My partner Jason and I have been together long enough that our ideal date night often involves sipping whiskey at home, playing a board game and dozing off to Bob’s Burgers with the dogs curled up in bed. But since we’re recently relocated to the artsy, music-rich city of Nashville, we’ve made an effort to actually leave the house occasionally for outings.
In a large city like Nashville, it’s easy to burn through cash quickly, especially if you live in the suburbs and need to park or request a ride downtown. Given that Jason and I are budget-minded — and the fact we lost most of our belongings to a fire during our recent move — finding inexpensive ways to enjoy Nashville was essential. Below are our favorite low-cost date ideas.
Explore Centennial Park
Though it doesn’t compare to New York’s Central Park in scale, Centennial Park is a lovely spot to spend a sunny afternoon outdoors. Jason and I bring our dogs there to stroll around the pond (and meet so many other pups), and we’ve whiled away hours people-watching from the swings scattered throughout the lawns. You can often catch or join a frisbee game near the Parthenon; once we even spotted a group playing Quidditch.
The Parthenon itself makes a trip to Centennial Park worthwhile. Constructed in 1897, it’s a full-scale reproduction of the original in Greece, and it houses a full-size replica of the famed Athena statue. For only $6 per adult, you and your date can tour the Parthenon’s lower level, which now serves as an art gallery, and the upper level where the Athena statue resides. (If you both enjoy visual art, there are other wallet-friendly museum options across the city, such as the Frist Center for Visual Arts.) Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grass for an inexpensive day out.
Total Cost: $12
Hike the Volunteer Trail
Jason and I are outdoorsy folks who somehow ended up in a big city. Fortunately, Nashville sits adjacent to the vast, 42-mile-long Percy Priest Lake, which offers plenty of outdoor options like boating, kayaking, cycling and — our favorite — hiking.
I suggest the Volunteer Trail in Long Hunter State Park on the lake’s east side. The trail provides multiple choices, including a four-mile Day Loop or a longer trek to the campground; the extended route is a there-and-back hike totaling about 11 miles.
We appreciate this trail for the dramatic cliffside lake vistas and the many spots where you can actually get into the water. The beach areas are ideal for keeping the dogs hydrated and are also pleasant, relatively clean swimming spots.
When we don’t bring the dogs, we sometimes take a short drive around the lake after a long hike and treat ourselves to beers and live music at our favorite waterfront bar, Shipwreck Cove. They offer reasonably priced drinks, solid weekend bands and some of the best catfish in the area.
Total Cost: $0 to $40
Bar Hop Downtown
If you prefer a traditional night out, you can certainly visit multiple bars for tasty drinks and live music. Doing this affordably, however, can be tricky. Ride-share and taxi fares are steep compared with our hometown of Dayton, Ohio, and cocktails aren’t cheap.
Our approach is to park in the garage I use for work (it’s already paid for) and enjoy a few drinks at one venue while listening to live music.
Then we typically pop into another one or two bars and stick to lower-cost drinks — beers or soda for the designated driver — sipping them slowly. That way we enjoy Nashville’s nightlife and live performers without spending excessively.
For an authentic music-city experience, I recommend either Tin Roof for top downtown live music or the George Jones rooftop bar for the spectacular view (and the cooling mist fans).
Total Cost: $30 to $60
Visit Downtown Franklin
About 20 miles south of Nashville lies historic downtown Franklin. Jason and I love spending the day there wandering, browsing antique stores and losing ourselves in books at Landmark Booksellers.
I suggest stopping by McCreary’s Irish Pub on a warm afternoon during happy hour and ordering a $5 pint (they often run buy-one-get-one promotions). After enjoying your drinks on the (admittedly small) front patio, explore the shops around town. The best part is parking is free.
Total Cost: $0 to $10
Join the Artcrawl
If you and your date appreciate visual art, take part in Nashville’s First Saturday Art Crawl on the first Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than 20 galleries open free to the public to showcase fresh and classic works.
Participating venues stretch across 5th Avenue of the Arts and the Historic Arcade. Jason and I had a great time discussing the pieces together, and we eat at home beforehand to avoid downtown restaurant prices.
Many galleries even offer complimentary wine and snacks if you get thirsty. While we parked at my workplace and walked around, you can find a variety of discounted parking options and use the Grey Line Trolley to get from spot to spot.
Total Cost: $0
Enjoy Some Shakespeare
For more than 30 years, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival has drawn both newcomers and longtime fans of the Bard to a free event held at Centennial Park.
Held in August and early September each year, Shakespeare in the Park presents live outdoor performances Thursday through Sunday evenings, along with food and drink vendors and occasional guest speakers. A $10 suggested donation helps support the festival.
Jason and I look forward to this year’s festival every season. If Shakespeare doesn’t appeal, you can also check out the Nashville Film Festival’s free Movies in the Park each June or catch a screening at Belcourt Theatre (general admission around $10 or $7 for members), which programs both mainstream and indie/foreign films.
Total Cost: $10 to $30
Music City offers plenty to do. While some attractions can be pricey, a bit of creativity lets you experience Nashville and nearby spots without draining your entertainment fund.
Jordan Ellis is a full-time editor and devoted dog parent who carves out time to write when possible — whether for a novel or online pieces. He’s newly settled in the Nashville area and excited to explore the city with his partner.
