The Best Things to do in South Nashville, Tennessee

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South Nashville is a diverse area of the city that includes a mix of cultural landmarks, entertainment venues, local restaurants, and recreational spaces. It is made up of several neighborhoods and commercial corridors that reflect Nashville’s growth, history, and evolving urban landscape.

For visitors and individuals exploring Nashville for relocation purposes, South Nashville offers a wide range of places to eat, visit, and experience. These include long-standing local restaurants, well-known attractions, sports venues, museums, and community event spaces.

At Nashville Apartment Locators®, our team regularly researches Nashville neighborhoods, transportation access, amenities, and community features to help renters better understand different parts of the city. The information in this guide is based on local research, publicly available data, and ongoing familiarity with Nashville’s residential and commercial areas.

Best Food and Drink in South Nashville

Nashville’s food culture is widely recognized for its variety, and South Nashville reflects that diversity through a mix of Southern cooking, international cuisine, casual dining spots, and long-standing local establishments.

Many of the restaurants in this area are independently owned, contributing to a locally driven dining scene that continues to evolve over time.

Top Restaurants in South Nashville

South Side Kitchen and Pub is a casual dining establishment offering Southern-inspired comfort food. It is often referenced locally for its relaxed atmosphere and whiskey selection, making it a common stop for casual meals and social gatherings.

Brothers Burger Joint is known for its burger-focused menu and outdoor seating area. The restaurant also features a rotating selection of beers, contributing to its casual, neighborhood-style dining experience.

OSH Restaurant and Grill specializes in Uzbek cuisine, offering dishes such as dumplings, grilled meats, rice-based meals, and combination platters. Its menu reflects a less commonly found cuisine in the Nashville area, making it a distinctive dining option.

The Smiling Elephant serves Thai cuisine and focuses on traditional recipes prepared with fresh ingredients. The menu includes a variety of noodle dishes, curries, and rice-based meals.

Mangia Nashville offers Italian-style dishes including pasta, pizza, and specialty cocktails. The restaurant provides a casual dining environment with a menu centered around classic Italian-American offerings.

Peachtree Neighborhood Grill features a blend of Southern-inspired comfort food and Middle Eastern dishes such as kabobs and stews. The menu reflects a mix of culinary influences in a single dining location.

Baja Burrito has been part of Nashville’s restaurant landscape since 2000. It is known for its casual service style and menu featuring burritos, tacos, and quick-service Mexican-inspired dishes.

Across South Nashville, dining options vary by corridor and commercial area, with additional restaurants continuing to open as the city expands. For a broader look at dining across the city, our Nashville restaurant guide includes additional categories and cuisine types throughout the metro area.

Things to Do in South Nashville

South Nashville includes a variety of cultural, historical, and entertainment destinations. These locations reflect different parts of Nashville’s development, including its history, sports culture, and recreational offerings.

Key Attractions

Tennessee State Fairgrounds is a multi-use venue that hosts markets, exhibitions, seasonal events, and community gatherings throughout the year. It is one of the long-standing event spaces in the city.

GEODIS Park is a large soccer-specific stadium that serves as the home venue for Nashville SC. It hosts professional soccer matches and other large-scale events.

Fort Negley Park is a preserved Civil War-era site that includes walking paths, interpretive exhibits, and educational materials about its historical significance. Visitors can explore the grounds and learn more through onsite displays.

Lane Motor Museum features a collection of unique and rare vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, and specialty transport models from different countries and time periods. The museum regularly rotates exhibits.

Nashville Zoo includes animal exhibits, walking trails, and educational programming focused on wildlife and conservation topics. The zoo spans a large area and includes a variety of habitats and species.

The Escape Game Nashville offers interactive puzzle-based experiences designed for groups. Each room features a themed scenario where participants solve clues to complete objectives.

Nashville Flea Market is a recurring marketplace featuring vendors who sell antiques, collectibles, handmade goods, and general merchandise. It operates on a scheduled basis throughout the year.

These attractions are spread throughout South Nashville and nearby areas, with varying levels of accessibility depending on location and transportation options.

Best Tours in South Nashville

Guided tours are available throughout Nashville and provide structured ways to explore entertainment districts, distilleries, and surrounding regions.

Popular Tour Options

  • Jack Daniel’s Distillery Day Trip
  • Party Bus Music City
  • Honky Tonk Party Express Bus
  • Barrels of Fun Nashville

These tours vary in format, ranging from transportation-based experiences to destination-focused day trips outside of the immediate city area. Availability, schedules, and routes may vary depending on season and operator.

How These Recommendations Were Selected

The restaurants, attractions, and tours included in this guide were selected based on a combination of local research, publicly available information, and ongoing familiarity with Nashville’s neighborhoods and commercial areas.

This guide is intended to provide a neutral overview of commonly referenced destinations in South Nashville. It is not an exhaustive list, and availability, hours, or offerings may change over time as businesses evolve.

About Nashville Apartment Locators®

Nashville Apartment Locators® is a Nashville-based apartment locating service that assists renters in navigating housing options across Middle Tennessee. Our team researches neighborhoods, transportation access, rental trends, and local amenities to help individuals better understand different areas of the city.

Our goal is to provide informational guidance about Nashville’s residential areas and surrounding communities based on ongoing market familiarity and publicly available data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Nashville known for?

South Nashville includes a mix of dining establishments, entertainment venues, cultural landmarks, and recreational spaces such as GEODIS Park, Fort Negley Park, and Nashville Zoo.

What are some popular attractions in South Nashville?

Commonly referenced attractions include Lane Motor Museum, Tennessee State Fairgrounds, GEODIS Park, Fort Negley Park, Nashville Zoo, and Nashville Flea Market.

How far is South Nashville from Downtown Nashville?

Travel times vary depending on the specific starting and ending points, but several areas within South Nashville are located within a short driving distance of Downtown Nashville.

Are there museums in South Nashville?

Yes. Lane Motor Museum is a notable museum in the area featuring a collection of rare and historically significant vehicles from different regions and eras.

What types of restaurants are in South Nashville?

South Nashville includes a range of dining options such as Southern-inspired restaurants, international cuisine, casual eateries, and locally owned establishments.

How can I learn more about Nashville neighborhoods?

Local rental professionals, neighborhood guides, and publicly available resources can provide additional information about housing options, transportation access, and amenities across Nashville.

Disclaimer:

Housing availability, rental rates, fees, and leasing policies are subject to change and are determined by individual property owners and management companies. Nashville Apartment Locators is a licensed real estate brokerage providing apartment locating services in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws. In most cases, participating properties pay a referral commission after a lease is signed, so services are typically provided at no cost to renters. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.

Picture of Editorial Review by Rachel Attarian, Managing Broker/CEO

Editorial Review by Rachel Attarian, Managing Broker/CEO

Rachel Attarian is the Managing Broker and CEO of Nashville Apartment Locators. With extensive experience in Nashville's apartment rental market, she oversees apartment locating services, market research, and renter guidance. Rachel reviews content published by Nashville Apartment Locators to help ensure it is accurate, relevant, and helpful for individuals searching for apartments, neighborhood information, and rental advice throughout the Greater Nashville area.