10 Best Things to Do on Broadway in Nashville

Broadway in Nashville hits you with neon lights, live music, and the kind of energy that makes every step feel like a moment. Whether you want history, hands-on fun, or just unbeatable views, there is a perfect stop waiting right down the block. This guide curates the can not miss highlights, mixing iconic museums, sky-high lookouts, kid-approved parks, and delicious bites. Use it to plan a smooth, fun day that balances big thrills with sweet surprises.

1. Make your own Premium Goo Goo at Goo Goo Chocolate Co.

Create a custom Goo Goo Cluster and watch your sweet tooth do a happy dance. Pick fillings like caramel, peanut butter, toffee, pretzels, or marshmallows, then choose milk or dark chocolate for the shell. The staff guides you through tempering, decorating, and sealing your personalized treat to take home.

Between tastings, learn how this iconic Nashville candy brand became a local legend. You can browse the shop for limited editions and vintage inspired merch. It is a fun, quick stop that delivers a memorable souvenir you actually want to eat.

Pro tip: book ahead for peak times. You will leave with chocolate on your fingers and a smile on your face.

2. Walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

This bridge stroll delivers sweeping skyline views of downtown and the Cumberland River. Walk from Broadway to Nissan Stadium without traffic noise, just guitars drifting from nearby rooftops. Photographers love the angles here, especially at sunset when the city glows.

You can pause mid span for panoramic photos and spot riverboats sliding along below. It is flat, wide, and stroller friendly, making it ideal for families and casual walkers. Street musicians occasionally add a soundtrack to your steps.

Start on the downtown side, then keep going toward the riverfront parks. The breeze, the lights, and the skyline make this walk feel like an instant Nashville postcard. Bring water, comfy shoes, and your camera.

3. Let the kids play at Cumberland Park

Just across the pedestrian bridge, Cumberland Park is a kid magnet with creative play zones. Expect climbing structures, rolling green lawns, and seasonal splash pads that cool everyone off. The riverfront setting feels spacious, and there is room to relax while the kids burn energy.

You will find picnic areas, shaded spots, and fun textures that encourage hands-on exploration. It is an easy add-on after a morning on Broadway. Restrooms and walkways make it practical for strollers and grandparents alike.

Pack sunscreen, snacks, and a towel if it is warm. As the skyline rises behind the playground, you will snag adorable photos. When everyone is recharged, walk back over the bridge for more downtown adventures.

4. Tour the Frist Art Museum

Step into Nashville’s Art Deco gem and explore rotating exhibitions that span styles and eras. The Frist’s soaring lobby and marble details set the tone before you even see the galleries. Rotations keep things fresh, so every visit can feel new.

Families love Martin ArtQuest, where kids get hands-on with creative stations that spark imagination. Expect interactive art-making, color experiments, and engaging prompts for little artists. Docents and signage make the exhibits approachable for casual visitors.

Plan ninety minutes to two hours for a relaxed pace. Grab a coffee, then wander the galleries and gift shop for design-forward souvenirs. It is an inspired break from the honky-tonks, just a short hop from Broadway’s bustle.

5. Hop on an Old Town Trolley Tour

An all day hop-on, hop-off pass turns Nashville into your easy-to-navigate playground. Board the Old Town Trolley and let a lively local narrator share stories, history, and fun tips. You will roll past Broadway’s neon, the Ryman, riverfront, and key museums without parking stress.

Use stops to explore at your pace, then reboard when you are ready. It is ideal for first timers who want overview and flexibility. The commentary adds context that maps can not, along with corny jokes that somehow work.

Sit on the right side for great photo angles downtown. Start early to maximize rides and beat crowds. By day’s end, you will know exactly where to return for deeper dives.

6. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Dive into country music’s heart through glittering costumes, vintage instruments, and walls of gold records. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates legends while spotlighting today’s hitmakers. Multimedia exhibits trace how songs travel from writers’ rooms to giant stages.

Do not miss the Hall of Fame Rotunda for a quiet, reverent moment. Add on RCA Studio B or Hatch Show Print tours if time allows. Kids enjoy interactive listening stations and playful displays sprinkled throughout.

Give yourself two hours and wear comfy shoes. The gift shop is a treasure trove for music lovers and design nerds. You will walk out humming, armed with backstory that makes Broadway’s sound feel richer.

7. Explore the National Museum of African American Music

This museum connects genres like gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, hip hop, and more to the artists who shaped them. Interactive stations let you mix beats, sing along, and follow influence maps across decades. The storytelling is powerful, illuminating culture, innovation, and resilience.

You will also learn how Nashville intersects with civil rights and music industry milestones. Exhibits balance artifacts with cutting edge tech to keep you engaged. It feels both celebratory and educational, perfect for teens and adults.

Plan at least ninety minutes, longer if you love listening. Bring curiosity and open ears, because the playlists are incredible. You will leave with a deeper appreciation for the soundtrack of American life.

8. Step inside the Johnny Cash Museum

Right off Broadway, this museum houses the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts. See guitars, stage outfits, handwritten lyrics, and intimate photos tracing his life and legacy. The audio and video clips make the Man in Black feel close and present.

Fans will geek out over rare pieces, but newcomers still connect with the storytelling. Expect compact galleries packed with detail, so move slowly and soak it in. The gift shop offers tasteful merch and music reissues.

Arrive early to avoid lines and tour buses. Pair with a stroll to nearby honky-tonks for a perfect music-themed morning. You will step back onto Broadway with Cash in your head and heart.

9. See a show at the Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman is called the Mother Church for a reason. Those wooden pews, stained glass, and perfect acoustics create goosebumps before the first note. Whether it is country, bluegrass, or indie, shows here feel intimate and monumental at once.

Daytime tours reveal dressing rooms, artist stories, and a photo on the storied stage. You can record a quick song in the studio for a fun keepsake. Nighttime brings that electric, reverent hush as lights dim.

Book early because popular acts sell out fast. Arrive hungry and grab dinner nearby before the show. When the final chord rings, you will understand why artists revere this room.

10. Build your own food tour at Assembly Food Hall

Thirty plus eateries under one roof means instant variety without the headache of choosing a single restaurant. Start with a mini hot chicken tasting, then split barbecue sliders and global bites. Grab a local brew or cocktail and catch live music between courses.

The layout makes it easy to roam, sample, and share without leaving Broadway. It is perfect for groups and picky eaters who want options. You can keep it quick or settle in for a long, leisurely graze.

Scout menus online first to plan a strategy. Arrive off peak for shorter lines and better seating. By the time you leave, you will have created your own delicious Nashville highlight reel.