Music City is a beautiful place.

Sure, you could spend your time indoors. But why would you when there is so much to see outside? There are plenty of fantastic things to try that you might not even know about.

Well, you’re about to find out.

While there are too many things to name, we’ve put together this list of the seven best outdoor activities to try in Nashville, TN.

You’ll see something here for everyone, which means you have no excuses.

It’s time to get out and explore!

1. Admire the Scenery at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden

Cheekwood is a 55-acre estate in Nashville that has been converted into an art museum and botanical garden.

It was built as a home in 1929. Today, it hosts spectacular art exhibits and puts on programs for people of all ages.

And since it’s open year-round, you can visit it whenever you want!

The Cheekwood land boasts over ten gardens full of hundreds of thousands of plants. Whether you seek out the solace of the Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden or bring your family to the Bracken Foundation Children's Garden, there’s something for everyone.

There are even festivals held for each of the seasons.

In the spring, you can witness the blooming of the flowers and greenery. In the winter, the grounds are decked out in a full mile of holiday lights.

No matter the time of year, the Cheekwood Botanical Garden is a magical place to behold.

2. Spend a Relaxing Day at Nashville Shores

Beach lovers, don’t fret.

Even though you’re far from the shore, you can still enjoy some waves by visiting Nashville’s largest water park. Nashville Shores contains one million gallons of fun!

With eight water slides, you’re bound to find the perfect thrill to get your heart racing. On the Big Kahuna, the whole family can experience twists, turns, and drops on a raft together. Or, you can race your family and friends on the Music City Racer.

If vertical drops are your thing, try The Big Scream. You won’t be sorry.

Even your little kids will have fun climbing, sliding, and splashing in the Kowabunga Beach play area.

On top of all the water fun, Nashville Shores has an entire resort where you can stay in cabins or park your RV for a trip to remember.

3. Wander Through The Warner Parks

Only a 9-mile drive from downtown Nashville, the Warner Parks are so big you’ll forget you’re even in a city.

At over 3,000 acres, they are the biggest municipal parks in the state of Tennessee.

The Warner Parks are made up of two parks: Percy Warner Park and Edwin Warner Park. They bump up against one another, forming one humongous natural area for you to explore.

If you like the great outdoors, this is the stop for you.

Percy Warner Park is the larger of the two. It not only features a ton of hiking trails but horseback riding trails as well! There are all kinds of picnic areas for family get-togethers, plus two golf courses where you can shape up your swing.

Across the road, you have Edwin Warner Park.

While not as big, this park still has a lot to offer. There are hiking trails, picnic areas, and a dog park. You can even visit their nature center where you can watch bird banding in action.

There’s definitely more than a day’s worth of fun to be had here!

4. Grab a Bite to Eat at the Nashville Farmers’ Market

Open year-round, the Nashville Farmers’ Market is your spot to find fresh produce, artisanal food, and even handmade crafts. Over 100 local artisans call the Farmers’ Market home.

This is the place to be for a real taste of Nashville.

Two large open-air sheds house over 150 farmers, crafters, and other small businesses during peak growing season. You can find fruits, vegetables, dairy, honey, and jams fresh from the farm for your pleasure.

And that’s not all.

You can find all kinds of plants in the 18,000-square-foot garden center, such as flowers, shrubs, and trees. The Market House features 20 shops and restaurants that provide food from all over the world.

You can even take cooking classes and workshops.

The Farmers’ Market is perfect for a day of shopping and eating delicious food. Your pets are welcome to come along too if they behave!

5. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping in the Zipline Forest

Are you a thrill-seeker?

Looking to get that adrenaline up?

A 90-minute zipline tour through the forest of Fontanel is just what you need. And Adventureworks is here to make it happen!

The tour spans the canopy of Fontanel on eight ziplines that range from 200 feet to 900 feet. You will experience views unlike any you’d witness from the ground. And it’s open all year, so you can see it in any season.

If you’d like a little something extra with your ziplining, we’ve got you covered:

One of the Nashville Fontanel adventures includes a tasting at the end. Dubbed “Zip & Sip,” this tour includes authentic Tennessee spirits you’d expect to find in a distillery. There’s also a snack bar.

What could be better than that?

6. Go Stand Up Paddleboarding on Percy Priest Lake

Now’s the time to try stand up paddleboarding.

You know you’ve always wanted to.

Nashville Paddle has everything you need to finally become a pro on the water. They are located right on Percy Priest Lake, so they’re not hard to find.

Whether you want to learn to stand up paddleboard or you just need to rent some equipment, they’ve got you covered.

They also offer other excursions and classes that might tickle your fancy.

Get a workout with paddleboard fitness. Relax for a while with paddleboard yoga. Hang out with like-minded people during a social paddle.

You can even book a sunset or full moon session during summertime!

Not only will you have an amazing time out on the water, but you will also meet and connect with other paddlers. Perhaps you’ll make some new friends along the way!

7. Take an Instagram-Worthy Tour of Nashville’s Murals

Instagrammers rejoice! There’s a simple way to see all of the city’s famous murals in under two hours.

Joyride offers this amazing tour just for you.

The Nashville Mural and Instagram Tour takes place on a golf cart. (Yes, a golf cart.)

Your guide will take you to those famous spots you’ve seen online and stop to let you take that selfie you’ve been dreaming of.

Imagine how impressed your followers are going to be.

So charge that battery and grab your selfie stick, because you’re going to need it. And don’t forget to tag your pictures with #JoyrideInstaTour!

In Conclusion

There is so much to do and see in Nashville. The music scene is second to none, and the food is unforgettable. But getting out and enjoying the sunshine is just as fun!

You can enjoy the water, explore nature, or even fly high above it. From the tame to the heart-racing, these outdoor activities will keep you entertained all day and all night.

Author Bio:
Chris DeAngelis is the founder and principal of TriArch Real Estate Group, a real estate investment and property management firm. In this role, Chris oversees all acquisition, management, design, and development activities. He spends much of his time helping Monarch Heights with their marketing efforts.