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Nashville is a hip travel destination for music lovers, groups of friends, and anyone with wanderlust on a budget. Increasingly popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, this Tennessee town is a top spot for nightlife, food, and live performances that will inspire you. To help you get familiar with what Nashville’s neighborhoods have to offer, here are some suggestions for where to stay in Nashville.
The Gulch
Why Stay Here: Upscale local neighborhood with lots to do.
Top Hotel: Hyatt House Nashville at Vanderbilt
One trendy neighborhood that is a favorite one in Nashville is the Gulch. This is an upscale destination in town that offers dozens of great restaurants and unique shops. This neighborhood is not necessarily cheap or the place to stay if you’re on a budget. But it is a nice place to get a more local vibe and get away from some of the tourist attractions at the end of the day. It’s between Music Row and downtown, providing you with convenient access to lots to do at the same time. The Gulch has a youthful vibe and features highlights like the Yazoo Brewing Company and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Other popular spots are Biscuit Love Café, Two Old Hippies for souvenirs, and Hops & Crafts for beer lovers.
Downtown Nashville
Why Stay Here: The best nightlife scene and no need for a car.
Top Hotels: Nashville Downtown Hostel | The Capitol Hotel Downtown Nashville | Hotel Indigo Nashville
The downtown area of Nashville is a popular place to stay because of its walkability and easy access to top sights. No car is necessary here. When you stay downtown, you can check out the bars on Broadway and listen to live music every day of the week. From here, you can also easily check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum. Come here to shop for western wear and music and to be near nightlife so you can go out until all hours of the night for your bachelorette party. All kinds of travelers will enjoy watching a show at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and checking out the art galleries along the downtown streets.
Music Row
Why Stay Here: Embrace Nashville’s music scene and easy access to shows.
Top Hotels: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel | Hutton Hotel
Anyone who loves country music should consider staying near Music Row. This is Nashville’s entertainment district and has a mix of commercial and residential buildings. When you stay near Music Row, you’ll see tree-lined boulevards and large homes that have been converted into music industry businesses. Owen Bradley Park and Columbia Studio A are highlights here.
Hillsboro Village
Why Stay Here: Affordable, family-friendly, and a relaxed vibe.
Top Hotel: Kimpton Aertson Hotel
For a residential feel, consider staying in Hillsboro Village in Nashville. This is a favorite area among young adults and families and has a mix of apartments and houses. There are some bars and restaurants here, but it isn’t the nightlife scene of downtown or midtown. This is a nice place to shop at boutique stores though and catch a show at the Belcourt Theatre. You can find some good happy hour specials in Hillsboro Village if you’re looking to go out on a budget. Local hot spots are the Pancake Pantry for breakfast, Cabana for Southern dishes, and Fido for coffee.
Midtown
Why Stay Here: Mix of bars and restaurants but less busy and touristy than downtown.
Top Hotels: Aloft Nashville West End | SpringHill Suites Nashville Vanderbilt/West End
Another area to stay in if you want to be near nightlife is Midtown, which has lots of restaurants and bars that range from low-key to high-end. This area is frequented by young professionals and less touristy than the downtown Nashville area. Here you’ll get a local vibe without sacrificing easy access to things to see and do. This part of town is also sometimes called the West End and has late-night cafes that are loved by Vanderbilt students and LGBT travelers. Another perk of staying here is to be near Centennial Park, which is the largest park in town and a great place to take the kids of get some exercise.
Germantown
Why Stay Here: Oktoberfest celebration and great restaurants and art galleries.
Top Hotels: The Germantown Inn | SpringHill Suites Nashville Vanderbilt/West End
The Germantown neighborhood of Nashville spans about 18 square blocks and is northwest of the downtown area. It is charming and residential with cute coffee shops and trendy lofts. This area has been redeveloped in recent years and has some great restaurants. Definitely spend some time along Buchanan Street to see the art studios and galleries. In the fall, check out Nashville’s Oktoberfest celebration in the Germantown neighborhood because it’s free, family-friendly, and has lots of activities to keep you entertained. Top restaurants are the Germantown Café and City House.
South of Broadway (SoBro)
Why Stay Here: Trendy part of town that’s lively, off-beat, and walkable.
Top Hotels: Stay Alfred SoBro | Omni Nashville Hotel | Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
Near downtown Nashville, South of Broadway (SoBro) is another hot spot for music, bars, and restaurants. The Music City Convention Center and Walk of Fame Park are here in this trendy part of town. You’ll also be near the Patsy Cline Museum and Nashville Children’s Theatre here. It’s a little quieter than the District but still very lively with lots to see and do during the day and at night. The symphony, convention center, and hockey arena are located here. Come here for an off-beat vibe and a place to stay that is walkable without necessarily needing a car.
East Nashville
Why Stay Here: Off the beaten bath for a real local, artsy, and affordable stay.
Top Hotels: The Russell | Vandyke
If you’ve been to Nashville before and want to experience a different side of the city, plan to stay in East Nashville. This is an artsy and family-oriented place that offers a very local experience away from the tourist attractions. You’ll need to venture across the Cumberland River to stay here, which is something that most tourists don’t do. However, there are still lots of things to do here because of the local restaurants and shops. Popular places here are Folk for wood-fired pizza and Nissan Stadium for concerts and football games.
