Broadway and beyond: Nashville’s 5 best neighborhoods

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.

1. Downtown

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.

2. Wedgewood Houston

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.

This neighborhood has a small but diverse (and growing) food-and-drink scene. Grab Belgian brews from Fait La Force, enjoy classic Nashville beers at Jackalope or try creative ciders from Diskin Cider. If you’re feeling peckish, grab bar eats from Never Never, thin-crust pizza at Dicey’s Tavern or charcuterie from Americano Lounge.

Outside of Airbnb, there’s not much in the way of accommodation here; luckily, Wedgewood is just a short car ride from Downtown.

3. Germantown

Best for fabulous restaurants

Just north of Downtown, Germantown is a cozy corner of Nashville that packs a big cultural punch. The neighborhood itself makes for lovely walks thanks to a large number of historic homes and cobblestone sidewalks – Germantown was actually the city’s first residential subdivision. It’s also home to some of the city’s best restaurants.

Stop into the atmospheric Rolf and Daughters for creative takes on pasta classics, or tuck into inventive South Asian American dishes at Tailor. City House was one of the first spots in town to draw high-end foodies’ attention, and it remains a great bet, as does 5th & Taylor. Unsurprisingly, Germantown is also a great place for drinks: don’t miss the cocktails at Mother’s Ruin and Le Loup, or the beers at Bearded Iris and Monday Night Preservation Co.

Accommodation-wise, Germantown has far fewer options than nearby Downtown. The main highlight is Germantown Inn, a historic home with cozy rooms in the heart of the neighborhood.

4. 12 South and the Gulch

Best for shopping and brunch

Linked together by a long stretch of 12th Ave, the neighborhoods of 12 South and the Gulch are a well-trodden thoroughfare of restaurants and shops perfect for a wander on a sunny afternoon.

If you’re a fan of brunch, you’re in luck. In 12 South, the Butter Milk Ranch serves a hot breakfast that just may be the best in town (alongside croissants the size of your head), while concept eateries like Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar and Five Daughters draw on childhood nostalgia with inventive cereal creations and “hundred-layer” donuts. In the Gulch, snag a hair-of-the-dog margarita at Saint Añejo or sip mimosas at the gorgeous Mockingbird.

Since boutiques and shops abound here, this is also a great place to browse urban-chic looks or buy souvenirs for friends. The shopping in the Gulch has a distinctly metropolitan feel, hosting big-name clothiers like Urban Outfitters and Patagonia alongside local spots like Rustler Hat Co. and Paddywax Candle Bar. Over in 12 South, things skew a bit more down-home but still have that Nashville feel. Pick up a gift from White’s Mercantile or Serendipity, or try on candy-colored dresses at Draper James (founded by Reese Witherspoon).

The area around 12 South is largely residential, so you’ll have better luck with hotels in the Gulch. Plus, they’ll put you within walking distance of Downtown.

5. East Nashville

Best for local nightlife

When it comes to a night out, East Nashville is where in-the-know locals go. This expansive neighborhood has everything from dive bars to refined cocktail lounges to music venues to late-night restaurants. The biggest problem you’ll have is deciding how to fit it all in.

Music aficionados will delight in the number of varied venues. Head to the Basement East for indie, alt-rock and Americana acts in an intimate space, or bop over to the 5 Spot, a local favorite featuring everything from funk and soul nights to EDM DJ sets. Smaller venues like the Cobra and the East Room keep things eclectic, focusing on hyper-local acts, experimental rock shows and theater events.

Those looking for a more elevated sit-down food experience will love the menus at Lockeland Table, Butcher & Bee and Two Ten Jack, while folks wanting something casual will find plenty of options at Hunters Station and The Wash (a local restaurant-incubator initiative). Post-revelry, snag some eats at 5 Points Pizza or Dino’s.

It’s almost impossible to distill the East Nash bar scene into a paragraph – but suffice it to say all bases are covered. Sample European wines at Authentique, sip award-winning cocktails at Attaboy, try East Nash-brewed suds at Smith & Lentz or keep it simple with a pickleback shot at Red Door Saloon.

Accommodation options outside of Airbnb are growing, and with panache. Stay at the concierge-less Russell or Gallatin hotels (where part of your stay fee goes to benefit Nashville’s houseless community), or go glam at Urban Cowboy.