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Midtown

The local's guide to Midtown Nashville, the hotel-and-nightlife zone by Vanderbilt. What to do, where to eat and drink, and where to stay.

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Midtown sits between downtown and Vanderbilt University, wedged against Music Row. It is a dense pocket of hotels, bars, and restaurants, busiest after dark, and a practical, central base for a Nashville trip.

This guide covers what Midtown is, what to do there, where to eat and drink, and where to stay. It is the neighborhood for an easy hotel, a night out near campus, and quick access to the rest of the city.

Orientation: Midtown is just west of downtown, a short ride from Lower Broadway and walkable to Vanderbilt, Music Row, and Centennial Park. It is compact and easy to get around. It runs young and lively at night near the bar cluster, calmer by day.

The Vibe

Midtown is a hotel-and-nightlife neighborhood. By day it is hotels, offices, and the edge of the Vanderbilt campus. At night a tight cluster of bars and restaurants fills up with a young, college-leaning crowd. It is less of a sightseeing destination and more of a convenient, energetic place to stay and go out.

Things to Do in Midtown

The Original Hattie B's

The original Hattie B's Hot Chicken is in Midtown. It is the spot that put Nashville hot chicken in front of a national audience, and the line proves it. New to the dish? See what Nashville hot chicken is and the hot chicken guide.

The Midtown Bar Scene

Midtown has its own nightlife cluster, a run of bars popular with the Vanderbilt crowd and locals who want a night out away from the Broadway tourist crush. It is more neighborhood bar than honky tonk.

Music Row and Centennial Park

Midtown sits right against Music Row, the heart of Nashville's recording industry, and Centennial Park with the Parthenon is a short walk west. Both make easy add-ons. See the parks guide and the museums guide.

Where to Eat and Drink

Midtown's food runs from the famous hot chicken to a spread of restaurants and the bar-cluster kitchens. It is solid, central, and unfussy rather than a fine-dining destination. For a special dinner, Germantown or the Gulch is the better target, both a short ride away.

Where to Stay

Midtown is one of Nashville's most practical places to stay. It is hotel-dense, central, and a short ride from Broadway, with Vanderbilt, Music Row, and Centennial Park within walking distance. It is a strong pick if you want a convenient base without paying downtown rates or sitting in the Broadway noise. See the where to stay guide.

Find a Hotel in Midtown

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Plan your time in Midtown

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FAQ

What is Midtown Nashville known for?

Midtown is known as a hotel-and-nightlife zone between downtown and Vanderbilt. It holds the original Hattie B's Hot Chicken, a cluster of bars, and easy access to Music Row and Centennial Park.

Is Midtown a good place to stay in Nashville?

Yes, for convenience. Midtown is hotel-dense and central, a short ride from Broadway and walkable to Vanderbilt and Centennial Park. It is a practical base without the downtown crowds.

Where is the original Hattie B's?

The original Hattie B's Hot Chicken is in Midtown. It is the location credited with bringing Nashville hot chicken to a wide audience, and it draws a long line.

Is Midtown walkable?

Yes. Midtown is compact and walkable, and it connects on foot to the Vanderbilt campus, Music Row, and Centennial Park.

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Neighborhoods Guide  ·  Hot Chicken Guide  ·  Where to Stay  ·  Things to Do in Nashville  ·  All Guides  ·  The Gulch  ·  Hillsboro Village