Nashville, Tenn., may be quickly climbing the ranks as a top tourist destination, but there is still plenty to see and do while on a budget. The soulful city’s nightlife, music scene, food culture and downtown fun adds a bit of spark to your next family vacation.
Research a bit about the bustling music city to determine in which neighborhood you want to stay. Opt for a hotel or Airbnb in an area you want to explore to cut down on public transportation and car rentals. A family-friendly stay and budget hotel, The Homewood Suites in Nashville’s Historic District provides roomy accommodations for the family and include breakfast, free WiFi and easy access to the city’s beautiful and musical downtown quarter.
© Paul Brennan | Dreamstime
Begin with breakfast at your hotel and stroll down Music Mile, visiting the Music City Walk of Fame, featuring stars in the pavement to honor music legends. Show off your favorites to the kids or take a guided tour, taking in music town’s bluegrass history. Check out the city’s many attractions from the Parthenon and Centennial Park to the iconic Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.
If you’re lucky enough to visit on the fourth weekend of the month, you’ll be able to peruse the Nashville Flea Market at the Tennessee Fairgrounds. Shop home goods, local crafts and jewelry and enjoy events and seasonal fare. Check out the calendar here and plan your trip accordingly. With or without the flea market, you won’t be disappointed as the Fairgrounds hold a wide variety of events, year-round.
© Cristian Coban | Dreamstime
Visit the Broadway Historic District and take in the sights and sounds of Honky Tonk Highway. Enjoy free live music played along the streets and stop in any of the many Southern restaurants and Nashville-centric shops. Families may fill the streets by day, but once the nightlife takes over, there is no telling where the evening will lead.
Top off your Nashville trip with a show at the famous Blue Bird Café. Playing each night at 6 p.m., performers take the stage and music lovers enjoy local bands for no cover charge. Stay for dinner or opt for Southern comfort food at Monell’s Restaurant for affordable cuisine served family-style — perfect to fill the kids up before bed while parents head out for a nightcap.
Stroll the city streets enjoying live music and peddle bike tours whizzing by. Enjoy a few drinks and local cuisine, as you’ve had a budget-friendly day filled with free activities and events.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / Asia
Sep 25, 2026Japan: The Next Big Thing in Leaf Peeping
If you’re like me, you grew up with the knowledge that autumn comes with beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow and purple as the leaves on the trees prepare for the coming winter. And you probably, like me, know there are some really great places around the country to see those colors in all their glory. But America isn’t the only country where nature puts on this annual show. Japan enjoys plenty of the changing colors of the season as well, and it just might be the next “it” place for leaf peeping.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Destinations / North America
Sep 25, 20266 Destinations Perfect for a Soft Travel Babymoon
Babymoons are booming: According to Dataintelo, the global babymoon travel market reached an estimated $1.45 billion in 2024 with projections to nearly double to $2.88 billion by 2033. A Babylist poll of more than 200 expecting parents found beach destinations and luxury resorts leading the way for babymoons, with the priorities being rest, recharging and intentional time together.
Destinations / Europe
Sep 24, 2026Barcelona for Families on a Budget
Even wildly popular European cities like Barcelona don’t have to break the travel budget. A few tips and a little planning can cut the cost of sightseeing and dining, as well as enrich your family’s experience and move you beyond standard tourist routes.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Destinations / North America
Sep 24, 2026Try Something New This Winter: Boutique Skiing
Colder months are approaching, and what better way to celebrate the changing of seasons than by booking a trip? It is never too early to start thinking about ski season, and your family can experience fresh powder in a new light this year.
ShareThis