33 Fun Things To Do in Nashville for Adults in 2025

Nashville might be Music City, but there a things to do in Nashville for adults that go far beyond attending live shows and learning how to two-step at honky-tonks. From free things to do in Nashville for adults to things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for couples, we’ve compiled a wide range of ideas so you can create an epic bucket list.

Try local delicacies like hot chicken, visit world-class museums, sip drinks at a distillery and so much more. No matter your interests, there are plenty of things to do in Nashville for adults to make your trip one for the books.

Jump to Section

• Unique Things To Do in Nashville for Adults
• Cheap Things To Do in Nashville for Adults
• Top Things To Do in Nashville, Tennessee for Couples
• Free Things To Do in Nashville For Adults
• Things To Do in Nashville For Adults FAQs

Unique Things To Do in Nashville for Adults

1. Paint and Sips in Nashville 

Things to do in Nashville for adults don’t have to fit the mold of typical tourist attractions. Paint and sips in Nashville are perfect if you want a relaxing activity that allows you to explore your creativity. All materials are provided by the instructor, who provides hands-on guidance throughout the evening to ensure your final product is something you’re proud of. 

2. Dance Classes in Nashville 

If you’re looking for unconventional things to do in Nashville for adults, dance classes in Nashville are always a good idea. You can learn everything from hip-hop to hula-hooping from the best dance teachers in the city. Even if you have two left feet, you’ll be a pro by the end of the session.

3. Create a Masterpiece

Art classes in Nashville are unique things to do in Nashville for adults that give you the chance to express yourself through a variety of mediums, such as oil painting. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or it’s your first time in front of the easel, step-by-step instructions from talented local artists help you paint with confidence and create a masterpiece you can take home. 

4. Try Hot Chicken

Every list of things to do in Nashville for adults should include hot chicken. A local specialty, the dish consists of hand-breaded chicken fried to golden perfection and drizzled with a cayenne pepper sauce. Prince’s Hot Chicken and Hattie B’s are some of the best spots for this Nashville food.

5. Indulge Your Tastebuds at L&L Market

From outrageous milkshakes to a build-your-own charcuterie bar, L&L Market is one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults when you need a break from exploring. This West Nashville gem is like a more upscale mall food court, with tons of options to please every palate. You’ll also see vendors selling other goods like home furniture and jewelry. 

6. Shop at Marathon Village

Simply stepping inside Marathon Village is one of the most unique things to do in Nashville for adults, whether you buy anything or not. Originally an automobile plant, this shopping center houses everything from art galleries to stores selling home décor. You’ll see old equipment from the factory scattered throughout the building, imparting an industrial-chic ambiance that gives the space so much character.

7. Get Some Fresh Air at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

A 55-acre botanical garden, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens features 12 themed areas connected by a scenic nature trail. It’s one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults if you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature for a bit. The garden looks like something out of a fairytale, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers that are breathtaking in all four seasons. 

8. Tour The Hermitage 

Andrew Jackson’s former home is among the most iconic landmarks in Nashville. The 1100-acre property features the mansion where he lived for over 40 years, perfectly manicured gardens, former cotton fields and cabins that housed enslaved people in the 19th century. 

Visiting The Hermitage is one of the most unique things to do in Nashville for adults because it serves as an important history lesson on one of the country’s most controversial presidents and encourages critical thinking about how the values and political framework of the nation have, and will continue to evolve.

9. Attend a Show at a Listening Room

Honky-tonks are iconic, but they can also get pretty rowdy. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Nashville for adults that are a bit more low-key, head to a listening room like Bluebird Café instead. You can listen to burgeoning artists perform original songs and covers in a relaxing atmosphere. If any of them make it big in the future, you can proudly say you witnessed the beginning of their rise to stardom.

Cheap Things To Do in Nashville for Adults

10. Tour the Ryman Auditorium 

Home to the Grand Ole Opry for three decades, the Ryman Auditorium is one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults deeply interested in how the city’s country music legacy began. You can take a self-guided tour and learn the history of the building and the famous folks who graced its stage. Tours are relatively inexpensive, especially considering the auditorium’s significance. Concerts are still held here most nights as well. 

11. Have Fun at Pinewood Social

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Nashville for adults that won’t break the bank, Pinewood Social is calling your name. This fun spot has a bit of everything: a restaurant, coffee shop, bowling alley, pool, bocce ball court and more. You can choose which activities you participate in to keep the price tag low. 

12. Visit the National Museum of African American Music

Journey through the rich heritage of African American music in America when you visit this 56,000-square-foot museum. Tickets cost less than $35 for adults, which is quite affordable considering the wealth of information contained within the building’s four walls. 

From gospel to hip-hop, you’ll celebrate iconic Black artists across multiple genres. Interactive exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music allow visitors to create custom playlists, sing along with gospel hits and more. It doesn’t take long to discover why this is one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults.

13. Grab a Donut at Five Daughters Bakery

A couple of donuts won’t set you back too much and your taste buds will thank you. If you need cheap things to do in Nashville for adults who are foodies, Five Daughters Bakery is the place to go. This family-owned donut shop has a signature croissant donut that’s cream-filled, rolled in sugar and coated in confectioner’s sugar glaze. If you can only try one of their donuts, let it be that.

14. Treat Yourself to a Goo Goo Cluster

If you’ve never had a Goo Goo Cluster, you’re in for a real treat. This nostalgic candy was invented in Nashville in the early 1900s, and you can sink your teeth into one at Goo Goo Chocolate Co. 

One of the best things to do in Nashville for adults with a sweet tooth, this candy shop still makes the original recipe for Goo Goo Clusters, which consist of peanuts, caramel and marshmallows all coated in chocolate. Try a cluster by itself, or enjoy it chopped up in an ice cream sundae for even more decadence.

15. Belly Up to the Bar at Robert’s Western World

Honky-tonks are cliché things to do in Nashville for adults, but they’re just part of the Music City experience. Robert’s Western World is impossible to miss — just look for the giant neon sign of a boot and guitar on Printer's Alley. Grab a drink at the bar, chow down on fried bologna sandwiches and enjoy the live tunes. The best part? No cover charge!

16. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame 

Country music seems to be a bit like pineapple on pizza — you either love it or hate it. Even if you fall into the latter camp, visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame is kind of obligatory when it comes to things to do in Nashville for adults. Permanent and rotating exhibits explore country music through the ages, with over 2.5 million artifacts on display. You’ll even see Elvis’s iconic Cadillac in its jewel-encrusted glory.

Top Things To Do in Nashville, Tennessee for Couples

17. Browse Local Goods at the Nashville Farmers Market

The Nashville Farmers Market got its start in the 1800s, so it’s clearly doing something right because business is still booming. Open year-round, the market hosts over 100 vendors selling seasonal produce, artisan cheeses and handmade crafts. 

Local Nashville restaurants also set up shop, offering everything from fresh pizza to gourmet ice cream. A meal here costs a lot less than what you’d pay at a sit-down restaurant, so the market is one of the best cheap things to do in Nashville for adults.

18. Enjoy a Stroll Through the Warner Parks

Known simply as “The Warner Parks,” the Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are among the most romantic things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for couples. With over 3,000 acres of lush green space, the parks are ideal for a leisurely hike or afternoon picnic. Plus, they’re close to downtown, so you aren’t far from the city’s best attractions.

19. Go Wine Tasting at Arrington Vineyards

If you’re looking for things to do in Nashville for adults this weekend, consider a wine tasting at Arrington Vineyards. The winery is just 30 minutes from downtown Nashville and offers nearly two-dozen red, white and dessert wines. Grab a flight, head out onto the patio and enjoy the beautiful scenery while live music fills the air.

20. Stay at Gaylord Opryland 

Looking for experience gifts in Nashville? Surprise your special someone with a stay at Gaylord Opryland, one of the most memorable things to do in Nashville for adults.

This sprawling resort has everything you need in one place, with over a dozen restaurants and bars, nearly 3,000 rooms and even a waterpark. Not to mention, you can take a romantic boat ride through the hotel! 

21. Enjoy a Meal in a Historic Setting at Monell's

Monell's is a traditional Southern restaurant in Nashville's historic Germantown neighborhood. The beautiful Victorian building was once a private residence and guests can marvel at the stunning architecture and antique furnishings while enjoying pot roast, biscuits and gravy, grits and other classic soul food dishes. Monell's offers a romantic atmosphere that makes it the perfect destination for date ideas in Nashville.

22. Sip Drinks at The Patterson House

Speakeasies are inherently romantic, so The Patterson House is definitely one of the best things to do in Nashville, Tennessee for couples. It’s upscale and swanky, with a floor-to-ceiling velvet curtain and smartly dressed bartenders mixing up craft cocktails. 

23. Head to a Local Distillery

The city is home to several award-winning distilleries that make great things to do in Nashville for adults. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is a local favorite, serving cocktails made with secret family recipes from before Prohibition. In addition to tasting experiences, you can tour the facility for a behind-the-scenes look at how the spirits are made.

24. See a Concert at the Grand Ole Opry

While the Grand Ole Opry is no longer in its original location, it’s very much alive and well and remains one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults. Country legends and up-and-coming stars grace the stage and put on epic shows that never miss. 

25. Tour the Belmont Mansion

Located on the grounds of Belmont University, the Belmont Mansion served as the summer home for Joseph and Adelicia Acklen; Adelicia was one of Tennessee’s most affluent women after inheriting her late husband’s fortune. The home is now a museum filled with Roman sculptures, European treasures and opulent period pieces. 

Free Things To Do in Nashville For Adults

26. See the Parthenon 

Nashville’s Centennial Park is home to a true-to-size replica of the Parthenon in Athens. It’s an incredible sight to behold, and now you can save money on a trip to Greece. 

27. Explore East Nashville

Once you’ve had your fill of the downtown music scene, head to East Nashville for a refreshing change of pace. This hip neighborhood is full of trendy restaurants, quaint boutiques and urban parks, making it one of the best free things to do in Nashville for adults looking to experience a quieter side to the city. 

28. Visit Radnor Lake State Park

When you think of fun things to do in Nashville for adults, nature-oriented destinations probably aren’t top of mind. Once you visit Radnor Lake State Park, however, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. Right on the outskirts of town, this peaceful oasis features a shimmering lake surrounded by hiking and biking trails. You’ll also get to see wildlife such as owls and herons.

29. Walk Across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge 

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Cumberland River and connects downtown Nashville to the Nissan Stadium. It’s a popular place for cyclists and runners because there’s no automobile traffic, and the views are phenomenal. Take a scenic stroll and take some photos as you enjoy one of the best free things to do in Nashville for adults.

30. Go Bar Hopping

Since the honky-tonks on Broadway don’t charge cover, bar-hopping is one of the best free things to do in Nashville for adults. Listen to a few songs at one venue, then move to the next, rinsing and repeating until the wee hours of the morning. 

31. Picnic at Centennial Park

Centennial Park is one of those things to do in Nashville for adults that you just can’t miss. This lush, 132-acre oasis boasts a pristine lake surrounded by a paved walking trail, a dog park, historical monuments and more. The grassy lawn is ideal for a picnic, and there are free outdoor concerts in the spring and fall. 

32. Take It All in on Printer's Alley

Are you wondering what not to miss in Nashville? If so, Printer’s Alley deserves a spot on the list. It offers a more laid-back atmosphere than the bustling Broadway Street, trading honky-tonks for blues clubs. Of course, you’ll have to pay a cover charge to enter most of the bars but simply walking down the street and taking in all the lights and sounds is an experience in and of itself. 

33. Admire Street Art

If you need free things to do in Nashville, the city is full of gorgeous street art. Take a stroll to admire the murals (and maybe even take your picture in front of your favorites) and scope out the activities you want to do next.

Things To Do in Nashville For Adults FAQs

What Is the Most Iconic Thing in Nashville?

Since Nashville is the “Country Music Capital of the World,” the Grand Ole Opry is widely considered the most famous attraction in the city. According to the Tennessee Historical Society, the Opry began as a radio show in 1925, and the Grand Ole Opry House opened 50 years later.

Over the years, the Opry hosted country music legends like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, popularizing the genre and cementing Nashville as its mecca. The Grand Ole Opry still remains one of the best things to do in Nashville for adults, so don’t miss the opportunity to see a show.

What Is the Main Attraction Street in Nashville?

Broadway Street, specifically Lower Broadway, is where it all happens in Nashville. This bustling thoroughfare is the center of Music City’s nightlife, with honky-tonks all up and down the street. No list of things to do in Nashville for adults is complete without Broadway. 

Things to do in Nashville for adults allow you to make the most of your trip by soaking up the music scene, visiting iconic attractions and trying the best Nashville restaurants. From things to do in Nashville for adults this weekend to cheap things to do in Nashville for adults, now you have plenty of inspiration to build an itinerary for a trip you’ll never forget — and if you're heading west, check out some team building activities in Memphis to round out your Tennessee adventure.

For even more fun things to do in Nashville, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!