Nashville – Free Activities

Between Nashville’s outstanding dining, attractions, and musical performances, it’s easy to spend a lot of money in Music City. You want to experience as much as possible, but things add up after a while!

Luckily, Nashville has a lot to offer that won’t break the bank. To save some money during your visit, check out some of the city’s many free attractions.

 

Parthenon

Centennial Park is a large, tranquil greenspace that features a full-size replica of the ancient Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The massive structure features marble pillars, intricate carvings, and an enormous gold statue of Athena. The statue towers over the entrance, holding a spear and shield.

Nashville’s Parthenon was built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition, a six-month event celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Tennessee’s statehood. Nashville’s art museum is located inside the Parthenon but charges an admission fee. So instead, opt for the free experience of exploring the impressive building and surrounding area.

 

Museums

While the art museum inside the Parthenon may charge admission, Nashville has plenty of other museums that do not. These include the Tennessee Agricultural Museum, the Tennessee State Museum, and Cooter’s Place.

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum digs into the history of farming through educational programs, interesting exhibits, and a collection of more than 3,000 artifacts. Visitors can take self-guided tours throughout the grounds, checking out the antique farming equipment, lush gardens, and historic cabins. You can check out everything this quaint museum has to offer in a relatively short time.

The Tennessee State Museum is another free attraction to add to your itinerary while in Nashville. This museum celebrates the history of the Volunteer State and aims to enrich the lives of Tennessee residents. The museum was created in 1937 to house mementos from World War I. It’s grown to 137,000 square feet of exhibitions that cover the entire history of the state, from the Ice Age to modern-day. It’s a vast and educational museum to visit without any charge.

Lastly, Cooter’s Place is a fun museum and gift shop centered around the hit series The Dukes of Hazzard. This tourist destination is run by Ben Lewis Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on the show. The museum features props, pictures, memorabilia, and costumes from The Dukes of Hazzard glory days. Cooter’s Place even has vehicles from the show, including the iconic General Lee. Cooter’s Place is the ultimate destination for all Dukes of Hazzard fans.

 

Nashville Music Row

First-time visitors to Nashville should absolutely visit Music Row. This section is the business district of the city and contains famous production companies and studios like RCA Studio B. Artists such as Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley recorded hundreds of songs in this iconic studio.

There are plaques and statues throughout Music Row detailing the historic significance of each building. Many of the streets in this area are named after famous musicians, so see if you can find your favorite! Music Row is one of the more peaceful sections of Nashville, making it the perfect place for a relaxing stroll paired with a one-of-a-kind history lesson.

 

Music City Walk of Fame

Take a stroll down the Music City Walk of Fame and see the stars of the most famous musicians in country music history. The Walk of Fame includes artists like Johnny Cash, Peter Frampton, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Miranda Lambert. There are also artists of other genres, such as Jimi Hendrix, who have contributed significantly to the music industry.

Just like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Music City Walk of Fame holds induction ceremonies for the artists. These ceremonies are free and open to the public, so you may be lucky enough to witness one! It’s a unique experience that many visitors to Nashville never get to have. While you can pay for a guided tour of the walk, you’ll have just as great a time on your own free tour.

 

Honky Tonk Highway

Honky Tonk Highway is packed with lively bars and musical performances, making it a must-visit while in Nashville. “Honky-tonk” refers to a small bar with at least one stage, where musical performances take place almost every night.

A visit to Honky Tonk Highway is an ideal free activity since you can get a feel for the Nashville atmosphere without spending lots of money. You can attend some free daytime shows in various honky-tonks and explore the restaurants, saloons, and cafes along the street. Honky Tonk Highway is also filled with Nashville-themed shops, perfect for souvenir shopping.

 

Public Art

There’s a lot of public art in Nashville, and one of the most popular works is at Fannie Mae Dees Park. There, a long, mosaic dragon circles the park, with parts of its body peeking up before dipping back down underground. This popular attraction is a fantastic photo opportunity and a celebrated piece of art all in one. Visitors to the park can climb and sit on the mosaic dragon, which contains hidden pictures and artwork within it. If you’re spending a beautiful day out and about in Nashville, you should stop by!

In addition to the Fannie Mae Dees dragon, there are numerous public murals throughout Nashville to check out. One of the most popular is the “I Believe in Nashville” mural. This red, white, and blue mural was made in 2012 and has been a hugely popular photo op ever since. There is no shortage of murals in Music City, so hit the streets and go on your own free art tour.

 

Nashville Farmers’ Market

All year round, the Nashville Farmers’ Market is open for visitors to explore. It has existed since the 1800s, making it one of the core parts of downtown Nashville.

The farmers market is an established area with multiple facilities, including two open-air sheds, a greenhouse, garden, food hall, and more. Local and regional farms set up booths to display their produce, while artisans show off their creations. The Nashville Farmers’ Market also features the Market House, a building full of eateries, bars, and shops. The farmers market is the perfect place to explore on a sunny day and spend some time without spending any money.