter prices in Nashville can be cheaper than the rest of the year if you take into account the decrease in the number of tourists. However, there are other services that are going to stay exactly the same if they have nothing to do with activities for Music City visitors.

What to pack for a winter visit to Nashville?

Luggage| ©Ezequiel Garrido
Luggage| ©Ezequiel Garrido

In your suitcase to visit Nashville during the winter you can not miss quality coats that will protect you in the cold as well as any eventual rain that may occur during your trip. Favorable footwear that is comfortable for walking and that will also help protect you in the event of snowfall is another essential item.

You should not forget to bring sunscreen. Keep in mind that the sun remains just as strong on your face during this time of the year and even your skin becomes more sensitive due to the constant exposure to the cold. I advise you to wear some elegant clothes if you intend to join an exclusive New Year's celebration.