Exploring Nashville: A Comprehensive Trip Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Have you ever wanted to visit Nashville, but you don't know where to start because there are just way too many things to do in Music City? Well, let me help you with that!

Nashville is known best as the "Music City" because of its rich history and thriving country music scene. Beyond music, Nashville is also known and celebrated for its Southern cuisine, specifically Nashville Hot Chicken, and vibrant arts and culture scene. If you are planning to go to Nashville, I recommend you plan on going for 3 to 4 days, as there is plenty to do and add to your itinerary. But, if you just want to go and spend a day or two, that's fine, too! For the purposes of this blog post, we're just doing a list of things to do, and you can decide from there! Let's get into it!

1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203

   https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/

   
   

If you love country music, this place is for you! At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, you can explore the many different country music exhibitions that showcase artifacts, recordings, and films. You can also experience live performances such as shows in the CMA Theater, songwriter sessions & musician spotlights, film screenings, and instrument demonstrations. Lastly, you can also participate in the many family activities they have to offer, such as youth programs and family programs

General admission to the museum for adults (ages 13+) costs $29.95, and for youth (ages 6-12) costs $19.95. You can also have an option to do a guided tour, which is more expensive as it is guided. Check online for their guided tour ticket prices.

2. Johnny Cash Museum: 119 3rd Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37201

https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/

If you're a Johnny Cash fanatic (like my dad lol...sorry dad) or just want to know more about Johnny Cash, also known as "The Man in Black," this museum is for you! The Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville offers a self-guided tour through exhibits showcasing the life and career of "The Man in Black." Visitors of the Johnny Cash Museum can explore the museum's extensive collection of artifacts, including stage costumes, instruments, personal letters, and items from the film "Walk the Line." The museum also features interactive exhibits and the chance to listen to Johnny Cash's music throughout the tour.

General admission tickets cost $27.95 plus tax, and the museum offers $1 off tickets for AAA, Military, Seniors, and Students (make sure to show your college ID if you are a student). Youth admission costs $23.95, and 5 and under are free with adult admission. On their website, they caution you to buy tickets to the museum in advance if you want to avoid a long line. I know I hate long lines, so if you're one of those people, I recommend buying tickets online in advance. There is a convenience fee for buying tickets in advance. I'm not sure how much, though. According to their website, these tickets do not expire and do not need to be used on any specific date.

3. Andrew Jackson's Heritage: 4580 Rachels Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076

https://thehermitage.com/

If you're a history buff and want to know where our 7th President of the United States grew up, this place is a must-see! At Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, you can explore the 1,120-acre land that Andrew Jackson lived on, tour the mansion he lived in, and learn about Jackson's life through exhibits and films. You can also take a wagon tour that offers a unique perspective on the plantation and the lives of those who lived and worked there.

On the website, they encourage you to arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour to allow time to park and to make your way to the mansion. They have a bunch of different tours lasting from 1 hour up to 3 hours, so if you're in a hurry or have a lot of stuff on your itinerary for the day, I recommend you do one of the shorter tours. Ticket prices vary since they have multiple tours, so be sure to check online for each ticket price.

4. Civil War History Tour -- The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee: The meeting point address is 108 1st Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37201

   https://www.getyourguide.com/nashville-l1279/civil-war-history-tour-the-battle-of-franklin-tennessee-t21154/

Take a trip back in time to explore the history of the Civil War in Franklin, Tennessee! During this tour, you will experience live history, such as seeing bullet holes and cannonballs from the bloodiest battle in the Civil War, and you will also walk through three home sites involved in the Battle of Franklin. Did I catch your attention yet? If not, then I don't know what else will!

On this tour, you will pay a visit to what was known as Ground Zero for one of the bloodiest battles during the Civil War. The three houses that you will visit are the Carter House, Lotz House, and the Carnton Plantation. This is a 7-hour tour, so be prepared for a long day and make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes! Tickets on the Get Your Guide app are $94 per person.

5. Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Factory Tour: The meeting point address is 1628 Fatherland Street, Nashville, TN 37206

https://www.getyourguide.com/nashville-l1279/nashville-olive-sinclair-chocolate-factory-tour-t947690/?ranking_uuid=0f7d8a2a-beb8-4b0f-8146-aacb739f4f71

If you're a chocolate addict like me, then this tour is just for you! During this tour, you will learn about the bean-to-bar chocolate-making process at Olive & Sinclair, discover the unique process of making chocolate with a guided tour, and taste a variety of chocolate and confections made by Olive & Sinclair. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes as this is a 45-minute tour, and you will be walking around the factory. Before you go, make sure you don't have any allergies to the ingredients they use. Products may contain milk, wheat, nuts, and soy, so if you have any allergies to any of these ingredients, please don't go! Your health matters! Tickets on the Get Your Guide app cost $9 per person.

I want to mention that the app I use to book and look up stuff to do is called Get Your Guide. The app is very useful for things you want to do, other than the recommended things to do you find online, if you're only looking for tours (like the last two tours I mentioned). I recommend you download the app from your preferred app store if you haven't already. And as always, have an amazing day or night, and please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about anything!