My Favorite Nashville Neighborhoods & Why You Will Love Them Too

Downtown/Broadway

Downtown is a must for any visit to Nashville. Broadway is the main street in this neighborhood, and it is full of the popular honky-tonks Nashville is known for. You will also want to explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, the Ryman Auditorium (the original Grand Ole Opry and a great place to catch a concert), the Bridgestone Arena, and Riverfront Park. Printer’s Alley is also a must, known for its cobblestone streets, speakeasies, burlesque shows, and more.

My favorite honky-tonks:

• Best authentic experience: Head to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the oldest honky-tonk on Broadway, and home to several floors of live music.

• Best rooftop: Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville has the highest rooftop bar on Broadway, featuring a rotating skull.

• Best for getting a tattoo and riding a bull: Jon Bon Jovi’s Nashville is a must!

• Best for whiskey: Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row—the name says it all!

• Best music: Luke’s 32 Bridge for great country music!

• Best food: Honky-tonks aren’t known for their food, but Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar has great wings, and Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa features a Tex-Mex cantina perfect for a late-night snack!

More of my downtown favorites:

• Twelve Thirty Club: Supper club vibe and a great rooftop terrace that serves some of the best margaritas in Nashville!

• Pushing Daisies: An underground, dark and moody speakeasy with beautifully and deliciously crafted margaritas!

SoBro neighborhood

The SoBro neighborhood is just a few blocks south of Broadway. This is a great area to stay if you want to be steps away from the action but on a quieter side street.

My SoBro favorites:

• Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint: Some of the best barbecue in Nashville located in a funky space with a massive beer garden, outdoor games, and live music!

• Goo Goo Chocolate Co.: Where the first combination candy bar was invented in 1912 and where you can create your own chocolate speciality or engage in an interactive class.

• Lainy Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up: The only female-artist-owned bar in the area, with an amazing open-air top floor/rooftop bar with live music. Bayou Keys Piano Bar is a part of the establishment and features nightly dueling pianos!

• 6th & Peabody: Great outdoor, family-friendly space that includes the Ole Smokey Distillery, Yee Haw Brewing, food trucks, live music, large TVs for game day, yard games, and more!

The Gulch

The Gulch is a trendy, upscale neighborhood known for its fantastic brunch scene, boutique shopping, and many murals.

My favorites:

• Mural Walk: The Gulch is very walkable and offers many great photo ops. Don’t miss the iconic wings mural.

• Brunch: Try Biscuit Love or Milk & Honey!

• Music: Station Inn is a legendary bluegrass venue worth visiting.

Midtown/Music Row neighborhood

Midtown/Music Row is a diverse neighborhood near Vanderbilt University that is industry-focused, perfect for the music history buff, and is a great place for energetic nightlife. In Midtown, you will also find Centennial Park, one of Nashville’s best parks, spanning over 132 acres.

My Midtown/Music Row favorites:

• Centennial Park: You’ll find the iconic Parthenon, a walking trail, lake, art gallery, sunken garden, sand volleyball court, a bandshell, and more.

• RCA Studio B: Take a tour of the historic recording studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and more famous artists recorded music.

• Hattie B’s: A visit to Midtown wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the famous Hattie B’s for an order of Nashville hot chicken! Plus, the sign outside and chicken-shaped topiary will make you laugh.

• Thistle & Rye: Stop in for a great craft cocktail made from locally sourced ingredients.

• Cross–Eyed Critters Watering Hole: Karaoke in Nashville is amazing because the up-and-coming artists are full of talent, but this place takes it up a notch! This is the first-ever animatronic karaoke bar, with a backup band of three robotic musicians: a fox, a bear, and a pig!

• The Patterson House: If you want an upscale speakeasy experience, you won’t want to miss a stop here! With a long list of unique craft cocktails and house-made ingredients, it’s no wonder the Patterson House is rated the best speakeasy in Nashville.

The famous Hattie B's in Midtown

12 South Neighborhood

If you are looking for a family-friendly, residential neighborhood with great boutique shopping, parks, murals, and cafes, an afternoon in the 12 South Neighborhood is for you.

My 12 South favorites:

• Shopping: Draper James (Reese Witherspoon’s clothing and home decor store), White Mercantile’s (nostalgic general store experience for the modern shopper), and Hart (a custom charm-jewelry store).

• The Frothy Monkey: This coffee shop makes all of its food and drinks from scratch.

• Five Daughters Bakery: Mingle with the locals at this favorite spot.

• Edley’s Bar-B-Que: You’ll taste some of Nashville’s best slow-smoked barbecue here, complete with amazing traditional Southern sides.

• Sevier Park: If you're looking for some green space, Sevier Park is your spot. Let the kids play, enjoy a picnic, or stroll the popular 12 South Farmer’s Market.

• Murals: Like every neighborhood, 12 South has some great murals to check out, including the famous "I Believe in Nashville" one!

East Nashville neighborhood

Experience Nashville with the locals in East Nashville. Here, you’ll find a hipster-friendly, artsy neighborhood with vintage shops, art galleries, coffee shops, indie music, street art, and some great local dive bars. East Nashville is also home to the Nissan Stadium.

My East Nashville favorites:

• Shelby Bottoms Greenway: Enjoy walking or biking the five-mile paved trail that follows the Cumberland River.

• Lockeland Table: Choose the Lockeland Table for a rustic atmosphere and excellent Southern-inspired American menu, best known for its wood-fired pizzas and happy hour specials.

• Attaboy: This craft cocktail bar is where the locals hang out. Located in a trendy, industrial space, Attaboy is a welcoming space to enjoy its innovative cocktails!

Germantown neighborhood

The Germantown neighborhood is a top favorite of mine. The neighborhood has a European vibe with brick sidewalks and Victorian architecture, evoking historical charm while being one of the best neighborhoods for award-winning restaurants, plenty of outdoor green spaces, and boutique shopping. It is also where First Horizon Park—the stadium for the minor league baseball team—is located.

My Germantown Favorites:

• Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park: This beautiful 19-acre park is just outside the state capital, which highlights the state's history, culture, and musical background.

• Nashville’s Farmer’s Market: This historic farmer’s market opened in the early 1800s and is still a popular spot today. Plan to spend a few hours exploring the many restaurants and international food vendors, local artists, and expansive garden center. Don’t forget to get your picture taken by the "I Love Nash" letters.

• Marathon Village and Marathon Motor Works: A former car factory has been reinvented into a historical space with tributes to the car factory, home to many shops, local artists, distilleries, and more.

• Henrietta Red: One of the best seafood restaurants in Nashville is Henrietta Red. Check out the raw bar or enjoy the coastal atmosphere and menu.

• Rolf & Daughters: If you are looking for upscale, cleverly designed American small plates and inventive cocktails, this is your spot!

• The Cupcake Collection: Ranked one of the top 10 cupcake bakeries in the country, The Cupcake Collection has delicious options and a great story, too.

At Nashville's Farmer's Market in Germantown

Opryland & Music Valley neighborhood

A visit to Nashville isn’t complete without a stop in Opryland. This neighborhood is best known for its love of country music and family-friendly hospitality.

My Opryland favorites:

• Grand Ole Opry: I highly recommend the backstage tour on your first visit to the Grand Ole Opry. It is worth the hype! If you’ve been here and done that, be sure to check out the concert schedule, as this is one amazing concert venue!

• Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center: Even if you aren’t staying here, it is worth exploring. Gaylord Opryland is beautifully designed with high atriums with waterfalls, winding paths, and even a river with flatboat rides. Plus, there are 20 restaurants and bars, shopping, a spa, a golf course, a waterpark, and more. Visit during the holidays for a truly unique experience!

Two more music venues worth visiting

• Bluebird Cafe: Located in the Greenhills neighborhood, the famous Blue Bird Cafe is a small, intimate venue where emerging artists take the small stage. Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, and many more have performed here. Insider tip: Book your reservation ahead of time!

• 3rd & Lindsley: Located in the Melrose neighborhood, 3rd & Lindsley is a popular music venue featuring diverse local and national artists with diverse music backgrounds, from country and blues to rock and jazz! Plus, a live radio show is broadcast here. This is another cool spot worth checking out if you are a live music lover!

Nashville neighborhoods are very walkable once you there. Rideshares are readily available, but taking the Old Town Trolley hop-on-hop-off tour is a great option, too!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Nashville page.