If you’ve got three days in Nashville, I can promise you two things: (1) you won’t see it all, and (2) you’ll probably leave wanting to come back. As a local who’s spent years exploring every corner of this city, I’m here to give you a weekend plan that combines the “must-dos” with the less touristy spots.
And because this is Daily Drop, we’re doing it all with points. From hotels to meals to even some of your transportation, you can stash some cash while still seeing the best of Music City.
❤️ Heads Up: Nashville has so many ways to fill three days. If it’s your first time here, you’ll want to knock out the icons (Broadway, the Ryman, the Country Music Hall of Fame). But if you’ve been before, check out my recs below — you’ll eat better, skip some of the lines, and see Nashville like a local.
Best Times of Year to Visit Nashville
Nashville is great anytime of the year, but spring and fall are the best, in my opinion. April through May and September through October give you perfect patio weather and a packed concert calendar. Summer is hot and more crowded since it’s festival season and bachelorette central, and winter is quieter but still lively with holiday lights and Opryland festivities.
Where to Stay in Nashville With Points
Hotels in Nashville can range from pretty reasonable to tear-worthy depending on the weekend (helloooo, CMA Fest). That’s why having points with the right program makes a huge difference. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Hilton Honors
Conrad Nashville (The Gulch) — High cash rates make this one of the best Hilton redemptions in Nashville.
Points: Starting at 90k Hilton Honors points
Card to Use: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with automatic Diamond status (free breakfast and upgrades) and up to $400 in annual Hilton resort credits ($200 in statement credits semi-annually and not always usable in Nashville, but great for pairing trips).
Graduate Nashville (Midtown) — Great Dolly Parton rooftop bar and solid Midtown location.
Points: Around 80k Hilton points per night
Card to Use: Use the American Express® Gold Card for 4x points (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that) back on the rooftop bar and dining.
Marriott Bonvoy
W Nashville (The Gulch) — Great rooftop pool and prime Gulch location.
Points: Around 70k to 100k Marriott Bonvoy points
Card to Use: American Express Platinum Card® if booking through American Express Travel® as this is part of The Hotel Collection (with perks); requires a minimum two-night stay
The Union Station Nashville Yards, Autograph Collection (Downtown) — Iconic location and walkable to Broadway and the Gulch.
Points: Around 60k to 90k Marriott Bonvoy points
Card to Use: Use your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card for Silver Elite status, and bonus points if you have a free night award (or two… or three!).
World of Hyatt
Thompson Nashville (The Gulch) — Fixed chart makes this a consistent value, especially on expensive weekends.
Points: Standard nights go for 25k Hyatt points
Card to Use: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® transfer 1:1 to Hyatt, and the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual travel credit works great if you’re booking cash
Grand Hyatt Nashville (Broadway) — Great rooftop pool and reliable Hyatt service downtown.
Points: Standard nights go for 25k Hyatt points
IHG Hotels
Hotel Indigo® Nashville at the Countrypolitan — Near Printer’s Alley, within close walking distance to Broadway and the Ryman.
Points: Nights start around 41k IHG points per night, depending on the season.
Card to Use: Use your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card for great rewards back on your stay and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status.
Kimpton Aertson Hotel (Music Row) — Centrally located near Vanderbilt and Centennial Park.
Points: Nights can range from 45k to 90k points per night, depending on the season.
Other Options
1 Hotel Nashville (Downtown) — Book via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to get free breakfast, late checkout, and $100 in property credits (often worth more than points).
Virgin Hotels Nashville (Music Row) — Great when you’ve got spare Virgin Points to burn.
Points: Earn and redeem with Virgin Red; rates start around 30k points per night
Noelle, Nashville — Tribute Portfolio (Downtown) — Great boutique hotel right by Printer’s Alley and Broadway.
Cash Rates: During peak season, rates range from around $300 to $550 each night, but they can drop to around $250 a night in off-season.
✨ Pro Tip: If you’re coming on a normal fall weekend, paying cash at places like the Grand Hyatt or Graduate can be cheaper than using points. But on big event weekends when rates go up, burning points at Conrad or Thompson is where you’ll save the most moolah.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay In
Where you stay will really set the tone for your weekend. Here are a few fun spots (and why you might choose them).
Downtown: You’ll be close to Broadway, the Ryman, and several museums. It’s walkable, but expect there to be more people and more expensive hotel prices.
The Gulch: It’s super trendy, walkable, and full of great restaurants and bars.
12 South: It has more of a chill, neighborhood vibe, along with great coffee shops, boutiques, and murals.
East Nashville: This is my personal favorite area with some of the best food in town.
Midtown/Hillsboro Village: You’re near Vanderbilt, some super fun bars, and easy access to Centennial Park.
48-Hour Nashville Weekend Itinerary
Day One
Check into your hotel (that you booked with those glorious points)
Head to Locust for an upscale dinner (great use of Amex Gold 4x on dining). Or, if you’re looking for something casual, McDougal’s Chicken is my go-to spot (sorry to all of my Hattie B’s fans).
After dinner, catch live jazz at Americano Lounge or wander Printer’s Alley for lots of great speakeasy vibes.
Day Two
Morning: Grab a cuppa at Crema Coffee (get a Cuban and thank me later!) or Frothy Monkey in 12 South is also great.
Midday: Have yourself a little cultural moment and head to the Country Music Hall of Fame (points back with cards that bonus on entertainment/travel) and the Johnny Cash Museum.
Lunch: Head to Assembly Food Hall at 5th + Broadway — tons of variety, easy for groups, and right by Broadway.
Afternoon: Walk Broadway for the honky-tonk experience (it’s iconic, even though it’s touristy). If that’s not your speed, head to Centennial Park to see the Parthenon replica.
Dinner and Music: Book The Listening Room for dinner and songwriter rounds. It’s intimate, local, and way less crowded than the Bluebird Café.
Day Three
Breakfast: Grab a biscuit at Biscuit Love (Hillsboro Village) or pancakes at Pancake Pantry.
Morning: Walk through 12 South for coffee, shopping, and murals.
Lunch: Try Ladybird Taco or The Pharmacy for burgers and beer.
Afternoon Option A: Tour the Ryman Auditorium or book tickets for a show.
Afternoon Option B: If you’ve got extra time, drive to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery (a classic Tennessee day trip).
👀 Extra, Extra: It you couldn’t already tell, I’m a foodie through and through, so some other spots I’d recommend if you have time: East Park Donuts, Deg Thai, Pinewood Social, Little Hats Market, Dino’s, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Sho Pizza, Kisser, Wendell Smith’s, 51st Deli, and Noko.
Best Cards for Booking Your Nashville Trip
Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve — great for booking Hyatt hotels like Thompson or 1 Hotel, plus transfers to several airlines.
Platinum Card® — Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hote Collection benefits and dining credits (use at Locust, Pinewood Social, or Monell’s).
Amex Gold — 4x on dining at all those Nashville must-eats.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — use miles to cover hotels like the Graduate or Virgin, plus lounge access for your flight in.
Citi Strata Premier® Card — 3x on dining and hotels, and transfer partners for flights.
Rideshares can get crazy on the weekends, especially around Broadway, so consider staying in a walkable area (The Gulch or Downtown) to save time and money.
Book tickets for venues like the Ryman, Opry, or Listening Room early — they sell out fast.
If you’re using the Platinum Card®’s Uber Cash credits, save them for rides back from Broadway when prices are at peak.
Bottom Line
Nashville is one of those cities that feels different every time you visit. In my humble opinion, three days isn’t enough, but with a smart points strategy, you can stretch your budget and still get a solid Music City experience.
Whether it’s cashing in Hilton points for a night at the Conrad, swiping your Amex Gold for points back on hot chicken, or using Uber credits to get home from Broadway, giving your wallet little breaks here and there will make your weekend that much sweeter.
Come for the music and buttermilk biscuits, and let your points do the heavy lifting. Oh… and yeehaw, y’all! 🤠
