City Cast Nashville logo

Neighborhood Guides

Get To Know Donelson

Posted on April 22, 2025   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Whitney Pastorek

Whitney Pastorek

A white building with an airplane flying over it.

The brand-new Donelson library branch is an architectural gem, and a great place to watch planes land at BNA. (Whitney Pastorek / City Cast Nashville)

Is Donelson the most underrated neighborhood in Nashville? Once a railroad stop that developed into a suburb after World War II, it retains traces of the local charm (and attainable real estate) of a bygone era. If you’ve only entered its boundaries to visit Opry Mills, here’s your guide to the best of “HIP Donelson” shopping, dining, and activities beyond the mall.

City Cast

Nashville's 'Best New Business' Is More Than a Clothing Store

00:00:00

🛍️ Something for Every Body

Donelson has more than just an award-winning library — it’s also got the best new business in town, according to the Nashville Scene: The Plus Closet, a body-positive consignment shop. Mill Creek Mercantile’s cottage is home to repurposed artisan finds and DIY inspiration, and Mirror Mirror’s boutique and event space is perfect for those with eclectic vintage taste. The zen-like JVI Secret Gardens overflows with plants and water features, and even the neighborhood ACE Hardware has a funky small-town feel.

A Google map with blue pins.

A map of our Donelson faves. (Google Maps)

🥯 All-Day Menu

Whatever time you arrive, Donelson has something delicious waiting for you to nosh. We recommend starting your day with coffee from Caliber and a breakfast sammy from Bagelshop, then posting up at Sunflower Bakehouse for a vegan and gluten-free lunch. Troll House Cottage hosts a delightful afternoon tea, and save room for an authentic North Indian dinner at Sindoore.

🍹 Pick Your Poison

Did somebody say outdoor margarita bar? Nectar Urban Cantina has one of the best backyards in town, complete with a children’s play area. Homegrown Taproom is Guy Fieri-approved, with trivia, live music, and 24 taps of local and regional beers. The best pints of Guinness in Nashville, hands down, get pulled at McNamara’s Irish Pub — we love the shepherd’s pie!

A river surrounded by trees at sunset.

Can’t beat those Two Rivers sunset views. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)

🌊 Outdoors

Thanks to the expansive Two Rivers Park (you won’t believe the size of the dog park) and its accompanying greenway that connects to East Nashville, Ravenwood Park, Stones River, and the Percy Priest Dam, Donelson is a great place for hiking, biking, and family recreation. During the summer, you can’t beat Metro’s very own water park, Wave Country. If it’s cold or raining, we recommend bowling a of couple games on the retro lanes of Strike & Spare instead.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Donelson?

Share article

Hey Nashville

Stay connected to City Cast Nashville and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.
OR BROWSE PAST ISSUES

Neighborhood Guides

See All
Neighborhood GuidesApril 6

Your Guide to Shelby Park & Bottoms

With miles of greenway and trails, multiple playgrounds, and a great dog park, East Nashville’s Shelby Park has something for everyone.

The sign at the entrance to Shelby Park.
Neighborhood GuidesDecember 9, 2025

Get To Know Buchanan Street

With everything from great soul food to bagels — and even a cat cafe! — the art-filled and always-changing Buchanan Street in North Nashv...

A black building with a prominent rainbow-colored "buchanan arts district" sign sits on a concrete corner. The grass is dead for winter and the sky is gray.
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 19, 2025

Get to Know Charlotte Park

Here’s our guide to spending a day in West Nashville’s Charlotte Park neighborhood.

Wooden Metro Parks Nashville sign for Charlotte Park, standing on a grassy lawn with a parking lot, trees, and utility poles in the background.
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 14, 2025

Your Guide to Nashville’s Zoolumination

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo is the nation's largest lantern festival. Here's your guide!

A giant colorful dragon made out of Chinese lanterns in a grassy field at night. A child stands at a sign in front of it.
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 5, 2025

Your Guide to Gaylord Opryland’s Christmas Festivities

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Gaylord Opryland's iconic Christmas display in Nashville, including how to go for free!

A large atrium with Christmas decorations.
Neighborhood GuidesOctober 21, 2025

From Nashville to Iceland: 24 Hours on a Budget

Take a direct flight from BNA to Iceland to explore its capital in just 24 hours without breaking the bank!

Soaking in the view of the North Atlantic in Iceland. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
Neighborhood GuidesOctober 7, 2025

Your Guide to the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville

Here's your guide to visiting the National Museum of African American Music, a one-of-a-kind museum right here in Nashville.

Inside a museum lit with blue lighting. A gallery wall reads Wade in the Water, with photographs of Black musicians and quotes surrounding it.
Neighborhood GuidesSeptember 23, 2025

Where To Shop & Eat Local on 12 South

You can still find local gems in the booming shopping district of 12 South, from gift boutiques to great bars and restaurants.

A shop with a round black sign featuring a bird and the word "Serendipity" spelled phonetically sits on a street corner. The shop has big windows, flower boxes, and an orange and brown mural with trees, cranes, and the Batman Building on the side.

The latest in Nashville

Nashville's BestMay 1

Your Guide to Nashville in May 2026

Here’s your guide to all the fun stuff happening in Nashville in May, from ways to celebrate Mother’s Day to must-see concerts.

A goose and four goslings sit on a shady rock overlooking a pond.
Food & DrinkApril 28

Nashville's Best New Restaurants and Bars

Hungry? These are the best new restaurants and bars in Nashville to check out this spring.

A grassy lawn with lots of patio tables with red umbrellas and chairs. It's surrounded by a wooden fence, with lots of people.
Nashville, ExplainedApril 23

Could You Pass the Third-Grade TCAP Test?

TCAP testing is this week for Nashville students. How well would you do? Take this quiz to find out!

Two school buses parked in a lot by a field with wildflowers. There's also a yellow and grey school trailer in the parking lot.
Urban AlmanacApril 22

Your Guide to You-Pick Strawberry & Fruit Farms Near Nashville

Wondering where to pick strawberries and fruit in Nashville? Check out these local farms.

A child with blonde curly hair in a blue plaid skirt and yellow tee picks blueberries from a bush.
3 Questions WithApril 20

Run for a Cause With the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series

The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is returning to Nashville this weekend, on April 25 and 26. Here's more about the annual event.

A large crowd of runners in downtown Nashville.
Nashville, ExplainedApril 14

Your Guide to the May 5 Davidson County Primary Election

Here's your guide to the Davidson County Primary Election, from where to vote to what's on the ballot.

Outside a library with floor to ceiling windows. A sign is in the grass that says Voter Enter Here.
3 Questions WithApril 13

Celebrate the Earth at Nashville’s Greenest Festival

Learn more about the history and event schedule of this year's Nashville Earth Day celebration.

Head to Centennial Park on April 18 for Nashville Earth Day. (Courtesy of Nashville Earth Day)
Food & DrinkApril 8

Nashville’s Oldest Restaurants & Bars

From 1896 to today, these old-school restaurants and bars have been Nashville staples for a very long time.

A gray brick home with a wreath and red ribbons. An open sign is in the window.