You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Nashville; just look at these free activities.
We promise these free things to do are more than just an aimless walk in the park. Instead, we’re making sure you get well-researched, unique suggestions worth the trip.
Music
Musicians Corner | Local and national artists take the stage in spring and fall for this free outdoor concert series, and you can even bring your own picnic.
The Station Inn’s Bluegrass Jam | Every Sunday night, this venue opens its doors for a free bluegrass jam session. Find a seat and watch some of the best pickers in town or bring an instrument and join the fun yourself.
Tennessee Brew Works | This brewery hosts a free open mic every Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. Sign up starting at 5:30 p.m. to take the stage or sit back and enjoy the local talent.
Food and drink
Frothy Monkey Coffee Cupping | Taste and compare freshly roasted coffees in this hands‑on cupping led by Frothy Monkey’s roasters. Learn how professionals evaluate flavor and aroma — and maybe discover your new favorite brew.
Kids eat free or low-cost | Feeding the family doesn’t have to break the bank. Kids eat free on Monday nights at local spots like Nicky’s Coal Fired and Streetcar Taps and Garden.
Stroll Printers Alley under the string lights. | Photo via @one_nashville
Art
Mural tour | Pick a neighborhood and wander past colorful walls in East Nashville, Wedgewood‑Houston, and Germantown. Make it a color walk and see how many hidden gems you can spot along the way.
Second Saturday Art Crawl | Move from gallery to gallery downtown, peeking into new exhibitions and chatting with artists along the way. Take your time — the night is yours to explore.
Vanderbilt University Museum of Art | Located in Cohen Memorial Hall, this free museum features rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection. And it’s not the only college here with an arts scene — Fisk University and Belmont University have galleries, too.
History
Tennessee Agricultural Museum | Tucked near the Ellington Agricultural Center, this museum teaches local farm history and is free to visit year-round.
Tennessee State Museum | Trace Tennessee’s story from its earliest days to now through exhibits that cover natural history, music milestones, and more. With rotating temporary exhibits alongside permanent displays, there’s always something new to see.
Nashville Sites | Explore Nashville’s past and present at your own pace. With more than 35 options from Nashville Sites, you can visit East Nashville’s historic neighborhoods, stroll the Food for Thought tour downtown, or even take the Hidden History and Haunts route.
Outdoors
Nature Centers | Beaman, Bells Bend, Warner, and Shelby Bottoms offer weekly programming for all ages, from storytimes and campfires to morning and evening hikes.
Run clubs | Lace up and explore the city with one of Nashville’s many weekly run clubs. Routes often wind through scenic neighborhoods, and the post‑run hangouts are just as fun.
Centennial Park | Depending on the time of year, check the calendar for guided park tours, big band dances, and annual events such as the Kidsville Family Festival and Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival.
