The neighborhood of Midtown in Nashville is just a 9-minute drive from downtown. The area includes Vanderbilt University, Music Row, The Parthenon, and Centennial Park. It's a popular Nashville destination for locals and visitors alike.
If you are considering visiting (or moving) to Nashville and want to enjoy the eating, dining, and cultural attractions of Nashville without the noise and busyness of lower Broadway, you should consider Midtown. I have written a complete guide to the must-visit Midtown bars that you should check out here. The area boasts many of Nashville's most famous cultural attractions and best bars and restaurants.
In this post, I'll answer the question: Is Midtown Nashville Walkable?
Yes, Midtown is walkable and boasts some of the best cultural and historical Nashville landmarks best explored on foot. In addition, within walking distance of hotels and apartments are some of Nashville’s best bars, restaurants, and cultural attractions like Music Row and The Parthenon. We’ll explore all the must-see places within walking distance in this post.
It would be challenging to walk the entirety of Midtown unless you are very fit and have the time. This is because Midtown encompasses an area that includes Music Row, Centennial Park, The Parthenon, TriStar, and Vanderbilt Medical Centers. So it's a large area divided by busy roads.
However, suppose you plan to stay (or live) in a specific area of Midtown, there are two main areas to live or stay that give you access to all of Midtown. They are (what I'm calling) the Division Street/Vanderbilt University areas and the Parthenon/Centennial Park area.
These two areas contain plenty of local shops, restaurants, bars, and amenities and give you access to key areas in Midtown – all within walking distance.
We'll explore each of these in detail.
Division Street/Vanderbilt University Area
Division Street is an easily walkable street in Midtown with numerous bars and restaurants, all within walking distance of each other. This has been a favorite location to stay when my parents visit from out of town.
It's easy to get to if you simply follow Broadway up past the Gulch, take a left and head directly into Division Street, in the Midtown neighborhood.
The traffic is light and aware of pedestrians. It's a vibrant mix of hard-rocking live music, upscale cocktail bars, and relaxed dive bars with cold beer. I wrote an extensive post on the must-visit bars on Division street here. Here are some suggestions.
Staying near Division Street also gives you close access to many attractions and restaurants within walking distance. Here are my recommendations on what to see, where to eat and drink, and where to stay – all within walking distance:
Bars & Restaurants on Division Street
- Winners Bar & Grill: known for local artists and their excellent rooftop bar.
- The Dogwood. Fantastic live music and hip-hop from the 90s – 00s.
- The Red Door Saloon. A Chicago-style bar with an open patio and indoor seating. A favorite of local celebrities.
- The Slider House. Gourmet slider 7 days a week with indoor and outdoor seating.
- San Antonio Taco Co. A popular TexMex Restaurant.
Points of Interest:
- Music Row – 15-minute walk/3 minute drive. Music Row is home to historic recording studios and industry offices. It's an easy to pleasant walk.
- Musica Statue – 8-minute walk/2 minute drive.
- Demonbreun St. Bars, Saloons, and Restaurants – 10-minute walk/3 minute drive.
- Quick access to Broadway that leads downtown.
- Vanderbilt University
- 21st Avenue Shopping
Places to Stay
Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt
The Embassy Suites is within walking distance of all the major attractions in Midtown and a quick ride away from the major attractions downtown. This hotel features everything that you would expect from Embassy suites including breakfast, pool, and restaurant. Prices start at $187.
Hilton Garden Inn Nashville at Vanderbilt
Starting at $167 per night, the Hilton Garden Inn is within only 1 mile of Music Row and Vanderbilt.
Virgin Hotels Nashville
Located on Music Square, Virgin Hotel offers a 4 star experience with rooms starting at around $330 per night. It is only a 14 minute walk from Vanderbilt and is situated near all the best bars and restaurants in the hub of Midtown.
Parthenon & Centennial Park Area.
West End Avenue, a popular road with many famous places to eat and drink, pierces down the middle of Midtown, dividing it from the Vanderbilt side.
Suppose you prefer to stay closer to Midtown's famous Parthenon and Centennial Park area. In that case, you should stay or live on this side of West End Avenue.
The Parthenon is located within Centennial Park. The park is enormous, covering 132 acres of land. It has long trails to walk next to the pond with all manner of wildlife and birds. It also features a walking bridge and picnic areas.
Many festivals throughout the year include concerts, art shows, and food festivals.
Within Centennial Park is the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. It was built to honor the Greek philosophy and thought of that time.
Recommended Bars & Restaurants
- Redlands Bar & Grill (our favorite!)
- Martins Bar-B-Que Joint
- The Local Nashville
- Ellison Place Soda Shop
- Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Places to Stay
Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University
Located on the Vanderbilt University campus next to the Vanderbilt Stadium. The Parthenon and Centennial Park are just a 9-minute walk away. Downtown Nashville and the major attractions are just 2 miles away. Rooms start at about $229.
Holiday Inn Nashville Vanderbilt
Located between Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park you can walk up and down West End Avenue, explore the park and the Parthenon. It's pet friendly, has an outdoor pool and on-site restaurant featuring breakfast and dinner.
Hampton Inn & Suites
Less than 6 mins walk from Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park. Just a 2.1 mile drive from the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Easy walking to all the shops, restaurants and attractions listed on this page. Prices start at just $165.
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