Things You Can Do In Nashville Right Now!
With COVID-19 back on the rise, it can be hard to travel or hard to know what to expect while traveling. I recently traveled to Nashville, TN and they have certain restrictions in place to ensure safety for all. Luckily I did some research ahead of time to know what to expect. To save you time, I have laid out things that you can do in Nashville right now and the policies that are in place to keep you safe!
Whether you are visiting for a girls trip, bachelorette party, family trip, or a weekend getaway, Nashville is the perfect place for everyone! The Music City does not disappoint offering live music all day every day and there is so much more to this city than honkytonks (if that’s not your thing). Make the most of your trip even with covid restrictions.
Overview of COVID Restrictions:
Masks are required in public (stores, restaurants and bars unless you are seated at your table). Most restaurants and bars are open with socially distanced tables and a max of 8 people per table (note: some restaurants only allow 6 to a table, if your party is larger you may have to sit at separate tables). All restaurants and bars close at 11pm or earlier. Retail stores are open and operating at 3/4 capacity. Outdoor activities and parks are open! Nashville is in Phase 3 of reopening, for updates click HERE.
Here’s what you can do in Nashville Right Now!
Visit Lower Broadway
No matter what, you must visit lower Broadway because this is how Nashville became the Music City. This street is lined with Honkytonks with live music all day as well as restaurants and little shops like country clothing and boots, record shops, candy shops, and souvenir shops.
My recommendation for everyone is to visit during the day at least once that way you can visit the fun shops and go into the honkytonks without a wait. Broadway does get a little crazy at night, just a warning if that’s not your scene. Here is where I recommend you visit while down in Lower Broadway:
- Go to the HonkyTonks
- Most are open 10am-11pm and they have live music all day long! In the morning some offer more acoustic style and as the day goes on larger bands perform.
- Music played is a mixture of country, rock, pop and more so there is music for everyone. Each level has a different performer
- No covers to get in and you don’t have to drink alcohol, please leave a tip for the performers! They are all so good and they’ll take song requests for tips!
- I love to go up to the rooftops during the day enjoy the sunshine and live music!
- Because of limited capacity and social distancing, there are very long lines to get in on the weekend nights. You could wait for hours and may not even get in.
- Pro Tip: Go during the week or during the day to the big honkytonks, visit other places on 2nd avenue or Printers Alley on weekend nights.
My personal favorites: Tootsies is a must because it is the most historic, Redneck Rivera (so down to earth and pro USA, military discount), Nudie’s, Acme Feed & Seed (closed for covid).
- Tour the Ryman Auditorium
- The original location of the Grand Ole Opry
- Timed self-guided tours open. Book online ahead of time and wear a mask.
- Go to the Country Music Hall of Fame
- This is a must see if you have the time, so much to see and learn!
- Timed self-guided tours are open, book online ahead of time recommended, masks required
- Johnny Cash Museum
- Open and booking ahead of time is recommended, masks required
- Walk the Pedestrian Bridge
- Walk through Cumberland Park
- Great views of the city
Go to a Grand Ole Opry Show
The Grand Ole Opry is open on Fridays and Saturdays! If you are a country fan this show is so much fun and a great way to see many country music stars live! Tickets in the same party will be seated together and socially distanced from other parties. They have a max of 6 tickets per party. Get tickets online and see who is performing HERE.
The Opry is about a 20 minute drive from downtown but if you make the trip out there be sure to check out the Gaylord Opryland Hotel! Its a huge hotel with a beautiful atriums filled with greenery and water features! They are also decorated for Christmas so it is even more magical!
Eat Some Amazing Food
Nashville is definitely a foodie town! Everything I had on my trip was delicious! If you are planning to go to a restaurant that you know stays busy, make a reservation! In fact I recommend making a reservation everywhere you can so you can ensure you get inside. With limited seating available it is harder and takes longer to get seated. Some restaurants are reservation only, be sure to call so you can plan ahead of time. Restaurants are limited to 6-8 in a party so if your party is larger than that you will have to make two reservations.
Places you can walk up and get good food that I recommend:
- Hattie B’s
- Nashville Hot Chicken is a must and Hattie B’s is delicious!
- Expect a line! You order at the counter and both indoor and outdoor seating is available
- You can also order online or through uber eats
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
- This BBQ is sooo good and located downtown! You order at the counter then sit in their indoor-outdoor type warehouse.
- Accommodates large parties!
- Expect a line
- The Hampton Social
- Their rooftop is first come first served and can accommodate large parties.
- The view on the rooftop is beautiful and overlooks Cumberland Park.
- The rooftop does not offer all menu items (make a reservation ahead of time for their restaurant on the lower two levels, max of 6)
- Their parmesan fries are delicious, but so are their other menu items!
Get Outdoorsy-ish
All parks and outdoor activities are open! Here are some things you can do outdoors, or semi outdoors.
- Centennial Park
- A beautiful park with a pond! Great place to hang out and have a picnic
- The Parthenon is also located here! It is a full scale replica of the Parthenon located in Athens, Greece and has a small museum with a very large statue of Athena inside.
- Cumberland Park
- Great views of downtown Nashville and a great place to just relax and take in the views.
- Walk around and explore
- Explore downtown, the Gulch, Vanderbuilt, or the West End. So much to see and do and many mural walls too!
- Party bus/boat/bike
- If you are going for a bachelor/bachelorette party or a birthday party, there are so many party bus options available with open air.
- Find what is best for you and your party and reserve in advance.
- Visit the Jack Daniel Distillery
- This requires an hour and a half drive, but I highly recommend if you have the time and the transportation.
- The distillery is open for tours and there is a lot of outdoor walking. You can choose from a dry tour, a tour where you sample a flight of Jack Daniel’s regular whiskeys, or a tour where you sample a flight of their high end whiskeys.
- Top Golf
- Yes Top Golf is in a lot of major cities, but it is a great place for large groups!
- Kayak/Paddle board
- When the weather is warmer, you can kayak and paddle board on the Cumberland River
- Go on a hike
- Want to get away from the city? Thrillist has a list of hikes near Nashville that you might like!
Go Shopping
Nashville has so many cute shops and boutiques! Double check hours online before visiting and wear your mask!
Shopping was not a priority on my last trip for everyone so I didn’t visit any other than the ones downtown. I wish I had recommendations for you, but if you have any, comment below!
Enjoy a socially distant visit to Nashville!
