Best Outdoor Attractions in Nashville

Locals and tourists love Music City for two things — live music pulsing through the streets and the vibrant cultural attractions. Tennessee’s centrally located capital city is an ideal place for outdoor adventures, such as al fresco wining and dining, dancing to live music, admiring art, learning the city’s history, and exploring on foot, bikes, or a zipline. 

With a unique blend of activities, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your comprehensive guide to outdoor things to do in Nashville, TN, places to go and attractions to see throughout the year, from waterfront trails, enchanting parks and lakesides, and outdoor music events and festivals. 

Outside Dining

Nashville has an enticing Southern charm, inviting green spaces, and street-level patios where you can soak in memorable and relaxing outdoor dining experiences. It offers a mix of lively downtown patios, impressive rooftop restaurants, and chill suburban cabanas. You’ll find yourself spoiled for a choice of places to grab a signature cocktail, Nashville’s famous hot chicken, barbecue, meat ‘n’ three, or a delicious banana pudding. 

Here are some top outdoor dining restaurants and courtyards to check out in Nashville.

• The Treehouse: This farm-to-table restaurant is in a former family home and offers the freshest meals and carefully crafted cocktails made using premium ingredients. They serve meals and drinks on handcrafted wooden tables on an eclectic, colorful patio with a dedicated outdoor bar.
• Pinewood Social: This urban chic restaurant buzzes with activities, including a six-lane bowling alley, bocce ball court, and an extensive backyard patio. They offer an exquisite dining experience featuring authentic Tennessee and Nashville cuisine and handcrafted cocktails from the copper bar.
• Sonny’s Patio Pub and Refuge: This outdoor dining haven in Germantown serves mouthwatering cocktails and savory bar bites like tater tots, mahi-mahi tacos, flatbreads, and cheesesteaks. Enjoy eating and drinking at picnic tables on the patio or private cabanas as you play darts and vintage arcade games on the lawn. 

Parks and Lakes

Metropolitan Nashville outdoor attractions include the city’s extensive public park system, connecting scenic neighborhoods to open spaces, shopping areas, and a vibrant downtown. Our parks and greenways extend over a 100-mile linear stretch where you can walk, run, bike, kayak, birdwatch, or enjoy connecting with nature. 

Here are some must-visit Music City parks and lakes to add to your itinerary.

• Warner Parks: At 3,100 total acres, Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are among Tennessee’s largest municipally administered parks. They feature an old-growth forest, seven scenic overlooks, 23 historic picnic shelters, and a fenced-in dog park where furry friends can play off-leash.
• J. Percy Priest Lake: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains this human-made lake and dam, where you can boat, fish, camp, hike, and view wildlife. 
• Music City Walk of Fame Park: This notable Music City landmark located across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame pays homage to top songwriters and performers with oversized terrazzo and stainless steel stars embedded in the sidewalk.
• Centennial Park: This 132-acre park, built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, sits in the city’s vibrant heart. It has a mile-long walking trail, a small lake, a sunken garden, and a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, complete with a 42-foot-tall gilded statue of the Greek goddess Athena. It’s always buzzing with activities, including live music, art exhibits, and family-friendly games. 

• Riverfront Park: Since the 1980s, this historic park has commemorated Nashville’s rich river history. It sits along the Cumberland River and offers expansive spaces to enjoy the view of the river or catch vibey open-air events. 

Nashville Events and Festivals

True to the Music City spirit, Nashville hosts live music annually, celebrating the culture and maintaining the charm. Plan your next trip to Nashville around these must-see events.

• CMA Music Festival: Soak in the summer sun in June while attending CMA Fest, which boasts electric live performances, exclusive artist experiences, and meet-and-greet opportunities. This ultimate country music fan experience lasts four days and nights, with artists performing for free to support music education programs. 
• Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival: This springtime event features hundreds of talented songwriters performing their tunes in venues throughout the city. Tin Pan South is your chance to hear your favorite hits like never before.
• The Americana Music Festival: This annual five-day music festival brings together thousands of legendary artists, next-generation musical stars, and music industry professionals for a one-of-a-kind celebration. The festival days encompass seminars, panels, and networking events, and the night offers live music performances under the stars. 

Sports Events

Besides the bast music fan base in Nashville, the city is a sports fan playground. College teams like Vanderbilt University and Belmont University bring everyone together to cheer on intercollegiate athletics. 

Music City is home to four professional sports franchises. 

• NFL: Tennessee Titans
• NHL: Nashville Predators
• MLS: Nashville SC
• Minor League Baseball: Nashville Sounds

Of course, our list of outdoor activities in Nashville also includes sports you can do while you’re here, like golf, canoeing, ziplining, and stand-up paddleboarding. Or, get nostalgic by celebrating legends like Derrick Henry at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, where you’ll find memorabilia and stories about athletes, sports fans, coaches, and supporters. 

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Are you looking to get plastic or reconstructive surgery during your time in Nashville? Consider visiting board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nathan Brought and our world-class staff at SPRSI. We take pride in providing comprehensive and holistic care for our patients’ health and wellness. We specialize in various cosmetic and constructive procedures, including breast surgery, laser liposuction, thigh reduction, and abdominoplasty. 

Schedule your online consultation with SPRSI today so we can evaluate your suitability for specific procedures and get you ready for your transformative surgery.