Downtown Area The Best Area To Stay In Nashville
The downtown area is by far and away the most happening district in the city and is the hub of the entertainment, which gives the city its identity. This area is one of the closest to the Nashville International Airport and there are shuttle buses that can be arranged with the majority of hotels and there is also airport/downtown bus, which runs every hour and is incredibly inexpensive. Nashville is one of the more dangerous cities in the USA but this area is heavily policed and only petty crimes happen like stealing happen, so it is best to just use some common sense when out and about. The district is well served by public transport too, which means you can easily reach other parts of Nashville without much hassle.
There are a whole host of things to do in the downtown area, which appeal to a wide audience, whether you like music, history, modern architecture, general museums, night time entertainment, bars and restaurants. Probably the first thing you will notice is the tallest building in the state, which is the AT& T Building or more commonly known as The Batman Building due to the 2 tall spires that sit on top of it. Another structure that is very noticeable is the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, which was built in the early 20th century and is vehicle free, so that you can enjoy the fantastic views of the riverfront and downtown.
Best Hotel In Downtown: Fairlane Hotel
With its central location, stylish décor and myriad of modern facilities, its no wonder this is one of our favourite hotels in Nashville. Set downtown, this four-star hotel is a short walk from great restaurants, bars, shopping and sightseeing. It has 77 retro rooms each outfitted with essential features and charming designs.
West End/midtown Good For Nightlife
Nashvilles buzzing Midtown and West End districts are where the citys true spirit emerges, where old meets new and individuals from all walks of life merge, exchange, and celebrate.
Rock, country, and pop are all given their due spotlight at venues such as The End and Exit/In, while smaller bars and cafes closer to Vanderbilt University feature their own distinctive line-ups and student dynamic.
Visitors to the West End can additionally partake in the Old Town Trolley hop-on hop-off city tour, which makes fourteen stops around Nashville.
Midtown is famous for its meeting of music novices and industry professionals, and its no stretch to surmise that todays nobody may very well be tomorrows next big star.
Music isnt the areas only offering, however the Midtown and West End areas each respectively boast some of the citys top restaurants and bars. Midtown has a great nightlife.
Coupled with its ease of walkability and hotel options, this dual area is ideal for first-time visitors looking to get a tasteand the bestof both worlds.
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Better To Stay In Opryland Or Downtown
I am coming to Nashville for a week at the end of May, I just have a couple questions. First – is it better to downtown or on music row?
Second – What is the weather like at that time of year?
Thanks so much in advance for any information
This is Nashville so the weather is iffy at best. Close to Memorial day so probably some rain. It maybe hot but a cold front may come through so it is really hard to say.
Whether you should stay downtown, on music row, or at Opryland will depend on what youre interested in seeing/doing on your visit. Opryland is out along the highway and not convenient to downtown. The hotel is big – complete with fake southern village inside – and theres a mall right next door. But otherwise , youre confined to an area of chain restaurants and tourists. On the other hand, if attending a conference, mall shopping, and going to the Opry are on your agenda, it might be perfect.
Downtown is right in the heart of the lower Broadway honky tonks, with plenty of night life, bars, restaurants, museums, and live music all easy walking distance from your hotel. Most visitors who want the Nashville experience will probably be happier staying in this area.
Music row is about a 5-10 minute cab ride from downtown. Its over towards the universities, and surrounded by some very nice neighborhoods. The nightlife around this area is much less touristy, and youre closer to a number of neat shopping enclaves and restaurants.
Central Nashville Apartment: Central Space With A Great Atmosphere
Located right in the heart of Nashvilles city center, this place is great for first-timers. Youll have access to a huge range of restaurants to suit all budgets, museums and galleries right on your doorstep, and the great access to public transport will make exploring the city-at-large a breeze.
Check out even more options in our Airbnbs in Tennessee post!
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Where To Stay In Nashville Cheap
If you are looking to spend less than $100 then look further north.
Areas like Avondale have decent motels and hostels that you could stay at for really low prices.
If you plan on using your own car or a rental to commute up and down the city, then you should also consider the motel area along Dickerson Pike.
Suggested accommodations in this area:
- Hostels: Music City Hostel
- AirBnb and Holiday Homes: The Lee Apartartment
Gulch Neighborhood In Nashville
The Gulch is situated between downtown and Midtown and is by far the hippest neighborhood in Nashville.
The Gulch is one of Nashvilles hotspots for millennials, bachelorette parties, and the must-have girls weekend.
The Gulch is also known for its culinary scene and high-end boutiques. The Gulch is the perfect place to stay in Nashville if youre hanging out with your girlfriends or having an epic bachelorette party.
The Gulch is home to The Station Inn, which has been hosting bluegrass bands and artists longer than I have been alive.
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The West End/ Hillsboro Village
Situated next to Vanderbilt University, the West End is a lively and upscale central location within the city. Centennial Park Nashvilles largest urban park is located here and represents the heart of daytime activities. A popular attraction is the Partenón a copy of the Athenian statue in Greece.
The West End is famous for its nightlife and entertainment, so its no wonder you will spot many students here.
All in all, the West End is a popular area to stay in Nashville, so lets see some of the most affordable hotels and rentals:
Bonus: Best Hotels Near Nashville International Airport
Sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long flight is to travel to a hotel room for another hour. Or maybe, you need to wake up at 3 a.m in the morning for an early flight back home. It can be really dreadful to travel to the airport while its still night time. Or in the worst-case scenario to finally arrive at the airport only to find out that your flight has been canceled.
So, you might want to consider booking a hotel room near the airport for your first and last night. You can wake up later in the morning and have a proper breakfast. Whats more, the rates at many hotel rooms near the airport can be considerably cheaper.
I hope that my guide of Nashvilles best neighborhoods with the best hotels and rentals will help you make up your mind and save you time and money when booking your stay.
As you have probably noticed, each neighborhood has its own unique vibe, culture and attractions but all of them are just a quick ride away.
Whether you are exploring the city with family or are heading on a business trip, I covered all the major areas. Youll find luxury boutique hotels, budget accommodations, spacious family rooms, and even romantic nests. I hope you will have a memorable experience and dont forget to book your place in advance if you have a chance to!
Have I missed anything? Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. Also, if you are still unsure about where to stay, drop me a line!
Happy travels!
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South Nashville & Wedgewood
South Nashville is one of the largest districts in the city, located south of downtown and east of Music Row.
The citys fairground complex, called The Fairgrounds Nashville, gives life to the southern area of the city. It is the official seat of the traditional Tennessee State Fair and multiple sporting events.
South Nashville also hosts the Wedgewood / Houston neighborhood. Nicknamed WeHo, this amazing area is the hipster and creative neighborhood of Nashville. WeHo offers art galleries on every corner, cool cafes, restaurants and a creative atmosphere.
When it comes to public transport, buses connect Bransford Avenue.
During the State Fair, the streets around this area tend to get congested, so it is recommended to stay near the fair complex in order to move faster.
It is a relatively cheap area to stay in Nashville, quite central and affordable, thanks to its two and three star hotels.
What makes this the best area to stay in Nashville, TN
- The Fairgrounds Nashville
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Scottish Inn Nashville offers air-conditioned accommodation and a balcony in Nashville. The apartment is half a mile from Nissan Stadium and a mile from Johnny Cash Museum.
Best Places To Stay In Nashville
For tourists, choosing where to stay in Nashville hinges on what you plan to do and our travel budget. Downtown Nashville, SoBro, and the Gulch are the citys centermost areas. All these central neighborhoods are close to all the action. Unsurprisingly, theyre also the most expensive districts to stay for travelers.
Midtown and East Nashville, on the other hand, are mixed residential & commercial areas. In each, youll enjoy a more local feel for your Nashville visit and cheaper accommodation prices.
Fondly referred to as the Honky Tonk Highway, Broadway Avenue in Downtown Nashville is the heart of the citys entertainment scene. The neighborhood south of Broadway is home to many of the top points of interest in Nashville. In the area, youll spot highlights like the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and Johnny Cash Museum.
Just west of SoBro, The Gulch is compact and commercial. The area is packed with high-rise hotels, fancy restaurants, and busy bars. Midtown and West End offer quieter living with some local pubs and restaurants and the famed Music Row.
Across the Cumberland River, East Nashville offers lodgings at more reasonable prices than in the city center. Its a great option to get away from the noise & traffic of downtown and enjoy a quieter stay.
The best areas to stay in Nashville are:
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Best Places To Stay In Nashville: Top 12 Hotels
Nashville has become such a hot spot to visit, with its bustling music, food, culture, and art scene. I visited for my first time earlier this year and am going again in the fallcant wait! I wanted to make this guide to the best places to stay in Nashville to help make your trip planning a lot easier.
Today, Im covering everything from the best neighborhoods to the best hotels to stay. If you love country music, good food, and hitting up cool art displays, you will have the best time in Nashville.
There are so many fun bars and restaurants to exploreNashville makes an ideal place for a girls trip or a romantic getaway. Theres nothing more unique to Nashville than being the music city and capital in the US.
Where To Stay In Nashville: Mid
For an ideal combination of location, price, and amenities, the Homewood Suites Nashville Vanderbilt is the place to stay. This all-suite hotel includes kitchenettes, free breakfast, self-service laundry, heated pool, and even offers a shuttle to downtown locations. There is also plenty to do within walking distance. It is located in the West End, just steps from the Parthenon and Vanderbilt University, a 15-minute walk to Music Row, and surrounded by restaurants.
Convenient to main routes into the city, the Quality Suites Nashville Airport has updated rooms and facilities that are modern and posh, and it provides free popcorn and fresh-baked cookies to guests in the evenings. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle, pool, and self-serve laundry.
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Home2 Suites Nashville Vanderbilt
If youre looking for somewhere to stay that is in the center of Music Row and close to popular sporting stadiums, Home2 Suites Nashville by the Hilton is the perfect place with its colorful and contemporary vibes.
Home2 Suites offers free breakfast every morning and has other amenities youll love like their indoor pool. Theres even a 24-hour market on-site to get all the essential snacks and goodies.
They also offer a free shuttle service that takes you to all the must-see spots. Youre also really close to restaurants like Amerigo Italian Restaurant, Blackstone Brewery & Restaurant, and the Patterson House.
Best Hotel In Nashville: Sobro Guesthouse
The SoBro Guesthouse is our choice for the top hotel in Nashville. This four-star property is centrally located in trendy SoBro, making it an outstanding base for your time in Nashville. It is a short walk to top sightseeing, dining and entertainment options. On-site youll enjoy laundry facilities and comfortable rooms
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Best Area To Stay In Nashville
Like most of the big cities, also Nashville has a Downtown area.
This is where you will find the famous lights of Broadway, somehow similar to the Las Vegas Strip.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Nashville are either in the downtown area or less than 5 miles away.
The Downtown area is not that big either and most of the attractions, restaurants and bars are within walking distance.
The city center is probably the most touristy part of Nashville. This should not discourage you, though.
This is where you will find great live music venues and exhibits as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, besides lovely restaurants as the Merchants.
It can get quite busy after dark, but thats part of the fun of Nashville and this is probably why you decided to book your trip here, to have a great dinner, a few drinks and possibly some live music.
West of Downtown you will find the areas with more of a local feeling, still plenty of venues, bars and restaurants however you will be more likely to meet locals than visitors.
East and North of Downtown are much less lively however this is where you can find a few hotel bargains.
One important thing to notice is that quite often hotels call themselves Downtown Hotel XYZ, however, annoyingly enough, they are not actually downtown, usually east of the Cumberland River.
Here below a map of the best areas to stay in Nashville.
Sobro Where To Stay In Nashville For First Time
SoBro is technically a subdistrict of Downtown Nashville and makes up the majority of Downtown that is located south of Broadway. In fact, that is where the area takes its name from, as SoBro literally means South Of Broadway.
The location of SoBro provides excellent access to all of the attractions found in the rest of Downtown, while being marginally quieter and more affordable. However, that doesnt mean SoBro lacks attractions of its own as well.
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 worlds largest music museums and research centres, 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 neighbourhood as well, with many of its other prominent attractions located around it.
To the west is the Music City Center, the largest convention centre 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 worlds most iconic location for country music while in SoBro.
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Find Your Placeplaces To Stay
Nashville offers a place to stay for every kind of traveler: marquee hotels, boutique properties, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, hostels, camping grounds, and more.
Nineteen new hotels. Five thousand new rooms. Nashville has been busy making sure you can get away from it all when the time is right. With so many places to stay in the heart of the action, youll rest easy, wherever you rest you head.
Nashville offers a wide range of accommodations to fit every taste.
Browse hotels, B& Bs, rentals, and more. Find the perfect place to rest your head in Music City.
Where To Stay In Nashville For Nightlife
For the most part, Nashville is a touristy city with a clear inclination towards music.
The question is where to stay in Nashville for nightlife, to catch the best concerts, to discover the future music stars, to have just a drink and a talk with a few locals
If you want to truly experience the city in all its southern authenticity then Midtown is probably the best place to stay in Nashville.
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