Where to stay and things to do – by a local.

A city with the nickname “Music City” has high standards to uphold, and Nashville succeeds perfectly! Country music rushes like a rhinestone torrent out of open-fronted venues up and down the main Broadway strip.

Of course, a trip to Music City is incomplete without taking in some of the city’s best live music and braving the chaos of downtown. But one ride around Nashville will show you that the city is made up of way more than neon-lit honky-tonks and wistful harmonies. 

Each one of Nashville’s local neighborhoods has a distinct character and feel to it – it’s almost like visiting multiple cities in one destination location. Where to stay and things to do in Nashville, completely depends on the Nashville experience you want to have. 

Want to spend your time sightseeing top historic sites and visiting honky-tonks? Then Downtown Nashville might be the best place to stay for you.

Looking for a more of a local experience away from the nightlife and shops? Then Lieper’s Fork might be your answer. No matter which neighborhood you choose, you’ll never be that far from live music, trendy eats, and cool things Nashville has to offer. Nashville Experience Tours was named a local
expert of Nashville, TN, on Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in: 20 Fun Facts About Nashville, TN | Redfin

As you local expert, here is our take on some of the coolest neighborhoods in Nashville, what they are known for, and where to stay on your visit. 

Where to stay: Sneak Peak

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Nashville?

Here are Joe’s top picks:

• Best Overall Hotel – The Noelle
• Best Luxury Hotel – The Hermitage Hotel
• Best for Families – Gaylord Opryland Resort
• Best for Business – Hutton Hotel
• Best on a Budget- Courtyard Marriot

If you want more hotel suggestions, you can check out our full ranking of the best hotels in Nashville.

1. Downtown

Popular For: Music, Entertainment, Nightlife, Lodging, Sports, and Dining

Famous Restaurants: Black Rabbit, Gray & Dudley, Slim & Husky’s, and Prince’s Hot Chicken

Best Nightlife Bars: Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, Robert’s Western World, and The Stage on Broadway

Nashville’s “Broadway” is the city’s major attraction. It’s right in the middle of NashVegas, where the Honky Tonks keep their neon signs shining day and night. While Broadway is the heart of Nashville’s nightlife, the city’s most famous sights are located just to the north and south. Even though there are more hotels than residences in this part of Nashville, you can still easily reach the rest of the city on foot from anywhere in the region.

You will hear people saying SoBro (south of Broadway), Printers Alley (3rd and 4th streets), and Rutledge Hill (5th and 6th streets). Every day, but especially on weekends, visitors and locals are milling about on the sidewalks.

Places to stay: 

• Airbnb- There are a ton of condos and apartments listed downtown averaging at $100-$350 per night, and they are so cute!
• Hotels- Hotels are a little more pricey downtown, ranging from $150-$550. If you are looking for an extravagant stay, The Hermitage Hotel and Dream Nashville are great choices. 
• Atmosphere- If you choose to tackle the full downtown experience it will be crowded and a little noisy, but well worth it if you are here for the night life. 
• Safety- The downtown area has a lot of people bustling around at all times during the day and night but always be aware of your surroundings and carry your wallets and purses consciously to avoid pickpockets. 

2. Germantown

Popular For: Bars, Food, and Nightlife

Famous Restaurants: Rolf & Daughters, City House, Henrietta Red, Butchertown Hall, Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen, and Big Al’s Deli.

Best Nightlife Bars: Geist, Mother’s Ruin, and Green Hour Cocktail & Absinthe Lounge

Laborers were needed to build the new government buildings when Nashville became the state capitol in 1843. So, the first suburb of Nashville was built by German immigrants from Cincinnati. Walkable sidewalks connect restaurants, boutiques, and salons to residential neighborhoods.

The Nashville Farmers’ Market has a vast food hall with local restaurants, arts, crafts, and other goods sellers. You can visit Tennessee State Museum to peek at the cultural, geological, musical, and political sides for free. Attending a Nashville Sounds game at Germantown Ballpark is always fun.

Places to stay: 

• Airbnb- You will find a handful of villa-style homes for weekend rental in this area. There is a steady rate of about $170 per night at these joint hosted units. 
• Hotels- There is only one hotel located inside the neighborhood and that is Germantown Inn. This boutique hotel fits right into the history of the area as a 1865 Federal-style home. Rates run around $230 per night. 
• Atmosphere- This quaint area of town will provide a relaxing environment while still being close to downtown. If you choose to lodge at a nearby hotel or Airbnb, there will be cafes and boutiques within walking distance. 
• Safety- If you are looking for a safe place for your family to stay, this is the neighborhood for you. Statistics say that Germantown is 85% safer than most other areas in Tennessee. Go Germantown! 

3. East Nashville

Popular For: Food, Art, Small-Venue Music, and Bars

Famous Restaurants: Lockeland Table, Graze Nashville, Party Fowl- the Gulch, and Peninsula

Best Nightlife Bars: The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, The Cobra, Red Door Saloon East, and Holland House

The area of East Nashville has an intriguing history of wealth and poverty. One section of the neighborhood, known as Edgefield, has a long history of being the most affluent region in all of Nashville. The community is a developing part of town that also happens to be rather old.

You can sense every creativity in East Nashville, from hippy boutiques to independent coffee shops, where you can enjoy making your cup of hot liquid. It’s filled with creatives like musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs, making it a fun and exciting place to hang out. You can also find a wide variety of excellent eateries, pubs, and shops in East Nashville.

Places to stay: 

• Airbnb- Budget friendly Airbnbs can be found in East Nashville. Prices range from $75-$150 per night. It’s only about a 10 minute drive to Downtown if you stay in the southern part of the area. 
• Hotels- Hotels are a bit more pricey; maybe due to them being in close proximity to the Grand Ole Opry. However, if you stray a little bit toward Bicentennial Mall, prices drop to about $200 a night. 
• Atmosphere- Considered the hipster side of Nashville, you will find a lot of vegan cafes, vintage thrift shops and unique bars. Grab your cameras because there are a lot of Instagram worthy pictures you can grab with murals located at every corner. 
• Safety- East Nashville is considered a very safe place to travel to. Crime rates are low and there are usually people out and about during the day. Of course, just like at any other place you visit, lock your vehicles and do not leave any valuables laying out in plain sight. 

4. The Gulch

Popular For: Art, Music, Food, and Shopping

Famous Restaurants: Watermark, Prima, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Virago, 404 Kitchen, and Otaku Ramen.

Best Nightlife Bars: Gertie’s Whiskey Bar, Hops & Crafts, Whiskey Kitchen, and Bar Louie

The Gulch is one of the newest areas of Nashville. It has quickly become a popular destination due to its hip atmosphere and a wide variety of dining options, nightlife, and shopping venues. Some tourists love to visit Thompson Hotel to enjoy different cocktails while standing on the rooftop, enjoying the most incredible view of the city.

You may notice the abundance of high-rise residential complexes in The Gulch, making it ideal for young professionals. Individuals who value a car-free way of life will love The Gulch as every place to enjoy is just within a short walking distance.

Places to stay: 

• Airbnb- Walking distance to the Wings mural… ummm yes. There are several super cute Airbnbs in the Gulch for around $150-$250 per night. 
• Hotels- With the neighborhood being an up-and-coming site in Music City, the hotels are not the cheapest. There are about five luxury hotels in the area including The Westin Nashville and The Thompson Hotel, both being about $650 a night. 
• Atmosphere- Get a modern taste of Nashville. This certified LEED community is one of the most eco-friendly in the area. You will find people out biking, walking their dogs and enjoying the beautiful city. 
• Safety- One of the safest places in town, this spot is perfect for tourists and a great place to stay while you are on vacation. Crime rate is very low. 

5. 12 South

Popular For: Shopping, Bars, and Food

Famous Restaurants: Josephine, Urban Grub, Bartaco, Edley’s Bar-B-Que, and Epice

Best Nightlife Bars: MAFIAoZA’s, 12 South Taproom and Grill, and The Flipside

12 South is a mile-long strip of restaurants, shops, and bars, which has become an excellent resort for tippling tourists and boozy bachelorettes from Downtown. Inside fun! They’re generally better behaved outside of the debaucherous Downtown.

For the residency at 12 South, you can enjoy exclusive accommodation outside the 12th Avenue corridor. There are many different options for lodging as well. You can also find a dense collection of fun boutiques. Reese Witherspoon, a native of Nashville, founded her Draper James Southern lifestyle boutique in 2015. Since then, it has been a popular selfie spot.

Places to stay: 

• Airbnb- A great stay if you are wanting a little separation from Downtown. There is an abundance of Airbnbs in this area with rates ranging $75 to $350 a night. You can always take a cab or rideshare to Broadway; it will save you a lot of trouble no matter where you stay. 
• Hotels- Surprisingly, there are not a lot of hotels in this area; They are located closer to the center of Nashville. So, an Airbnb will probably be the way to go here.
• Atmosphere- Hungry, you’re at the right spot. There are restaurants everywhere… and they are all within walking distance. 
• Safety- With the moderately busy streets and lovely neighborhoods nearby, there are not many safety concerns. Always be cautious no matter where you are though. Lock your doors at night and never get into a ride-share without verifying it’s the right person. 

Nashville – Exciting Neighborhoods More Than Just Music

For many, Nashville is purely the “Music City” where you can find unique ways to enjoy melody and tune. But it’s more than that!

There are exciting and interesting neighborhoods around Nashville where you can enjoy a peaceful stay. But also, party like there’s no tomorrow at state-of-the-art bars and savor scrumptious food at modern restaurants. Being a tourist, you can dance to vibrant music and melodies while sipping your favorite cocktail after enjoying the tastiest food ever!

It’s your pick where you want to stay during your visit to Nashville. There are no wrong answers. Have a great time and explore all the possibilities within this amazing city. Safe travels!