Things to Do in Nashville While You’re Here for a Conference or Corporate Outing
Nashville is famous for Broadway, live music, and honky-tonks, but there is so much more to Music City than what you can experience downtown.
If you’re traveling to Nashville for a conference, convention, business meeting, or corporate retreat, adding an activity to your itinerary is a great way to get your team out of the conference room, enjoy some of the city, and build connections outside of work.
Whether your group wants to get outdoors, enjoy some friendly competition, or experience Nashville’s culture, here are a few activities worth adding to your Nashville itinerary.
1. Get Up And Go Kayaking – Old Hickory Lake
If your team has spent most of the conference in meetings, why not get outside and onto the water?
Get Up And Go Kayaking – Old Hickory Lake offers a completely different way to experience the Nashville area. Located just outside the city, Old Hickory Lake provides a peaceful setting away from the traffic and crowds of downtown.
Instead of simply paddling across the water, guests can have an experience in a clear kayak and enjoy the water in a whole new way, especially with their Sunset Glow Tours!
For corporate groups, kayaking is a great opportunity to get coworkers talking in a more relaxed environment. There’s no conference-room table, presentation, or business agenda — just a beautiful lake, some time outdoors, and an experience your team can share.
Why it’s great for corporate groups:
- Gets everyone outside and away from the conference room
- An activity that doesn’t require previous kayaking experience
- Encourages conversation and teamwork
- Offers a unique Nashville-area experience
- A relaxing alternative to another indoor activity
- Great for groups looking for something memorable and different
If you’re planning a conference in Nashville, consider setting aside a couple hours to make the trip to Old Hickory Lake. It can be the perfect reset after a busy day of meetings.
2. Hit the Golf Bays at Topgolf Nashville
Looking for something a little more competitive?
Topgolf Nashville is an easy option for corporate groups that want food, drinks, games, and a little friendly competition all in one place.
You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy it. Topgolf uses technology to track shots and score games, making it approachable for everyone from experienced golfers to people picking up a club for the first time.
Topgolf Nashville specifically offers corporate event packages, team-building activities, meeting spaces, catering, and private event areas.
It’s a particularly convenient choice if your group wants to stay relatively close to downtown while still getting out of the traditional conference setting.
Why it’s great for corporate groups:
- Works well for groups with different skill levels
- Indoor/outdoor bays make it a weather-friendly option
- Food and drinks are available on-site
- Built-in games create friendly competition
- Corporate event packages are available
- Easy option for an evening outing
3. Explore the Frist Art Museum
Not every corporate outing needs to be high-energy. Sometimes a little culture and conversation are exactly what your team needs.
Located downtown, the Frist Art Museum is a great option for groups looking to experience Nashville’s creative side. The museum features rotating exhibitions in a beautifully restored Art Deco building that was originally Nashville’s historic post office.
The Frist offers docent-guided and self-guided tours for adult groups, making it a convenient option for conference attendees who want to experience something interesting without spending an entire day away from downtown.
Because the museum is located downtown, it’s also easy to combine a visit with lunch, dinner, or another Nashville activity.
Why it’s great for corporate groups:
- Convenient downtown location
- Offers a quieter alternative to traditional team-building activities
- Great for conversation and networking
- Adult group tours are available
- Exhibitions change throughout the year
- Easy to combine with other downtown activities
For a group that wants something interesting and cultural without committing to an entire day, the Frist can be an excellent addition to your itinerary.
4. Take a Break at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Sometimes the best corporate outing is one that simply gives everyone room to breathe.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers 55 acres of gardens, art, and historic spaces in West Nashville. It’s a completely different atmosphere from the energy of downtown and provides plenty of opportunities to walk around, talk with coworkers, and enjoy the scenery.
Cheekwood also has dedicated group-tour options, including guided garden tours and packages that combine the gardens, mansion, and lunch. Groups of 15 or more can take advantage of group options, with advance reservations required.
For companies looking for something more polished than a typical team-building activity, Cheekwood can also host corporate meetings and events, including large-scale private events across its 55-acre campus.
Why it’s great for corporate groups:
- Beautiful setting for networking
- Plenty of space to spread out
- Art, gardens, and history all in one location
- Group tours are available
- Corporate event options are available
- A quieter alternative to downtown Nashville
It’s particularly nice for groups that want to spend some time together without having to participate in a structured competition or high-energy activity.
5. Add Some Friendly Competition With an Escape Room
If your team enjoys puzzles, problem-solving, and a little pressure, an escape room can turn a few coworkers into a surprisingly effective team.
The Escape Game Nashville (Downtown) offers immersive, story-driven escape rooms right in downtown Nashville. It’s a convenient option when your conference hotel is downtown and you don’t want to spend much time traveling.
Escape rooms naturally encourage communication, delegation, creative thinking, and teamwork — making them a natural fit for corporate groups.
For larger corporate groups, Team Building Hub by The Escape Game also focuses specifically on corporate team events.
Why it’s great for corporate groups:
- Encourages teamwork and communication
- Fun for groups that enjoy challenges
- Convenient downtown option
- Can fit into a shorter conference schedule
- Gives coworkers a shared goal outside of work
Make Your Nashville Conference More Memorable
A conference doesn’t have to mean spending every hour inside a hotel ballroom.
One of the best things about bringing a team to Nashville is the variety of experiences available just outside the traditional conference environment. You can spend the morning in meetings, the afternoon exploring a garden or paddling across a lake, and the evening enjoying some of the city’s famous entertainment.
If you’re looking for something outdoors and memorable, put Get Up And Go Kayaking Old Hickory Lake at the top of your list.
If your group prefers friendly competition, try Topgolf or an escape room.
If you’d rather give everyone a chance to slow down and experience Nashville’s culture, consider the National Museum of African American Music or Cheekwood.
Whatever you choose, getting your team out of the conference room can be one of the best parts of the trip.
Ready to get your team on the water? Get Up And Go Kayaking Old Hickory Lake is a great way to turn your Nashville conference into an experience your team will actually remember.