There’s much more to Nashville than just country music. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the honky-tonk bars that line the Broadway and the outstanding live music venues, you’ll quickly discover that city is also a brilliant place to enjoy outdoor activities. See Nashville from a new angle as you kayak right through the downtown and enjoy the city’s amazing skyline from the Cumberland River, or tour Nashville’s Greenway System by bike. For an unparalleled experience, you can even go on a helicopter tour of the city. If you fancy a break from the city sights, visit an old-growth forest and soar through the canopy on a thrilling zip-ride adventure or head to nearby Percy Priest Lake and try flyboarding. From quiet, urban adventures to adrenaline-pumping excursions, Nashville is a great place to explore the great outdoors. For more ideas, read the list below for the best outdoor activities in Nashville, Tennessee.
1. Tour Nashville by bike
One of the best ways to explore Music City is by bike. Discover Nashville’s vibrant neighborhoods and attractions at your own pace as you pedal along Nashville’s Greenway system, and take in the lovely scenery of the city’s lush parks and tree-lined streets. This rental includes a bike, a helmet, and a lock, as well as some information about the city’s bike routes. This activity is a great way to combine sightseeing with some exercise, and allows you to explore the city at your leisure.
Book Tours : Bicycle Rental on Nashville's Greenway System
2. Strike a pose in front of the city’s colorful murals
This tour is a brilliant way to sightsee around Nashville and create souvenirs for you to take home. Nashville’s 12 South Neighborhood boasts a vibrant assortment of outdoor murals, which make the perfect photographic backdrop. On this hour-long tour, you’ll visit some of the city’s famous murals, including “I Believe in Nashville,“ "Nashville Looks Good On You,” and “Looking Pretty Music City,” as well as some beautiful, secret spots, where you can strike a pose while your host takes your photograph. As you walk around each photo spot, you’ll get to know the neighborhood and learn about its history. At the end of the tour, you’ll receive completely edited, digital, high-quality images from the day’s photo-walk that are perfect to post on social media. This tour is great for groups, parties, families, and couples.
Book Tours : Do It For the Insta Nashville Mural Photowalk
3. Hike the Mossy Ridge trail loop
Explore the scenic Edwin Warner Park Nature Center and enjoy a peaceful hike along the Mossy Ridge trail loop. This hike passes many picturesque spots, including a tranquil waterfall, and allows plenty of time to rest and take pictures. At the end of your hike, you can celebrate with a refreshing cup of tea. Groups include six participants, and the excursion takes about four hours.
Book Tours : Healing Hikes
4. Canoe down the quiet Harpeth River
Discover the quiet beauty of Harpeth River State Park on this fantastic, small-group excursion. After an introduction to the area and a safety overview, you’ll launch your canoe or kayak and begin paddling down the Harpeth River. This picturesque area is home to bald eagles and river otters, as well as a rich diversity of water organisms. As you stop along the sand bar to snack on granola, your guide can share more information about this wondrous ecosystem and the local area. The tour lasts six hours, and is limited to groups of three participants. After the tour ends, you can keep exploring the area or even stop to swim in the quiet shallows.
Book Tours : Kayak Scenic River with Wildlife
5. Kayak through downtown Nashville
See Nashville from a new angle as you kayak through the city’s downtown. The Cumberland River runs through the city, and this two-hour long excursion is a great way to see some of the iconic sights of the city. You’ll paddle along a three mile (five km) stretch of the river, and learn a lot about the city, thanks to your experienced guide. This tour includes all equipment.
Book Tours : Nashville Guided Kayak Tour
6. Zip-line across the tree canopy
For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, soar across the tree canopy on this zip-line excursion. This adventure center in Fontanel has a variety of zip lines that range from 700 feet (213 meters) long and 85 feet (26 meters) high over an amazing old-growth forest. This fantastic ecosystem is filled with unique native plant life and wildlife, which your guide can tell you more about as you navigate the adventure center.
Book Tours : Fontanel Zipline Forest Adventure at Nashville North
7. Travel along the historic Natchez Trace Parkway
Enjoy a peaceful retreat in nature on this six and half hour excursion. Your tour takes you out of Nashville, along the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, where you’ll make a stop for a quick hike to a waterfall. Your journey will then continue on to Camp Wonder Wander, where you’ll spend the day mingling with the center’s farm animals, participating in art activities, and exploring the beautiful area around the Buffalo River. Your tour includes the day’s food, equipment, and transportation.
Book Tours : Historic Natchez Trace, farm and forest
8. Discover beautiful scenery on local hikes
Just outside of the city limits are plenty of fantastic hiking trails to explore. This Airbnb experience takes you along some of the quiet trails and beautiful scenic spots. After getting coffee and breakfast from a local restaurant, your guide will take you out of the city to hike among the rolling hills. At the end of two miles (three km), your first trail culminates in a beautiful waterfall, where you can stop to take pictures. After hiking back to the car, you’ll visit another trail and hike to another waterfall and swimming hole. Here, you can take a well-deserved dip in the water before heading back to the city.
Book Tours : Hike a trail less traveled
9. See Nashville from the sky
This helicopter tour is a one-of-a-kind way to see the city of Nashville. Once you’re up in the skies, you’ll get an unparalleled view of the city and its amazing landmarks. From the air, you’ll see some of Music City’s most renowned attractions, including the Parthenon, the Tennessee State Capitol, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and many of Nashville’s honky-tonk bars along Broadway. This small group tour is limited to four participants, and includes drinks.
Book Tours : Helicopter Tour of Nashville
10. Try flyboarding at Percy Priest Lake
Nashville’s weather can be notoriously hot and humid, so a great way to beat the heat is with a trip out to Percy Priest Lake. This excursion lets you have a go at the exhilarating water sport of flyboarding. After a safety introduction, you get to try your hand at soaring into the air and flying across the water’s surface. Perfect for a quick adrenaline boost, flyboarding is an exciting challenge. This hour-long activity is for one to two participants, and requires no previous skill or training.
Experience never-ending entertainment in Nashville
Nashville is a marvelous city perfect for urban activities and outdoor adventures alike. From hiking to helicopter flights, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Music City. Whether you want to get out in nature by zip-lining through the trees, or want to see the city from a new angle as you kayak through the downtown, these activities create memorable ways to experience the great outdoors. Start planning your trip today and engage in these outdoor activities in Nashville, Tennessee.
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