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Nashville's Vibrant Summer: Music, Art, and Adventure
Published 9 months ago
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Nashville pulses with music, creativity, and a spirit that invites everyone to join the party. Listeners arriving this week can start with a true cultural sampler by visiting Plaza Mariachi on Nolensville Pike. There’s a vibrant flea market from 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, ideal for discovering Latin flavors, fresh produce, home goods, and even local crafts. For those keen to experience the city’s dance energy, Plaza Mariachi also hosts Jaripeo Baile from 4 PM to 10 PM on July 27, featuring bull riding, live bands, and dancing—a fusion of music and spectacle that’s distinctly Nashville.
For live music lovers, 3rd and Lindsley is a must. On Sunday, July 27 at 7 PM, Southern Avenue performs, bringing their blend of blues and soul to the iconic venue. 3rd and Lindsley not only promises touring national acts but also feels intimate enough to make even newcomers feel like insiders. The Basement and The Basement East offer additional great nights of music, highlighting newer local talent and national tribute acts—check out their calendars for something nearly every night, including Metal Monday Vol. 2 on July 28, with tributes to Megadeth, Dio, and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Nashville Farmers’ Market is an all-ages delight. Stop by Sunday between 11 AM and 2 PM to enjoy Music at the Market with Daniel Sinclair, sample treats, or peruse creations by local artisans. Located at 900 Rosa L Parks Boulevard, this market buzzes with culinary pop-ups and a diverse food hall, making it perfect for bites between sightseeing.
A pilgrimage to the Ryman Auditorium is essential. This is one of America’s legendary music venues, famed as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry and renowned for its acoustics. Even if a show isn’t scheduled during your visit, guided tours allow listeners to stand on the iconic stage where Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, and Harry Styles have all performed. The Ryman’s upcoming lineup includes the Happy Together Tour on August 6, for those sticking around.
Gaylord Opryland Resort offers a different kind of adventure, with attractions like the “Revenge of The Riddler” scavenger hunt running all week from 11 AM to 8 PM. Whether staying at the resort or just visiting, visitors can wander the lush, climate-controlled gardens, take a Delta River flatboat ride indoors, or wind through themed activities for all ages.
For a more hidden gem, stroll through 12South. This walkable neighborhood blends vibrant murals, high-end boutiques, and locally loved bakeries like Five Daughters (with its famous 100-layer donuts). There’s a good chance to catch live music pouring out of the smaller venues and coffee shops.
Art lovers can lose an afternoon at the Frist Art Museum, set in a stunning Art Deco former post office and home to constantly rotating exhibitions—many with a focus on local or regional artists. Don’t miss the interactive Martin ArtQuest Gallery for hands-on creativity.
Nature beckons at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where listeners can walk interpretive trails, picnic with views of the capitol, and catch the Tennessee State Museum, which offers engaging, free exhibits on local history. Centennial Park’s replica of the Parthenon stands as both an art museum and a perfect photo op, surrounded by paths and lake views.
No Nashville trip is complete without a pilgrimage to Broadway’s honky tonks where live bands play from morning into the night, or a visit to a songwriter round—where the tunes behind Nashville’s hits are shared in raw acoustic formats. Bluebird Cafe is famous but hard to get into, so try The Listening Room or Belcourt Taps for a more spontaneous vibe.
Cap off a summer night with a ballgame at First Horizon Park, home of the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team, or, if sports aren’t on the schedule, take a sunset kayak trip along the Cumberland River for city views and peaceful waters.
Thanks for listening
For live music lovers, 3rd and Lindsley is a must. On Sunday, July 27 at 7 PM, Southern Avenue performs, bringing their blend of blues and soul to the iconic venue. 3rd and Lindsley not only promises touring national acts but also feels intimate enough to make even newcomers feel like insiders. The Basement and The Basement East offer additional great nights of music, highlighting newer local talent and national tribute acts—check out their calendars for something nearly every night, including Metal Monday Vol. 2 on July 28, with tributes to Megadeth, Dio, and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Nashville Farmers’ Market is an all-ages delight. Stop by Sunday between 11 AM and 2 PM to enjoy Music at the Market with Daniel Sinclair, sample treats, or peruse creations by local artisans. Located at 900 Rosa L Parks Boulevard, this market buzzes with culinary pop-ups and a diverse food hall, making it perfect for bites between sightseeing.
A pilgrimage to the Ryman Auditorium is essential. This is one of America’s legendary music venues, famed as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry and renowned for its acoustics. Even if a show isn’t scheduled during your visit, guided tours allow listeners to stand on the iconic stage where Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, and Harry Styles have all performed. The Ryman’s upcoming lineup includes the Happy Together Tour on August 6, for those sticking around.
Gaylord Opryland Resort offers a different kind of adventure, with attractions like the “Revenge of The Riddler” scavenger hunt running all week from 11 AM to 8 PM. Whether staying at the resort or just visiting, visitors can wander the lush, climate-controlled gardens, take a Delta River flatboat ride indoors, or wind through themed activities for all ages.
For a more hidden gem, stroll through 12South. This walkable neighborhood blends vibrant murals, high-end boutiques, and locally loved bakeries like Five Daughters (with its famous 100-layer donuts). There’s a good chance to catch live music pouring out of the smaller venues and coffee shops.
Art lovers can lose an afternoon at the Frist Art Museum, set in a stunning Art Deco former post office and home to constantly rotating exhibitions—many with a focus on local or regional artists. Don’t miss the interactive Martin ArtQuest Gallery for hands-on creativity.
Nature beckons at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where listeners can walk interpretive trails, picnic with views of the capitol, and catch the Tennessee State Museum, which offers engaging, free exhibits on local history. Centennial Park’s replica of the Parthenon stands as both an art museum and a perfect photo op, surrounded by paths and lake views.
No Nashville trip is complete without a pilgrimage to Broadway’s honky tonks where live bands play from morning into the night, or a visit to a songwriter round—where the tunes behind Nashville’s hits are shared in raw acoustic formats. Bluebird Cafe is famous but hard to get into, so try The Listening Room or Belcourt Taps for a more spontaneous vibe.
Cap off a summer night with a ballgame at First Horizon Park, home of the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team, or, if sports aren’t on the schedule, take a sunset kayak trip along the Cumberland River for city views and peaceful waters.
Thanks for listening