Free Things To Do In Nashville

Whether you’re here for a short visit or you are a long-time resident of Nashville, there’s no reason that you should have to empty your wallet in order to take advantage of all that the city has to offer. Here are 15 different ways to keep yourself busy and entertained in Music City.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Shakespeare in the Park

Park

Station Inn Sunday Night Bluegrass Jam

Music Venue

Singer Brennley Brown is just one of the names to have performed at Station Inn

If you enjoy Bluegrass music and happen to find yourself free on a Sunday evening, check out one of the legendary Station Inn’s Sunday Night Bluegrass Jam. Every Sunday at 7pm, musicians from around the city gather for informal jam sessions in a small, intimate venue that’s recognized by many Nashville natives as one of the “best bluegrass venues around.”

Live on the Green

If you happen to be in Nashville in August or September, be sure to make your way downtown to experience Nashville’s free annual outdoor music festival held every Thursday from August 11-September 3. Acts this year include Band of Horses, Young the Giant, Passenger, Borns, and Dawes – just to name a few.

Frothy Monkey Coffee Cuppings

Every Friday at 2PM, the popular Nashville-based coffee shop Frothy Monkey hosts a free coffee cupping (a form of coffee tasting) event at its roasting facility. The event lasts approximately one hour and is open to the public. Whether you’re in the restaurant industry or you merely have a fondness for coffee, this event is enjoyable and immensely educational.

First Saturday Art Crawl

The first Saturday of each month, art galleries across town are open to the public for free from 6-9PM. Enjoy free wine and hors d’oeuvres and experience firsthand exhibitions from a wide variety of artistic genres.

Parks and Green Spaces

While Nashville may be known for music, it also boasts many vibrant and well-preserved parks and hiking trails. Take a scenic walk around the perimeter of Radnor Lake or hike through one of the many trails at Percy Warner Park and leave behind the bustle and noise of the city – even if only for an afternoon.

Hatch Show Print

Shop
Since the late 19th century, Hatch Show Print has been one of the leading printmaking shops in the city. Today, Hatch Show Print posters can still be found nearly everywhere in Nashville. While for $13 you can take a tour of this legendary print shop, visiting the shop is free – and still allows you a firsthand, behind-the-scenes glimpse into his renowned print shop.

In-Store Shows at Grimey’s

Ask any Nashville resident about their favorite record store in the city, and chances are, they’ll answer Grimey’s. This record store not only offers a huge and constantly growing selection of records (as well as new and used books and records at their location next door, Grimey’s Too/Howlin’ Books), but it also periodically offers free in-store performances. Check out Grimey’s website or follow them on Twitter to keep up-to-date on show announcements.

Star Parties

About once every month, the Adventure Science Center in Nashville hosts a free “Star Party.” During these events, astronomers and astronomy-enthusiasts across Nashville join to observe the night sky. All are welcome to the Star Parties—whether you’re a practising astronomer or a novice star-gazer.

Tennessee State Museum

Museum
Interested in learning more about the history of Tennessee? Admission at the Tennessee State Museum is always free, and the museum offers a group of core permanent exhibits as well as rotating temporary exhibits that offer visitors an in-depth glance into the state’s rich history.

Tennessee State Capitol

Cathedral, Memorial
Take a free guided tour of the Tennessee State Capitol and see firsthand one of the oldest state capitol buildings in the country. Built in 1859, the state capitol was modeled after an ancient Greek temple and still stands as a breathtaking monument to both classical architecture and to the state of Tennessee itself.

Author Events at Parnassus Books

Parnassus Books, co-owned by author Ann Patchett and publisher Karen Hayes, offers a number of free in-store author events every month. Drop in to hear acclaimed authors read their work – and if you have a few extra minutes to spare, spend some time browsing the store’s wide selection of books.

Pedestrian Bridge

Bridge
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, colloquially known as “the pedestrian bridge,” is located on the edge of downtown and stretches across the Cumberland River. As one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, it is a popular destination for visitors and residents alike. Great for walking, jogging, or merely stopping to admire the breathtaking view of the Nashville skyline.

Comedy Open Mic Nights

Whether you’re an aspiring comedian or you enjoy watching others brave the open mic, Nashville has a growing comedy scene that offers a plethora of opportunities for free entertainment (or practice). Nashville Stand Up offers a detailed breakdown of free open mics across town for every night of the week.

Picnic on Love Hill

Love Hill, or Love Circle, is nestled in the suburban Hillsboro neighborhood southwest of downtown. The hill offers a one-of-a-kind view of the entire city, and it is a popular destination for Nashville residents all year round (many even sled down its slope during Nashville’s few and far between periods of winter snow). Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and watch the sunset for a quiet and affordable night in Nashville.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.