Staying Downtown or Outside Downtown: Which Is Better for Travelers 55+?
One of the first decisions you'll make when planning a Nashville vacation is where to stay. Should you book a hotel downtown and be close to the action? Or would you be happier staying in a quieter area and heading into the city when you're ready to explore? For travelers over 55, the answer isn't always obvious.
NASHVILLE
Mary L Duval
6/21/20266 min read
Every traveler is different, so consider which type of movement is more comfortable for you.
Which Option Saves Money?
Many visitors assume staying outside downtown automatically saves money. It often does, but not always. When deciding where to stay, consider:
Hotel rates
Parking fees
Rental car costs
Uber and Lyft expenses
Time spent traveling
A less expensive hotel can become more costly if you're taking multiple rideshare trips every day. It's worth calculating the total trip cost before making a decision.
Best Choice Based on Your Travel Style
Choose downtown if:
You’re visiting Nashville for the first time.
You don’t plan to rent a car.
You want to spend most of your time around Broadway and downtown attractions.
You’re only visiting for two or three days.
Choose outside downtown if:
You prefer quieter evenings.
You’re staying four days or longer.
You plan to visit Franklin, The Hermitage, Belle Meade, or other attractions outside downtown.
You want lower hotel costs and easier parking.
My Recommendation for Travelers Over 55
If you're visiting Nashville for the first time and want to immerse yourself in the city's music and downtown attractions, staying downtown can be a great choice, especially for a shorter trip.
However, many travelers over 55 find they enjoy Nashville more when they stay just outside downtown in areas such as Midtown, West End, Brentwood, or Franklin.
These locations often provide a better balance of comfort, convenience, quieter evenings, and value.
Final Thoughts
There is no single "best" place to stay in Nashville.
The best choice depends on what kind of experience you're looking for.
If you want to walk out your hotel door and immediately experience Music City, downtown may be worth the extra cost. If you prefer quieter evenings, easier parking, and a more relaxed pace, staying outside downtown could make your trip far more enjoyable.
For many travelers over 55, the sweet spot is finding accommodations close enough to enjoy Nashville's attractions while still having a comfortable place to retreat at the end of the day. After all, a great vacation isn't just about what you see, it's also about how you feel while experiencing it.
Wondering about the best time to visit Nashville? See Best Time to Visit Nashville for Travelers Over 55.
Wondering if you need a car in Nashville? See Do You Need a Car in Nashville? A Guide for Travelers Over 55.
Wondering how to do Nashville if you don’t like crowds? See The Least Crowded Times to Experience Downtown Nashville.
NqcRz, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Opryland area appeals to visitors interested in The Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills, and resort-style accommodations. It is a less crowded environment, has easier parking, and has easy access to major highways. It’s also near Music Valley, where classic country music fans can visit a museum dedicated to classic country music legends and enjoy venues that still feature a more traditional country sound.
The major tradeoff for this area is that it is about a 20 minute car ride from downtown.
Brentwood
Located south of Nashville, Brentwood offers a suburban atmosphere with excellent hotels and restaurants. In this area, you’ll find quiet surroundings, easy highway access, and comfortable accommodations. It's particularly appealing for travelers who plan to explore several parts of Middle Tennessee.
Franklin
Franklin is one of the most charming and historic destinations in the region. Many visitors actually enjoy staying in Franklin and making day trips into Nashville.
Franklin offers visitors a historic downtown district, excellent restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful scenery. For travelers seeking a slower pace, Franklin can be an attractive alternative to downtown Nashville.
What About Mobility Concerns?
Mobility can be another important consideration when planning your Nashville stay. Staying downtown may reduce driving, but it often increases walking.
Many visitors are surprised by how much walking is involved when moving between attractions, restaurants, museums, and music venues. For travelers with mobility concerns, staying outside downtown and using a vehicle to move between attractions may actually be the easier option.
On way to maximize Nashville sightseeing while minimizing walking is to take the Old Town Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. The bus will take you to 13 attractions around Nashville and while traveling from one location to the next, you get a guided tour.
You can get off at any or all of the stops to see the attraction. When you’re done, hop on the next trolley and continue on. This will save you a LOT of walking!
Many travelers over 55 discover they enjoy Nashville more when they stay outside the downtown core. Areas such as Franklin, Brentwood, West End, Midtown, and the Opryland area offer a very different experience.
Advantages of Staying Outside Downtown
There are definite advantages to staying outside downtown Nashville.
More peace and quiet – This is often the biggest benefit. After a day of sightseeing, many travelers appreciate returning to a quieter environment where they can relax and recharge.
Lower hotel costs – Hotels outside downtown are frequently more affordable. In many cases, you'll find larger rooms and better amenities for the same price, or less.
Easier parking – Parking is often free or significantly less expensive outside downtown. This can be especially valuable if you're planning to rent a car.
More relaxed pace – Many travelers find that staying outside downtown makes the entire trip feel less rushed. You can enjoy the excitement of Nashville when you choose and retreat to a quieter setting when you're ready.
Drawbacks of Staying Outside Downtown
Of course, staying outside of downtown has its downsides as well.
More transportation required – You will need to drive, use rideshare services, or rely on hotel shuttles to reach downtown attractions.
Additional planning – Spontaneous trips back to your hotel become less convenient. You'll want to plan your sightseeing days a little more carefully.
Popular Areas to Consider
So, where should you stay when you come to Nashville? Let’s take a look at some popular options.
Downtown Nashville
Downtown is best for first-time visitors, travelers without a car, short trips, and people who want to be close to attractions. However, it is not the best option for light sleepers, budget-conscious travelers, and visitors who dislike crowds.
Midtown and West End
These neighborhoods offer an excellent middle ground. You'll be close to downtown without being in the middle of the busiest tourist areas.
This area has a quieter atmosphere, good restaurants, easier parking, and short rides to downtown. For many mature travelers, this area strikes an ideal balance between convenience and comfort.
Opryland Area
One of the first decisions you'll make when planning a Nashville vacation is where to stay. Should you book a hotel downtown and be close to the action? Or would you be happier staying in a quieter area and heading into the city when you're ready to explore? For travelers over 55, the answer isn't always obvious.
Many travel websites automatically recommend staying downtown because it's close to Nashville's biggest attractions. While that can certainly be convenient, it isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone.
The right answer depends on your budget, mobility, travel style, and tolerance for crowds and noise. Let's look at the pros and cons of both options.
The Case for Staying Downtown
For many first-time visitors, downtown Nashville is the obvious choice. You'll be close to many of the city's most popular attractions, including:
The Ryman Auditorium
The Country Music Hall of Fame
Lower Broadway
The Johnny Cash Museum
Music City Walk of Fame
Riverfront Park
The biggest advantage is convenience. All the main downtown attractions are close by, so you don’t have to worry about driving, finding parking, and navigating traffic. Instead, you can simply walk to many attractions.
Advantages of Staying Downtown
Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages of staying downtown.
Easy access to attractions – Most of the major downtown tourist attractions are located within about a mile of each other. A downtown hotel is close to these attractions, making it easy to get to the sights you want to see fairly quickly and without too much trouble.
Less driving – If you prefer not to drive in unfamiliar cities, downtown accommodations can eliminate much of that stress. Many visitors spend an entire trip using nothing more than their own feet and occasional rideshare services.
Great for short visits – If you're only visiting Nashville for two or three days, staying downtown allows you to maximize your sightseeing time. Instead of spending time driving here and there, your time can be spent seeing and doing fun things.
Drawbacks of Staying Downtown
While staying downtown has many advantages, there are also some tradeoffs to consider.
Higher hotel costs – Like with any city, downtown hotels are often the most expensive accommodations in Nashville. You'll frequently pay a premium for the location.
Parking fees – Many downtown hotels charge substantial daily parking fees. These costs can add up quickly over the course of a week-long visit.
Noise – Broadway is famous for live music, but that music doesn't stop early. Depending on your hotel's location, nighttime noise can continue well into the early morning hours.
Crowds – Nashville's popularity means downtown is often busy. Visitors who enjoy a quieter atmosphere may find the constant activity exhausting after a few days.
The Case for Staying Outside Downtown
