I asked Nashville visitors what they thought were the absolute best things to do in Music City. And you know what? Their answers surprised me.
Sure, Broadway came up. But the places and experiences people couldn't stop talking about? Those were the ones I hadn't heard a thousand times before.
This is vetted, popular advice from people who actually did these things and loved them enough to tell strangers about them.
Backstage Nashville Is the Clear Winner
If there's one thing that showed up over and over in the comments, it was Backstage Nashville. People weren't just mentioning it — they were enthusiastic about it.
One person called it “a cool experience” with “something for everyone.” Another said it was their favorite thing to do “every time” they visit. And honestly, when multiple people independently rave about the same place, that tells you something.
It's a behind-the-scenes look at Nashville's music scene, and apparently, it's worth your time.
The Grand Ole Opry Isn't Going Anywhere
Look, I know the Grand Ole Opry is famous. But there's a reason it came up so many times in the comments.
People called it “a must.” One person said to go see a show there rather than just taking the tour. Multiple visitors mentioned catching a performance, and they all seemed genuinely impressed.
Sometimes the tourist spots are tourist spots for a reason. This is one of those times.
Monell's: The Restaurant Everyone Mentions
When it comes to food, one name kept popping up: Monell's.
It's family-style dining, which means you sit with other people and pass dishes around the table. Not everyone's cup of tea, but the people who went there loved it enough to recommend it.
One visitor listed it right alongside the Ryman in their “must-do” list. That's high praise.
Other food spots that got multiple shoutouts? Arnold's for lunch, and interestingly, Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa. One person called the brisket burrito “the best Mexican food I've ever had.” That's saying something.
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Read more →Robert's Western World Beats the Broadway Crowds
If you're going to hit up a bar on Broadway, Robert's Western World was the one people actually named.
It showed up again and again in the comments. No long explanations — just “go to Robert's.” That kind of simple, confident recommendation usually means a place is doing something right.
The Tractor Tour and Pedal Bar Are Surprisingly Popular
Here's where things got interesting. Multiple people recommended the tractor party tour.
One person called it “a lot of fun for a day drinking activity.” Another mentioned it alongside Edley's BBQ. And the pedal bar? Same deal — people who did it had a blast.
These aren't highbrow cultural experiences. They're just fun. And sometimes that's exactly what you want.
Day Drinking Options You Hadn't Considered
Speaking of day drinking, the General Jackson riverboat dinner cruise got several mentions. People enjoyed the lunch version and the dinner cruise.
It's not something I would have thought of, but visitors seemed to genuinely enjoy it. One person said it was “really fun” and worth doing.
The Ryman Auditorium (Especially With a Show)
The Ryman came up multiple times, with one key piece of advice: try to catch a show there, not just the tour.
One visitor specifically said it's “especially” worth it if there's a performance happening. The backstage tour also got a mention.
It makes sense — experiencing a venue while it's actually being used is always better than walking through it empty.
Food Spots That Got Love
Beyond Monell's and Casa Rosa, here are the restaurants that multiple people recommended:
Sinatra's came up twice for a fancier dinner. One person said it “did not disappoint.”
Edley's for BBQ. Someone called it “AMAZING” in all caps, which feels like a reliable review.
San Anejo (or Saint Anejo — people spelled it different ways) got mentioned multiple times. One person said they eat there every time they visit Nashville.
And for breakfast? 417 Union was called out as someone's go-to spot.
The Music City Rollin Jamboree Is a Thing
I hadn't heard of this before reading the comments, but the Music City Rollin Jamboree got enthusiastic recommendations.
One person said it was “so amazing.” Another listed it alongside the Country Music Hall of Fame and a concert at Chief's as part of their perfect Nashville day.
It's apparently a tour with live music, and people who did it seemed really happy about it.
12 South for Shopping and Murals
If you want to get away from the main tourist areas, 12 South came up as a neighborhood worth exploring.
People mentioned the shops, the mural hunting, and just walking around. One person called it “a fun neighbourhood” with lots of options.
It's nice to have a recommendation that doesn't involve drinking or live music, honestly.
Chief's and the Hidden Gems
Chief's (a bar with live music) got multiple mentions, particularly their smoked wings. One person also recommended Redemption Bar on the 5th floor.
Coyote Ugly showed up a couple times. Pete's Piano Bar got a shoutout. And Category 10 was mentioned for line dancing and live local artists.
The Country Music Hall of Fame (If You're Into That)
The Country Music Hall of Fame came up, though interestingly, one person said it's “cool for the locals.”
A few visitors recommended the Studio B tour that goes along with it. If you're into music history, this is probably worth your time. If you're not, maybe skip it.
Belle Meade Plantation and the Parthenon
For something completely different, Belle Meade Plantation got mentioned alongside the music venues.
And multiple people brought up the Parthenon at Centennial Park. One person joked it's “better than in Greece” — which is either high praise or a very funny exaggeration.
What About Broadway?
Here's the thing about Broadway: people said to walk it, enjoy it, and “go with the flow.”
But when they got specific about where to actually go, Robert's Western World was really the only bar that kept coming up by name. Jason Aldean's bar got a couple mentions. Kid Rock's was called “the best party bar” by one person.
Mostly, though, visitors seemed to say: just see what looks fun and go in if there's room.
The Listening Room Deserves a Mention
One person said the food at The Listening Room was awesome. It's a smaller venue off Broadway, and apparently worth checking out if you want good music without the crowds.
Tours Beyond the Usual
A few people mentioned specific tour companies: Joyride got praised (someone even remembered their driver's name was Jake). The Redneck Comedy Tour Bus was called “great fun.”
There were recommendations for side-by-side tours outside the city and even a dive bar shuttle service.
Basically, if you like guided experiences, Nashville has options beyond just the standard city tour.
What This All Means
The pattern here is pretty clear: yes, do the Grand Ole Opry and walk Broadway. But the experiences people remembered and recommended most enthusiastically were often the ones that felt a little more personal.
Backstage Nashville. Monell's family-style meals. The tractor tour that's just pure fun. Robert's Western World when you actually want to hear music instead of fighting crowds.
These aren't secret hidden gems. They're just the places that real visitors enjoyed enough to tell other people about without being asked twice.
