Summer in Nashville is full of outdoor adventure, live music, and city charm. Whether you're paddling the Cumberland River or dancing in the park, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy Music City in the sunshine.
You definitely can“come along and have a ball” if you are spending part of the season in Music City! It’s a great time to be in Nashville, with lots of outdoor music events and opportunities to see different sides of the city than when bundled up in winter.
Here are nine suggestions of things to do in Nashville during the summer:
Paddle As you may have noticed, a river runs through the city of Nashville. Sign up with Cumberland Kayak and paddle downtown for a view of the skyline.
Zipline Get so high you can touch the sky at The Adventure Park, which offers climbing, aerial ropes courses, ziplining, and even a glow-in-the-dark experience where you swing through the trees after dark.
Hike Nashville has plenty of city parks, greenways, and access to state parks, making it possible to lace up your boots, go for a hike, and still be back on Broadway in time to honky tonk. Two favorite options among locals include Beaman Park, offering 15 miles of trails with elevation changes and creekside breezes, and Bells Bend Park, which has flatter terrain but no less beauty, with river views and lush meadows.
Bike BCycle and Bike the Greenway both offer rental bicycles, so you can grab one and see the city on two wheels.
Swim The city-owned Wave Country is more than just a swimming pool. It’s an adventure, with wave action, slides that end in a splash, and more. BYOB cooler and enjoy a picnic next to the pool.
Feast Speaking of picnics, a short stroll from Bobby Nashville to the Nashville Farmers Market will reward you with a bounty of options for putting together a lunchtime meal on the grass. Picnic across from the market in Bicentennial Mall State Park, or take your meal with you on a hike or bike ride.
Cheer Single-game tickets are available to see the minor-league Nashville Sounds play. Their stadium, First Horizon Park, is a short walk from Bobby Nashville. The guitar-shaped scoreboard is a point of pride for Music City.
Observe Want to learn more about the stars above? Head to Vanderbilt University’s Dyer Observatory on a warm night. Check the event schedule and buy tickets in advance.
Dance Saturday nights in Centennial Park are the place to be if you enjoy big band music. Not only are the concerts free and the dance floor open, but you can even get a free dance lesson before the fun begins.
