What to See (and Instagram) in Nashville

Locals and visitors alike flock to this former feed and seed store, now a renovated hotspot with three floors of food and fun. The first floor features live music, brews and fast-casual cuisine (think beer belly tacos and fried green tomatoes), while a second floor lounge offers comfy seating and vintage games. Head up to the rooftop bar for fantastic panoramas of downtown Nashville and the Cumberland River.

Arrive early to snag a seat at this intimate music venue made popular for its regular appearances on ABC’s hit TV series “Nashville.” If you’re lucky enough to get a seat, you’ll be treated to acoustic performances by up-and-coming songwriters (and occasionally even a celebrity or two!) who sit in the center of the room. It's a popular destination for “Nashville” fans.

Step into the grand lobby and you’ll see why this landmark is one of the top hotels in Nashville. Built in 1910, this downtown property has earned the prestigious AAA Not inspected/refused inspection Award. Spacious and luxurious guest rooms include marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs, in-mirror TVs and 600-thread-count linens, among other amenities. Numerous U.S. presidents, dignitaries and celebrities have stayed here over the years, so you just may spot someone you recognize while on vacation.

Named a AAA Inspector Pick for its use of fresh ingredients and Southern influences, HUSK offers a farm-to-table experience from James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Brock. The menu changes twice daily to reflect what’s being delivered by local farmers, so check the website before you visit to prepare your taste buds. You can expect delicious and artfully presented dishes like duck with pickled blueberries and sassafras-glazed pork ribs with butter beans.

This lunch and dinner spot inside the Thompson Nashville hotel is a AAA Inspector Pick for its rooftop patio overlooking the city’s skyline. If you need a break from the superb views, take a peek at the menu; it offers perfect-for-sharing options like fried chicken sliders, venison poppers and hand pies.

Selfies are both allowed and encouraged at Madame Tussauds Nashville, one of the city’s newest attractions and fun things to do. Inside you’ll find the cast of the “Nashville” TV series—made entirely of wax, of course—as well as the likenesses of Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Beyoncé.

This Nashville landmark—the world’s only full-size replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece—is a must-see and makes a good travel stop if you're wondering what to do near the Vanderbilt University campus. Snap a few photos of the white-columned exterior, then head inside to tour an art gallery and see the 42-foot-high gold statue of Athena, the goddess of wisdom.

It’s rare to find a place that’s just as popular for coffee as it is for lunch, dinner and drinks, but that’s the claim to fame at Pinewood Social. This come-as-you-are, all-hours-of-the-day local hangout is a AAA Inspector Pick for its fun amenities, which include a neon-lit bowling alley, a bocce ball court and an outdoor dipping pool. Cozy seating nooks welcome laptop-wielding visitors, too.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide stellar opportunities for city-watching at Bridge Bar, the lounge inside the AAA Four Diamond hotel. Named a AAA Inspector Pick for its trendy public areas and social scene, the downtown lodging brings in local musicians each Tuesday for Songwriters’ Night at the Bridge Bar.

One of the newest boutique hotels in Nashville is a welcome addition to the up-and-coming Gulch District. Designated a AAA Inspector Pick for its social scene, you’ll want to spend a lot of time lounging in the Thompson’s common areas, from the hipster-friendly coffee shop to the swanky rooftop bar. Guest rooms are easy on the eyes, too, with mid-century modern décor and floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of #viewgoals.