Davidson: Discover Nature, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Davidson
Davidson offers a remarkable mix of river landscapes, protected natural areas, extensive trails and cultural attractions. Those planning a trip with active days, wildlife viewing and museum visits will find many different points of interest here. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, it is advisable to first consider whether nature experiences, historic sites or the cultural offerings should be the focus of your trip.
River landscapes, forests and natural areas
The Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area is particularly impressive. The area covers 960 acres and has approximately three miles of shoreline along the Cumberland River. Hardwood bottomland forests, open fields, wetlands and streams shape the landscape. They provide habitat for birds, amphibians and deer. The Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area also has more than five miles of paved, ADA-accessible trails. These can be used for hiking, cycling, running, skating and wildlife viewing.
Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. This makes it easy to incorporate a visit into your travel plans. Those who would like to experience different types of scenery can also consider Beaman Park Nature Center. It is located in Nashville’s Western Highland Rim Forest and has a 300-foot-long, low-barrier, accessible boardwalk.
The 808-acre Bells Bend Park is located in western Davidson County. The landscape is shaped by agriculture and formed by the Cumberland River. Plants, migratory birds and other wildlife find habitat there. The trails have dirt and gravel surfaces; there are also mountain biking trails. The 4.8- to 5.0-mile single-track trails are suitable for beginners, children and families. A basic campground has ten sites with platforms, fire rings and picnic tables.
Radnor Lake also has its own distinctive focus. The area is designated as a Class II protected natural area. The Lake Trail runs along the north side of the 85-acre Radnor Lake and offers several viewpoints of the lake and wildlife. For travel planning with different types of trails, countywide trails are also available: In April 2019, Nashville’s trail network covered more than 300 miles, including multi-use greenways as well as designated trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and paddling. The time reference explicitly relates to April 2019.
Walking trails and parks for different days of your trip
For a shorter walk, Centennial Park has a one-mile trail. The park was the site of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. The Parthenon, which serves as Nashville’s art museum, is part of the same cultural setting. Its permanent collection includes 63 paintings by American artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Parthenon and its statue of Athena are full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals.
The parkland in Davidson County is extensive: According to the Metro Parks inventory, the county had more than 24,280 acres of parkland in 2025. Metro Parks and Recreation provides facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Warner Parks offer free tours as well as private and group tours. This allows you to add variety to your trip without choosing the same type of excursion every day.
Historic sites, music and art
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with one of the best-preserved early presidential homes in the United States. The grounds also include a winery and tasting room. There are dog-friendly walking trails and meadows. Sufficient free parking is available on site. Those traveling with a dog or wanting to combine historical impressions with time outdoors will find several different aspects in one place.
Music history can be explored at the Ryman Auditorium. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Tours include the immersive theater experience “Soul of Nashville.” The Grand Ole Opry was based at the Ryman Auditorium for almost 31 years, from 1943 to 1974. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum complements this focus with instruments, stage clothing, rare recordings and films about artists who shaped country music.
Cheekwood combines interests in gardens and art. The botanical garden and arboretum showcase the estate’s southern landscape and native plants. The collections include decorative art, paintings, furniture, textiles, silver and books. The Tennessee State Museum offers exhibitions free of charge; admission may occasionally be charged for special temporary exhibitions. To reach the Nashville Zoo, you can use the Harding Place exits on I-65 or I-24.
Choose your accommodation based on your travel interests
When looking for accommodation in Davidson, you can use your desired experiences as a guide. For numerous trails and wildlife-viewing opportunities, Shelby Bottoms, Beaman Park, Bells Bend and Radnor Lake offer a choice of different landscapes and trail formats. If historic buildings, music and art are more important, Hermitage, Ryman Auditorium, the Parthenon, Cheekwood and the museums offer suitable themes for planning your trip.
A holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore be selected according to your personal daily rhythm, without limiting the trip to just one activity. Families can consider the single-track trails in Bells Bend that are explicitly suitable for children and families. Travelers with dogs can include the dog-friendly walking trails and meadows on the grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage in their plans. For further orientation, you can also find pages about Goodlettsville, Nashville, Antioch, Whites Creek and Belle Meade.
For the higher-level travel overview: Tennessee.
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