So you're headed to Nashville, and you're already picturing hot chicken, rooftop bars, and maybe a honky-tonk hangover or two. But hold up—before you go all in on spontaneity, let’s talk about what needs to be booked right now unless you want your dream plans to vanish faster than a mimosa bucket at brunch. Because in Music City, some of the best experiences sell out weeks in advance. Let’s break it down so you don’t show up ready to party, only to find yourself locked out of the fun.
You’re staring at your phone. You’ve just Googled “things to do in Nashville,” and suddenly your screen is filled with tractors. Not the kind you find on a farm. No, this one’s got LED lights, a DJ, and a dozen rowdy tourists throwing back beers like it’s their job. It’s the Nashville Party Tractor Tour. It’s sold out this weekend. Obviously.
Cue the FOMO.
That’s the thing—Nashville doesn’t wait around. It rewards the bold and the early birds. If you want in on the iconic stuff—the kind of fun people still talk about long after they’ve recovered from their “just one more drink” decisions—you’re gonna need to plan ahead.
Let’s start with this one: Music City Rollin’ Jamboree. Think karaoke meets comedy meets party bus with a twist of Southern sass. It books out fast. People swear it’s the hardest they’ve laughed in years. So, yeah—don’t wing it.
Or maybe you're thinking more country legend than wild night. That means a night at the Grand Ole Opry is non-negotiable. But here’s the trick: book a show and the backstage tour. It’s two separate tickets. Wait too long and you’re stuck peering through the gift shop window like a tourist with bad timing.
Speaking of legends, the Ryman Auditorium isn’t just a venue—it’s the mother church of country music. Whether it’s a concert or a guided tour, those slots go quick. Same with the Listening Room, where you’ll hear the people who wrote the hits. It’s intimate. It’s magical. It’s standing room only if you don’t move fast.
Now for some curveballs—the Backstage Nashville songwriter series, where the people behind the songs spill the tea and sing their hearts out. Pro tip: it’s daytime, which means you can party and still make your dinner reservation at somewhere like The 1230 Club. (Yes, you’ll need a reservation.)
And hey, if you’re dreaming of rolling down the Cumberland River with a drink in hand, the Pontoon Saloon is your floating happy place. Or maybe you’re a little more “off-road adrenaline” than “lazy river vibes”—in that case, book a UTV at Fisher’s Off-Road Tours now. These aren’t backup plans. These are highlights.
Even brunch isn’t safe from the Nashville sell-out schedule. Loveless Café? Incredible biscuits. But without a reservation, you’re facing a wait that’ll make you wish you packed snacks. Same for spots in The Gulch like Milk & Honey or mimosa heaven at Tin Roof on Sundays.
Hotels? If you haven’t booked yet, Broadway-adjacent spots like the Embassy Suites or The Bobby Hotel will be long gone or crazy expensive. And yes, that’s before you even get to line dancing classes, bar crawls, or those very Instagrammable rooftop bars at Jason Aldean’s, Casa Rosa, or Kid Rock’s.
Bottom line? “We’ll figure it out when we get there” sounds cute until you’re locked out of everything cool, stuck watching TikToks of the exact party you missed.
Book. Now. Your future self (and your camera roll) will thank you.