Nashville Girls Weekend: Things to Do + Best 3-Day Itinerary

With dozens of rockin’ honky tonks and a booming food and cocktail scene, Nashville, Tennesse is the perfect spot for a girls’ trip!

Perhaps you’re thinking of visiting or are wondering about the best things to do during a Nashville girls’ weekend getaway.

This first-timer’s guide to Nashville will bring you to all of the popular girls’ weekend attractions and show you exactly how to see the best of Nashville in just 3 days!

In this article, we include all of the best things to do in Nashville as well as provide tips on where to stay, where to dine, and how to get around.

Here’s how to plan the ultimate Nashville girls’ weekend and what we think is THE BEST Nashville 3-day itinerary you’ll find.

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Where to Stay in Nashville

The different areas of Nashville, Tennessee are referred to by neighborhood names such as 12 South, The Gulch, SoBro, Germantown, and Downtown. (See a map of Nashville’s neighborhoods here.)

If you want to be close to the action, the area you’ll spend the most time in when on a girls’ trip in Nashville is Downtown Nashville.

Downtown Nashville is home to Nashville’s famous honky tonks, music venues, and the highest density of newly constructed restaurants and hotels.

Adjacent to Downtown Nashville (and within walking distance to the honky tonks) is the SoBro neighborhood – another great option of where to stay during a Nashville girls’ trip.

Along with Downtown Nashville’s Airbnbs and boutique hotels, the best places to stay in Nashville for a girls’ weekend include:

• Grand Hyatt Nashville (1/2 mile from Honky Tonk Highway, rooftop bar, 5th-floor pool deck, 7 onsite dining and drinking options)
• Omni Nashville Hotel (1 block from Honky Tonk Highway, rooftop pool and hot tub, 3 onsite restaurants)
• Hampton Inn and Suites Nashville Downtown (1/2 mile from Honky Tonk Highway, budget-friendly, free breakfast, pool)
• Hilton Nashville Downtown (1 block from Honky Tonk Highway, spacious, all-suite luxury hotel)

How to Get Around Nashville

Downtown Nashville is fairly compact, so most people choose to walk whenever possible.

The best way to get around the city of Nashville when walking isn’t feasible, however, is by ride-share services like Uber or Lyft.

Lime Scooters (that can be found literally everywhere!) are also very popular when traveling within a mile or two of where you’re going.

{I recommend downloading the Lime app before your trip in case you get the urge to scooter!}

Next, having a rental car is also a good option, especially when looking to travel the 12 miles from Downtown to East Nashville – home of Opryland Hotel, Grand Ole Opry, and Opry Mills shopping mall.

If you do have a car, most downtown Nashville hotels provide parking for their guests but it can be quite expensive.

Public garages throughout Nashville cost much less. (Visit the Park it! Downtown website for public parking options and costs.)

Finally, there are dozens of options when it comes to ‘entertainment transportation‘ in Downtown Nashville – which is a popular option for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Whether you’re looking for a private or shared experience, companies offer rides on buses, trucks, tractor-trailers, pedal pubs, and even golf carts and firetrucks.

Most party bus companies allow BYOB, offer a VIP bartender experience, and/or provide a unique tour of Music City.

Nashville Girls Weekend: The Best Things to Do in Nashville

Similar to our girls’ weekend getaways in Austin, Texas, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Palm Springs, California, Nashville is home to an amazing array of fun things to do.

It is also a great spot to hold a bachelorette party for its positive energy and upbeat vibe!

What makes Nashville unique, however, is the contrast of its laid-back honky tonks, with its swanky restaurants, wineries, shops, and spas.

With musical history and culture infused into the architecture, décor, and ambiance of Nashville, your girls’ weekend getaway here is guaranteed to be both memorable and one-of-a-kind.

Though it would be impossible to mention absolutely everything that there is to see and do here, let’s explore some of the best things to do during your Nashville girls’ weekend!

*Need suggestions on what to wear in Nashville? Check out our Amazon Storefront which includes shoppable links to the best Nashville t-shirts, outfits, boots, and hats – as well as our entire article on what to wear in Nashville!

1. Party on Honky Tonk Highway

What is a honky tonk? It’s an establishment that contains a least one rockin’ stage, cold beverages, and live music that lasts all day, every day.

Nashville, Music City CVB

Broadway Street (located on lower Broadway) is more commonly referred to as Nashville’s Honky Tonky Highway.

Honky Tonk Highway is the city’s main drag and is what most people think of when they think of visiting Music City, which happens to be Nashville’s iconic nickname.

Here, the pedestrian-friendly street is lined with over 28 honky tonks that feature live country music 365 days a year, from 10 AM – 3 AM every day of the week.

While walking down the street, visitors can see and hear all of the live music going on inside the honky tonks as they have large, open windows to showcase the band that is currently playing.

Though you’ll primarily hear country music, you’ll also hear cuts of bluegrass, rock, pop, classical, jazz, blues, and more.

Artists include musicians, singer-songwriters, and other entertainers.

Some honky tonks are smaller, more intimate music venues, while others are huge and offer multiple floors and stages.

{Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk & Steakhouse, for instance, has five floors, four stages, and 6 bars all within one establishment.}

Some of our favorites include:

• Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa
• Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk
• Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (world-famous!)
• Redneck Riviera
• Rippy’s
• Blake Shelton’s Ole Red

Additional planning tips: One of the best parts about Honky Tonky Highway is that there is no cover charge to enter the honky tonks, which means that you can enjoy amazing live music for absolutely free!

Also, anyone, including kids and families, can enjoy the honky tonks before 8 or 9 PM.

After 8 PM, however, most venues only allow guests 21 and up.

*We love Honky Tonk Highway so much that we wrote an entire article about the Must-Visit Nashville Honky Tonks that includes a printable map of where all the honky tonks are! Don’t miss it!

2. Visit the Grand Ole Opry

I highly recommend that you visit the Grand Ole Opry (the home of country music!) during your Nashville girls’ trip!

A visit to the Opry should include time to take in both a 2-hour Grand Ole Opry show, as well as to enjoy a backstage tour.

If you’re able to snag tickets for a show in the Opry’s 4,400-seat auditorium, you’ll hear some of the best bluegrass and country music on the planet, as well as enjoy comedic performances and skits.

The show is a mixture of country legends, today’s top artists, as well as rising stars about to get their big break.

The Opry is never rehearsed, and never the same show twice.

50-minute backstage guided tours of the Grand Ole Opry take place in both the daytime and after the shows.

They start with an immersive theater experience that shares stories about the Opry and its biggest moments, as well as shows exclusive photos and videos of country music’s superstars.

Along with seeing the artists’ entrance, you’ll get to see all of the unique dressing rooms, as well as step onto the stage and into the famed ‘wooden circle’.

Additional planning tip: Tickets for an Opry show and backstage tour can be purchased together or separately. You do not necessarily need to go to a show to book a backstage tour and vice versa.

*Plan and price either your Grand Ole Opry show with a post-show guided backstage tour or a guided backstage tour only, here.

3. Take an Old Town Trolley Tour

Looking to do some exploring, learning, and sightseeing during your girls’ trip to Nashville?

There is so much more to Nashville than its honky tonks and music venues and the best way to explore all that this great city has to offer is by means of a Nashville Old Town Trolley Tour!

A ticket on the trolley offers guests a 90-minute round trip ride, with hop-on and hop-off privileges throughout its continuous 12-mile loop – to 14 different stops around the city of Nashville.

In between stops you’ll learn fascinating stories and interesting facts from the trolley conductor while never having to hunt for a parking spot at Nashville’s top attractions.

Spend as much, or as little time as you want at places like Ryman Auditorium, Music City Walk of Fame, Belmont Mansion, and The Gulch thanks to the free unlimited re-boarding offered on the trolley tour.

Though a mention and review of the trolley stops could be a blog article in itself, here are some ‘can’t miss places to stop during your Nashville girls’ weekend:

• Stop #2: Ryman Auditorium self-guided tour (original home to the Grand Ole Opry)
• Stop #3: Museum hopping at: Music City Walk of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, and the Goo Goo Chocolate Factory
• Stop #10: The Parthenon (a replica of the famous temple in Athens, Greece, as seen in the photo above)
• Stop #11: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
• Stop #12: Belmont Mansion tour
• Stop #13: The Gulch neighborhood (awesome shops and restaurants!)

*Plan and price your Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour here!

4. Photograph Nashville’s Murals

Nashville is decorated with beautiful wall murals and street art all throughout the city.

It’s not uncommon to see crowds of people waiting in line to snap photos in front of them.

The prime spots for viewing and photographing Nashville’s murals are in The Gulch neighborhood and 12 South.

Here are some of the most popular and Instagram-worthy murals you’ll want to check out:

• What Lifts You wings (above): 302 11th Ave. South – The Gulch
• 12th and Porter mural: 114 12th Ave. North – The Gulch
• I Believe in Nashville mural: 2702 12th Avenue South
• Nashville Looks Good on You: 2511 12th Avenue South
• Country Music Icons mural: 711 6th Ave. South

For a complete list of Nashville murals visit here.

Or, plan and price a Murals and Mimosas Sightseeing Tour!

5. Indulge in Delicious Dining

The local food movement has been taking hold in Nashville with over 200 chef-driven restaurants opening in the past two years.

Unless you’re staying for months, however, there won’t be enough time in your Nashville girls’ weekend to experience all of the amazing places to dine here.

In fact, amazing cuisine can be found around every corner in Nashville with most foodie spots featuring delicious cocktails to go with their incredible bites.

Here are my top picks of places for girls’ night out dinners in Nashville that have an amazing ambiance, food, and (in some cases) music:

• Skulls Rainbow Room (cool, swanky atmosphere!)
• The Twelve Thirty Club (perfect for a girl’s night out!)
• Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
• The Chef and I
• Etch

*Be sure to make reservations ahead of time when possible.

Additional planning tip: Nashville BBQ, hot chicken, and biscuits (classic southern comfort food!) are 3 of Nashville’s iconic foods and everyone has their own opinion on who serves up the best.

Being that I’m not an expert in this area, I’ll leave this to be critiqued by the Nashville foodies out there.

Do, however, be sure to try each of these Nashville specialties while you’re there!

6. ‘Do Brunch’ in Nashville

“Brunch” in Nashville is in a category of its own when it comes to the best things to do in Nashville on a girls’ weekend getaway!

Maybe it’s the late nights and breakfast being skipped that leads to a natural need for brunch, or maybe it’s the fact that swanky brunch spots and bottomless mimosas are the perfect pastimes before the honky tonks open midday?

Either way, you’ll find plenty of delicious food, Instagram-worthy decor, and chic morning cocktails when enjoying brunch in Nashville.

Here are our favorite brunch spots in Nashville to enjoy during your Nashville girls’ weekend!

• Liberty Common
• Pinewood Social (Check out the bowling alley and swimming pool here too!)
• Hampton Social
• Butcher & Bee
• Kitchen Notes
• Milk and Honey

Nashville’s best coffee shops include The Frothy Monkey and White Bison Coffee (in the 12 South area), Cafe Intermezzo and Crema (in the SoBro area), and Fido (in Hillsboro Village).

7. Go to a Show at The Listening Room

The Listening Room is an awesome concert venue to visit if you’re looking for a more intimate music and dining experience during your Nashville girls’ weekend itinerary.

Here, singer-songwriters, and up-and-coming country music artists play nightly shows that include storytelling, and time spent getting to know the artists.

They pride themselves in being a spot designed for musicians to get themselves out there and to get themselves heard.

Instead of stadium seats or standing room, guests are seated at dining tables centered around the main stage, as food and beverages are served throughout the show.

When purchasing show tickets, they also serve as your dinner reservation (a $15 dollar minimum food/beverage is required per person) and guarantees you a reserved seat in the concert hall.

Additional planning tip: I feel that The Listening Room is one of Nashville’s best-kept secrets, and though it is not located directly on Broadway, it is only a short walk or Uber ride away!

Another great place to catch a show of up-and-coming artists is The Bluebird Cafe.

Artists such as Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift have all had career-defining moments there!

8. Visit a Nashville Winery

One of the most unique things to do in Nashville that is definitely less talked about is to visit a local winery!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere in Tennessee wine country or something in bustling downtown Nashville itself, we have an entire article written on the best wineries in Nashville for you to try.

Each and every one of these wineries combines amazing wine with the music, culture, and local fare that Nashville visitors have come to know and love.

Additional planning tip: My top recommendation is to visit Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery and take a guided mansion tour and complimentary wine tasting!

This site is absolutely breathtaking and is even more amazing when visiting Nashville during Christmastime!

9. Shop Til’ You Drop

Nashville is a prime destination for shoppers!

From modern shopping malls to quaint shops and unique flea markets, there is truly something for everyone when it comes to shopping in Nashville.

Opry Mills, located just steps from the Grand Ole Opry, is the most popular indoor shopping mall in Nashville.

Along with 200 stores, there is a Regal Movie Theater at one end and a Dave and Busters at the other.

For elegant shopping and dining, head to The Mall at Green Hills, and for eclectic shopping, check out Fatherland District.

Or, head to 12 South and visit Draper James, Reece Witherspoon’s flagship women’s clothing store.

Finally, if you love Mexican music, food, and culture, be sure to check out Plaza Mariachi Music City!

This shopping and entertainment plaza is located just 10 minutes from Nashville’s historic downtown area and combines food, shopping, and entertainment in a single location.

Enjoy the free Plaza Mariachi Dinner Show (circus-type variety show including aerials and fire) every Saturday starting at 7 PM.

10. Go to the Spa

Though you’ll likely be grooving at Nashville’s honky tonks and sipping stageside cocktails, be sure to save room for some spa time during your Nashville girls’ weekend.

The best spas in Nashville include:

• Escape Day Spa (located in the luxurious Belle Meade neighborhood)
• Float Nashville (unique float tank spa!)
• Spa by JW Marriott (located in SoBro)
• R+R Wellness (located at the Grand Hyatt Nashville Downtown)
• Relache (located in the Gaylord Opryland Resort)
• The Woodhouse Day Spa (found in Midtown)

Nashville Girls Weekend: A Complete 3-Day Itinerary

Nashville is home to historical venues, amazing live music, delicious dining, and a cool, artistic vibe.

Whether you’re into music, history, or art, there is literally something for everyone to enjoy in Nashville, Tennessee.

Here are my suggestions on how to plan the ultimate girls’ weekend in Nashville if you have 3 days.

Nashville Girls Trip: Day 1

• Start off the morning with brunch at Liberty Common.
• Walk to Honky Tonk Highway and visit as many honky tonks as possible while relaxing, listening to music, sipping cocktails, and dancing the day away.
• Return to your hotel to primp yourself up for an evening of fun.
• Take an Uber to Printer’s Alley and have a pre-dinner drink at Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar.
• Head to your reservation at Skull’s Rainbow Room and enjoy its swanky atmosphere complete with nightly live music and delicious food and cocktails.

Nashville Girls Trip: Day 2

• Stop into Parlor Donuts for a freshly made gourmet donut.
• Take an early morning stroll and walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
• Head to the start of the Old Town Trolley route and get ready for a day spent sightseeing around the city.
• Get off at Old Town Trolley stop #3 and visit the Johnny Cash Museum, Johnny Cash Bar, Patsy Cline Museum, Goo Goo Chocolate Factory, and Music City Walk of Fame.
• Board the trolley and get off again at stop #10 to visit and tour The Parthenon.
• Board the trolley and get off at stop #11 to have lunch at Hattie B Hot Chicken.
• From Hattie B’s walk to The Graduate Hotel and have a cocktail at the Dolly Parton-themed rooftop bar, White Limozeen.
• Get back on the trolley and get off at stop #12 to photograph and potentially tour the Belmont Mansion.
• Return to your hotel and get ready for another fun night out.
• Have a pre-dinner cocktail at The Twelve Thirty Club Honky Tonk.
• Attend your reservation at The Twelve Thirty Club Supper Club and take photos on the rooftop bar afterward.

Nashville Girls Trip: Day 3

• Start your day off with brunch at Pinewood Social.
• Head to your backstage tour at the Grand Ole Opry.
• From the Grand Ole Opry, walk across the parking lot and go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located in Opry Mills shopping mall.
• Head back downtown and make your way to Union Station Hotel – the start of your afternoon food tour with Local Tastes of Nashville.
• Feast at Biscuit Love, Peg Leg Porker, Party Fowl, and Sambuca while on the food tour.
• While on the food tour, stop to take photos at The Gulch murals (What Lifts You wings, Country Music Icons mural, and 12th and Porter mural).
• Head to the Listening Room for a one-of-a-kind musical performance.
• Have a nightcap cocktail at 3rd and Lindsley or 6th & Peabody lounge.

Nashville Girls Trip: Day 4

• If you have extra time on your last day before you depart, go to brunch at Kitchen Notes in the Omni Hotel.
• Make reservations and go to the Country Music Hall of Fame right when it opens at 9:00 AM.
• Also, make reservations and take the shuttle from the Hall of Fame to a tour of RCA Studio B located on Music Row.

*Plan and price an RCA Studio B and Country Music Hall of Fame Admission Combo here.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I absolutely recommend that a girls’ weekend in Nashville be on your United States bucket list!

My quick and final tips for visiting Nashville include:

• Stay in Downtown Nashville close to Broadway Street (Honky Tonk Highway)
• Walk to places whenever possible to avoid having to find parking.
• Wear good walking shoes throughout the day.
• Visit as many honky tonks as possible!
• ‘Must do tours’: Grand Ole Opry backstage tour, Old Town Trolley Tour.
• ‘Must do restaurants’: Skulls Rainbow Room, The Twelve Thirty Club (especially if you’re looking for classy things to do in Nashville!)
• Check out the murals in The Gulch.
• Relax and enjoy!

What Nashville getaway ideas are you most looking foward to for your upcoming girls trip to Nashville? I’d love for you to comment!

-Jen

If you need help planning your trip, don’t forget to check out our travel resources page, where you can take advantage of discounts for hotels, cars, tours, and more!