Discover the magic of wintertime in Nashville and embark on a historical adventure!

A Tour of the Sights

Instead of trekking through the cool air, ride the Old Town Trolley to a variety of popular sights and historic attractions around Music City. Covering a city loop with numerous stops, the trolley takes you within just a few steps of several must-see destinations. You will be entertained as the conductors regale you with facts and little-known behind-the-scenes tidbits about the Country Music Capital of the World. The Old Town Trolley also eliminates the hassle of negotiating downtown traffic and finding a place to park. With hop-on, hop-off privileges, you can disembark, explore a particular site more in-depth and then climb aboard the next trolley. One comes by every few minutes, which allows you to pick up the tour right where you left off.

See the best of Nashville at night

Leave the kids, kick back, and cruise through Music City enjoying scenic nighttime views and classic Nashville tunes. On this tour, you’ll not only be taken to popular points of interest, but talented guides will dazzle you with their musical talents and extensive historical knowledge of the city. The tour is a perfect choice for date night or a group outing and a definite must-do when in Nashville!

Snuggle up to These Indoor Attractions

Country Music Hall of Fame

Nashville has a wide variety of indoor attractions to keep you busy in the cooler temperatures. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and learn about the industry and legends that made Nashville famous. Displayed on two floors, the permanent exhibit explores the history of this uniquely American musical genre from its humble beginnings to its modern status as a major industry. Displays include an impressive collection of videos, audio recordings and photographs as well as other artifacts and memorabilia associated with legendary performers, songwriters and producers.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a non-collecting museum with 24,000 square feet of gallery space. It displays domestic and international traveling exhibits as well as works by local, state and regional artists. These rotating exhibits are housed in the nationally historic former Post Office Building. The Art Deco building was completed in 1934 and features Grecian Moderne-style architectural ornamentation. For those who’d like to explore its eye-catching design, there is an architectural tour offered the first Saturday of each month. And to keep the little ones entertained, the interactive ArtQuest Gallery enables children to make their own artwork.

Lane Motor Museum

The Lane Motor Museum features a variety of vintage European cars, military vehicles, aircraft and motorcycles. Oddball vehicles on display include amphibious as well as propeller- and rocket-powered cars. The museum collection also features the Peel P50, which is listed as the smallest street-legal car by Guinness World Records, and a former U.S. Army vehicle, the LARC-LX, which has tires that are 9 feet tall.

Tennessee State Museum

The Tennessee State Museum, housed in the James K. Polk Cultural Center, chronicles the natural and cultural history of the Volunteer State from the Paleolithic Period until the Roaring 20s. Exhibits feature mastodon bones, Native American artifacts and relics from other important eras in the state’s history, including the Age of Jackson, the antebellum and Civil War periods, the Centennial Exhibition, Women’s Suffrage and Prohibition. There is also a display dedicated to Fisk University and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment to Cool You Down

The Arcade and Marathon Village

Nashville is a great place to shop for one-of-a-kind pieces, souvenirs and musical instruments as well as casual country and western wear. The city has antique shops, shopping malls and the exclusive stores of the West End. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Arcade is a two-story shopping mall featuring a variety of art galleries and boutique retail shops. Another national landmark, Marathon Village is a repurposed 1890s warehouse and factory complex that once housed Marathon Motor Works. The complex houses Antique Archaeology, a shop famously run by Mike Wolf, one of the hosts of the History Channel show American Pickers. It is also home to a tasting room and retail outlet for the historic Tennessee whiskey Green Brier Distillery.

The Gulch

Located south of downtown, the Gulch is a renovated historic neighborhood that features upscale restaurants, fashionable boutiques and vibrant entertainment venues. It attracts locals, college students and visitors. The area is also home to Two Old Hippies, an eclectic retailer offering a variety of hipster and vintage clothing and musical instruments. While the walls are lined with memorabilia, the store’s centerpiece is a converted VW microbus. Two Old Hippies contains The Vault, a room, where you can try out a guitar before purchase.

Local BBQ

Although the air may be cool, the chicken and music are still hot. Sample Nashville’s signature recipe, Hot Chicken, as well as award-winning Southern smokehouse-style cuisine at popular eateries like Jack’s Bar-B-Que and Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant. Music City also has a variety of coffeehouses, cafes and brewpubs.

Festivals and Events to Celebrate the Season

Sing Along to Christmas Carols

When the holiday season arrives, the city lights up. The beauty, joy and magic of the season are reflected in the wide range of events, concerts and theatrical performances. The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center’s performance, A Country Christmas, features the Radio City Rockettes and a dazzling display of nearly 2 million holiday lights. Step back in time to an antebellum holiday at the Belle Meade Plantation and the Belmont Mansion, which don early 19th-century decorations. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra in the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and a variety of entertainers at the Ryman Auditorium delight audiences with holiday musical selections that are sure to get you into the spirit of the season.

Cheer on Your Team

Grab your jersey and pompoms to celebrate the end of the season for collegiate football. Nissan Stadium hosts the Music City Bowl at the end of December. This annual postseason collegiate football game pits a team from the Southeastern Conference against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference or the Big 10. Festivities leading up to the game include Music Fest and a Battle of the Bands competition as well as rallies and other activities for fans of both teams.

Ring in the New Year

Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new at the Music City New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway. This free outdoor concert precedes the countdown to fireworks and the Music Note Drop at midnight. The 15-foot-tall, red LED note drops from a height of 145 feet.

Continuing the Party

And the city doesn’t skip a beat as it two-steps into the New Year. Visitors can enjoy Predator hockey games in the Bridgestone Arena and various Black History Month activities throughout the city. February’s one-day Wine in the Winter tasting event is a fun activity for vino lovers. And for those into theater, don’t miss the Broadway series at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

6th & Peabody

6th & Peabody features a distillery, brewery, bars, tasting areas, beer & bottle shops, merchandise, big screen TVs and live entertainment. Visitors enjoy moonshine, cocktails, and beer by the glass, food including White Duck Taco and Nashville’s own Prince’s Hot Chicken, as well as the purchase of jars of moonshine and bottled beer for enjoyment at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What museums or attractions are perfect for a winter visit?

Museums and indoor attractions are perfect for a winter visit, offering a warm and enlightening escape from the cold. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with its vast and varied collections, promises an indoor adventure that can easily fill a winter day. Similarly, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., provides a multitude of indoor exhibits across its museums, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History, catering to a wide range of interests. For those looking for a unique experience, the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, combines the allure of art and the chill of winter in one, offering visitors a chance to explore rooms and sculptures made entirely of ice and snow.

Where can I find cozy spots to relax and unwind during winter?

Coffee shops with cozy seating and a welcoming ambiance act as ideal sanctuaries for those seeking refuge from the cold. Furthermore, public libraries provide a serene and snug setting for reading or studying, often featuring zones tailored for unwinding. For a picturesque getaway, mountain lodges or cabins offer a peaceful retreat with stunning snowy vistas, inviting hearths, and chances for winter outdoor pursuits.

Are there any unique winter experiences in Nashville?

Nashville presents distinctive experiences embodying the essence of Music City. Among these enchanting moments is “Holiday LIGHTS” at Cheekwood, illuminating the botanical gardens and mansion with a million lights, crafting a festive ambiance like no other. Equally captivating is “Nashville’s Nutcracker” at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, infusing a local flair into the classic ballet against the backdrop of the city’s rich history. For the adventurous spirits, Winterfest at Frist Art Museum hosts an outdoor ice skating rink, offering a charming way to relish the crisp air. Meanwhile, downtown Nashville’s melodic evenings allure both locals and visitors, providing cozy indoor retreats that warm the soul amidst the winter’s chill.

Are there any special considerations for winter travel?

Yes, winter travel requires special considerations to ensure safety and comfort. Key factors include monitoring weather conditions closely to avoid being caught in storms or extreme cold. It’s also crucial to equip vehicles with winter gear like snow tires or chains and to pack an emergency kit containing blankets, food, water, and a first aid kit. Additionally, dressing in layers and protecting extremities with gloves, hats, and waterproof boots are essential practices to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Being prepared for slower travel times and potential disruptions is important, as winter weather can quickly change and impact road conditions and flight schedules.