Nashville Spring Break Guide

“Spring Break” can typically be divided into two camps: family vacation because kids are off from school OR let loose and get wild vacation!

Luckily, Nashville is the best Spring Break destination for every vibe.

Whether you’re meeting up with college friends, sneaking away on a mom’s trip or bringing the whole family while the kids are off school, we have the iconic must-dos and must-sees during Spring Break in Nashville.

We’ve included *thee* guide to Spring Break in Nashville, broken down by:

Things to Do in Nashville for Everyone

aka Family Friendly aka if you’re **under 21**

Photo walk to see the murals

  • Get to know the city while posing in front of beautifully-created murals
  • The different neighborhoods in Nashville boast some of Nashville’s most-tagged photos (here’s a guide to all the best Nashville photo spots!)
    • Gulch: “What Lifts You” wings mural (302 11th Ave S), “Jimi Hendrix” (12th & Laurel St.), “Candy Hearts” (601 8th Ave S) and the “Hear This Nashville” mural (901 Gleaves).
    • 12 South: “I Believe in Nashville” mural (2702 12th Ave S), the Draper James mural (2608 12th Ave S) and “Make Music Not War” (2902 12th Ave S)
    • Germantown: Germantown Pub mural (708 Monroe Street), Rolf & Daughters mural (700 Taylor Street) and Alexis + Bolt (1309 5th Ave N)
  • Call up the paparazzi at Photowalk Nashville, where a fun, local photographer will take you to the most photogenic places around Nashville and pose you to capture iconic photos of your crew. 

 

Shopping during Spring Break in Nashville

Shop til you drop!

  • If you’re hoping to get a glimpse of celebrities-turned-boutique owners, check out Kittenish (Jessie James Decker), and Uncommon James (Kristin Cavallari). Reese Witherspoon created the lifestyle brand, Draper James; the flagship store is located in the 12 South neighborhood. 
  • Looking to score some cute cowboy boots? Some of the main purveyors of cowboy boots and accessories are Big Time Boots, Betty Boots, Boot Country and Boot Barn.
  • Wondering where to shop? Bevē Boutiques tour takes the guesswork, FOMO and anxiety that many people feel when faced with Nashville’s robust shopping scene. Bevē Boutiques takes guests on a private shopping adventure in a luxury bus to Nashville’s trendiest boutiques. All ages welcome; those who are 21+ can bring alcoholic beverages. Check out out guide on the boutique shopping in Nashville for additional insights. 
  • The best neighborhoods known for shopping:
    • Green Hills: Home to the outdoor mall, Hill Center where you’ll find H. Audrey, Whites Mercantile, Hemline, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, West Elm and more. Looking for more? The Mall at Green Hills is home to over 100 upscale shops and restaurants.
    • Hillsboro Village: The OG of Nashville’s favorite local neighborhoods, a couple of blocks feature such boutiques as Nash Collection, Impeccable Pig, Molly Green, and Wilder.
    • 12 South: Where trendy meets vintage, this must-shop area caters to both students and celebrities. Here you will also find the famous “I Believe in Nashville” mural and the “Blue & White Wall” mural.
    •  The Gulch: History and luxury collide in this neighborhood, bringing together locals and tourists. In addition to Kittenish, e. Allen and Winky Lux, you’ll also find the infamous “What Lifts You” wings mural.
    • North Gulch/Capitol View: Nashville’s newest neighborhood and a hidden gem for boutique shopping, there are a handful of must-visit boutiques, including VICI, SVM Boutique, Sercy + Co, extended, and L.A. Green.

 

Live music galore!

Nashville Hot BBQ

Eat some BBQ

  • Nashville is known for their low and slow BBQ and there are plenty of options if you want BBQ for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
  • Head toward the neon pig head to Rippy’s Barbeque Honky Tonk or follow the neon flying pigs to Jack’s Bar-B-Cue. Both are located on Broadway and popular for both finger-lickin’ bbq and libations day and night. 
  • Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint has an enormous space downtown with an open-air beer garden and a big stage for live music. 
  • Peg Leg Porker & Edley’s are also worth mentioning, and are located in the Gulch and 12 South neighborhoods, respectively. 

 

Visit incredible Nashville museums

  • Take in some music history with incredible exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the Johnny Cash Museum, and then walk through Ryman Auditorium, one of the most revered concert halls in the world, nicknamed “Mother Church” for the spiritual concert experience. 
  • The Frist Art Museum hosts some of the most prestigious art collections in the world 
  • Tennessee State Museum provides a comprehensive look at Tennessee’s history, from prehistoric times to the present. Exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including Native American history, the Civil War, and cultural developments in the state.
  • Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the former home of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, and is about a 30 minute drive from downtown Nashville. 

 

The Parthenon at Centennial Park

Take a walk in the park(s)

  • A walk in the 11-acre Bicentennial Capitol State Park celebrates Tennessee’s historical moments, such as the World War II Memorial and the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. 
  • Centennial Park has a full-sized replica of the ancient Parthenon. This architectural marvel is why Nashville is referred to as the “Athens of the South” and visiting it is the mash-up you never thought you needed. 

 

Notable music studios and record labels in Music Row

  • Music Row is an area designated on 16th and 17th Avenues, where legendary artists have recorded iconic albums in the numerous music studios located within these blocks. 
  • While only a handful of studios are open for tours, we think it’s still a powerful experience seeing these former-churches- and residential houses-turned-music studios in person. Notable studios include:
    • Columbia Studio A/Quonset Hut has seen the likes of Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Patsy Cline. 
    • The Spice Girls and the video game score of Madden NFL 2016 was recorded at Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios. 
    • The legendary RCA Studio B still has the holiday lights that were strung in July to get Elvis Presely into the spirit to record his Christmas album.

 

Visit a farmers market

  • The Nashville Farmers Market is a lively, daily market held in two open-air sheds (providing shade and protection from the elements!) and features locally-owned shops, artisans, farmers stalls, small businesses and restaurants that offer good eats and unique wares. 
  • The East Nashville Farmers’ Market opens in April (the perfect way to kick off spring in Nashville!) and the Richland Park Farmers Market is also open on Saturdays year round. 

 

Visit the iconic honkey tonks

 

Nashville Sports in Spring

  • The Major League Soccer club, the Nashville SC, play at GEODIS Park, which is located a few miles south of the Gulch, in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. 
  • The Nashville Sounds is a minor league baseball team that play at First Horizon Park and play the Milwaukee Brewers
  • The NHL Nashville Predators play at the Bridgestone Arena on Broadway

 

Nashville Pedal Tavern tour in Nashville, TN

PG-13 Things to Do in Nashville

aka if you’re **over 21**

 

Nashville Pedal Tavern

  • Whether you’ve got a big group or a couple pals, pedaling on the Nashville Pedal Tavern down Broadway is one of the most iconic activities to experience in Nashville
  • Voted Tripadvisor’s “Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide”, riders can enjoy adult beverages while pedaling to the beat of live music along the backdrop of the hottest bars on the Honky Tonk Highway. 

 

Notable bars

    • Thursday-Saturdays, catch the world famous burlesque show at Skull’s Rainbow Room, the historic bar on Printer’s Alley 
    • Head to trendy hangout Pinewood Social for drinks, food and bowling in an industrial-chic space with a pool and patio.
    • At Kung Fu Saloon, come for the FREE vintage arcade games and stay for the shuffleboard, Skee ball and private karaoke rooms. An outdoor patio offers heaters when it’s chilly and pingpong when the mood strikes. 
  • Losers Bar & Grill is a dive bar notable for its unglamorous and unapologetically old style. 
  • The Red Door Saloon is a well-known, Chicago-style bar that is a celeb-fav. 
  • Whiskey Row  hosts The Whiskey Jam, where local artists come together to serve up some great live music. Check website for dates.
  • If you’re jonesing for some old school hip hop or pop, head to The Dogwood.  

 

Festivals/special Nashville events

 

Sassy dance classes and unique fitness classes

  • Stompin’ Grounds offers public and private line dance lessons at Bootleggers Inn and Whiskey Bent Saloon on Broadway in downtown Nashville.
  • Urban Cowboy is a line dance company in Nashville offering individual and group line dance lessons and two-step instruction.
  • Bad Girls Yoga offers a haven for your group to practice yoga, bond in a peaceful environment and end in a toast of rosé.
  • Goat yoga at Nashville Goat Yoga is conducted outside in the peaceful & picturesque setting of our working, family farm, just a short drive outside of Nashville.

 

Take a Mixology class with Liquor Labs

Mixology classes

  • With themes like Margaritas & More, Bourbon & Beyond, Iconic Cocktails & Seasonal Cocktails, Liquor Lab’s world-class bartenders will guide you through the process, offering tips and tricks of the trade, and sharing the secrets behind shaking and stirring the perfect drink. 
  • pH Nashville cocktail classes are interactive and enjoyable ways for groups or couples to immerse themselves in a bit of cocktail history, taste distinctive spirits, explore new flavors and ingredients, and hone our technique, all while sipping as we craft contemporary and classic cocktails.
  • Standard Proof Whiskey’s cocktail classes are an excellent way for groups or couples to learn about whiskey and cocktail creation in a fun and collaborative way. A craft-infused whiskey flight and cocktails made in the class are all included in each one-hour class.

 

Wine tastings & distillery tastings

  • Tastings at the Jack Daniels Distillery include a seasoned storyteller will guide you through Mr. Jack’s distillery and old-time Tennessee whiskey-making process
  • Located just outside of Nashville, the picturesque Arrington Vineyards offers wine tastings in a beautiful countryside setting. Arrington Vineyards produces a variety of wines, and visitors can sample them while enjoying the vineyard’s scenic views.
  • Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery offers guided tours and tastings of their craft Tennessee whiskey
  • Corsair Distillery, known for its innovative and experimental approach to distilling, offers tours and tastings of their unique spirits, including craft whiskey, gin, and more
  • Beer enthusiasts can head to Tailgate Brewery for brewery tours and fantastic pizza. Try the Passionfruit Yuzu hard seltzer, a collab with The Nashville Pedal Tavern! 

 

Friends exploring the Cumberland River on spring break in Nashville

Nashville by The Cumberland River

  • A three-hour boat cruise on an oversized double-decker pontoon with Nashville Toons includes a dedicated host/hostess to ensure the safety of guests and an experienced driver to navigate around the lake, a free shuttle transports riders to and from the downtown Nashville business headquarters. The custom-built boats were meticulously designed to maximize guests’ experience and convenience, so amenities include built-in coolers, wood bars, fresh ice, a state of the art sound system, water slides, floaties, a lily pad and a fully-stocked on-board private bathroom.
  • Paddleboard Yoga with Nashville Paddle Company teaches yoga poses on stand-up paddleboards, combining balance and mindfulness with the outdoors. GLOWga is a fun new way to experience SUP Yoga after dark with LED lit boards and slow, grounded flows.
  • River Queen Voyages, voted the “Best Outdoor Activity” in Nashville in 2022, offers a slew of fun water-based adventures. Located right by Nissan Stadium, this female-owned company offers excursions like kayak rentals, a river scavenger hunt with a certified river guide, a 4-person pedal kayak, and Nashville’s only pedal pontoon! 

Whatever the occasion or the age of your crowd, Spring Break in Nashville is a thriving city bursting with so many things to do. And don’t forget the best part: warm temperatures, mild humidity and limited precipitation make Nashville a contender to become the annual destination for your Spring Break.