Parking on Broadway in Nashville: The Honest Guide

Parking on Lower Broadway is a solved problem. There are plenty of garages within walking distance, prices range from $5 to $40 depending on how lazy you’re willing to be, and there are even a few free options if you know where to look. A locals guide.

Quick facts

Cheapest paid
$5-10 in residential lots a few blocks off Broadway
Mid-tier
$10-20 in Public Square, Convention Center, SoBro garages
Premium
$25-40 at Bridgestone, hotel garages, valet
Walk to Broadway
Most affordable lots are 5-10 minutes on foot
Best free option
Free street parking after 6pm on Sundays in most residential streets north of Church

The honest hierarchy

From cheapest to most expensive, here’s every realistic option within a 10-minute walk of Broadway:

Public Square Garage ($10-15 most nights)

117 Union Street. Five minutes north of Broadway. Owned by the city, run cheaper than the private garages. Plenty of space. The walk south down 3rd or 4th Avenue takes you past Printers Alley on the way to Broadway. This is the locals’ pick.

Music City Central / Convention Center Garages ($12-18)

Located near 5th and Korean Veterans Boulevard. Massive, well-lit, secure. The walk to Broadway is 6-8 minutes. Good option if you’re also doing the Country Music Hall of Fame.

SoBro garages ($15-25)

Between 4th and 8th, south of Demonbreun. Lots of options, including the Hutton Hotel, Westin, and a few public lots. 5-10 minute walk to Broadway. Pricier on event nights.

Hotel valet ($35-50)

The Omni, JW Marriott, Hilton, and Westin all valet. Convenient if you’re a guest, overpriced if you’re not. Skip unless you’re eating in the hotel restaurant.

Bridgestone Arena Garage ($25-40 on event nights)

Convenient if you’re going to a Predators game. Otherwise, save your money. Park 3 blocks away and walk.

Surface lots near 1st and 2nd Avenue ($15-25)

Lots of small private lots along the river. Pricier on weekends, but they’re the closest paid parking to the east end of Broadway. Watch the signs; some are 24-hour, some shut down at 10pm.

The free options that actually work

Sunday evenings, residential street parking

The streets north of Church Street (3rd, 4th, 5th Avenues North) have meters that stop running at 6pm Saturday and don’t restart until Monday morning. From 6pm Saturday through Monday at 8am, this is free street parking 6-10 minutes from Broadway. The catch: it fills fast on Saturday nights.

SoBro residential side streets, late evening

South of Demonbreun, the side streets have meters that stop at 6pm weekdays. After 6pm, free until 8am the next morning. Read the signs every single time — some blocks have permit-only zones that aren’t obvious.

The pedestrian bridge parking lot (east bank, free with caveats)

On the east bank near Nissan Stadium, there are large lots that are free when there’s no event at the stadium. Walk across the pedestrian bridge to Broadway (15 minutes). Big upside on a non-game night; complete disaster on a Titans home Sunday.

Pro tip: Always check Bridgestone’s and Nissan Stadium’s event calendars before you commit to a parking strategy. A surprise concert can turn a $10 plan into a $40 plan.

What to avoid

If you’re drinking

Don’t drive. Uber, Lyft, or a hotel walk is the move. Drop-off zones for ride shares are on 2nd Avenue, 6th Avenue (behind Bridgestone), and side streets off Broadway. The drivers can’t legally stop on Broadway itself. If you’re here for the night, walkable hotels are listed here.


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Game day and event parking strategy

Bridgestone game or arena concert: park 4-6 blocks away and walk. Public Square Garage, Music City Central, or SoBro lots will all be cheaper than anything within 3 blocks of the arena. Add 10 minutes to your timeline so you’not stuck in post-event traffic.

Titans game at Nissan Stadium: park on the west bank, walk the pedestrian bridge. Cheaper than the stadium lots, and the walk is part of the experience.

FAQ

Where can I park for free near Broadway in Nashville?

The closest reliable free parking is on residential side streets north of Church Street after 6pm Saturday through 8am Monday. The pedestrian bridge east-bank lots are also free when there’s no Nissan Stadium event.

What’s the cheapest garage near Broadway?

Public Square Garage at 117 Union Street typically runs $10-15 most evenings. 5-minute walk to Broadway.

Is parking on Broadway hard?

Not if you don’t insist on parking on Broadway itself. There are 15+ garages and dozens of lots within a 10-minute walk. Plan to walk 3-6 blocks and you’ll find space.

Broadway bar mapSkip parking entirely

Broadway landmarks within walking distance

RYMANRyman AuditoriumARENABridgestone ArenaCMHOFHall of FameCASHJohnny Cash MuseumNMAAMNMAAMMCCMusic City CenterTNSMTN State Museum
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