Broadway and beyond: Nashville’s 5 best neighborhoods

10.12.2024 - 10:21 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Nashville is a famously dynamic place. And if you stick to only one neighborhood when you visit, you’ll only be getting a portion of the fun.

When it comes to navigating Music City’s neighborhoods, think of Nashville as a flower – downtown sits at its center, with the adjacent neighborhoods spreading out like petals. Downtown, the Gulch and 12 South make up much of the city’s tourism core, with tons of opportunities for eating, shopping and (yes) partying.

Beyond these well-visited areas, Germantown and Wedgewood Houston appeal to those who are looking for a vibe that’s more relaxed while still long on cultural flair, while East Nashville serves as the city’s rock ’n’ roll hub.

Here are the Nashville neighborhoods you can’t miss.

Best for partying hard

Nashville’s Downtown is a raucous place that draws folks flocking to Broadway’s numerous bars and honky-tonks, events at Bridgestone Arena, and concerts at the Ryman Auditorium and Ascend Amphitheater. Its frenetic energy isn’t for everyone – but it’s the place to be if you’re looking to down a few (or a lot of) drinks and catch some country tunes, all within a walkable core.

On Broadway itself, we recommend hitting up Robert’s Western World for a true honky-tonk experience (complete with boot scootin’). If you’re looking to sample Nashville’s burgeoning culinary offerings, head to the sparkling Fifth + Broadway complex, Downtown’s new food hall and an excellent place to grab a bite before heading off for a night on the town.

Set slightly away from the main drag, historic Printer’s Alley is home to gems like long-running burlesque bar Skull’s Rainbow Room and electric Bourbon Street Blues Bar.

This is also where you'll find several of Nashville's boutique hotels, which have become attractions in their own right thanks to their chic bars and gorgeous rooftops. Keep in mind that while Downtown is home to Nashville's highest concentration of hotels – boutique and chain – it also has some of the highest room prices. Expect to pay a premium to stay in the center of the action.

Best for the artsy crowd

This former industrial area has become a significant cultural hub over the past decade, playing host to Nashville’s thriving visual and performing arts scenes. Its appeal has attracted the eyes of developers – yet despite the current construction boom, the neighborhood still maintains an undeniable vibe that continues to draw creative types.

Wedgewood Houston hosts a gallery hop on the first Saturday of every month, and many of these galleries can be visited outside of that event: Zeitgeist, The Packing Plant, Julia Martin Gallery and more. Art lovers also shouldn’t miss the gorgeous interiors of the Flamingo Cocktail Lounge and Bastion.

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