First time in Nashville? Four bucket-list things to do in Nashville are seeing a songwriter show at The Bluebird Cafe, shopping for cowboy boots at Boot Barn or Tecovas, walking the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, and doing a Tennessee moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky.
What are the top bucket-list things to do in Nashville?
Some Nashville experiences belong on every first-timer’s list. These four cover the city’s songwriting roots, its Western-wear culture, its best skyline view, and its homegrown spirits. Together they give you a real feel for Music City beyond the honky-tonks, and most are an easy ride from downtown.
Catch a songwriter show at The Bluebird Cafe
The Bluebird Cafe is a 90-seat listening room in a strip mall south of downtown, and it’s one of the most storied rooms in country music. Hit songwriters sit in the round and play the songs they wrote, often the ones you already know by heart. Shows are quiet, close, and frequently sell out, so plan ahead and reserve before your trip.
Shop for cowboy boots
Buying a pair of cowboy boots is practically a Nashville rite of passage. Boot Barn carries a huge range across price points, from affordable souvenir pairs to serious leather, while Tecovas is the spot for handmade Western boots. Go early in your trip so you can actually wear them out at night.
Walk the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge stretches across the Cumberland River toward Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, and gives you the best free skyline view in the city. It’s an easy walk from downtown, and it’s especially worth doing at sunset or after dark when the skyline lights up. Bring a camera, this is one of the most photographed spots in Nashville.
Do a moonshine tasting
Tennessee is moonshine country, and a tasting is an easy, fun way to spend an hour. At Ole Smoky you can work through flights of flavored moonshine, from apple pie to peach, with live music often playing alongside. It’s a great group activity before a night out.
How do you fit these into a Nashville trip?
Spread them across a weekend: shop for boots and walk the Pedestrian Bridge during the day, do a moonshine tasting in the late afternoon, and save a Bluebird Cafe show for an evening you’ve booked in advance. Everything here is close to downtown, so it’s easy to build around your Broadway nights.
Whatever your trip looks like, Music City Weekend Co. can stock your Airbnb, VRBO, or hotel fridge before you arrive, so you skip the grocery and liquor store run on day one. We also offer 60+ amenity add-ons, delivered straight to your door.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top bucket-list things to do in Nashville?
Seeing a songwriter show at The Bluebird Cafe, shopping for cowboy boots at Boot Barn or Tecovas, walking the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, and doing a Tennessee moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky.
What is The Bluebird Cafe known for?
It’s a small 90-seat listening room where hit songwriters perform their own songs up close. Shows are intimate and often sell out, so book ahead.
Where should you buy cowboy boots in Nashville?
At Boot Barn for a huge selection across price points and at Tecovas for handmade Western boots, both with Nashville locations.
Where can you do a moonshine tasting in Nashville?
At Ole Smoky, where you can sample flights of flavored Tennessee moonshine.