Whaaat?! You’re planning an ethereal trip to the super walkable Nashville, and you don’t know about the best areas to stay in Nashville without a car?
Whether you’re a Nashville local or a travel freak planning an itinerary to the neat and nifty Nashville, don’t you think you should explore some of its unique no-car-friendly lodgings?
Come on, we all know the Music City, Nashville, is a place that has got something special in its store for each of you! Even if you’re visiting the city for the first time without a car, the wondrous no-car places of Nashville will surely not fail to impress you.
Best Areas To Stay In Nashville Without A Car
To help you find your best car-free stays, we’ve come up with our free travel guide, so chillax, get your coffee mug, and keep reading our article to know more!
1. Downtown Nashville
Wait! Before I start telling you about this no-car beauty, are you still stuck at the Nashville airport for the freaking car problem? Ugh! I got it right, no?
So listen, if you’re stuck in Nashville for mere car transportation issues, you, my friend, don’t need to worry anymore because there are a lot of car alternatives that can help you reach your destination. Some of them are:
1. Airport shuttle
2. Public bus (route 18)
3. Magic Taxi, Music City Cab
4. Uber
5. Lyft
6. Electric Scooters (from Lime)
7. Bikes (from B-cycle)
8. Pedicabs
9. Pedal Taverns
10. Tourist Trolleys (Hop on Hop off Trolley Tours offer the service)
11. Hotel shuttles (some even offer them for free)
12. Trains (WeGo Public Transit)
From the above options, taxis and airport pickups are the most convenient because the fares don’t fluctuate much like ride-sharing apps.
But if you’re opting for an even cheaper option, you can catch a bus from the WeGo Public Transit and reach downtown from the airport by spending $2 only. The bus operates from 5 am till midnight on working days, as for public holidays and weekends service starts from 5.30 am till evening.
Reaching downtown will only cost you 20 minutes if you’re heading from the airport. You won’t ever need to worry about- where to stay in Nashville downtown because once you get inside downtown, you’ll get almost every amenity within walking distance without much hassle.
From the scenic neon lights to the abundance of residences, grocery shops, shopping, restaurant options (Rippy’s Bar and Grill, Mikes Ice Cream shop), and around 380 bars or just the music oozing from honky-tonks you can explore Downtown Nashville in the best possible way without having a car and even just by taking short walks. Some popular attractions of this area within walking distance are:
- Honky-Tonk Highway
- Johnny Cash Museum
- Tennessee State Capital
- The Bridgestone Arena
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Ryman Auditorium
- Nissan Stadium
- The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
You can also take a guided tour because each attraction has stunning history, background, and activities to help you forget the sorrows of not having a car.
As for your no-car comfy accommodation, we’ve:
- Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown
- Cambria Nashville Downtown
- Renaissance Hotel Nashville
Apart from our top picks, you’ll find a lot of hotel options within walking distance, and that makes Downtown Nashville one of the best areas to stay in Nashville without a car.
2. The Gulch
Located at the southern fringe of downtown Nashville, Gulch is a trendy neighborhood and one of the top places to live in Nashville for your no-car itinerary because it has a super walkability score of 78.
From its chic highrise condos, breweries, 15 retail shops, luxe boutiques, super grub deals (hotspots:- Kayne Prime, Biscuit Love), cocktails, meals from the happening 17 restaurants, striking colorful murals, and rooftop bars to the stunning views of Nashville, Gulch has it all.
The place is also a LEED-certified community; therefore, it encourages sustainable technologies and is your perfect spot when heading off without a car.
You can take the Hop on Hop Off Trolley Tours (90-minute trolley tour that’ll take you to over 100 chic stops, including Gulch) to visit the neighborhood by spending only $47.
And Gulch is also home to some fantastic jazz music; at Gleave’s Street, you’ll find the rocking Rudy’s Jazz Room, which features live jazz and blues. Some famous attractions are:
- The Turnip Truck (serves personal care products, grocery, and hot and cold bars)
- L. A Jackson (popular rooftop bar)
- Shed Group, HotBox (fitness studios)
- The Station Inn(internationally famous bluegrass venue)
- Bark Public House (amenity if you’re coming with your furry friend)
- Nashville WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural (perfect for your picturesque trip)
As for your accommodation, our pick is the Thompson Hotel; it facilitates a killer rooftop bar and is a 15-minute walk from Bridgestone Arena.
3. Bellmont-Hillsboro
If you’re looking for the best area to stay in Nashville for nightlife, this no-car-friendly neighborhood is your place! With a high walkability score of 74, this place ensures you make the most of your without-car itinerary.
From the nearby stores, restaurants (walkable ones: Fido, Pancake Pantry), the most architecturally serene Belmont Mansion, cafes, majestic Vanderbilt University, bookstores, medical centers, cocktail bars, and even the lovely lawns of Vandy’s Peabody Campus, or just going for a stress-free stroll on the walkable streets at night or day, this place is sure to give you a comforting vibe.
And if you feel tired of exploring the area walking, you can relax at the Belcourt Theatre and enjoy some indie films. It also fosters incredible events throughout the year, such as the Music City Mondays and the Belmont-Hillsboro-Vanderbilt Art Walk. Popular attractions here are:
- The Gallery of Iconic Guitars (has a collection of 300 rare guitars, including Bat Strat)
- Troutt Theater
- Fannie Mae Park (interior has beautiful dragon mosaic playgrounds)
- The Fischer Center (venue to enjoy classical music and contemporary dance)
- Frederick Hart Studio Museum
- McAfee Concert Hall
And for an affordable stay, you can go for the Hampton Inn Nashville Hotel. It’s only 1.2 miles from Vanderbilt University, so you’re good to go if you’re coming by bus or even scooter.
4. Germantown
Have you been tensed and looking for the best places to stay in Nashville, TN, for couples without a car? Then look no further than Germantown because the area has surreal restaurants, pubs, and parks, just the ones you need for your relaxing escape.
This third most walkable part of the city offers cute sidewalk cafes, crafts shops, high-end boutiques, unique Victorian buildings, shops, and even super-cool options for sporting.
Germantown starts right from the north of the Capitol Mall and offers a variety of unique culinary; some of them which you shouldn’t miss are bacon-wrapped quail, beer can chicken from 5th & Taylor, sourdough with seaweed butter from Rolf & Daughters, wood-roasted oysters from Henrietta Red.
Some other attractions for your no-car Nashville trip from Germantown are:
- The Germantown Art Crawl
- Oktoberfest
- Top Golf courses
- Baseball sites at First Horizon Park
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Sonny’s Patio Pub (brewery with live music)
- Year-round Farmer’s Market (for freshie deals)
- Jefferson Street Sound Museum
As for your lodging, Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Nashville would be a savvy option because everything out here is within walking distance.
5. 12 South Nashville
Because of the spectacular proximity of your required amenities, this place has grabbed its twinkling spot for your best areas to stay in Nashville without a car.
This beauty will undoubtedly give you the feel of class and homely warmth together.
Be it the absolute relaxing stroll on Sevier Park or just wandering about the random burger and barbeque joints, developed apartments, boutiques, jewelry shops, eye-soothing bungalows, artsy walkable communities, business centers, and workplaces, uber-cool cycling options, or the local restaurants that have something within everyone’s budget, 12 South is a power-packed combo for everything for your car-free travel.
Here the popular demands are:
- Sevier Park
- Las Paletas, Mafiaoza’s, Locust, and Christie Cookie Co (best options for giving treats to your taste buds))
- Frothy Monkey (best coffee and brunch stop)
- Belmont University
- Astounding Nashville murals
- Emerson Grace and Draper James (popular clothing brand)
- Yoga and fitness studios
- White’s Mercantile (super trendy grocery store)
For your accommodation in this hottest chic neighborhood of Nashville, you can opt for the 12 South Guest House boutique; if you’re coming from downtown, it’ll only cost you $6-8 from Lyft rides.
6. 5 Points-East End
Are you worrying about where to stay in Nashville for the first time when you don’t have a car? It is the place to be because it fosters well-designed cycling and bike lanes, top-quality walkways, and pedal-friendly speed limitations rules.
For you to chill and explore the nightlife, the place offers breathtaking bars and jam-packed live music venues with picture-perfect ambiance.
During the days, you can go for their finest cuisine, eclectic hot dog joints, boutiques, skate and bike shops, charming street light tunnels, and many more. Wait, but are you worried about the security of this place?
Then it is a blessing at this, too, because it offers the safest community atmosphere and the best safe stays in Nashville when you’re heading without a car. Some popular attractions at this end are:
- The East Room (hosts stunning comedy nights)
- Shelby Park
- Gallatin Avenue’s art walks (the most walkable street)
- The Red Arrow (art gallery)
- Margot Cafe and The Grilled Cheeserie (renowned local eateries)
- Hunter’s Station (industrial food hall)
- Candle Bar (famous quaint shop)
You’ll get every amenity by short walks or just by cycle rides, and as for your lodging, The Russell Hotel would be our top pick since it nestles between Shelby Park and riverside paths, ideal for your no-car stay.
7. West End
Sign up for the bond for a lifetime smile membership because this no-car place offers free summer concerts; the famous Musician’s Corner hosts it every year.
And that’s why West End leads the pack to the best areas to stay in Nashville without a car. From trendy coffee shops, educational sites, and diners to free live music and entertainment, West End ensures you have no hassle completing your trip without the car.
Even the nights at West End are so vibrant for its well-set-up shimmering neon-lit signs and music pulsing around. The area is mostly flat, and amenities are accessible by mere minutes-walk or bike. Some famous tourist attractions here are:
- Cheekwood Estate and Gardens (botanical garden with twinkling illuminated pathways at night)
- Rabbit Hole Virtual Reality Center
- Centennial Park (132-acre lush leafy park with a serene lake and top-quality walkways)
- Church Street drag shows and cabarets
- Losers Bar & Grill (for stunning meals, drinks, and live music)
- Cross-Eyed Critters (top music spot)
- Parthenon Museum (the most visited one for its jaw-dropping architecture and arts, replica of Athens temple)
- Turn Their Heads (offers top dance lessons)
Conrad Nashville would be our pick for your no-car stay since it is 1.18km from West End. You can take up a taxi to reach the hotel; the fare should be within a reasonable range.
Conclusion
And yay, now you’ve successfully unlocked all the best areas to stay in Nashville without a car since you’ve read our article until the end.
To get a smooth no-car trip, you should double-check the bus website for the schedules when you go for public transit, as some public transport might not operate 24/7. As for the ride-share apps, the downside is you might need to wait for the drivers to reach you, so cycling and walking (remember to take water bottles and shades) could be the better option because downtown Nashville has lovely flat lanes.
But for an even more savvy and wallet-saving option, take your Nashville Sightseeing Pass (if you’ve one); with it, you can choose up to 30 popular tourist attractions and explore Nashville that too, without bothering about having a car.
And as we always say, if you’re willing to go beyond downtown and the walkable neighborhoods, you should consider taking a car.