Venture into Nashville’s neighborhoods

Nashville, Tennessee is the home of country music and offers every visitor a rockin’ good time. Its neighborhoods are filled with mouth-watering cuisine, exciting landmarks and a bustling atmosphere that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

If you’re planning a trip to Nashville, there’s certain neighborhoods that you just can’t miss out on visiting. The city is bursting with character at every turn, but some locations really stand out from the crowd.

In this guide, we’ll highlight some of our favorite Nashville neighborhoods and the best things to do while you’re there.

Explore East Nashville

An artsy and modern neighborhood located just east of downtown Nashville, East Nashville presents a culturally diverse and eclectic vibe like no other. A hot spot for musicians and artists, you only have to spend a few moments exploring the area to notice that its full of talent.

Looking for a bite to eat? Your first stop should be the renowned Margot Café Bar in the heart of the neighborhood, Five Points. This French-inspired restaurant with southern influences has a daily changing menu and locally sourced ingredients. Whatever you pick, you’re sure to enjoy a hearty, finger-licking meal.

While you’re in the Five Points area, you’ll want to hit some of the local shops and take a look at the vintage items and art pieces on offer. You can spend time exploring this Nashville neighborhood on foot, but if you’re planning on visiting any of the other locations to come, your best bet is to travel by car. 

Embrace culture at The Gulch

Just south of downtown Nashville, you’ll find the popular and thriving area of The Gulch. An upscale, highly trendy neighborhood, it’s bursting with chic hotels, restaurants, and murals.

Looking for a place to stay in the Gulch? There’s plenty of hotels to choose from. If you want a contemporary vibe, Thompson Nashville is a great option. Or, if you’d prefer a stay in a boutique hotel, look no further than The 404.

The area was once an industrial railway yard, but it has now been transformed into a high-end district full of modern architecture, contemporary condos and apartments, cafes, and trendy shops. The Gulch is also known for its famous attractions, such as Station Inn where you can enjoy live music, and Frist Art Museum, which hosts exhibitions displaying everything from American folk art to Picasso.

If you choose to visit this culture-packed neighborhood, be sure to grab a bite to eat at Biscuit Love Gulch, a popular eatery that serves Southern dishes with a twist.

Make country music history in Opryland

Also known as Music Valley due to its links to country music, Opryland is located on the far-northeast side of Nashville. Here you’ll find the famous Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, as well as the Grand Ole Opry House where the legendary live radio show is hosted.

If you’re looking for everything under one roof, take a trip to the Opry Mills shopping center for food, a wide range of stores and even a movie theatre. The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Centre is home to the city’s amazing aquatic attraction Soundwaves, along with a range of award-winning restaurants, bars and relaxing spa.

If you visit this Nashville neighborhood during the Christmas season, be sure to check out the Christmas Show at Gaylord Opryland.

Take the family to 12 South

Head to 12 South for a fantastic family-friendly neighborhood. It’s located around 10 minutes from downtown Nashville, and jam-packed with places to eat, drink, shop and have fun. There’s a mile-long strip of restaurants and shops, including actress Reese Witherspoon’s southern lifestyle store Draper James.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, your best bet is to book an Airbnb as the neighborhood is primarily residential. Be sure to take a trip to Sevier Park where you’ll find the 12 South Farmer’s Market every Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm between the months of May and October.

The area is easily navigated by foot. You can easily walk to Nashville neighborhoods such as Belmont Blvd, Melrose and Hillsboro Village. However, if you want to visit other areas in the city, driving is usually best.

Get historical in Germantown

Germantown is one of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods. Here you’ll find a number of historic landmarks, such as the Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park – it’s no wonder why the area earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The neighborhood’s name was inspired by the European immigrants who settled there in the mid-19^th century. Nowadays, the area is fun, vibrant and home to some of the city’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, including City House, Henrietta Red and Rolf & Daughters.

Germantown is often compared to an oasis due to its gorgeous greenery, this is complemented by rustic brick sidewalks to create a thrilling utopian atmosphere. Popular places to stay include the Comfort Inn Downtown Nashville, Hyatt place Nashville Downtown and Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown.

During your visit, be sure to check out some of the local attractions like TopGolf and First Horizon Park, where the Nashville Soccer Club and Nashville Sounds Baseball Team play.

Bring out your inner musician on Music Row

Last but certainly not least, Music Row is considered to be the heart of Nashville’s entertainment industry. Visit this audiophile’s paradise if you’ve got a passion for music and entertainment, as you’ll find everything from recording labels to iconic studios. Famous songs such as Elvis Presley’s “How Great Thou Art” and Foo Fighters’ “Congregation” were recorded here.

Take a trip to the Historic RCA Studio B to immerse yourself in music history. You can stand where some of the world’s favorite artists – like Dolly Parton - stood to record their greatest hits.

Ready to get better acquainted with Nashville? Be sure to visit some of these exciting neighborhoods to make the most of your trip.

Want to learn more about Nashville?

To get the full Nashville experience, check out the rest of our guides: 

• Best restaurants in Nashville
• Nashville driving guide
• Best things to do in Nashville
• Best hotels in Nashville