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Nashville in One Day

One day in Nashville, planned hour by hour. The essentials, in the right order.

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One day is enough to get the heart of Nashville: a real Southern breakfast, the music history, the city's signature dish, and a night on Broadway. This is a local's plan for using that day well, with everything close enough to do on foot or a short ride.

How to use this: Stay downtown, in SoBro, or in the Gulch so the whole day is walkable. Times are a guide, not a schedule. If you have a second day, see the 3-day itinerary; if you have longer, the 5-day itinerary.

Morning: Breakfast and Music History

Start with a proper Southern breakfast. Nashville does it well, from biscuit spots to a famous pancake house. Eat early to beat the line.

Then go straight to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum downtown. It is the single best introduction to why Nashville is Music City, and a morning visit gets you in before the crowds. See the museums guide and the brunch guide.

Midday: Hot Chicken and Downtown

Lunch is the city's signature dish: Nashville hot chicken. New to it? Read what it is first, then pick a spot from the hot chicken guide. Start one heat level milder than you think.

After lunch, walk it off. Wander Lower Broadway in daylight, cross the pedestrian bridge for a skyline photo, or head to the Gulch for the wings mural and a little shopping. See the shopping guide.

Evening: Dinner and Broadway

Have an early dinner, then give the evening to Lower Broadway. The honky tonks run free live country music in bar after bar, no cover, all night. Walk the strip, duck into a few, and tip the band. New to the format? See what a honky tonk is and the honky tonks guide.

Want a calmer night instead? Trade Broadway for a rooftop bar or a small music venue. See the rooftop bars guide and music venues guide.

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FAQ

Is one day enough for Nashville?

One day is enough for the essentials: a Southern breakfast, the Country Music Hall of Fame, hot chicken, and a night on Broadway. It is not enough for the neighborhoods and day trips, but it gives you the core of the city.

What is the one thing to do in Nashville?

If you do one thing, walk Lower Broadway at night for the free live music in the honky tonks. It is the experience the city is built on. The Country Music Hall of Fame is the best daytime pick.

Do you need a car for one day in Nashville?

No. If you stay downtown, in SoBro, or in the Gulch, a one-day itinerary is walkable, with short rideshares at most. See the getting around guide.

Read Next

Related Nashville Guides

3-Day Itinerary  ·  5-Day Itinerary  ·  Things to Do in Nashville  ·  Best Honky Tonks  ·  All Guides