Things to Do in Downtown Nashville, From a Home Base in Nolensville
The best things to do in downtown Nashville come down to four things: Titans and Predators games, live music at Bridgestone Arena and the Ryman, Michelin-recognized dinners, and an afternoon at the Frist and the Country Music Hall of Fame. All of it is a drive from Nolensville, so plan the trip home as carefully as the night out.
This guide covers what to book, when each season peaks and how long the drive back to Fairington really takes, so you can enjoy the city and still come home somewhere quieter.
What are the best things to do in downtown Nashville?
The short list: a Titans game on the East Bank, a Predators game or a big concert at Bridgestone Arena, a show at the Ryman, dinner at one of the city’s Michelin-recognized restaurants and an afternoon at the Frist Art Museum. Each one is a night or an afternoon you can drive home from.
The calendar shifts with the seasons, so it helps to know when each part of the city is busiest:
- Fall: Titans football at Nissan Stadium, with home games from September into early January, and the start of Predators hockey in October.
- Winter: Predators games at Bridgestone Arena, A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland from early November into the new year and a free New Year’s Eve concert downtown.
- Spring: Nashville SC opens its MLS season at GEODIS Park, and patio season starts on Broadway and in the neighborhoods around downtown.
- Summer: CMA Fest takes over downtown every June, and the city’s Fourth of July celebration fills the riverfront with fireworks and live music.
What are the best places to eat downtown Nashville and nearby?
The most acclaimed meals sit just outside the downtown core. When the Michelin Guide added the American South in 2025, Bastion, Locust and The Catbird Seat earned Nashville’s first stars, and all three kept them in the following year’s guide. Bastion is in Wedgewood-Houston and Locust is in 12South.
For less of a splurge, the guide’s Bib Gourmand list includes Kisser and Sho Pizza Bar, and its recommended list adds casual names like Arnold’s Country Kitchen and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. The guide updates every fall and tasting-menu prices change often, so check the current list and each restaurant’s reservation page before you book a special night.
Where can you see Nashville country concerts and other live music?
Bridgestone Arena anchors the big shows and regularly ranks among the top-grossing venues in the country in Billboard’s boxscore reports. It doubles as home ice for the Predators, so check the calendar for both.
For Nashville country concerts on a smaller stage, the Ryman Auditorium sits a block off Broadway, and the Grand Ole Opry House is out in Music Valley near Gaylord Opryland. Both book shows year-round, and both are easier on a weeknight, when the drive in from Nolensville is lighter than on a Friday.
Where can you catch a game near downtown Nashville?
The Titans play at Nissan Stadium on the East Bank, across the Cumberland River from Broadway, and a new enclosed Nissan Stadium is rising next door. Game days fill the bridges and garages early, so leave sooner than you think you need to.
The Predators play at Bridgestone Arena from October into spring, and weekend afternoon games make for an easy daytime drive. Nashville SC plays its home matches at GEODIS Park, 501 Benton Ave., just south of downtown, from late winter through fall. Game times can change, so confirm before you go.
What are the best museums in Nashville for a day downtown?
Start at the Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway, the downtown stop for visual art. It has no permanent collection, so the galleries change several times a year and there is usually something new on a return trip. Visitor parking is discounted with validation, and the museum is closed some weekdays, so check hours before you go.
Pair it with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a short walk east, which has welcomed more than 20 million visitors since it opened. Together they cover the city’s art and its music in one afternoon.
How long is the drive from Nolensville to downtown Nashville?
Plan on 30 to 55 minutes from Fairington to Broadway, depending on when you leave. These are typical Google Maps estimates from Fairington, off McFarlin Road in Nolensville:
| Venue | Weeknight, 6 p.m. | Friday, 6 p.m. | Sunday, noon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Arena | 40–50 min | 45–55 min | 30–40 min |
| Nissan Stadium | 40–50 min | 45–55 min | 30–40 min |
| Frist Art Museum | 40–50 min | 45–55 min | 30–40 min |
| Ryman Auditorium | 40–50 min | 45–55 min | 30–40 min |
| Grand Ole Opry House | 40–50 min | 45–55 min | 35–45 min |
| GEODIS Park | 30–40 min | 35–45 min | 25–35 min |
Nolensville grew from 5,861 residents in 2010 to 13,829 in 2020 and still feels like a town. That is the trade: the stadium lights are a drive away, and home is quiet when you get back. On game days and show nights, leave early and book parking ahead when the venue offers it.
Some of the best nights don’t need the drive at all. Fairington started its own holiday tradition with an inaugural tree lighting, a reminder that the neighborhood has plenty of reasons to stay in.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is football season in Nashville?
The Tennessee Titans play their NFL home games at Nissan Stadium on the East Bank from September into early January. A new enclosed Nissan Stadium is being built next to the current one.
Does Nashville have a basketball team?
Nashville does not have an NBA or WNBA team. The city’s major pro teams are the Titans in football, the Predators in hockey and Nashville SC in soccer.
Where can I watch Nashville SC?
Home matches are at GEODIS Park, 501 Benton Ave., just south of downtown. For away matches, the club lists official watch parties on its website.
Where are the best happy hours in Nashville?
Deals change often, so confirm hours before you go. ACME Feed & Seed near Broadway and the oyster-focused happy hour at Henrietta Red are two longtime picks. Call ahead if you are going only for the deal.
Are there Michelin-star restaurants in Nashville?
Yes. Bastion, Locust and The Catbird Seat earned Nashville’s first Michelin stars when the Michelin Guide American South launched in 2025. The guide updates every year, so check the current list before you book.
Come Home to Quiet
Love the things to do in downtown Nashville but want to come home to quiet? See why Nolensville might be your place, then explore homes at Fairington and schedule a visit with our team.
