With so many things to do in Nashville for couples, it’s easy to disconnect from the “real world” and reconnect with your partner, or ignite the spark in a new relationship on a romantic getaway to the Music City.
While Nashville has plenty for music enthusiasts, there’s something for just about every couple here, including history buffs, outdoor adventurers, nature lovers, culture vultures, and foodies.
When it comes to where to stay, you’ll find some outstanding hotels with hot tub in room in Nashville, like one of my favorites for a romantic escape, the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown, just a five-minute walk from the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Wander Through Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
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One of the most romantic places in Nashville, the 55-acre estate and gardens at Cheekwood include an elegant Georgian-style mansion with historically furnished rooms, impressive art collections, and botanical gardens. There are 13 distinct gardens, including the Pine Mist Garden, one of the most original Japanese gardens in the country.
The Burr Terrace Garden is a definite highlight. Spread over three levels, it’s reminiscent of a Padua, Italy garden that dates to the 16th century, as the oldest surviving botanical garden in the world. Flowering begins in early spring with blooming bulbs that are beautifully contrasted by violas. In the summer, the myriad of colors is truly awe-inspiring, with vibrant annuals, summer phlox, and purple coneflower all bursting into bloom.
Insider tip: Thinking of popping the question? The Burr Terrace Garden is a popular spot for proposals! One of my good friends got engaged here in 2024
Indulge in a Seasonal Wine & Food Pairing at Belle Meade Winery
If you like good food and wine, head to Belle Meade Winery for a seasonal wine and food pairing that’s guided by a sommelier. You’ll learn how to properly taste the wine and discover how perfect pairings are made. They include five wines that are complemented by seasonal gourmet hors d’oeuvres, specially curated by the executive chef. You can also take a tour of the Belle Meade Historic Site, including the 1853 Greek Revival mansion and the beautiful grounds. If you’re here on a weekend from April through November, live music is hosted from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Soar Above the City in a Hot Air Balloon
A hot air balloon ride will provide a whole new perspective on Nashville and its surroundings. Peacefully floating above the Cumberland River and the lush rolling hills is one of the most memorable things you can do while visiting the city. Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures hosts sunrise rides that add a gorgeous backdrop, while the landscapes below are illuminated by the warm colors of dawn. They can be enjoyed as a shared or private ride. Booking the private adventure means it will be just you two and the pilot as another extra-special experience that’s popular for engagements as well as anniversaries and any other romantic celebration. Both include a traditional champagne toast after landing.
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame
If you and your partner like country music, you can’t miss the Country Hall of Fame. It provides a behind-the-scenes look, displaying the world’s largest collection of items related to country music while honoring legendary singers and musicians, songwriters, and others who’ve made a significant contribution to the genre. While there are temporary exhibits, such as displays focused on a particular artist, the permanent exhibit covers a historic timeline dating back to country music’s original emergence through the voices and stories that have influenced it. Highlights include stagewear worn by Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson’s handwritten manuscripts, and Elvis Presley’s Cadillac, which was quite the impressive vehicle for its time. It includes a gold-plated TV, a phone, a bar, and a refrigerator.
In the Ford Theater, visitors can watch special screenings of TV specials, films, and documentaries highlighting country music. On Saturday mornings, songwriter sessions provide the chance to watch live performances in the theater, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Tour Historic RCA Studio B
Another one of Nashville’s top country music-related attractions is the Historic RCA Studio B, which can be toured as an extension to your Country Music Hall of Fame visit. It’s the birthplace of the “Nashville Sound,” built in 1957, helping to establish the city as an international recording center. You can stand in the very spot where legends like Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, and many others have recorded hits, as well as listen to the songs and the stories that were born in this historic studio.
Catch a Live Show
Nashville is famous for its country tunes, but it’s a place for all types of music lovers. In fact, it has a booming rock scene that can be sampled at venues like The Basement, The 5 Spot, Riverside Revival, and the Ryman Auditorium. While the Ryman is renowned for hosting country artists, you can also see folk, rock, and blues musicians. Of course, the Grand Ole Opry is on the bucket lists of most country music fans, as the “home of country music,” the world’s longest-running radio show. Both current stars and rising artists can be seen on the stage here.
A night at the symphony is yet another option for a refined romantic experience at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The calendar of events includes an array of concerts such as movie scores performed live, classical masterpieces, and special guest performances. No matter which, you’ll be in a grand setting with sparkling chandeliers and marble columns.
Cruise the Cumberland River on a Paddleboat
A paddleboat cruise on the Cumberland River is another one of the most romantic things for couples to do in Nashville. Not only will you get to take in the sights of Nashville from the water, but the elegant General Jackson Showboat, which feels like a floating piece of history, also includes a five-star meal. It’s available for lunch or dinner, but if you book for dinner, you’ll also be treated to a Las Vegas-style show complete with dancers wearing glittering costumes and a live orchestra, performed in a magnificent Victorian theater.
Go Horseback Riding
There are multiple outfitters within an hour’s drive of Nashville that provide options for horseback riding tours, most of which are suitable for all skill levels, including beginners. Riding alongside your partner with scenic views of the countryside can be an especially romantic experience. The Stables at Cedars of Lebanon is located in Lebanon State Park and includes 45- and 90-minute adventures that will bring you through the cedars, including the option for a private ride that will be catered to your particular interests.
Just a few of the others available include the Western Experience at R&M Stables, just a short distance from the city in Hendersonville. Natchez Trace Stables is a bit further, at a little over an hour away, tucked among lush rolling hills and crystal-clear springs. Guided rides are on trails that wind through the woods and across meadows into Lick Creek.
Tour Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
For history-loving couples, touring Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is a must, although even those not into history are likely to find plenty that interests. The former home of President Andrew Jackson, a Federal-style brick mansion, sits on a 1150-acre site that includes his original 1804 log cabin and quarters for enslaved workers. There is also a garden that was so beloved by his wife Rachel that she was laid to rest there. The furnished home/museum has costumed interpreters that make it easy to envision plantation life and the life of Jackson himself. There is also an exhibit telling the stories of the slaves, with Jackson keeping as many as 100 enslaved on the property.
A variety of activities and events are frequently hosted here too, including ghost tours and a Christmas Festival. Special horse-drawn wagon tours are available in the fall, a romantic and educational experience that will take you through the fields, passing archaeological sites along the way, while hearing about the stories of the Jackson family and the enslaved community.
Pick Up Ingredients for a Picnic at the Nashville Farmer’s Market
A romantic picnic is one of the best budget-friendly things for couples to do – and it can start with the fresh products available at one of the country’s oldest farmers’ markets. The Nashville Farmers Market has a vast selection in open-air outdoor farm sheds that house over 100 artisans, farmers, and various small businesses all year-round. There are cheesemakers, ranchers, fruit and vegetable farmers, crafters, and much more, making it easy to put together the perfect picnic.
Of course, you’ll need somewhere to enjoy your picnic. Fortunately, Nashville is home to many parks, like Centennial, only about two miles west of downtown. It provides an especially peaceful setting that includes shaded areas for your feast, a lake with fountains, geese and ducks, walking trails, and the famous Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the one in Athens, Greece. Built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, it serves as a museum and has a huge statue of the goddess Athena.
Walk the Lake Trail at Radnor Lake State Park
Just 11 miles south of downtown Nashville, Radnor Lake State Park is one of the best destinations in the area for a scenic hike. This peaceful nature preserve has five miles of trails that wander through the woods surrounding the lake, including the 1.35-mile Lake Trail. It runs along its north side, with several observation points along the way for gazing out at the lake and watching for wildlife. Herons, owls, waterfowl, turtles, otters, and mink can all be observed along with hundreds of species of wildflowers, ferns, and other plants. Ranger-led programs are available throughout the year as well, such as wildflower walks, canoe floats, and astronomy night hikes.
Taste Tennessee’s Famous Whiskey at the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is the most historic distillery in Nashville. It hosts entertaining guided tours that will tell you fascinating tales about lost gold, a sunken ship, and a woman who ran a distillery before women could vote. You can also sample the spirit that was based on the recipe for the oldest whiskey produced in Tennessee, along with modern-day rye and bourbons. Filling your own whiskey from barrel to bottle in the “Bottle Your Own Brier” experience is a special treat, with the expert distillers hand-selecting some of the best and most unique whiskeys. It’s the perfect way to commemorate your visit to the city, complete with a personalized label.
The distillery also has a full-service bar with a wide range of its products and a restaurant where you can indulge in upscale comfort food like Wagyu steak and eggs. Save room for the delicious desserts like the mouthwatering German chocolate cake.
Explore the Frist Art Museum
Set within a magnificently restored post office building, the Frist Art Museum is a must-visit for art lovers. Even if you aren’t into art, it’s worth the effort to get here just to marvel at the structure alone. The interior showcases Art Deco elements, including stone and marble floors, high ceilings, and cast aluminum doors and grillwork. Among the 24,000 square feet of gallery space are world-class exhibitions with works by local, regional, state, national, and international artists that change throughout the year. There’s also a gift shop and cafe.
Get Hands-On in a Couples’ Art Class
Another great option for art-loving couples is a hands-on experience that will allow you to get creative together. It’s a memorable way to connect or reconnect while making something special to bring home as a memento of your time in Nashville. There are multiple studios across the city hosting painting, glassblowing, pottery, and other art-related classes.
You might take a handmade ceramics workshop at Handmade Studio TN or work with clay at Slip Ceramics Nashville. At Nashville Glassblowing, you can create unique pieces under the instruction of an expert, while Dabble Events brings the chance to learn painting techniques in a private class, with the entire studio all yours.
Challenging Your Teamwork Skills at an Escape Room
If you think your relationship is up to the test when it comes to working together as a team, perhaps challenge yourselves at one of Nashville’s many escape rooms. The Escape Game Nashville – Berry Hill is the highest rated across many platforms, including Tripadvisor. You’ll have a choice of eight unique and immersive games and a dedicated game guide to lead you through the adventure, with 60 minutes to complete the mission and make your escape. Just a few of your options include hunting for a hidden record contract in Nashville, recovering a stolen masterpiece, and searching for riches while exploring ruins.
A Laughter-Filled Evening at Zanies
They say couples who laugh together stay together. In Nashville, you’ll have numerous venues for catching a comedian for an evening of laughter, including Zanies Comedy Night Club. It’s one of the city’s most popular comedy clubs, with its doors opened more than 40 years ago. Just a few of the big-name comedians who’ve appeared here include Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, and Jeff Foxworthy. Check out the walls of the 300-seat club – you’ll see that they’re covered with the autographed headshots of those who’ve headlined over the decades. The club also has an excellent food and drink menu, adding to the experience.
Nashville at Night Trolley Tour
A magical way to see the beauty of the city after dark, the Nashville at Night Trolley Tour includes stops at some of the most iconic landmarks, with a short time at many, allowing you to capture some great photos for your Instagram feed. Highly entertaining and informative, some of the highlights include the Parthenon in Centennial Park, the Ryman Auditorium, viewing the Nashville skyline from a spectacular vantage point, the Tennessee State Capitol building, and downtown Broadway.
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
A horse-drawn carriage ride anywhere is a romantic journey, but in Nashville, it comes with all the southern charms. You’ll hop into an ornate, Cinderella-style buggy that’s pulled by beautifully groomed horses to travel right through the downtown area. Rides through Southern Comfort Carriage Service can bring you from your hotel to a dining destination, or you might tour through the historic downtown, passing sights like the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and more.
Insider tip: For the ultimate excursion that feels as if it’s straight out of a fairytale, dress up for the part, though you might want to skip the glass slippers!
More to Do: Nashville Day Trips
If you need even more ideas for things to do in Nashville, there is a wealth of possibilities when it comes to day trips. My favorites that are within a 2.5-hour drive of the city include:
- Franklin (25 minutes) – One of the most charming towns in Tennessee, Franklin is jam-packed with Civil War history and often noted for its Main Street, one of the best in the country, lined with grand historic homes.
- Chattanooga (130 minutes) – Take a guided cave tour, whizz across a zipline through Ruby Falls, and ride the Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain, one of the world’s steepest passenger railways.
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky (80 minutes) – Explore stalagmites, crystals, and underground rivers via a variety of experiences ranging from 30 minutes to six hours.
- Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Lynchburg (95 minutes) – Tour one of the world’s most well-known whiskey brands at Jack Daniel’s headquarters, concluding with a tasting of six different samples.
- Rock Island State Park (100 minutes) – Hike the trails to admire cascading waterfalls before taking a dip from the sandy shores of Swim Beach.
