Wheelchair Accessible Nashville Guide: Complete Tips for Visiting Music City (2024)
I recently visited Nashville, Tennessee, as a wheelchair user, and OMG, it was one of the best city vacations I’ve had in a long time! Nashville is undoubtedly an amazing spot if you’re into country music, but I was also surprised to find it incredibly wheelchair accessible. I can’t think of a single building I couldn’t enter. Seriously, EVERYWHERE had step-free access—even the downtown bars (trust me, that’s quite rare for nightlife!).
I’d never given much thought to Nashville before, because honestly, country music isn’t my go-to genre. But when the Tennessee Department of Health invited me to give a keynote speech at their youth advisory council conference (you can check out my mini vlog from that day here), I couldn’t pass up the chance to stay a few extra days and explore Nashville’s wheelchair accessible activities. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! I’m already dreaming about my next trip and filling my shopping cart with cute Western-themed outfits.
So without further ado, here is your ultimate travel guide for a wheelchair accessible Nashville experience, covering everything you need to know—from navigating the city in a wheelchair to the best places to stay, eat, explore, and more!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links—at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me continue creating valuable wheelchair accessible vacation itineraries and tips for fellow wheelchair users.
How to Get Around Nashville in a Wheelchair
There are several options for wheelchair-accessible transportation in Nashville, Tennessee, although on-demand services are unfortunately unavailable. This means you’ll need to pre-book most of your transportation or walk/roll to many destinations (which I chose to do often because I enjoy being spontaneous).
Wheelchair Accessible Airport Shuttles in Nashville, TN
I booked with PrimeCare Transport for a couple of rides, and they were fantastic! I can’t recommend them enough. All the drivers were friendly and professional, and the vehicles were spacious, easily accommodating my power wheelchair, our luggage, and my two friends. While they’re pricier than a regular taxi, for crucial trips like airport transfers, paying extra for a guaranteed wheelchair-accessible ride was worth it. There’s nothing more stressful than nearly missing a flight because a taxi company can’t find an accessible vehicle. You can book this Nashville wheelchair accessible airport shuttle directly via PrimeCare Transport.
Check out my experience using PrimeCare transport on my travel day vlog.
Please note that this is not sponsored in any way. I really enjoyed my experience with this company, and wanted to pass it along to other fellow wheelchair users!
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Nashville, TN
Several taxi companies in Nashville do have wheelchair accessible vehicles. However, I’ve been told most require at least 14 days’ notice to book an accessible taxi, and even then, they can’t guarantee one. It’s worth noting that during my week-long stay, I never saw an accessible taxi on the streets—so pre-booking is essential. You likely won’t be able to flag one down on demand.
Here are the names and numbers of a couple of wheelchair-accessible taxi companies in Nashville, Tennessee:
- Music City Taxi – (615) 865-4100
- Yellow Cab Nashville – (615) 256-0101
- Checker Cab – (615) 256-7000
- Volunteer Taxi Cab – (615) 955-7777
Wheelchair Accessible Public Transportation in Nashville, TN
Public transportation (WeGo Public Transit) is another option. All Nashville buses are wheelchair-accessible, and I used them quite often as a cheap and convenient way to get around. Each bus can accommodate two wheelchairs, and I appreciated that they secured my chair (a nice safety measure not all cities have). Keep in mind that buses run less frequently than in other downtown areas I’ve visited—typically every 30 to 40 minutes depending on the route. Check the schedule in advance and plan accordingly. In my experience, most passengers are locals rather than tourists, so be respectful and mindful of your safety.
Wheelchair Accessible Rental Vans in Nashville, TN
Another option would be to rent a wheelchair accessible van while you are in Nashville. I did not do this in effort to save money, but I think it would have been much easier to have my own vehicle given that Nashville is quite spread out and the availability of wheelchair accessible taxis is not always the best. Here are a couple of options for wheelchair accessible rental vans in Nashville Tennessee:
Of course, wheelchair accessible rental vans are always more expensive and harder to come by then regular rental vehicles. If you have a mobility device that you were able to fold, you might want to consider renting a regular vehicle –you can check out some options here.
Wheelchair Accessible Guided Tours in Nashville, TN
If you enjoy having a tour guide, consider booking a wheelchair accessible guided tour in Nashville! There are plenty of options with buses and shuttles that are equipped with wheelchair lifts; this is a fabulous way to get around the city (especially if you are on a time crunch) and see all the best highlights that Nashville has to offer.
Nashville Guided City Van Tour – Buckle up for a tour of Nashville’s highlights in a comfortable, air-conditioned wheelchair-accessible van. You’ll spin through the city, discovering both famous landmarks and hidden gems, including Music Circle and Music Row. While this Nashville Guided City Van Tour is wheelchair accessible, be sure to message the tour operator after booking to confirm that all stops meet your specific accessibility needs.
Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour – Want something more self-paced? Hop on the trolley for a whirlwind tour of Nashville! With over 100 points of interest along the route, this trolley tour saves you time while showcasing the city’s best. Choose from 13 stops, including Bicentennial Park, Lower Broadway, Ryman Auditorium, Marathon Village, and Centennial Park. No matter where you start, you’re free to explore Nashville at your own pace. Some trolleys come equipped with hydraulic wheelchair lifts, making the tour wheelchair accessible. Just call the number on your ticket at least 24 hours before your trip to ensure an accessible vehicle is available.
General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville – If you’re looking for something a little bit different, try this Wheelchair Accessible General Jackson Showboat Cruise. After being picked up from your Nashville hotel, you’ll board the General Jackson Showboat, one of the country’s largest paddle-wheel boats, for a journey down the Cumberland River. This magnificent vessel, designed to evoke the 19th-century showboats, offers stunning views of the Nashville skyline from both indoor and outdoor decks. Inside the charming Victorian theater, you’ll savor a traditional Southern meal. The boat is wheelchair accessible and ADA-compliant vehicles are available for most tours if you provide them with 48-hour notice.
Is Nashville a Walkable City?
While Nashville offers many accessible attractions, it’s important to note that the city isn’t particularly walkable. The layout is quite spread out, with considerable distances between points of interest (for example, while all of the bars on Broadway our right next to each other, popular attractions like The Bluebird Cafe, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Tennessee State Museum are all quite far away from the downtown core).
We walked A LOT, and I found the sidewalk conditions vary greatly throughout the city. Some areas have well-maintained, smooth pathways, while others are uneven, cracked, or even non-existent in places (yep, I did quite a lot of walking on the road). This inconsistency can make navigating the city on foot or by wheelchair somewhat difficult. With that being said, walking around Nashville is definitely possible, just make sure you plan your route well and that you are aware that there may be large distances in between each attraction or neighbourhood you want to visit.
Best Areas to Stay for Wheelchair Accessibility in Nashville, TN
When it comes to finding the best areas to stay for wheelchair accessibility in Nashville, downtown is undoubtedly your top choice, especially if you want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Broadway. The downtown area offers numerous wheelchair-accessible hotels, many of which are within rolling distance of popular attractions, restaurants, and music venues. Staying here puts you right in the heart of the action, with easy access to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and the famous honky-tonks of Broadway.
Some highly recommended wheelchair-accessible hotels in downtown Nashville include:
- Margaritaville Hotel Nashville: a fantastic choice if you want to be right in the heart of the action! They have a selection of wheelchair-accessible rooms, including ones with roll-in showers.
- Hilton Nashville Downtown: Just steps away from Broadway and the Bridgestone Arena – rooms with roll-in showers are available.
- SpringHill Suites Marriott Nashville: Offers a fantastic outdoor pool and a wheelchair accessible rooms that have roll in showers.
If you’re looking for something a bit more spacious, check out The Drummond: ADA-Friendly Family Escape. This three-bedroom house is fully accessible on the main floor, featuring a roll-in shower and a fully accessible kitchen. It might be the perfect place to stay if you’re traveling with your whole family, or even for a bachelorette weekend! You can check out a video review from a fellow wheelchair user here.
Exploring Wheelchair Accessible Attractions in Nashville by Area
Germantown
Germantown, one of Nashville’s oldest and most charming neighbourhoods, offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and culinary experiences. I was in this area for the conference that I spoke at, and I must say that it was a fabulous area. It is quite a trek from the downtown core, so if you’re only in town for a short period of time, this might be one to skip, but there are plenty of things to do if you do have the opportunity to visit.
The Tennessee State Museum is fully wheelchair accessible and offers free admission for all visitors. Its exhibits provide a comprehensive look at the state’s history, from prehistoric times to the present day. I enjoyed how modern this museum felt, with its spacious layout and interactive displays. It was so fascinating to learn about the history of the city! Just a short distance from the museum, you’ll find the World War II Memorial. The memorial is wheelchair accessible, with smooth pathways leading to and around the site.
If you want to check out some shopping (and eating!), don’t miss the Nashville Farmers’ Market, an indoor-outdoor complex that’s fully wheelchair accessible. Here, you can sample local produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods.
Germantown’s charming streets are also lined with boutique shops and cozy coffee houses. From my experience, most things in Germantown were wheelchair accessible, but it’s always best to call ahead and find out for sure. Here are a couple of my favourite wheelchair accessible things to do in Germantown:
- Red Bicycle Coffee Shop offers such a charming atmosphere and serves very affordable breakfast and lunch options
- Bits & Pieces Antique Boutique – this was such a great spot to shop vintage items as well as artwork from local artists. There are steps up to the main door, but they have a garage door that they can open, making it completely step-free and wheelchair accessible. The ladies working there were so incredibly kind and made us feel so welcome while we shopped and took a break from the heat.
- Geist Restaurant – this was rated one of the 13 most beautiful restaurants in America, and definitely the best food that I had on the whole trip!
Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville is the heart of the city and the main reason most visitors flock to Music City. The area is incredibly wheelchair-friendly, with most attractions, restaurants, and venues offering excellent accessibility.
Broadway, the main thoroughfare, is a vibrant street lined with honky-tonks, live music venues, and neon lights. I’m not going to lie, this area of Nashville is EXTREMELY busy and loud –every bar, no matter the time of day, has live music so it can be a bit of a sensory overload at times. However, despite the fact that navigating the crowds can be tough, I found that visiting Broadway as a wheelchair user was surprisingly easy. There were wide sidewalks and curb cuts at every intersection, and I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that most (if not all) of the bars and honky-tonks had step-free entrances. This made it incredibly easy to bar-hop and enjoy the nightlife that Broadway has to offer.
One notable mention is Morgan Wallen’s This Bar. I really enjoyed that this bar had three separate bars all in one –the main floor was a country bar with live music, the second floor was a club, and the third floor was a rooftop patio with table seating and a more chill atmosphere. They had elevator access to each of these levels, and the staff were incredibly accommodating, helping me navigate the crowds and get to and from the washrooms and elevator when I needed to. You can check out my mini vlog of my night at Morgan Wallen’s bar here.
The Country Music Hall of Fame is another must-visit attraction. Again, country music is not my first choice for genres, but it was so fascinating to learn about the history of country music (and of course, as a huge Swiftie, see the iconic Taylor Swift education centre and see so many artifacts from her past tours and music videos up close).
While visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Hatch Show Print, located within the same building (you can actually book a combo tour here). This historic letterpress print shop has been creating iconic posters for country music stars and other performers since 1879. I highly recommend taking their guided tour, which is fully wheelchair accessible. The tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the art of letterpress printing and its role in Nashville’s music history. You’ll see vintage printing presses in action and even have the chance to create your own small poster as a unique souvenir. You can purchase an entrance pass to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hatch Show Print here.
The Gultch
If you love boutique shops and upscale restaurants, make sure you venture into the trendy Gulch neighbourhood. This upscale district is home to numerous boutique stores, featuring everything from high-end fashion to unique local crafts. I did lots of incredible shopping here, so if you love girly stores as much as I do, definitely check out Blush, Rustler Hat Co., Kittenish, and the iconic Five Daughters Bakery for a sweet treat.
One of the area’s highlights is the iconic “What Lifts You” wings mural, which is a popular spot for photos.
When it comes to dining, the Gulch doesn’t disappoint. Many restaurants in the area offer diverse cuisine options and are equipped with ramps and spacious interiors. One notable wheelchair-friendly restaurant includes Biscuit Love.
The sidewalks in the Gulch are generally well-maintained and feature curb cuts, making it relatively easy to navigate between shops and restaurants. I personally found that it was a great area to explore on my own, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more structure, check out this walking and tasting tour of the Gulch. The tour operator notes that all locations are wheelchair accessible on the weekday tours; just sent them a message in advance to confirm accessibility.
Bluebird Café
No trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to the iconic Bluebird Café. This unassuming little venue, tucked away in a strip mall, has become legendary in the country music world. It’s where many of Nashville’s biggest stars got their start, and where established artists still come to perform intimate shows. The Bluebird is famous for its “in the round” performances, where songwriters sit in a circle in the center of the room and take turns playing their songs and sharing the stories behind them. It’s a truly unique and magical experience that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the songwriting process.
How To Get Wheelchair Accessible Tickets to the Bluebird Café
Getting tickets to the Bluebird Café is nearly impossible as it is such a hotspot destination for music fans, but if you are in a wheelchair, you can actually email them to reserve tickets in advance (no later than 14 days before your desired show). Here is what their accessible seating policy states:
ACCESSIBLE SEATING:
PLEASE NOTE THAT AS A TINY ROOM, we have limited availability for wheelchair accessible seating. We can accommodate up to 2 seats per show–a wheelchair accessible seat plus a companion–if we are given at least two weeks’ notice. Email
info@bluebirdcafe.com or call 615-383-1461 12 PM – 4 PM CST Monday-Friday for assistance
Please note that while they will hold to accessible tickets for you, you will not be able to get any additional tickets – I went to Nashville with a friend and a caregiver, so I was hoping for 3 tickets in total, but they told me that they have a hard limit at 2. Due to the size of the venue, I completely understood this policy although it is something to be aware of if you are planning a trip with more than one person. Other group members are welcome to try to secure tickets here.
Is the Bluebird Café Wheelchair Accessible?
The Bluebird Café is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading up to the entrance. Please note that the venue itself is really small and extremely crowded with tables –they put me on a table right at the front door, which was appreciated because I would have had a difficult time getting around to a different table. At the back of the restaurant, there is a step-free bathroom, but I wasn’t able to get my power wheelchair into it due to a tight turn at the entrance (although if you use a manual wheelchair, you might have better luck). I’d suggest making a pitstop at the next store McDonald’s prior to your show, just in case!
Other important things to note
- In addition to your entrance fee, which is used to support the artists that are performing, there is a small minimum food/drink spend per person. Do not expect the food at the Bluebird to be anything special, you are going for the music after all! Expect items like chips and queso, chicken fingers, fries, etc.
- The Bluebird Café was a lot further from the downtown core than I thought. My friend and I took the city bus there, but this was a big mistake as it ended up taking up a lot of time and we had to wait around a long time for a bus to pick us up at the end of the night. If you end up going to the Bluebird café, I would highly recommend making sure that you secure wheelchair accessible transportation in advance.
West End
Nashville’s West End charmingly blends natural beauty with urban sophistication. One of the highlights of this neighbourhood is Centennial Park, a sprawling 132-acre urban oasis that’s a must-visit for any traveller. The park is wheelchair accessible, with paved paths winding through lush greenery and around a beautiful pond. The feature that draws most people to this park is the full-scale replica of the Parthenon, which houses an art museum.
Not much will beat the photos that you get at the Parthenon, but if you want to add to your Instagram content for the day, you can’t miss The Graduate Nashville Hotel (oh my gosh, this place is a pink paradise!) As soon as you walk into the lobby, you’re greeted by an explosion of pastel hues and retro-chic decor that’ll make any girly girl’s heart skip a beat. The lobby bar, with its plush velvet seating and quirky decor, is the perfect spot for a fun photoshoot or a delicious iced coffee – believe me, this was the best one I had in all of Nashville!
But the real star of the show is White Limozeen, their rooftop restaurant and bar. Named after Dolly Parton’s album, this place is a cotton candy dream come true! Think pink everything – from the walls to the furniture. Just be aware that it can get pretty busy up there, especially on weekends, so you might want to call ahead to ensure they can accommodate you if you don’t have a reservation.
Another notable attraction in the West End is Vanderbilt University. While you may not be able to attend classes, the campus grounds are beautiful and largely accessible, offering a peaceful stroll through manicured lawns and historic architecture. The area around the university is also home to several accessible restaurants and cafes, perfect for grabbing a bite after exploring.
Final Recap – Tips for Planning Your Wheelchair Accessible Nashville Trip
Nashville truly stands out, and it’s not just because of the music scene. Of course, Broadway’s honky-tonks (including Morgan Wallen’s bar) and the iconic Bluebird Café are must-visit spots, but this city offers so much more. I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced this vibrant city in my 20s!
Whether you’re a country music enthusiast, history buff, foodie, or simply seeking an exciting urban adventure, Nashville caters to all. With its unique blend of traditional Southern hospitality and modern city vibrancy, Music City undoubtedly lives up to its reputation as one of America’s most captivating destinations.
Don’t Forget …
- Book tickets for popular attractions like the Bluebird Café well in advance, especially if you need accessible seating
- Consider staying in the downtown area for easy access to Broadway and major attractions
- Plan your transportation in advance, especially for venues like the Bluebird Café that are further from the city center
- Don’t miss out on the local food and shopping!
- Take advantage of combo tours, like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Hatch Show Print tour, for a more comprehensive experience.
- Allow time for spontaneous exploration – some of the best experiences in Nashville come from stumbling upon a live music performance or a hidden gem restaurant!
If this wheelchair accessible Nashville trip is getting you in the mood to plan a disability friendly vacation or getaway, make sure you check out the wheelchair accessible day that I did in Cozumel Mexico or my complete 7 day itinerary for Maui, Hawaii.
