Spring in Nashville: 10 Must-Do Things

Nashville has been my home for 30 years, minus the 8 years I spent living in Chattanooga. My feelings toward it have fluctuated from love to hate to love to hate and over and over again throughout the years. It’s one thing to live in a city, and another to visit it.

These days, the unbearable traffic makes me scream!

There really is so much to love about Nashville though, and I would say the good definitely outweighs the bad, especially if you’re visiting!

One of my favorite times in Nashville is the Spring, from March through about late May. The weather is nice (although a little wild sometimes), everything is a bloom, the air smells fresh (…except for those Bradford pear trees), the sun is out more often, and everyone seems a bit happier.

I also like the Spring in Nashville, because it isn’t the busiest time of the year for tourism (which is the summer). You can walk around anywhere in Nashville and it doesn’t feel too crowded or bustling.

When I first moved to Nashville in 1995, it wasn’t that big of a deal. It was just another Southern city like Knoxville, Charlotte, or Richmond. Sure, it was known as “the home of country music,” but not really much else.

These days, Nashville has really grown up and is now considered one of the fastest growing cities in the United States! As a resident, you can feel that.

Nashville isn’t just for music lovers and cowgirl bachelorette parties anymore! It is now a huge hub for the media industry and the tech world. As one of the most desirable places to live in the United States right now, you might be wondering if it would be a good place to visit!

Yes! Absolutely it is, and Spring is one of the best times to visit.

Here are 10 must-do things in Nashville during the Spring:

10 Must-Do Activities in the Spring

Centennial Park and the Parthenon

Every city has their Central Park, and Centennial Park is Nashville’s. Centennial Park is pretty unique, though! How many of you can say that you have an exact replica of The Parthenon in Athens, Greece? None of you can. You can even visit Athena inside.

Centennial Park is 132 acres of walking trails, green space, and Lake Watauga, with a dog park, playgrounds, and volleyball courts. Also located within Centennial Park’s boundaries are the Centennial Art Center, Centennial Sportsplex, and historical monuments. Many events are held in the park, and there are often food trucks camped out within the park near the Parthenon.

You can come here to enjoy a picnic, a walk, the beautiful gardens, or a community gathering.

Bonus: Centennial Park is within walking distance of Vanderbilt University and West End Avenue, a popular place for shopping and restaurants.

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden set on an expansive historical estate on 55 acres. Also on the property are the beautiful Cheekwood Mansion, built in 1932, an art gallery (within the mansion) and a gift shop.

This is a great activity to do with kids, but they also hold occasional adults only events.

My first real date with my husband was at Cheekwood. He was apprehensive about it, as most men are, but once we got there he had to admit he enjoyed himself. The grounds will leave just about anyone awe-struck, and plus there is so much area to explore!

The exhibits often change with the seasons, and this Spring they had a beautiful Japanese Garden with a massive Cherry Blossom tree.

The Cheekwood Mansion looks like one of the British Royal family’s residences, and really looks like it on the inside as well! I highly recommend taking a tour of the mansion at least once.

Old Town Trolley Tours

Do you really wish you could see the best of Nashville without having to find parking or walk everywhere? Then hop on the Old Town Trolley!

They have their basic tour, showcasing the best sights and activities in Nashville, but they also have themed tours such as historical and musical.

You hop on and hop off throughout the day as much as you like!

I like the trolley tours because you can discover all the sights without having to sacrifice your time enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.

Radnor Lake

Not many people think of Nashville as being an “outdoorsy” destination or a place to go hiking. That’s understandable! After all, Nashville is an urban area, and a congested one at that. Outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville though, is a beautiful oasis away from it all!

Radnor Lake is a 1,368 acre natural area with five miles of wooded trails and some paved trails suitable for anyone. The trails range from easy to difficult.

The lake and its surrounding inhabitants are heavily protected, and you can visit the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center to learn more about the birds, snakes, and turtles in the area.

Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park is exactly what it sounds like, a park centered around the Cumberland River! This is a beautiful park where you can enjoy that Spring weather, but it’s also a very happening place.

Located within the five acres of Riverfront Park are an amphitheater for events and community gatherings, boat docking, and a replica of Fort Nashborough.

Fort Nashborough was the very first settlement in Nashville, established on land originally owned by the Cherokee. American settlers and explorers later took over the area and established a stockade here. A replica of the site was built to educate people on the history of Nashville and its Native American history.

Also along the river adjacent to Riverfront Park is the Second Avenue Shopping District, also one of the most recognizable areas in downtown. A row of some of Nashville’s most historic buildings adorn the avenue, and consists of many boutique shops, restaurants, and notable places to enjoy nightlife including the Coyote Ugly Saloon, DraftKings, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Nashville Live!

Over at the park, you can enjoy walking/biking trails, sculptures, yoga, concerts, art festivals, and access to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (where I get the best skyline photos).

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

The Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery is made up of a 250 acre historic plantation dating back to the 1840s, the Greek Revival style house, a winery, an ice cream shop, a cafe, a Bourbon tasting room, a gift shop, and a meat and three. Needless to say there is a lot to enjoy here!

There are many different types of tours given here, including those catering to wine or Bourbon lovers, family experiences, sensory night for those with Autism or other sensory disorders, and a tour of the house.

Historical tours also educate heavily on the history and significance of those enslaved at the Belle Meade plantation, as well as the Civil War’s impact on the house and its residents.

The Belle Meade Winery just happens to be Nashville’s first and oldest winery, and the wine is exceptional! It’s a must-visit.

Nashville Zoo

It goes without saying that a visit to the zoo is in order for any major city. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere has come a long way since being donated the 188 acres of land and their family historic home by the Croft family in 1997.

The zoo houses a solid variety of both exotic and farm animals including bear, monkeys, kangaroos, animals of the African savannah, tigers, and many species of birds.

There is a bird aviary where you can interact with certain species, a petting zoo, the “Kangaroo Kickabout” where you can interact with the kangaroos, and “Unseen New World,” which houses all your creepy crawlers, amphibians, and reptiles.

Other attractions include a 4D theater, a jungle gym, a carousel, and the Wilderness Express Train. You can also tour the historic Croft home and the grounds.

I genuinely believe the Nashville Zoo is one of the most underrated zoos in the US, and having seen it grow up from the time I was in kindergarten, it is just amazing what this zoo has become!

Nashville Greenways

Nashville has 100 miles of greenway and more than 75 trailhead access points. Not bad for such a major city! This means you can be on your merry way biking and walking for as far as you would like on a beautiful Spring day!

Greenways for Nashville has a pretty detailed and interactive map that you can refer to here.

So get to speed walking!

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

How would you like to visit the home of a former US President? You can! Andrew Jackson, the Unites States’ 7th President resided at the Hermitage with his wife Rachel for nearly 44 years. It stayed in the Jackson family until 1856, when it was sold to the State of Tennessee after Andrew Jackson, Jr. relocated further down south.

What once used to be a thriving and economically successful plantation and family home on 425 acres, is now a 25 acre site still consisting of the main house and other historic buildings such as the homes of those enslave at the Hermitage.

The Hermitage is actually still a functioning farm to this day, growing corn, wheat, and soybeans instead of cotton. There is also a beautiful garden and a nature trail, and you can freely roam most of the grounds.

Tours are offered, and you can also enjoy a wine tasting in the Natchez Hills Winery tasting room on site.

Attend a Spring Event

Everyone gets revved up for summertime events in Nashville, but did you know that there were also a lot of interesting and worthwhile events in the springtime too?

Here are a few of the best events in Nashville during the months of March through May:

• Nashville Comedy Festival– If you love to laugh, the Nashville Comedy Festival is going to be right up your alley! There has been an impressive lineup in the past, including Kill Tony, Nikki Glaser, Jay Leno, Jim Jefferies, and Wanda Sykes. Early April
• East Nashville Beer Festival- An outdoor festival providing thousands of beers, food trucks, and live music. This event is a shining example of what Nashville is all about! Early April
• Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival- Not only is this the best place and time to enjoy Nashville’s beautiful cherry blossoms, this is also a time to celebrate your love of all things Japan, including cosplay…. if that is your thing…. There is a contest involved! There is also sumo wrestling, Japanese board games, Japanese performers, and of course food! Early April
• Music City Food and Wine Festival- Held in the heart of Centennial Park, this festival celebrates local chefs, restaurants, wines, and spirits. You can participate in various tastings and competitions, and enjoy live entertainment while enjoying your favorite local food and drink. And the best part is enjoying it all in a beautiful park on a beautiful Spring day! Late April
• St. Jude Rock n’ Roll Marathon- In case you didn’t already know, St. Jude is a massive fundraiser and leader in research on childhood cancers. Every year in Nashville they put together a 5K and 10K marathon, a one mile run, and a kids run so that runners can show their support. You have opportunities to raise money in the days leading up to the race as well. I think this is a worthy cause, and you can enjoy yourself while doing it in the gorgeous Spring weather amongst all the cherry blossoms throughout Nashville! Late April
• Tennessee Craft Fair- Another event hosted on the lawn at Centennial Park is the Tennessee Craft Fair. If you love looking at what local artists and crafters have to offer, this is a huge event and also offers a kids tent for the little ones to enjoy. Early May
• Iroquois Steeplechase- Can’t make it to the Kentucky Derby this year? Every year at Percy Warner Park, you can enjoy a full day of racing and don that Derby outfit you’ve always wanted to wear! It also benefits the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, which has a special place in my heart, so why not? You can purchase various seating and tailgating packages, and spend as little or as much as you want on this event. Either way, you get to enjoy a beautiful Spring day outside! Early May

Enjoy Nashville!

There are so many neat things that you can do in Nashville, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just get lost and explore the city! Just pick your favorite neighborhood and start walking. You never know what you’re going to discover!

For a good day trip and other Spring activities not far from Nashville, check out Bell Buckle, TN here!