13 Free Things to Do on Your Next Trip to Nashville
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1. Head downtown and get your honky tonk on
The honky tonk bars on Lower Broadway offer live music daily, making them a must-see for visitors and locals alike. Favorites like Robert's Western World, Rippy's, and Legend's rarely, if ever, charge a cover.
2. Hike the high trail at Radnor Lake
If it's good enough for Taylor Swift, it's good enough for the rest of us. So, tie on some tennies and explore the site's 1,200 acres. If you prefer a more structured day in the park, check the calendar for scheduled canoe floats, wildflower walks, and aviary tours, all free and open to the public.
3. Peek inside Hatch Show Print
Located within the Country Music Hall of Fame, the legendary letterpress studio offers tours for $15 a person, but if you stop by the shop, you can see right into the work space and watch the posters printed, free of charge.
4. Visit the Parthenon
Built in 1897 as part of Tennessee's centennial celebration, the structure is an exact copy of the Athenian Parthenon, and while it wasn't meant to be permanent, residents liked it so much that the city decided to keep it. Over 100 years later, it's still a popular attraction, and while the art museum inside requires a $10 admission, the facade alone is worth the trip to Centennial Park.
5. Take in the Bluebird Cafe Early Show
The first of The Bluebird's two daily performances showcases the city's newest songwriting talent, giving listeners a chance to hear tomorrow's number one singles before they hit the radio. Reservations are free (they do require a $10 food and drink minumum), but can be hard to come by. Tickets become available online about a week before the show, so check your dates and click quick!
6. Meet your favorite author at Parnassus Books
Ann Patchett's neighborhood bookstore offers a full calendar of free readings, signings (books must be purchased at the shop), and children's storytime events. In the market to spend? Stop by the shop's Local Author table for a selection of stories penned by Nashvillians.
7. Make the pilgrimage to CMA Music Fest
A weekend-long celebration of country music's biggest fans, CMA Music Fest offers of a plethora of budget-friendly things to do, from free concerts to meet-and-greets, giveaways, and more. Visit the website for more details.
8. Sun-gaze at Vanderbilt's Dyer Observatory
Yep, that's right, sun-gaze. The Dyer's open-house days offer visitors the chance to try out the site's solar telescope, free of charge. Check the calendar and make a reservation here.
9. Watch the Nashville Predators Play
Want to catch a glimpse of Nashville's professional hockey team without the hefty ticket price? Stop by a practice at the Centennial Sportsplex. The sessions are always open to the public, and scheduling updates can be found on the Predators' website.
10. Grab a seat at Live on the Green
Nashville has no shortage of free concerts (see numbers 1 and 7 on this list for starters), but a favorite live music event for locals is always Live on the Green. Put on every summer in Public Square Park, the festival is "is a celebration of Nashville's passion for music and community," and features established performers (past lineups have included Ingrid Michaelson, Alabama Shakes, and Citizen Cope) as well as emerging artists. Check out liveonthegreen.com for more info on this year's September shows.
11. Tour the Tennessee State Museum
With permanent exhibits dedicated to the first Tennesseans, the state during the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the "age of Andrew Jackson," set alongside rotating ones, the Tennessee State Museum is a must-see for Southern history buffs. It's open six days a week, and admission is always free.
12. Catch a show at Centennial Park
From live bands to opera, movies and even yoga, Nashville's Centennial Park has a free entertainment offering for you. Regardless of the event, admission is free, so check out the schedule for the most updated programming.
13. Celebrate the holidays
Heading to Tennessee for the holidays? Keep your eye on the Nashville government website. In early December, that's where they'll announce the winners of the Ann Chapman Holiday Lights Contest. Use the intel to plan a quick car trip around the city to see the displays.
Caroline Hallemann is the associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @challemann.