Fifth and Broadway
Explore more than a dozen sources for men’s and women’s clothing, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics in this mega-complex. Shops include Carhartt, Ariat, Levis, Ray-Ban Sephora, Tecovas, Nike, and The NASH Collection. There’s even an Apple Store. It’s also home to more than two dozen restaurants including Prince’s Hot Chicken, Hattie B’s, Five Daughters, Thai Esane, Pharmacy Burger, and Hattie Jean’s Ice Cream. (Photo above)
The Gulch
Once a no man’s land, a number of boutiques have sprung up in this high-traffic neighborhood. Think of 12th Avenue as its Main Street which has lately expanded north of Broadway to an area recently dubbed North Gulch.
12South
I grew up visiting the beloved but long-gone Becker’s Bakery in this neighborhood. In recent years, the baker’s baton..er, rolling pin has been passed to popular places including 5 Daughters Bakery, Butter Milk Ranch and (personal favorite) Frothy Monkey coffeehouse. Our seven-year-old neighbor recommends cereal-centric dining at destination Wanna Spoon. Most of the old storefronts and cottages have been transformed into boutiques and restaurants. The best-known local retailers are probably Reese Witherspoon’s fashion and furnishings shop Draper James and Holly Williams’s eclectic gas station-turned-general store called White’s Mercantile (there’s also a location in The Hill Center/Green Hills). Likewise, local jean creator Imogene & Willie has taken over a gas station just up the street. For authentic souvenirs, visit the 12South branch of Made in Tennessee.
East Nashville
Like 12South, boutiques and restaurants have proliferated in this once-scruffy community. It’s still a bit avant garde (home to the annual Tomato Festival and Hot Chicken Festival) but gentrification has mellowed it a bit. In addition to both new and vintage clothing, you’ll find music stores and various curiosities. For clusters of businesses, check out the Fatherland District and the tiny house retail cluster at 5 Points Alley Shops.
Opry Mills
The biggest draws (at least for my son) were always Bass Pro Shops and the Lego Store but you’ll also find 30+ other retailers, plus restaurants. Outlet stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Aeropostale, Aldo, American Eagle, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Columbia, Converse, Fossil, Gap, Hanes, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Nike, Old Navy, Under Armour, Vans, Vera Bradley, and Victoria’s Secret. Among the novel eateries are Aquarium, Bavarian Bierhaus, and Rainforest Cafe.
The Mall at Green Hills
Some people got woozy when Nordstrom arrived. And the swooning repeated with announcements of Abercrombie & Fitch, Kate Spade, Crate&Barrel, Gucci and other notable names. If you like national brands with upscale reputations, visit Green Hills. Just a few blocks south is the Hill Center at Green Hills–home to such brands as Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, lululemon, and west elm.
Nashville Farmers Market
Looking for lunch or maybe tasty souvenirs to take home? Stop by the food court or venture into the shed on weekends to peruse flea market items. Shops offer recipe books, dry rubs, sauces, preserves and more. While onsite, visit the Bicentennial Mall State Park–it’s just across the street.
L&L Market
If you’re on a quest for Nashville-themed souvenirs, check out the store called Made In Tennessee. You’ll also find a milkshake bar, brewery, a charcuterie conveyor belt and several boutiques for home decor and fashion.
Hillsboro Village
Just a little three-block stretch of shops and restaurants convenient for those in Midtown/Vanderbilt/Belmont area. In addition to women’s fashions, there’s a board-game store, jewelry store, eyewear boutique, and flower shop. If you’re hungry, visit Pancake Pantry (or if the line’s too long, here’s my advice), local favorite Fido, or tourist fixture Biscuit Love. Also noteworthy in the Village is the historic Belcourt Theatre, once the home of the Grand Ole Opry, which now programs an eclectic line-up of films including avante garde foreign flicks, cult favorites, and retrospectives. Across the street is a row of smallish restaurants including my brother-in-law’s go-to Sushi 88.
Tanger Outlet Center
Just opened in October 2023 in southeast Nashville (Antioch) off I-24. National brands include American Eagle Outfitters, Ariat, Bath & Body Works, Banana Republic, Adidas, Coach, Guess, Gap, J. Crew, Levis, Merrell, Nike, Michael Kors, Old Navy, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Local food and beverage providers include Prince’s Hot Chicken, Red Bicycle Coffee, and Tailgate Brewery.
Downtown Franklin
If you’re willing to venture to the south, you might enjoy a stroll down Main Street in Franklin where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants. Allow me to recommend Merridee’s Breadbasket for breakfast, lunch or a treat like their amazing oatmeal raisin cookies.
The Factory at Factory
The former factory now houses a variety of wares including antiques, jewelry, fashion, art and more. Plus several restaurants.
Looking for antiques?
A Reddit contributor has posted an excellent guide that includes shops in town as well as some in outlying middle Tennessee towns as well as southern Kentucky.
