Things to Do in Nashville
This guide is designed to provide a number of alternatives for our visitors who wish to explore a few miles beyond the Vanderbilt campus. All students offered admission to Vanderbilt Law School will receive the Obiter Dictum, a comprehensive guide to life in Nashville compiled, edited, and published by Vanderbilt Law students.
In addition to our suggestions below, you may want to check out the websites for Tennessee tourism and Nashville Visitors
Walking, Jogging & Cycling
On-Campus
The Vanderbilt campus, designated a national arboretum, is an excellent place to walk or jog. Many staffers, students and faculty jog the 2.7 mile “loop” around the Vanderbilt campus. From the law school, head left on 21st Avenue to West End Ave.; left on West End to Blakemore, where you’ll again turn left; and left again when you reach 21st which will take you back to the law school.
The Vanderbilt Student Recreation Center also has an outdoor running track that visitors may use.
State Parks
Middle Tennessee boasts many beautiful state parks; use the link above for more detailed information. We specifically recommend Percy Warner Park, Edwin Warner Park, and Radnor Lake State Parks.
Architectural Sights and Museums
Downtown Presbyterian Church
This is one of only three surviving Egyptian Revival churches in the U.S. Completed in 1951, a recently completed $1.2 million restoration has made it truly spectacular.
The Parthenon
Built as part of Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, the full-scale reproduction of the ancient Greek temple contains a 40-foot replica of the famous statue of Athena. The Parthenon is located in Centennial Park, across the street from Vanderbilt on West End Avenue, and also serves as an art museum.
Tennessee State Capitol
William Strickland, a Philadelphia architect famous for designing the original United States Mint in Philadelphia as well as branches in New Orleans and Charlotte, North Carolina, designed the beautiful Tennessee State Capitol and is actually buried in a mausoleum built into the structure.
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts
This 1930s Art Deco building once served as Nashville’s main post office. Its restoration as an art museum is a masterpiece of adaptive reuse of an architectural landmark. The Frist Center opened in April 2001, and since that time has hosted a spectacular array of art from the region, the country, and around the world. Unlike any traditional museum you’ve ever visited, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has become a magnet for Nashville’s rapidly expanding visual arts scene.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Even non- country music fans will love their visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which originally opened in 1967 on Music Row. The Hall of Fame moved to its present downtown location in 2001.
Belle Meade Plantation
Tour the 30-acre historic site's mansion and carriage house just 6 miles west of Vanderbilt. Built in 1853, the farm was a thoroughbred nursery famous for breekding and training championship race horses. Be sure to have lunch at Martha's while you are there!
Nashville Downton Public Library
You won’t believe that the beautiful, 300,000-square-foot main library in downtown Nashville is a revamped shopping mall. The library is great stop during your downtown explorations, with excellent facilities and many quiet reading nooks.
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Tour the 1932 mansion and extensive floral gardens established by the Cheeks, one of Nashville's early entrepreneurial families.
Union Station Hotel
The spendidly restored railroad station is now a luxury hotel and also a required stop on the architectural tour. The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in the restored Baggage Building offers Nashville’s best beer selection. The Union Station Hotel is next to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Professional Sports
Tennessee Titans
NFL Football
Nashville Predators
NHL Hockey
Nashville Sounds
AAA Baseball
Music
Nashville has earned the nickname Music City by hosting more than 20,000 musical performances annually! We are best known for country music, but you can find performances of all genres during your visit.
Bluebird Café
Among musicians, the Bluebird is world-famous, and you’ll see well-known songwriters and musicians as well as those just starting out. But you’ll be amazed to discover that it’s a hole in the wall tucked into a strip mall in the Green Hills area of Nashville. Be forewarned: Go to hear music, not for conversation with your peers. Owner Amy Kurland has been known to shush customers who talk during performances.
Nashville Symphony Orchestra
In 2006 Nashville’s excellent symphony orchestra moved into the amazing new Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Performances include classical, jazz and pops.
"The District" - Broadway/2nd Avenue
This is tourism at its best!. 2nd Avenue and Broadway are lined with bars and music venues, many of which have live music nightly. Every visitor to Nashville should spend at least one evening downtown at The District.
The Station Inn
The Station Inn is bluegrass and acoustic music's premiere listening room. Celebrating more than 30 years in Nashville, doors open nightly at 7pm and the show starts at 9pm.
