As a native Nashvillian who has lived in the Nashville area for 25 out of my 35 years of life, I have explored just about every nook and cranny that the city has to offer. As Tennessee’s capital and most populous city, Nashville serves as the cultural center of the state. It is also the most visited city in all of Tennessee, and it’s easy to see why. The home of country music and cowgirl bachelorette parties is also home to some of the hippest neighborhoods in the United States. People of all backgrounds flock to Nashville’s diverse environment– comfortably Southern, perfectly Metropolitan, and effortlessly hip. Everyone blends in, and there is something for everyone. You can be whatever you want to be here in Germantown, Nashville’s friendliest neighborhood.
Let’s spend the day in Germantown and see what makes it a perfect introduction to Nashville and what it’s all about!
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (Photo by Alex Sallee)
With such a vast area of the city to explore (approximately 526 square miles), it can be difficult to fit all of it into a weekend trip. When deciding which neighborhoods in Nashville to spend most of your time in, I would highly suggest prioritizing those that offer the most opportunity to discover the heart and culture of Nashville. One of those neighborhoods is Germantown.
Germantown: A Walkable Neighborhood
First and foremost, Germantown is an extremely walkable neighborhood. The streets are quiet, quaint, and lined with beautiful trees and historic homes. It’s a safe place to walk your dog or take the kids for a walk. Restaurants, boutiques, and parks are all within walking distance. In fact, any time I do go to Germantown, I end up just parking my car and strolling. For a neighborhood that is in the midst of one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the United States, Germantown is pleasantly quiet.
Being a busy city, you might expect to have a hard time finding parking. In Germantown, you don’t need to worry about that. There is always ample parking in both parking lots and the streets. I have never been in a situation where I couldn’t find a parking spot within a short walking distance of my intended destination. Now this may not apply to other neighborhoods in Nashville, but in Germantown, you are in luck!
Enjoy historic, including Victorian homes in Nashville’s Germantown (Phot by Alex Sallee)
Classic Victorian Charm
Germantown is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Nashville. As you walk the brick-lined sidewalks, you will pass by well-maintained historic Victorian-era homes with beautiful gardens and venerable trees. A lot of these historic homes now serve as a restaurant, a shop, or a museum of sorts.
Even the apartment buildings are historic and well-kept. As Nashville’s very first suburb, Germantown has really set the example for retaining a place’s charm without being left in the past. With Germantown’s perfect location and proximity to restaurants, shopping, parks, and activities, I’m not sure why you would ever need to leave.
(Photo by Alex Sallee)
What Makes Germantown the Friendliest Neighborhood in Nashville
You may not know this, but Germantown has a rich German heritage (hence the name) that has cultivated a strong sense of community with longtime events such as Oktoberfest, festivals, the Nashville Farmer’s Market, and fairs. Add the walkability and the proximity of so many local and quaint gathering places, the residents of Germantown enjoy a certain sense of closeness that you just can’t find in many other Nashville neighborhoods.
Besides being a close-knit community, Germantown has entwined its social gatherings with the actual neighborhood itself. This means you could walk by two houses, and the next house is a coffee shop. You could round the corner of a beautiful apartment building, and there’s everybody’s favorite pub. You could walk out of your favorite art gallery, and there’s your Airbnb. It’s all integrated, and I love it.
The people of Germantown love to show off their neighborhood as well. Visit Germantown during any holiday, whether it be Christmas or Mardi Gras, and you’re in for a magnificent display in the yards of every home and business.
Try a Polar Bear Scavenger Hunt in Germantown (Photo by Alex Sallee)
Scavenger Hunts and Art Crawls
Another way the friendly folks in Germantown like to welcome visitors to their neighborhood is by providing fun, walkable activities. One of these activities is a scavenger hunt for the polar bears of Germantown. Yes, you heard me right! Polar bears. Statues of course. They make great photo opportunities and the kids love them! There is one photo opportunity in Germantown that people often miss. A seasonal backdrop is available throughout the year (my favorite is the snowy polar bear in the winter) and is great for group photos. I won’t spoil the location of these gems, because half the fun is finding them.
Germantown also hosts an Art Crawl on the third Saturday of every month that features local artists, their craft, and copious amounts of beer, food, and music– and admission is free. What’s not to love?
Nashville Farmer’s Market
The Nashville Farmer’s Market isn’t just a weekend event. It is open daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm, offering local produce, prepared foods, crafts, classes, shops, and restaurants. There is also a pop-up kitchen that rotates vendors every single day for a pleasant surprise.
This is a great one-stop shop for visitors to the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum, both directly next door.
Bicentennial Capital Mall in Germantown (Photo by Alex Sallee)
Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park: Educate Yourself in All Things Tennessee
If I had to pick just one place to send people who want to learn the history of Tennessee, it would be the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park. It’s a beautiful park with wide open spaces, an unobstructed view of the State Capital, a touching World War II memorial, and on the outskirts sits the Tennessee State Museum.
At the Tennessee State Museum, you learn all about Tennessee’s long history, its natural history, and its cultural transformation. There is also a Children’s Gallery for a more youthful interpretation of the museum and to keep those kiddos occupied. Be sure to enjoy the unobstructed views of the State Capital all the way down from the Tennessee State Museum and up the hill it is perched on.
Find Your Favorite Eclectic Watering Hole
If there is one word you could describe Germantown with, it would be eclectic. On one hand, Germantown is vintage. On the other hand, it’s a hipster haven. It’s a mix of breweries, quirky coffee shops, art galleries, fine dining, sports bars, Southern-chic boutiques, and hole-in-the-wall pubs.
There are so many great places to gather with friends or meet new ones, but which one should you choose? Go on a walking tour! Ever hear of bar hopping? Everything is within walking distance. You can discover every pub, cafe, and brewery in Germantown if you want, or you might just fall in love with the one. Either way, the collective sentiment is that most of these places feel like home to their return customers, which is part of the magic of Germantown.
Boutique Shopping
If there is one thing that the people of Nashville like to do, it’s shopping. Shopping in Nashville is a bit different though. Sure, there are the big malls like Opry Mills and Green Hills, but part of the allure of Nashville is the boutique shopping. Not just for the cowgirl boots, acoustic guitar magnets, and Johnny Cash souvenirs.
It’s the local shops offering local products, clothes, jewelry, art, antiques, etc. There is no shortage of boutique shopping in Nashville, and Germantown is one of the best places for it. Have I mentioned that Germantown is very walkable? So take a few hours with the girls, walk the streets of Germantown, and pop into all the boutique shops for a unique souvenir to remember Germantown by.
(Photo by Alex Sallee)
Where to Eat in Germantown
This is a hard one, because there are just too many amazing places to eat in Germantown! Germantown is known as a foodie hotspot within Nashville for its eclectic variety of dining options. So, I’ve chosen only the most well-known and highly regarded eateries for you. Don’t let that discourage you from making your own choices though! If you walk past a particularly interesting place that just smells deliciously good from the outside, then go for it! Keep in mind that the pubs and breweries have amazing food as well.
- The Optimist- A fancy take on seafood such as lobster rolls and ceviche, a pretty impressive wine bar, and an awesome outdoor patio bar.
- Butchertown Hall- This is exactly what it sounds like– an epic Texas BBQ meat fest that takes butchery to a whole new level.
- 5th & Taylor- Southern comfort fine dining set in a historic warehouse.
- Rolf and Daughters- a favorite neighborhood establishment with a seasonal menu– so be pleasantly surprised!
- Germantown Cafe- This adorable cafe is a Germantown staple, serving up classic Southern comfort food.
- Monell’s- Classic all-you-can-eat Southern food served at family-style tables.
- Mother’s Ruin- A bar, but highly regarded for its delicious food. It’s not your typical bar food either. They serve up falafel, lobster rolls, and breakfast in this joint!
- The Cupcake Collection- Should you be open to dessert, this place serves up the best cupcakes I’ve ever had! Try the sweet potato cupcake. You can eat on the porch or take a box with you.
Where to Stay in Germantown
Germantown is such a quaint neighborhood, and as such there aren’t a ton of options for overnight stays. If you want to stay within Germantown, you can stay at the Germantown Inn, a modern boutique hotel that embraces its 19th century style, and the ONLY hotel in Germantown. Alternatively, there are a lot of really cool homes available to rent on Airbnb or VRBO. The great thing about staying in Germantown is that you probably won’t even need your car.
The Art Crawl in Germantown (Photo by Alex Sallee)
Why Germantown, Nashville?
Germantown is for those who are interested in visiting Nashville, but want to see more than the obvious and obligatory tourist attractions and focus more on finding hidden gems and getting a feel for the heart of Nashville. Germantown is also for people who get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of downtown, and is a welcome reprieve from that. That being said, Germantown is close enough to everything that Nashville has to offer, and provides a great homebase for exploring downtown and other neighborhoods.
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-All photos by Alex Sallee.
