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Fall colors, welcomed cooler temps and of course, heaps of music to fill your ears with! This guide reveals the best things to do in Nashville in fall.
Whether you are looking for fall getaway ideas or date night recommendations, we share popular Nashville attractions and lesser-known local haunts.
Nashville’s fall temperatures start to decrease from the high 80s in September through to the 50s in November so pack accordingly.
This city is one of the most popular bachelorette party locations in the US!
Fun Nashville in Fall Activities and Attractions
Printer’s Alley
Printers Alley is located at the heart of Music Row in downtown Nashville.
This area is home to hundreds of printing businesses including printers, graphic designers, publishers, and book bindery shops.
It is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about printing and publishing and walking beautiful older streets is one of the best things to do in Nashville in the fall.
Music Row is a historic district located southwest of downtown Nashville.
Bluebird Cafe
Bluebird Cafe (4104 Hillsboro Pike) is a restaurant and live music venue that was founded in 1980.
The cafe is known for its intimate atmosphere, delicious Southern cuisine, and talented musicians.
Sit and enjoy locally crafted beer as you watch the bustle around you.
See A Game of Football at Nissan Stadium
Nissan Stadium (One Centennial Square) is home to the Tennessee Titans NFL football team.
This stadium opened in 1999 and holds approximately 70,000 fans.
Seeing a football game is the perfect fall date idea in Nashville.
Cheekwood Botanical Garden
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (1200 Forrest Park Dr) is home to more than 10,000 species of plants representing nearly 6,000 genera and 400 families.
It was founded in 1891 and looks especially gorgeous with colors gracing the trees when you visit Nashville in fall.
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Ave N) was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and opened in 1909.
The auditorium seats 2,500 people.
It is best known for being the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1925 until 1970.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Experience the ‘Soul of Nashville’ interactive video experience and then explore the venue at your own pace as you soak up the music history.
Learn How to Line Dance
Line dancing is a true honky-tonk experience.
It is also one of the top fall things to do in Nashville because it is easily done inside when it is cool outside.
The city is home to a wide variety of line dancing styles, from country to swing to hip hop.
This 1-hour country line dancing lesson includes all the guidance and easy-to-follow routines to become a master of line dancing.
You’ll also be able to take home a keepsake video to relive the day.
Once you’ve perfected your line dancing you’ll be ready for the Broadway bar dancefloors!
Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
The Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour offer visitors to Nashville a unique opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective.
Visitors can hop on and off at any stop along the route to enjoy a variety of attractions including the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, the Hermitage, and many others.
Nashville Tennessee in October is best seen from an Old Town Trolley.
Visit the Parthenon
The Parthenon (2500 West End Ave) is a Greek temple designed by architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1967.
The building is considered to be one of the finest examples of modern architecture.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park (2500 West End Ave) is located at the heart of downtown Nashville.
This park is home to many events throughout the year including concerts, festivals, and even weddings but is a great stop in Nashville in fall.
There are several different paths through this beautiful park.
One path leads to the Tennessee River where you can enjoy a relaxing walk along the riverbank.
Another path leads to the Centennial Garden where you can admire the flowers and trees.
A third path leads to the Centenary College campus where you can visit the historic buildings.
Gaylord Hotel Drinks
Feel zen among the shrubbery of the famous Gaylord Opry Hotel’s (Opryland Dr) Victorian garden.
The hotel first opened in the 1970s to support the Grand Ole Opry and is now a popular drinks spot.
National Museum of African American Music
This National Museum of African American Music (510 Broadway) showcases the musical genres inspired, created, or influenced by African-Americans.
Visit the interactive National Museum of African American Music and learn about the historical achievements and cultural impact of African American music.
Lane Motor Museum
The Lane Motor Museum (702 Murfreesboro Pike) was founded in 1969 by John Lane and his wife, Bettye.
They were both avid car collectors and enthusiasts.
Their collection included cars from the 1920s through the 1960s.
The museum opened its doors to the public in 1970 and began offering tours of their collection.
Country Music Hall of Fame Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (711 Broadway Avenue) was established in 1967.
The museum features exhibits dedicated to country music history and culture.
There are many famous musicians who were born in this city including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Rich, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, and many others.
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry (2804 Opryland Dr) is the world’s longest-running radio show, broadcast since 1925.
The Opry is home to some of the biggest names in country music including George Jones, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and many others.
The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe
The Johnny Cash Museum (119 3rd Ave S) was founded in 1993 and is located at 726 Broadway Street in downtown Nashville.
The museum features exhibits dedicated to the life and career of country music legend Johnny Cash.
There are several galleries featuring photographs, personal items, and memorabilia from his life.
Visitors can also enjoy listening stations where they can hear recordings of Cash performing live.
If you want to enjoy some good old-fashioned southern hospitality, then head over to the cafe.
The menu consists of traditional American fare, but the speciality is homemade desserts.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (600 James Robertson Pkwy) is located at the intersection of I-440 and Murfreesboro Pike.
This state park was established in 1976 as a result of the bicentennial celebration of the United States.
Radnor Lake
Radnor Lake is a small lake located in the heart of Nashville.
It is surrounded by many parks and green spaces, making it a great place to relax and unwind after a long day of exploration.
In the fall, the gorgeous color of changing leaves looks especially pretty mirrored on this lake.
Nashville Fall Festivals
Fun fall festivals for all the family featuring food, history, and music.
Nashville also features in our guide to the best places to visit in the US in April for its cherry blossom festival.
Tennessee History Festival
The Tennessee History Festival is a two-day event held annually at the State Capitol Building.
This festival celebrates the history of Tennessee and its residents.
The first annual Tennessee History Festival was held in October of 2013.
Oktoberfest
Everyone’s heard of Oktoberfest, but not everyone has experienced Nashville’s.
Nashville’s Oktoberfest has been called the “most authentic Oktoberfest in America” by Business Insider and is one of the best experiences in Nashville in October.
Enjoy Live music, local breweries, arts and crafts, a Dachshund Derby, a Brat Eating Contest, Masskrugstemmen, great good, and a 5k Bier Run.
Nashville Whiskey Festival
The Nashville Whiskey Festival is a great opportunity to meet some of the best whiskey makers in the world.
This event takes place at the end of October and is held at the beautiful Music City Center.
There are two days where attendees can enjoy tastings from top distilleries around the globe.
Attendees can also take advantage of educational seminars and tours.
Nashville Film Festival
The Nashville Film Festival is a great place to meet filmmakers from around the world.
There are many events throughout the festival including panels, workshops, networking opportunities, and parties.
This is a great opportunity to network with industry professionals and learn more about filmmaking.
Fall Family Fun Festival
The Nashville Fall Family Fun Festival is a great time to visit the city and enjoy a Nashville corn maze, pumpkin farm, and more.
There are many fun activities and events happening throughout the fall season.
This event is held at Centennial Park and is one of the best Nashville fall events for families.
Americana Music Festival
The Americana Music Festival takes place annually at the end of September in downtown.
This festival celebrates the roots of country music and features some of the best musicians from around the world.
The Americana Music Festival is held at the Ryman Auditorium, which was once home to the Grand Ole Opry.
The Ryman is now a state-of-the-art concert venue that holds up to 18,000 people.
Which Nashville fall activity is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.