Getting from Nashville Airport to Downtown

The cost of a Uber from BNA to Downtown Nashville is about a 20-30 minute ride. Depending on the time of day and location of your hotel, the cost could be anywhere from $20-$35.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of available hotels with a variety of costs scattered throughout the city. I’d look at the main areas you’d like to visit before booking to ensure efficient logistics. Nashville is a relatively walkable city, but it can be helpful to stay in a hotel in close proximity to your “must dos!”

Where to Eat

Nashville is notorious for delicious BBQ, so I’d recommend visiting at least one of those spots! I ate at Rippy’s on Broadway and thought everything was delicious. Fair warning – the portions are HUGE! You could easily split an entree between two, or maybe even three, people.

Getting Around

Rideshares weren’t the most expensive I’ve ever seen them (especially being from Philly). Yet, it can still be rather pricy to Uber to every location you want to get to. Most places were a 15-25 minute walk from each other. I didn’t need to take an Uber anywhere aside from to and from the airport. I’m not 100% certain how public transportation would work, but I didn’t see any busses luring the streets besides the bus tours. Nashville is a relatively small city and there’s no need to rent a car. If you want to see the Grand Ole Opry, I’d suggest taking an Uber. It’s the only real site that would require some type of driving to get to.

Best Times of Year to Visit

I don’t think there is a “bad” time of year to visit Nashville. During the summer, the weather will be extremely hot and the city will be significantly more crowded than fall and winter. I visited during the holiday season and the streets were still very crowded with tourists. The weather ranged from the low to high 50’s, and it wasn’t as cold as expected. In the summers, Broadway sometimes had closed off roads from how populated the area gets. The energy can be lively and fun, but if you want to see the city when it’s less bustling, visiting later in the year might be a better option for you 🙂

Tips for Solo Travelers

While you should always be cautious and aware of your surroundings while traveling alone, I never personally felt unsafe during my visit. Broadway can get a little chaotic and is a big nightlife hub. I wouldn’t recommend walking around Broadway at night, but if it is a “must do” for you, I also didn’t feel in danger at any time or was approached by anyone. People were incredibly friendly and welcoming, I didn’t have any issue making new friends and having fun with those around me! Don’t be scared to strike conversation with others, I know it’s scary, but every person I met was personable and amicable. I’d recommend sharing your location with a trusted friend or family member just in case as well.

Budgeting

Flights to Nashville are relatively cheap, but the city can be expensive in the more touristy parts. I’d plan to spend anywhere from $40-$60 a day for food, souvenirs, and attractions. At Luke Comb’s bar, one cocktail was $22 and drinks at Rippy’s were $10. It is a mixed bag of price ranges.

What If You Don’t Like Country Music?

Nashville is notoriously known for bars and restaurants playing country music, but there are also plenty of options for those who don’t want to be around that type of scene. If you’re looking for nightlife options, I’d recommend a bar called “Night We Met,” a modern and eccentric club playing EDM music! I’d also suggest exploring the parts of Nashville that are further away from Broadway if you want to escape locations blasting country music. Don’t like to drink? The city still has a bunch of cute cafe spots, museums, and parks to enjoy. The Gulch is about a 15 minute walk from Broadway and has a bunch of cute coffee shops, murals, quieter music venues, and boutiques.

How Long Should My Trip Be?

This question is ultimately up to you and what attractions you want to experience. However, I honestly don’t think anything longer than a weekend would be necessary to see the highlights of the city. With everything being so closely located to one another, it’s very easy to hit the main sites within a weekend. If you want a slower pace and to experience everything without feeling rushed, a long weekend would be the perfect timeframe.