Nashville summers sizzle, but the fun doesn’t have to stop when the temps climb. From music-filled museums to rooftop pools and breezy late-night lounges, there are plenty of ways to stay cool while soaking up everything Music City has to offer. Here are some of the top ways to beat the heat in Nashville.
Summer can be steamy in Nashville, but you don’t have to suffer. There are lots of ways to enjoy the city even as the temperature climbs. Here are a few of our favorite ways to beat the heat in Music City.
Head inside: Nashville is home to a number of interactive, immersive music museums. And they all have air-conditioning. Nab a ticket to the National Museum of African American Music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Johnny Cash Museum to learn about different genres and musicians while cooling off.
Wait ‘til sunset: It’s not the city that never sleeps, but Nashville still rocks after dark. Once the sun goes down the temperatures cool off a little. The Bobby Nashville’s Backyard Sessions curated by WNXP on the rooftop is a great option for getting an evening breeze, checking out the stars and listening to live music without the heat of the sun’s rays.
Take a dip: You can cool off in the Bobby Nashville’s rooftop pool. If you want a little more room to splash and play, the city’s Wave Country pools have wave and non-wave action, water slides and your admission includes the use of floats.
Get on the water: Paddleboard or kayak on one of the city’s rivers or lakes. Nashville Paddle Co. offers rentals and lessons at various locations around the city.
Catch a flick at the Belcourt: Watching a movie is another air-conditioned classic. The Belcourt in Hillsboro Village is Nashville’s 100-year-old arthouse theater, with a large selection of movies on the screen.
Order ice cream: It’s a classic for a reason. A frozen dairy dessert brings down the temperature in a particularly dopamine-filled way. Order an ice cream sandwich on the Rooftop Lounge at the Bobby Nashville or check out this list of our favorite scoop shops around town.
Go to a cave: It’s always cool in a cave. Tennessee and Kentucky have a lot of them to explore, including several that are a short drive from downtown Nashville. Check out Dunbar Cave State Park in Clarksville or Mammoth Cave National Park over the border in Kentucky.
