Where to stay in Nashville first time? without a car, with family, for bachelorette or bachelor part? In this post, I will help you to decide the best areas in Nashville (include map and video), the best hotels in Nashville for all budget travelers and the safest places to stay in Nashville.
Nashville, affectionately known as Music City USA, is the capital and most populous city in Tennessee. An incredibly popular destination, it has so much variety on offer that everyone will be sure to find something to entertain them.
Nashville is overall a safe city for tourists. But as in any big city, you should use your common sense, be aware of surrounding, avoid dark alleys, and stick into popular neighborhoods.
Downtown, Midtown, the Gulch, Music Valley, and West End are some of the safest neighborhoods in Nashville because it’s always populated by locals and tourists.
Where to stay in Nashville first time?
The best areas to stay in Nashville for first-timers and tourists are Downtown Nashville, The Gulch, West End, Midtown, Hillsboro Village, and Music Valley. These are the most popular locations in Nashville to book a stay and explore the city.
Downtown is the best overall area in Nashville for first-timers due to its central location, proximity to major attractions, and a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. Staying here also puts you close to many honky-tonk bars, restaurants, live music venues, and shops.
Downtown, The Gulch, and West End/Vanderbilt, is the best places to stay in Nashville without a car due to their central location and easy access to transportation. The Gulch is served by free city bus, and many hotels in West End/Vanderbilt offers free shuttle bus to downtown.
This city center is entertainment hub with great nightlife, music venues, restaurants, bars, historic landmarks, and hotels. Any of the districts surrounding Broadway are perfect for visitors looking for a wild break, full of partying. If you’re planning bachelor or bachelorette parties, the abundance of bars and attractions will give you plenty of nights to remember.
At the west end of Broadway, the Midtown & West End area is home to the world-famous Vanderbilt University. This makes it a great choice for anyone studying here, visiting a student, or who simply enjoys the student atmosphere
| 💖 Best Area for First-Timers | Downtown Nashville |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Grand Hyatt Nashville |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Renaissance Nashville Hotel |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown |
Map of areas and neighborhoods in Nashville:
How to get Around Nashville without a car?
Nashville is served by Nashville International Airport located approximately 8 miles east of downtown Nashville. From the airport, you can take a taxi, ride-share service, or rent a car to reach your destination.
If you are driving to Nashville, major interstates that connect to the city include I-40, I-65, and I-24. Nashville has a well-maintained road network, making it easily accessible by car.
Once you’re in Nashville, you can get around the city by public transportation, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, walking, electric bikes, or renting a car.
Nashville’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) operates buses throughout the city. The Music City Circuit, a free downtown bus route, connects major attractions, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the Nashville B-cycle bike-share program offers bicycles for short-term rentals.
Finally, walking can be an enjoyable way to see the sights, especially in areas like downtown and some neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly streets.
Generally speaking, The best areas to stay in Nashville are Downtown, East Nashville, The Gulch, The West End, Midtown, Hillsboro Village, Music Row, and Germantown. These areas offer a wide range of accommodations for all budget travelers to stay and explore the city.
Here are the detail of the best areas to stay in Nashville for travelers:
Best areas to stay in Nashville for first-time tourists are:
1. Downtown Nashville
Nashville Downtown is the best overall area for first-time tourists due to its central location and proximity to iconic attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Bridgestone Arena, as well as Broadway with its honky-tonk bars, and live music venues.
Located in the city center on the bank of Cumberland River, downtown is the financial and economic heart of Nashville, packed with restaurants, bars, hotels, entertainment venues, and shops, ensuring there is something to suit everyone, no matter their interest or budget.
With its history and reputation for music, many of the bars in Nashville feature live performances. Among the most popular is BBs Blues Club, founded by legendary blues guitarist BB King.
The Printers Alley historic district is traditionally the center of Nashville’s nightlife. It’s a section of Downtown Nashville that features bars dating back to the 1940s, so you can combine your drinking with a cultural and historic adventure.
Then there is a collection of honky tonks on a section of Broadway known as the Honky Tonk Highway. Honky tonks are bars that specialize in country music and are incredibly popular in this part of the United States. This makes visiting one something of a cultural experience.
Downtown also boasts one of the most complete collections of attractions in the city as well. It is home to the Tennessee State Capitol Building, which is great place to learn the history of not just Nashville, but the state as a whole.
Surrounding the State Capitol, you have Victory Park. A beautiful green open space, with attractions like statues and tombs, to combine a little history with the great outdoors.
Following on with the themes of history and country music, you also have the Johnny Cash Museum. Founded in 2013, the Johnny Cash Museum features the largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world, so is a must-visit location for any of his fans.
In a similar vein, the Downtown is also home to the Ryman Auditorium. A live music venue built in the late 1800s and boasting stunning architecture, it was the former home of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 30 years. It is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark for its role in popularizing country music.
Other downtown hotspots are the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Frist Center for the Visual Arts, John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Nissan Stadium, and Cumberland Park.
History is so ingrained in Downtown Nashville that you can even get a taste of it in your hotel as well. Take for example the 21c Museum Hotel. One of the most popular hotels in Nashville, it combines a boutique hotel with one of the best art galleries in the city.
Downtown is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Nashville without a car due to its walkability, and proximity to popular attractions. You can easily explore the downtown area on foot, with a short ride taxi, Uber, or Lyft.
All in all, Downtown Nashville is the sort of location that is likely to have something for everyone, making it the ideal neighborhood for anyone wanting a well-rounded trip to the city.
Down has a wide range of accommodation options from budget hostels, boutique hotels to luxury lodgings that cater to every type of travelers family, couple, business traveler, and those who come for bachelorette or bachelor party.
Stay in Downtown if you are a first-time tourists; you travel without a car; you’re looking a stay for bachelorette or bachelor party; you want vibrant nightlife with live music;
Best places to stay in Downtown Nashville:
luxury ($$$): Grand Hyatt Nashville 5-star hotel, featuring an on-site restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and private car parking. It offers air-conditioning rooms with a safety deposit box. Close to Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
mid-range ($$): Renaissance Nashville Hotel 4-star hotel, has an American buffet breakfast, an on-site restaurant, a hot tub, and business center. Within walking distance from Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
budget ($): Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown 3-star hotel has a restaurant, private parking for car, a fitness center, a bar, family rooms with a terrace. Popular points of interest nearby include Johnny Cash Museum, Ryman Auditorium, and Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN2. SoBro
SoBro (literally means South Of Broadway) is a buzzing part of downtown and is one of the hippest districts in Nashville. It offers lively nightlife with plenty of honky-tonks, neon lights, hip bars, nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, and a trendy music scene.
SoBro is a great place to stay for music lovers, party-goers, bachelor & bachelorette parties. You will find restaurants like Etch, The FarmHouse, Husk, and Merchants and many bars such as Bar Sovereign, Robert’s Western World, AJ’s Good Time Bar, and Barlines at Omni Nashville Hotel.
In addition to the nightlife, the location of SoBro also provides excellent access to all of the attractions found in the rest of Downtown while being marginally quieter and more affordable.
For starters, SoBro is the location of the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum. Founded in 1967, the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum is one of the world’s largest music museums and research centers, containing one of the most extensive music collections.
While it is obviously a must-visit attraction for country music fans, it is also a fabulous place to visit for anyone with an interest in music or history of any kind. It acts as the heart of the SoBro neighborhood as well, with many of its other prominent attractions located around it.
To the west is the Music City Center, the largest convention center in the city. It hosts all manner of conventions throughout the year, making SoBro an incredibly convenient place to stay for anyone attending one.
To the south is the CMA Theater. Linked to and operated by the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum, it is an incredible live music venue, giving you the chance to catch a performance in the world’s most iconic location for country music while in SoBro.
To the northwest, you have the Nashville Symphony, home to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. While SoBro and the city as a whole may be primarily known for country music, this gives you a great chance to see world-class musicians of another genre perform while you are in “Music City”.
To the north, you have the Walk Of Fame Park. This is one of the best outdoor locations in SoBro. Featuring beautiful gardens and star-studded pavements, similar in Hollywood, it is a great place to enjoy both nature and memorials to some Nashville music legends.
Finally, to the northwest, you have the Bridgestone Arena. One of the most popular attractions in SoBro, located immediately south of Broadway, Bridgestone Arena is a 17,000+ seater multipurpose area.
Not only does it host some of the largest concerts and events in all of Nashville, but it is also home to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. This makes SoBro the perfect choice for anyone coming to the city to catch a game or a show.
Due to its popularity, SoBro can be crowded at night. The prices for restaurants and bars can be mor expensive compared to other parts of the city, but it is well worth it because it is a must-visit for those looking to experience the city’s country and live music scene.
Stay in SoBro if you’re first time visiting Nashville; you enjoy vibrant nightlife; you come for bachelor & bachelorette parties; you want to do sightseeing;
Best places to stay in Nashville in SoBro:
- mid-range ($$): The Westin Nashville, 4-star hotel located close to Nissan Stadium Formerly LP Field, Grand Ole Opry, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- budget ($): Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown, 3-star hotel, located in the South Broadway neighborhood of Music City. Close to Music City Center, Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, and Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
- budget ($): BLACK SWAN – SoBro Nashville, great all-suite boutique hotel, located within walking distance to Both Bridgestone Arena and Ryman Auditorium.
3. The Gulch
The Gulch, known as The LEED-certified neighborhood, is a trendy and upscale area, known for its wide range of attractions and activities, as well as proximity to popular SoBro, I-40, and Downtown Nashville.
The Gulch is best described as an up-and-coming neighborhood, having been undergoing revitalization since 2006. It has many high-rise apartments, condos; stunning street art murals, trendy restaurants and boutique shops.
Some of the famous restaurants in the Gulch are Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Tavern, Avenue Bistro; commercial centers containing stores like DSW, Nordstrom Rack, or Southern Made.
The Gulch is also home to some of the most popular and historic music venues in all of Nashville. Venues like The Station Inn, The Mercy Lounge, and The High Watt give music fans a chance to watch performances in iconic surroundings with the world’s best bluegrass, classic country, Americana and roots music,
The Gulch even features one of the most historic hotels in Nashville, the Union Station Hotel. A former railroad terminal that opened in 1900, it has been converted into a luxury hotel. This gives you a chance to stay in Nashville surrounded by quality and history in equal measure.
With attractions like these, combined with a number of trendy bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops, The Gulch has developed a hip atmosphere that is very popular with students and younger visitors.
The Gulch is a great location in Nashville for those traveling without a car due to its walkability and proximity to major landmarks in Downtown area/ You can easily travel on foot, by the Music City Circuit free city bus, or with taxis, Ubers, Lyft.
Stay in The Gulch if you want to stay in a trendy area with luxury hotels; you want to visit some historic hotels and music venues; you want a vibrant, upbeat vacation; you don’t want to be too far from the attractions of Downtown.
Best places to stay in Nashville in Gulch:
- luxury ($$$): W Nashville, 5-tar hotel, close to Tootsies Orchid Lounge and Ryman Auditorium.
- mid-range ($$): Thompson Nashville, 4-star boutique hotel located in The Gulch neighborhood in Nashville, has a rooftop bar with views of downtown.
- budget ($): Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, 3-star hotel, in Nashville city center, in the middle of The Gulch restaurant district.
- budget ($): Hilton Garden Inn, 3-star hotel with family-friendly restaurant, located within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Bridgestone Arene.
4. Midtown and West End
The Midtown and West End area is located southwest of Downtown, with Broadway concluding in the eastern side of the neighborhood. Midtown & West End are home to Vanderbilt University and Belmont University.
Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in the heart of the Midtown & West End neighborhood. With almost 14,000 students, it helps give the Midtown & West End neighborhood an incredibly youthful and vibrant atmosphere.
As a result, restaurants, bars, and hotels in Midtown & West End offer better rates than many other parts of the city, as if often the case in student-dominated areas. It has great bars, pubs, and clubs with music, drinks, dancing, great area for nightlife.
Beyond the university, the other main attraction in Midtown & West End is Centennial Park. Covering 132 acres, Centennial Park has seen historical farmlands converted into wide open green spaces for the public, full of beauty spots and historical monuments.
Centennial Park host the Nashville Farmers Market where a variety of vendors sell food, drinks, and fresh local produce.
Perhaps its most famous site is The Parthenon. A full-size replica of the Athenian Parthenon in Greece, it houses a number of art galleries, giving you the chance to enjoy the beauty, both inside and out.
You can also find the historic houses and international cuisine on West End Avenue, famous music venues on Elliston Place, and well-known nightclubs on Church Street.
The West End and Vanderbilt area provides plenty of hotel options. Many hotels offers free shuttle bus from/to downtown area. It is a great covenient for those who travel without a car.
Stay in Midtown & West End if you want vibrant nightlife; you want less touristy and quieter than downtown Nashville; you want a student atmosphere; you don’t bring or hire a car.
Best places to stay in Midtown and West End:
- mid-range ($$): Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 4-star hotel, located opposite Vanderbilt University, within a short drive from Nashville city center, Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry.
- budget ($): Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Vanderbilt-Elliston Place, 3-star hotel, located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park.
- budget ($): Homewood Suites Nashville Vanderbilt, 3-star hotel, located 1 mile from a replica of the Greek Parthenon, built for the 1867 Centennial Exposition.
5. Belmont/Hillsboro Village
The Belmont-Hillsboro Village is located within walking distance from 12 South, Music Row, and Midtown, in the south of the city. It is a relaxed, primarily residential area, filled with local restaurants, bars, and indie vintage shops.
Its proximity to Belmont University makes it a popular destination for students, who gravitate here as a way to get a little peace, away from the hectic environment in the university’s immediate vicinity.
This has helped to create a truly bohemian atmosphere to the area. Independent clothes stores, book shops, vegan food shops and even an art gallery complete a truly hip environment.
As does the Belcourt Theatre, where you have the chance to take in a classic or art-house movie in historic surroundings.
Meanwhile, you even have attractions like the Belmont Mansion near the Belmont University campus. Built in the 1850’s in the Italian architectural style, it has been restored and had a museum added, giving you a fabulous way to learn more about the city’s past.
You aren’t likely to find any major chain hotels in the area, but those looking for a small family hotel or private vacation rentals shouldn’t have an issue.
Stay in Belmont/Hillsboro Village if you want affordable restaurants and accommodations; you want a more relaxed location; you are an indie;
Best places to stay in Belmont:
- mid-range ($$): Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 4-star hotel, located a 10 minutes’ drive from Nashville city center and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- budget ($): Hyatt House Nashville at Vanderbilt, 3-star hotel, located within walking distance from from Vanderbilt University and The Parthenon.
6. 12 South
12 South is a half-mile stretch along 12th Avenue South. It’s located in numerous neighborhoods, with its eastern half located in Belmont/Hillsboro Village. It is the sort of destination ideal for those looking for pure relaxation throughout their stay in Nashville.
Numerous bars, restaurants, and stores are located within walking distance of one another. This means whether you’re looking to indulge in a little retail therapy, wanting to sample some of the finest cuisines in the city, or simply looking to kick back and relax with a drink, you are guaranteed to find something you enjoy.
It is well known around the city for its bungalow-style homes, some of which are even available as vacation rentals for those seeking a slightly different experience.
The most famous attraction in the area is “I Believe in Nashville”, an iconic mural that is a popular photo hotspot for tourists.
That said, there are other things to do and see, such as exploring Sevier Park, home to an Antebellum mansion, towering trees, picnic areas, and playgrounds. It’s also a venue of the weekly 12 South Farmer’s Market, where you can enjoy some of the city’s best food trucks..
Stay in 12 South if you want a great selection of bars, shops, and restaurants; you want a unique style of accommodation; you want to get a photo with the “I Believe in Nashville” mural.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN NASHVILLE7. Music Valley and Opryland
Music Valley and Opryland is located 10 miles east of Downtown Nashville and 7 miles north of the Nashville International Airport, on the very outskirts of the city, in its north-eastern corner.
While Downtown Nashville is best area for first-timers, Music Valley and Opryland have a considerably more relaxed vibe, offering guests a slower pace throughout their stay.
Music Valley is where you can find the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills shopping center, Gaylord Opryland Hotel, SoundWaves, and Grand Ole Opry Museum.
Music Valley is one of the most reasonably priced and destination diverse neighborhoods in Music City! It is the most family-friendly and affordable with the city’s most reasonably priced hotels with brands such as Holiday Inn, Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, Hampton by Hilton.
Live music bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels are abundant throughout Music Valley. This makes it a great place to stay in Nashville whether you are a foodie, looking for a drink and a show, or simply want stylish lodging options that aren’t going to cost you a fortune.
Tennessee perhaps famous for its whiskey, but you must check the Amber Falls Winery inside the Opry Mills Mall for wine tasting with out travel to its vineyard in Hampshire.
Perhaps the most popular area in the area is the part that is located around Opryland. For starters, it is the current home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, a weekly country music stage concert radio show.
Fans of the genre descend on the area each week, hoping for the chance to see a performance or catch a glimpse of their favorite artist in the flesh.
The nearby Opryland Resort and Convention Centre containing shops, restaurants, gardens, waterfalls, and rivers under an incredible atrium.
Other places of interest are Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store, Madame Tussauds Nashville, the General Jackson Paddlewheel Showboat, the World Famous Nashville Palace.
Families and kids can explore the Cooter’s Place which is Dukes of Hazzard museum and theme store operated by Ben Cooter Jones; and the Grand Old Golf & Go Karts’.
Music Valley is a neighborhood that allows you to combine a relaxing vacation with the sort of lodgings and attractions Nashville is famous for.
Stay in Opryland & Music Valley if you are traveling as a family; you want the choice of restaurants, shops, and hotels; you aren’t worried about being quite away from Downtown.
Best places to stay in Opryland & Music Valley:
- mid-range ($$): Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, 4-star family-friendly hotel with Water park and kid-friendly restaurants. it offers Shuttle services to the airport and local attractions such as Gaylord Springs Golf Course.
- budget ($): Hyatt Place Nashville Opryland, 3-star hotel, located within a short drive from Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Zoo, and Nashville International Airport.
- budget ($): Holiday Inn Express Nashville-Opryland, 3-star hotel, close to Nashville’s Opryland and free shuttle service from Nashville International Airport.
8. Music Row
Centered on 16th and 17th Avenues South, Music Row is located on the eastern edge of Midtown & West End, with the two neighborhoods actually overlapping in places.
This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants easy access to both Midtown and Downtown, without staying in either.
Music Row itself is a historic district that largely centers around businesses relating to the country, Christian, and gospel music. Numerous recording studios, record labels, publishing houses, licensing firms, and businesses relating to advertising and video and radio networks are based in the area.
You will find the historic RCA Studio B where Elvis Presley made more than two hundred song recordings; Columbia’s Historic and the Columbia’s Historic Quonset Hut, the first recording studio on Music Row.
There is also a Musica, a 40-foot-tall sculpture designed by Alan LeQuire at Music Row Roundabout where 17th Avenue South join Division Street.
Another place of interest is the Owen Bradley Park, opened in 1997. It has a statue of the famous country music producer, Owen Bradley. You can sit on the bench beside the statue for a special photo opportunity.
Other must-see places are the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, and Curb Records.
While Music Row is quite a small area, it is a must-visit location for anyone interested in the history of the music industry. A few boutique hotels can be found in the area, giving you the chance for a truly sophisticated break taking in some cultures.
Stay in Music Row if you want easy access to both Midtown and Downtown; you are interested in the history of the music industry.
Best places to stay in Music Row:
- mid-range ($$): Kimpton Aertson Hotel, an IHG Hotel, 4-star boutique hotel, located in Nashville’s Music Row district. Home to a modern American brasserie called Henley and bar program spotlights Tennessee whiskeys.
- mid-range ($$): Hutton Hotel, 4-star eco-friendly hotel, in the heart of downtown Nashville’s Midtown neighborhood, within a short walk away from Music Row.
- budget ($): Residence Inn by Marriott Nashville Vanderbilt/West End, 3-star hotel, located within walking distance from Vanderbilt University and Herschel Greer Stadium.
See more: Where to stay in Nashville without a car
9. Germantown
Located in the north of the city, Nashville’s historic neighborhood, Germantown offers an experience that differs from what you are likely to find anywhere else in Nashville.
Germantown was one of the first Music City suburbs, established by European immigrants in the 19th-century.
The buildings largely feature Victorian architecture, giving the neighborhood a charm and character all of its own. Many now contain stylish cafes and restaurants, giving you the opportunity to relax in a stylish, sophisticated location.
Even the warehouses have been converted into boutique stores, selling both high-end and independent shoes, clothes, and other fashion wear.
Germantown has vibrant food scence, you can check out Germantown Cafe, City House that was won a James Beard award in 2016, and the Tailor Nashville.
The area is even home to the Nashville Farmers Market, the largest in the city. Here you can find everything from eateries to stalls selling goods and produce, both local and imported. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can have an entirely different experience, even if you’ve been before.
It isn’t just shopping and dining that makes Germantown so special though. Take for example the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Covering 19 acres, the park features lawns, plants, statues, memorials, columns, time capsules, and its main attraction, a 2000 seat terraced amphitheater.
This makes it a great place to explore for those who want to enjoy the history and culture, without being confined to a concrete jungle the whole time.
Stay in Germantown if you want to see the unique architecture and culture; you are a fan of stylish shops, cafes, and restaurants; you want to visit the Nashville Farmers market; you want to explore Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
Best places to stay in Germantown:
🔍MORE HOTELS IN NASHVILLE10. East Nashville
East Nashville is a huge area, located on the opposite side of the Cumberland River to Downtown. It’s bounded by the Cumberland to the south and east, I-65 to the west, and Briley Parkway to the north.
East Nashville is a primarily residential part of the city, made up of a number of smaller neighborhoods such as Five Points, East End, Eastwood Neighbors, Cleveland Park, McFerrin Park, East Hill, Lockeland Springs, Rolling Acres, Inglewood, and Greenwood.
The area has beautiful Victorian-style homes, businesses, and amenities like restaurants primarily catering to locals.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of East Nashville is its fabulous parks. Options like East Park, Cornelia Fort Airpark Cumberland Park, Shelby Bottoms, and Shelby Park fill the areas from the banks of the Cumberland River to the outskirts of the city.
East Nashville is also home to Nissan Stadium, a 69,000-seat outdoor area. The home of the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League, it makes East Nashville the perfect location for anyone coming to see a game or attend one of the many other major events held at the stadium.
Stay in East Nashville if you want to go for walks in beautiful parks; you prefer a more residential area; you don’t mind being separated from Downtown;
Best places to stay in East Nashville:
- budget ($): The Russell
- budget ($): Waymore’s Guest House and Casual Club
- budget ($): The Gallatin
11. Five Points
Located east of the Cumberland River, Five Points neighborhood takes its name from the five-pointed intersection of 11th Street, Clearview Avenue, and Woodland Street in East Nashville.
Like much of East Nashville, Five Points is a primarily residential neighborhood that caters mainly to locals from the area. This makes it a great place to stay for those who want to experience what life is truly like for those who live in the city.
The reason it has come to prominence in recent years is due to the fact it is home to some of the finest restaurants in the whole city. This makes it ideal for anyone who wants to sample the best cuisine the city of Nashville has to offer during their stay.
Some of the best restaurants are the Cafe Margot, Marche Artisan Food, Drifters Barbecue, Batter’d and Fried, Pied Piper Creamery, Bongo Java Roasting Co., the Turnip Truck Natural Market, and Five Points Pizza.
If you are looking for nightlife, there are the bars such as Red Door East, Lipstick Lounge, 3 Crow Bar, The 5 Spot, Beyond the Edge, Calypso Café, and Mad Donnas.
It also has a very hip and trendy reputation, due in large part to the collection of vintage shops, cafes and natural food markets present in the area.
There are numerous of festival including the Hot Chicken Festival in July, and the Tomato Art Fest in August.
When combined with some of the historic architecture that’s also on display, it makes Five Points a destination well suited to anyone who wants to experience the finer side of Nashville, without having to pay a fortune or be caught up in massive crowds the whole time.
Stay in Five Points if you want to dine in some of the city’s best restaurants; you want to stay in a neighborhood with a hip, trendy atmosphere.
12. Nashville International Airport
Located 8 miles east of downtown via I-4, to get from Nashville International airport to downtown, you can hire a car, airport shuttle, take a taxi, Uber and Lyft; or take a MTA bus 18.
If you have a late arrival or early departure, staying near Nashville International airport is the smart choice. I recommend staying in the hotels below.
Sheraton Music City Nashville Airport This Georgian-style 4-star hotel provides a heated indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool with sundeck, fitness center, and on-site dining. it offers rooms with a private balcony or patio, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a refrigerator, and free wifi.
Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Airport This 3-star hotel is set just minutes from Nashville International Airport, and with a 24-hour airport shuttle service, it offers a variety of thoughtful amenities and is only a short drive by car from downtown. It is conveniently close to Interstate 40 which offers guests to easily visit the attractions of the center of the city, including the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
🔍MORE HOTELS IN NASHVILLEWhere should I stay in Nashville for the first time?
Downtown is the most popular area to stay in Nashville for first-time visitors. It offers easy access to major attractions such as Broadway and the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as many restaurants, bars, and shops.
What are the best areas to stay in Nashville?
Downtown, East Nashville, The Gulch, The West End, Midtown, Hillsboro Village, Music Row, and Germantown are the best areas to stay in Nashville because they are the most popular areas for tourists that offer many things to do and see.
Where to stay in Nashville without a car?
Downtown, The Gulch, and West End/Vanderbilt are some of the best areas to stay in Nashville without a car because it has a super central location and well-connected public transport.
Where to stay in Nashville with a car?
Most hotels in Downtown Nashville offer paid parking. If you are looking for a hotel with free car parking in Nashville, look into Clarion Hotel or SoBro Guest House.
What is the safest area to stay in Nashville?
Downtown, Midtown, the Gulch, Music Valley, and West End are some of the safest places to stay in Nashville for tourists. It is recommended to always practice common sense as you travel to any big city.
Where not to stay in Nashville?
I recommend avoiding Heron Walk, Glencliff, Bordeaux, and Talbot’s Corner because they have high crime rates, as well as being aware of your surroundings and staying alert.
See more:
- Where to stay in Nashville without a car
- Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco
- Best areas to Stay in Asheville
- Best areas to Stay in Seattle
- Best areas to Stay in Charleston
- Best areas to Stay in Boston
- Best areas to Stay in Savannah
Summary – Where to stay in Nashville?
In conclusion, Downtown, East Nashville, The Gulch, The West End, Midtown, Hillsboro Village, Music Row, and Germantown are the best places to stay to stay in Nashville for tourists and first-time travelers. They offer safe locations with a wide choice of tourist amenities for visitors.
Overall, I recommend Downtown as the best base in Nashville for first-timers due to its central location, safety, and a wide range of accommodation options for all budgets. Staying here puts you within walking distance to many attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.