One of my favorite ways to spend the day is by visiting that stretch of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard just past Jefferson Street, with the Tennessee State Museum, Nashville Farmers’ Market, and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Parking is typically plentiful, outside of special events, and there’s so much to do, from learning more about Tennessee’s history to feasting at local restaurants. Here’s our guide!
🎓 Learn Some Stuff at the Tennessee State Museum
Back when I was a kid, I remember going on a field trip to see a Genghis Khan exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum, which was then located at TPAC! Its new, beautiful building was built in 2018, and everyone should visit it at least once. Or numerous times, like me! It’s always free. Exhibitions explore Tennessee’s First Peoples, natural history and fossils, our role in the Civil War, music history, and so much more. The museum has several levels, with both permanent and traveling exhibits, so you can always learn something new. Check out their calendar of events for great programming, and parents, they have a separate children’s area that’s a fantastic way to spend a rainy or super hot day.
Explore Nashville’s history and food scene at this one stop. (Google Maps)
☀️ Enjoy the Sunshine at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Keep on learning outside by exploring monuments at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, or just enjoy the sunshine! After visiting the museum, my first stop is the 95-bell carillon right outside, which plays music every 15 minutes, and a longer Tennessee-themed song on the hour. If you stand in the middle, you can hear an echo, and make sure to watch how the bells work at the small building nearby, where the organ is housed. It’s super cool!
Follow paved trails to discover historical memorials for the Civil Rights Movement, WWII, and more. You’ll end at the Rivers of Tennessee fountain, where there are restrooms and a visitor center, though the restrooms in the museum tend to be cleaner, FYI.
In the evening during the summer, NightLight 615 hosts a 21+ outdoor film series, with food trucks, craft beer, and skyline views at the amphitheater, though as a warning, tickets sell out fast. Many of Nashville’s festivals also take place at the park, from Pride to the Southern Festival of Books.
🍽️ Feast at the Nashville Farmers' Market
All that walking will probably make you hungry. The Nashville Farmers’ Market has operated in its current location since 1955, and was renovated to include its current facilities in 1995. With a revolving cast of vendors and even a commissary kitchen, it’s the startup heart of our city’s thriving food scene.
From Bella Nashville Pizzeria to Music City Crepes and Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream, the market’s food court has something for everyone. And if you’re bringing an out-of-town visitor who wants a souvenir to remember Music City, visit Made in TN for locally made favorites. On the weekends, there’s often live music and kid-friendly festivals.
The outdoor farm sheds are where you’ll find actual farmers every day of the week, and the weekends are bustling — there’s even a cocktail bar. If you’re looking for bulk produce (at prices that are often cheaper than the neighborhood farmers markets), they’ve got you covered.
🌿 And Don’t Forget …
Gardens of Babylon, located just south of the market, is one of Nashville’s best nurseries, with everything from gorgeous houseplants and pottery to veggies, herbs, and native perennials! Their selection of crystals, jewelry, and other knick-knacks also makes it the perfect stop for gifts.
The entire City Cast Nashville team contributed to this article: Whitney Pastorek, Marie Cecile Anderson, and Daniel Sumstine.
