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Your guide to downtown Nashville for the holidays

Entertaining family or friends over the holidays? Here’s our guide to some of downtown Nashville’s top activities, restaurants, and experiences.

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Museums, music + food galore (and more) — there’s no shortage of things to do in downtown Nashville.

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Table of Contents

The holidays are here, the city is aglow, and friends and family gatherings have officially begun. Luckily for us, there’s no shortage of things to do, see, eat, and experience in downtown Nashville.

Need some suggestions? Here’s our guide to some of the top spots to hit:

🎸 Experiential activities

  • Puttshack | New to downtown in the Gulch, this tech-infused mini golf experience is just what you need for some friendly competition. Pro tip: Bring the kids before 8 p.m. or enjoy their full bar for a fun 21+ night out.
  • Lip Lab | Create your perfect lipstick shade with the help of a color expert (and get 15% off a Lip Lab gift card through Dec. 25).
  • Nashville Barrel Company: The Tasting Room | Drop in to taste their wines, whiskeys, bourbons, and more — or schedule your own private tasting. Gift idea: Buy a “single barrel” bottle and customize the label to your giftee.
  • Nashville Predators Game | Catch a hockey game at Bridgestone Arena, and arrive early to grab a snack or drinks at Teddy’s Tavern across the street (pro tip: wear your Preds gear for some great discounts, too).
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Cheers to the holidays at Assembly Food Hall.

Photo by NASHtoday

🍝 Downtown dining:

  • Assembly Food Hall | With over 30 eateries and bars, three stages, and Nashville’s largest rooftop bar, it’s sure to please everyone in your group — no reservation required.
  • Snooze The Gulch | An eclectic atmosphere with creative and classic breakfast foods. (Pro tip: Snooze will validate parking at the 803 Division Street Garage for 1.5 hours.)
  • Ophelia’s Pizza Bar | Find traditional Italian dining in an intimate space for lunch or dinner, or enjoy the After-Dinner Party Experience Friday and Saturday nights from 10:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
  • Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer | Award-winning burger joint, with veggie options, wings, beer, and the signature CRAZYSHAKE®.
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Chocolate-making classes anyone? (Or how about wine + whiskey pairings?)

Photo by NASHtoday

⛸️ Family-friendly fun for all ages

  • Church Street Park | Free daily events and activities for outdoor fitness and family fun.
  • The Rink Above Broadway | Skate above the city at this fifth floor winter wonderland. (Pro tip: The Grand Hyatt offers complimentary valet parking for up to two hours).
  • Goo Goo Chocolate Co. | The home of the first American combination candy bar hosts hands-on chocolate-making classes, sells premium candies, provides wine and whiskey pairings, and allows you to design your own Goo Goo Cluster.
  • National Museum of African American Music | Engage with the untold stories of Black Americans who shaped our nation’s music scene, from classical to jazz to hip hop to country.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame | The “Smithsonian of country music” is a can’t miss for visitors to Nashville. Catch a showing of “String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry” or visit the Taylor Swift Education Center. (Bonus: The museum is running a Pay-What-You-Can deal for Davidson county and surrounding county residents Dec. 1 through Jan. 31.)
  • Old Town Trolley Tour | Grab the crew and board this entertaining and informative trolley right in the heart of downtown — where even locals will learn something new. Learn how to ride for free with the Hometown Pass Program.

Need more inspo? Plan your next downtown outing.

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Both spots are open daily, whether you’re stopping by for breakfast or lunch.