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Looking to break free from Nashville’s typical tourist spots? The Grand Ole Opry and The Country Music Hall of Fame are great attractions, but a Nashville charter bus can take you to explore the city’s hidden side.
Music City’s neighborhoods hold amazing hidden gems, each with its own distinct personality. These unique spots rank among the world’s top 10% attractions on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. A charter bus can easily transport you to places like Fort Negley Park where you’ll find spectacular skyline views. You can also visit Radnor Lake State Park’s beautiful hiking trails. The Downtown Farmer’s Market stands as one of America’s oldest markets, proudly serving the community for over 200 years. These authentic Nashville experiences are easily accessible by charter bus. In this piece, you’ll find ways to experience Music City’s true character beyond the standard tourist destinations.
Top Hidden Gems to Start With
Nashville has treasures that few tourists ever see beyond the bright lights of Broadway. These hidden spots show the city’s true character and offer real experiences you won’t find in guidebooks. Here are three Nashville hidden gems to start your exploration of this incredible city.
1. Kayak the Cumberland River
The Cumberland River gives you an exceptional viewpoint of Nashville’s skyline from the water. Most visitors miss out on these stunning views. Cumberland Kayak, which started in 2015, shows paddlers the best spots in Middle Tennessee.
The popular route runs 3 miles from East Nashville’s Shelby Park to downtown near Nissan Stadium. You can complete this self-guided trip in about an hour. The current carries you downstream while you watch towboats at work and spot wildlife like Great Blue Herons, turtles, and catfish.
New paddlers shouldn’t worry. You’ll get a lesson on simple kayaking techniques before your trip, and the company provides all equipment: kayak, life jacket, and paddle. River Queen Voyages adds extra fun with Nashville’s only kayaking scavenger hunt that combines competition and river trivia. A Nashville charter bus from Metropolitan Shuttle can make your trip easier by dropping you off at the start point and picking you up downtown afterward.
2. Visit the Lane Motor Museum
This amazing collection sits in Nashville’s old American Bread Company bakery. Car lovers and curious visitors will find 150 unique cars and motorcycles at the Lane Motor Museum, which boasts the largest European automotive collection in the United States.
This museum stands out by showcasing unusual vehicles instead of typical luxury or sports cars. You’ll find:
- Microcars and amphibious vehicles
- Military vehicles and alternative fuel prototypes
- Propeller-driven vehicles and one-of-a-kind creations
The museum keeps all vehicles running, and visitors can watch vehicle demonstrations Thursday through Monday at 11am at no extra cost. Adult tickets cost just $15, making it one of Nashville’s best values.
You’ll find this unique place 15 minutes from downtown at 702 Murfreesboro Pike. Nashville charter bus rentals make it easy for groups to visit.
3. Explore the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
A beautiful 55-acre historic estate sits just ten miles from downtown Nashville. Cheekwood Estate and Gardens blends natural beauty with art exhibitions that transport you to a different era.
The estate’s gardens each tell their own story. The Martin Boxwood Garden features terraced designs and boxwood plantings around the Georgian-style mansion. The Howe Garden celebrates Mrs. Cora Howe’s passion for wildflowers, creating one of the estate’s most cherished spots.
The historic mansion shows how Leslie and Mabel Cheek lived in the 1930s through restored rooms filled with decorative arts and artwork. Winter brings Holiday LIGHTS, where a one-mile path sparkles with more than a million lights.
Groups of 15 or more get special rates when arriving by Nashville charter bus, perfect for larger parties wanting to experience one of Nashville’s most beautiful hidden treasures.
Unique Museums and Cultural Spots
Nashville offers much more than its musical heritage with a wealth of cultural institutions that highlight the city’s rich heritage and interests. These unique museums let visitors find art, history, and pop culture in settings unlike typical tourist spots.
Frist Art Museum’s Art Deco charm
The Frist Art Museum sits in Nashville’s historic main post office, creating a perfect blend of architectural history and contemporary art. This stunning white marble building, constructed from 1933 to 1934, shows both classicism and Art Deco styles. The building’s exterior features “starved” or “stripped” classicism with white Georgia marble and gray-pink Minnesota granite. The interior showcases decorative Art Deco elements with cast aluminum doors and grillwork.
The Frist stands out because it doesn’t keep a permanent collection. The museum brings in travelling exhibitions from across the country and world. You’ll always find something new each time you visit, which makes it worth coming back.
The museum’s grand staircases and clerestory windows bring back the building’s original architectural elements that changed in the 1950s. The Martin ArtQuest interactive gallery gives families hands-on stations for drawing, painting, printmaking, and digital experiences. This unique place in Nashville at 919 Broadway is easy to reach by Nashville charter bus.
Cooter’s Place: A Nostalgic TV Throwback
TV fans will love this special museum that celebrates the classic show “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Ben Jones, who played mechanic Cooter Davenport in the series, runs this museum and shop that takes visitors through Southern pop culture.
The museum shows off pictures, props, costumes, and memorabilia from the beloved TV show. Visitors can check out famous vehicles like Cooter’s Tow Truck, Daisy’s Jeep, Rosco’s Patrol Car, and the star attraction – a General Lee, the 1969 Dodge Charger that fans love.
You’ll find Cooter’s Place at 2613 McGavock Pike. The doors are open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, staying open until 7:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The free admission makes it perfect for groups using Nashville charter bus rentals.
Tennessee State Museum: Free and Educational
History buffs will appreciate the Tennessee State Museum as one of the state’s finest attractions. This free museum tells Tennessee’s story from prehistoric times to today. The museum moved to a bigger space in 2018 at Rosa L. Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street, right next to the Nashville Farmers’ Market.
The museum’s collections follow important periods in Tennessee’s history, natural history, and sports. Visitors can explore exhibits like “First Peoples,” “Forging a Nation,” “The Civil War and Reconstruction,” “Change & Challenge,” and “Tennessee Transforms”. The collection includes fascinating items such as Andrew Jackson’s duel challenge letter, an Egyptian mummy, and a notorious horse thief’s dried-up thumb.
The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free parking. Visitors who need help getting around can use free wheelchairs and portable stools. With 130,000 annual visitors, this Nashville hidden gem ranks among the city’s top three museums.
The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free parking. Visitors who need help getting around can use free wheelchairs and portable stools. With 130,000 annual visitors, this Nashville hidden gem ranks among the city’s top three museums.
Conclusion
Nashville has much more to offer than its famous honky-tonks and country music attractions. A vibrant city lies beyond the typical tourist paths with exceptional experiences waiting to be uncovered. You can glide along the Cumberland River in a kayak or head over to Lane Motor Museum to see its unique European car collection. These hidden gems showcase Music City’s authentic character.
The Art Deco charm of Frist Art Museum and the educational Tennessee State Museum are cultural treasures worth exploring. Local spots like Arnold’s Country Kitchen and Mas Tacos Por Favor serve genuine Nashville flavors away from tourist crowds. Nature lovers will find peace on Radnor Lake State Park’s serene trails or get their adrenaline rush on ziplines through old-growth forests.
Music and shopping enthusiasts can experience Nashville’s creative spirit at Grimey’s record store or the eclectic shops of Printer’s Alley. Your next Nashville adventure should include these lesser-known spots that locals hold dear.
A Nashville charter bus is a perfect way to connect these scattered gems without navigation or parking hassles. Your group can move easily between downtown museums, East Nashville eateries, and countryside vineyards while enjoying time together.
Nashville’s hidden gems show a city rich in depth and diversity. Broadway’s neon lights will always shine bright, but Music City’s true essence awaits just around the corner. Your next Nashville visit should include these authentic experiences that will create stories most tourists never get to tell.