Here is your guide to the most exciting cheap or free things to do in Nashville, Tennessee, if you want to explore this wonderful music city on a budget!
“Nashville, man. That’s the place to be.”
Willie Geist
Whether you’re planning a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for the country music history, lively nightlife on Broadway Street, or photo-worthy murals and brunch spots – you’ll be sure to find plenty of events and activities to keep you busy in this popular destination!
However, if you’re looking to save a couple of bucks during your trip to Nashville, you’ll be pleased to discover that you can enjoy many of the city’s best attractions for free (or very cheap).
There are many museums, parks, and, yes, even honky-tonks you can visit without paying a dime during your trip to Nashville, TN.
Here are the top ten affordable things to do in Nashville, TN!
Top 10 Cheap Or Free Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee
While in Music City, follow this list of the best free things to do in Nashville, TN, to save money while still having a great time!
1. Go On A Mural Walk
Chances are, you’ve probably seen some of the famous murals in Nashville on Instagram.
Nashville is home to 100+ murals and public street art displays that are entirely free to view during your trip to Nashville, TN, so spending a day looking at these murals is a fantastic way to save some money (and capture great photos of your trip!).
Here are some of the best murals in Nashville you should see during your time in Music City.
I Believe In Nashville
This mural by Adrien Saporiti (almost as famous as the city itself!) is found in 12 South. The address is 2702 12th Ave. South Nashville, TN 37204.
Drippy Lips
This unique mural by Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson is found in Hillsboro Village at 1814 21st Ave. South Nashville, TN 37212.
Looking Pretty, Music City
This beautiful mural by Emily Eisenhart is on the side of Madewell in 12 South. The address is 2709 12th Ave. South Nashville, TN 37204.
What Lifts You – Wings
Artist Kelsey Montague painted this mural in The Gulch. You can find this mural at 302 11th Ave. South Nashville, TN 37203.
Wish For Peace
This beautiful mural by Mural by Jake and Hana Elliott features multi-colored origami cranes originating from a dandelion. It can be admired at 4822 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209.
Kindness Is
This mural was created by Rebekah Rinehart and Sarah Gail Nelson. You will find it at 1120 4th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208.
Stayed Tuned DCXV
This colorful piece of wall art was created by Adrien Saporiti/DCXV Industries, and you can find it at 625 Main St., Nashville, TN 37206.
The Green Leaves Of The Gulch
This mural, created by Ian Ross, is located at 251 11th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.
2. See The Parthenon At Centennial Park
Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s most popular parks, dating back to 1897, the centennial year in Tennessee when it was constructed.
There are many fun things to do in Centennial Park – from attending free concerts and art classes to walking around the lake and picnicking in the park.
They even host a Nashville Shakespeare Festival in the Centennial Park Bandshell!
However, one of the best things to do in Centennial Park is to marvel at the Nashville Parthenon. The Parthenon is a replica of the actual Parthenon in Athens, Greece, so it’s cool to see this historic building up close and personal.
It costs $10 to visit the museum inside the Parthenon, but if you’d like to pay the small fee, you can also see the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere – the goddess Athena, standing at 42 feet!
The museum also houses other items, like the Cowan Collection and replicas of the Parthenon Marbles. The originals are housed in the British Museum in London.
3. Explore The 12 South Neighborhood
The 12 South neighborhood is a charming street in Nashville filled with trendy restaurants, clothing boutiques, and tons of colorful murals.
There are plenty of things to do in 12 South Nashville to keep you busy for the morning or afternoon.
You can grab coffee at the Frothy Monkey, window shop at the boutiques, or snap photos in front of the “I Believe in Nashville”, “Flowers,” or “Make Music Not War” murals.
If you’re visiting on Tuesday from 4 PM – 7 PM during the summer, you can also shop at the 12 South Farmers Market, which is filled with local vendors selling fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and more.
4. Wander Through The Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens
The Gaylord Opryland Resort may be expensive to visit, but wandering around this spectacular hotel is free, making it one of the best free things to do in Nashville, TN.
If you’re visiting the Gaylord Opryland Resort, you must pay a visit to the spectacular indoor gardens home to 50,000+ tropical plants spread over nine acres.
You’ll feel like you’re transported to a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica – not in the center of Nashville! 20+ horticulturists take care of this impressive collection of exotic plants.
After paying a visit to the gardens, take a stroll around the hotel to see the restaurants, shops, and, yes, even a riverfront cruise that snakes through the hotel’s interior.
5. Walk Across The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Did you know one of the best views of the Nashville skyline is completely free?
Yep, that’s right — you can see the entire city from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge that connects Downtown Nashville, including Broadway Street, to Nissan Stadium, where the Tennessee Titans play, across the Cumberland River.
Plan to cross the Pedestrian Bridge just before sunset so that you can capture a skyline picture with the golden hour glow. Then, you’ll also be able to see the skyline light up with twinkling lights when the sun sets. It’s truly magical!
6. Go Bar Hopping On Broadway Street
Broadway Street is an iconic street in Nashville filled with historic honky-tonks, celebrity bars, and rooftop lounges with spectacular city views.
While it’s easy to blow money on expensive drinks, food, experiences, and “tourist traps” on Broadway Street, you don’t have to spend lots of money to have a great time!
For example, you can visit Wildhorse Saloon, a three-story bar and live music venue on Broadway Street, for free live music and line dancing lessons. If you arrive before 6 PM, you won’t need to pay a cover fee.
Another fun way to enjoy Broadway Street for cheap is to visit a rooftop bar, like Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar. You can buy a drink or appetizer for a few bucks, listen to live music, and hang out on the rooftop bar for hours.
7. Explore The Tennessee State Museum
Did you know the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville is entirely free?
This museum is filled with information about the state’s history, including permanent exhibits like The Civil War and Reconstruction and temporary exhibitions like Painting the Smokies.
The Tennessee State Museum is closed on Monday and open on Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.
If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day or to escape the summer humidity, the Tennessee State Museum is a great option.
8. Take A Day Trip To Franklin
If you have a car, taking a day trip to Franklin, Tennessee, is a great way to enjoy an inexpensive day in Nashville.
Franklin is home to tons of history from the Civil War and is filled with quaint boutiques, local eateries, and historic downtown.
While you’re in Franklin, pay a visit to the Factory at Franklin, where you can browse the stores for free, or visit the Franklin Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 AM – 12 PM.
You can also walk around Fort Granger, a guided historic walk, to learn more about the Civil War, or take a small drive to Leiper’s Fork to see if you can brush shoulders with the celebrities who live in this quaint town, like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Brad Paisley.
9. Enjoy A Picnic At Arrington Vineyards
Arrington Vineyards, like Franklin, is another short half-hour day trip outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
This winery is owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, and compared to many wineries, spending the day at Arrington Vineyards is relatively inexpensive!
First, you can bring your own picnic lunch, dinner, or snacks to Arrington Vineyard, so you don’t have to buy overpriced meat and cheese from the winery.
Plus, on Saturdays and Sundays in the spring, summer, and fall, you can enjoy free live music performed by local musicians.
All you must pay for is your glass of wine or flights – and flights are only $14 per person.
10. See Dukes of Hazzard Memorabilia At Cooter’s Place
If you’re a big fan of the popular TV series Dukes of Hazzard, you must stop by Cooter’s Place in Nashville to see all the memorabilia from the famous television show.
The shop is run by Ben Jones (Cooter) and features pictures, props, and costumes from the show. You can even see Cooter’s Tow Truck, Daisy’s Jeep, Rosco’s Patrol Car, and General Lee.
The Dukes of Hazzard Museum & Shop is free to enter, but if you want to take a photo inside the vehicles or bring home any souvenirs with you, expect to pay a small fee.
Enjoy An Inexpensive Vacation to Music City With These Free Things To Do In Nashville
Whether you enjoy admiring street art, exploring quaint neighborhoods, having picnics in parks, going on day trips, dancing in honky-tonks, or visiting historic museums, you’ll find all these things to do (and more!) for free (or cheap) in Nashville, Tennessee.
Which of these cheap or free things to do in Nashville, TN, sounds the most fun to you?
About The Author Of “Top 10 Cheap Or Free Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee”
Brittany Sawyer is a travel copywriter, content writer, and founder of Travel by Brit, a travel blog to help ordinary women dream, plan, and do extraordinary travel experiences in the USA & Europe. When she isn’t writing or traveling, Brittany loves to hike, read, and spend time with friends, family, and her golden retriever, Sedona, in her home in Phoenix, Arizona. You can follow Brittany’s adventures on Instagram (@travelbybrit), Facebook (@travelbybrit), or Pinterest (@travelbybritblog).
I hope you enjoyed this article featuring the best affordable attractions in Nashville.
With so many cheap things to do and unique places to stay, your trip will be as magical as Broadway Street.
And if you are unsure what to wear, check out these 50+ Nashville outfits that will make you look super stylish and blend in with the locals.
Thanks for stopping by!
Just before you go, you may want to explore some other iconic US destinations below.
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Magda
xoxo
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