When planning a destination wedding, couples often ask me for recommendations for guest activities to put on the “things to do” section of their wedding website. Or if I’m planning the entire wedding weekend, we will often schedule a few activities for guests with buses and shuttles to take them around Nashville. Here are some of my favorite spots around town that your guests are sure to enjoy.
For the music lovers:
Before anything else, Nashville is known for music, especially country music, and there’s typically some music-related stop on every tourist’s agenda. Now first let me say that I understand that there is a difference between a music lover and a music-museum lover. Just because you love to listen to music doesn’t mean you like museums. I get it. So, let’s break it down by the two categories.
For those who want to see live music, then of course the most famous thing in Nashville is the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. But if you’re in the mood for more spontaneous fun, then the most popular option is to visit the bars on Broadway, which have a variety of live bands most nights of the week.
For the music-museum fans, then you have to check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum.
All of these options are great for guests staying downtown, as they can walk to any of these locations from downtown hotels.
For history lovers:
Nashville has a rich history, and there are many beautiful historic homes that provide excellent educational information. First on this list is Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage. Now Andrew Jackson probably doesn’t make your list of top-5 favorite presidents of all time (do you even have a list of top 5 favorite US presidents?!?), but he is a significant part of Nashville’s history. Every home-grown Tennessean that I’ve ever met went to The Hermitage on their 7th grade field trip, and it is truly a beautiful site. The Ladies of the Hermitage have put together an informative museum on the grounds of the home, and they strive to provide a thorough and accurate history of the property and man who lived there.
Other beautiful historic homes in the area include Belle Meade and Carnton, both of which also have small museums and educational information.
For outdoor lovers:
The grounds and gardens of Cheekwood is one of the prettiest cultivated spots in Nashville. The main house does have a small museum with rotating exhibits, so you never know what you’ll find inside. Visit in Spring for blooming tulips and dogwoods, in Fall for fabulous pumpkin displays, or at Christmas time for the light show.
For a lower cost option, visit Centennial Park and the Parthenon. There is a small admission fee to go inside the Parthenon and it’s museum, but for a free option enjoy from the outside and walk around the large park. If you go on a Saturday you might get lucky and stumble upon one of the many themed festivals that take place in the park throughout the year.
For shoppers:
Opry Mills Mall is the most popular mall in Nashville for a reason! It has tons of factory outlet clothing stores and there is always some kind of sale going on. There is also a Bass Pro Shop and a very cool leather goods store, plus some other specialty shops. Truly there is something for everyone, but if you are the only member of your family who doesn’t like shopping, then you can catch a movie in the movie theater while everyone else browses the mall.
On the same property a short walk away is the Opryland hotel, and if you are up for the extra steps then I highly advise a visit. The hotel has three sections of indoor gardens, in one of which you can ride a boat around the indoor river or climb up to the top of the waterfall. The gardens are beautiful all year round, but I especially love to visit at Christmas, when they bring in thousands of poinsettias and light up the property with twinkle lights and a life-size Nativity scene.
Nashville is a wonderful city with so many activities to entertain your guests on your wedding weekend. If you haven’t decided whether or not to host your wedding in Nashville, check out my top 5 reasons for having your wedding in Nashville, TN.
