Nashville Riverfront Park

The Basics

Riverfront Park’s prominent position on the riverfront near the heart of downtown Nashville makes it hard to miss. A visit is worthwhile for the fresh air and stunning views of the river and the Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium across the way. Visitors and locals alike come for family fun, recreation, and relaxation, as well as for free summer concerts and festivals hosted throughout the year. Several tours of Nashville, including historic walking tours, horse and carriage rides, and evening sightseeing tours, make a stop at this popular park.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Riverfront Park is a must for families and first-time visitors to Nashville.

• Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

• To make the most of the park, wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.

• Riverfront Park has a wheelchair- and stroller-accessible walkway along the Cumberland River.

How to Get There

Riverfront Park sits directly across First Avenue from downtown Nashville, just across the river from Nissan Stadium. The easiest way to get there is on foot.

When to Get There

Summer is one of the best times to visit Riverfront Park, especially if you’re interested in outdoor concerts and festivals. High temperatures in June, July, and August average just under 90°F (32°C), so plan to visit in the morning, late afternoon, or evening.

Fourth of July at Riverfront Park

Each Independence Day, Nashville hosts the largest fireworks show in the United States. A day of free concerts culminates in the epic pyrotechnics display, and Riverfront Park is perhaps the best seat in town for watching the spectacle.

Ways to explore

Set aside at least an hour to visit Riverfront Park, or longer if you want to wander through the various greenways, relax on a porch swing, watch river traffic drift by, and enjoy some classic people-watching. The park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Book a walking tour or bike tour through Nashville, and you’ll likely spend ample time here exploring the city’s most charming park.

Highlights include the park’s sculptures, such as Ghost Ballet and Light Meander, as well as its expansive green spaces, where you’ll often find concerts, festivals, and art fairs.

Accessibility

The park is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with mostly level green spaces.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Picnic lunch, camera, water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes

What to wear

Weather-appropriate layers, brimmed hat, sunglasses

Not allowed

Smoking, alcohol (except at permitted events), unleashed pets

Amenities

Restrooms, water fountains, outdoor fitness gym, porch swings

Address 

Riverfront Park is an ideal walking destination along the Cumberland River, in the heart of downtown Nashville. It’s also easy to reach by car—there are plenty of nearby parking lots and street parking—and public transportation.

Driving

If you’re driving from I-40 or I-65, get off at the Broadway exit toward downtown and follow signs for Lower Broadway or Riverfront Park. Parking may be limited during events.

Public transportation

Nashville’s WeGo Public Transit system has several commuter rail and bus routes that stop directly in or near Riverfront Park.

Best times to visit

Early mornings and late afternoons are among the quietest and most peaceful times to experience the park. Sunsets here provide a picture-perfect moment.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are generally quieter, with less-crowded pathways. The weekends can be lively with festivals and events that create a bustling atmosphere.

Best months to visit

Riverfront Park is open year-round, though it can get uncomfortably cold in the winter. The shoulder seasons, from March to May and September to November, are best for mild weather and fewer crowds.

Special events

The park is a major hub in the city for outdoor concerts, community events, and other special happenings. The Ascend Amphitheater hosts live music on summer nights, while smaller-scale performances pop up throughout the park.