City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Nashville, Tennessee

With the Cumberland River looping around the city, Nashville is a prime destination for history, music and outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, boating and camping are popular at Percy Priest Lake, which offers several marinas for those trailering a boat from private boat slips for rent. Music City is also a popular side trip on a Great Loop expedition (you can follow the Tennessee River into the Cumberland River).

You can’t walk far without realizing you’re in the heart of country music. Museums are dedicated to Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Glenn Campbell. This is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, after all. Areas like Printers Alley, Honky Tonk Highway and Broadway feature live music, entertainment and nightlife as well as shopping and dining.

In addition to music, Nashville offers arts, culture and museums dedicated to ancient Greek structures and European vehicles. For sports, you can’t beat Nissan Stadium for Tennessee Titan home games.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Photo: Wikimedia

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has one of the world’s most extensive music collections. Discover the culture and history of country music through objects and apparel owned and worn by Patsy Cline, June Carter Cash, Ralph Stanley, and other groundbreaking musicians. Museum collections include stage costumes, personal apparel, boots, microphones, cars, record albums, posters and photographs.

Spend the day exploring special exhibits on classic and modern country stars such as Bill Anderson, Martina McBride and Chris Stapleton and genres like Los Angeles Country-Rock. View Hall of Fame member exhibits or participate in songwriting workshops and family and community programs. The Taylor Swift Education Center features art galleries and hands-on educational exhibits for families, kids and teens. The museum is just a couple of blocks from the river, making it accessible to marinas or private boat lift rentals.

Ryman Auditorium

Photo: Wikimedia

The original home of the Grand Ole Opry show (from 1943 to 1974), the Ryman Auditorium is a must for fans of country and bluegrass music. Built by Thomas G. Ryman, it was formerly known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. When he died, the name was changed.

The stage has seen the likes of Elvis, Hank Williams (Sr.), Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and Minnie Pearl. Take a tour of this historic setting that many consider to be the birth of bluegrass. It was designed to perfectly project sound and has been named one of the best performance halls in the world.

The Opry show moved to the Grand Ole Opry House east of downtown Nashville  (though it does perform at the Ryman on select dates), but the Ryman continues to shine with shows and live music. Today, you can check out shows such as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Old Crow Medicine Show, David Spade and The Lone Bellow.

Nashville Parthenon

Photo: Wikimedia

You might think you’re in Athens when you come upon the Nashville Parthenon. Designed by architect William Crawford Smith, - and originally built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition – it’s the world’s only exact replica of the Greek structure. It was rebuilt in the 1920s as a full-scale replica. There’s even a full-scale statue of the golden Athena. 

Located in Centennial Park, it has 14 casts of original Parthenon marble sculptures. Displays include art and Greek scenes and permanent exhibits like the James M. Cowan Collection of American Art, a model crane used to build the ancient Parthenon and the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition Collection. Centennial Park is a straight shot from the Cumberland River and the Tennessee State Capitol. We think it’s a super unique spot to visit from a private boat slip rental.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Photo: Nashville Zoo (Facebook)

Check out cute, furry and slithery creatures at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Animals residing at the zoo include Andean bears, flamingos, clouded leopards, tarantulas, a green anaconda, piranhas and stingrays. Visit the 4D theater, soar above the tree tops on a zip line, ride the carousel or train or book up-close visits with lorikeets, kangaroos, goats, alpacas and tortoises.

Saloons, Bars and Live Music Venues

Photo: Blue Bird Café (Facebook)

Don’t go to Nashville without stepping into one (or two or three) world-famous saloons, bars or nightclubs. You just might hear the next up-and-coming country star. Sing karaoke, listen to local and house bands and learn how to line dance (or sit back and watch others try to line dance). Plus, those neon signs are just plain cool.

• AJ’s Good Time Bar (owned by a famous AJ … Alan Jackson)
• Blue Bird Café
• Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar
• Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Rock n’ Roll Steakhouse
• Luke’s 32 Bridge (owned by Luke Bryan)
• Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa
• Robert’s Western World (boots by day, dancing by night)
• Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
• Whiskey Bent Saloon
• Wildhorse Saloon
  
  

National Museum of African American Music

Photo: National Museum of African American Music (Facebook)

Opened in 2021, the National Museum of African American Music features interactive technology to tell the stories and history of jazz, R&B, funk, gospel, hip-hop and soul. Explore music inspired, created or influenced by African Americans through film, interactive exhibits and touch-screen music genre information. Participate in sessions with music leaders and artists. Don’t miss the gift shop before heading off to a private boat dock for rent.

Lane Motor Museum

Photo: Lane Motor Museum (Facebook)

Sports car enthusiasts in your crew will want to check out the Lane Motor Museum. It’s home to approximately 150 vehicles from 1900 and beyond. The collection is made up of mostly European cars (the largest collection in the U.S.) as well as bicycles, motorcycles, small planes and even amphibious vehicles. Spend time perusing cars such as Lotus, Fiat, a 1953 Ardex, a 1969 Austin Mini Convertible, a 1938 BMW or a 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider. Enjoy daily demonstrations and exhibits like Custom Cars and Open and Shut, which is a diverse display of door styles (Lambo and DeLorean, anyone?).

Hopefully you’ve found some interesting places to visit on a Nashville tour. Whether you’re in town for a week, on a Great Loop side trip or spending time at a private boat slip for rent, check out our suggestions. Happy touring!