Essential Tips for a Secure and Enjoyable Nashville Visit

Downtown Nashville is generally safe, with a low risk of violent crime. However, incidents like drink spiking 🍹 or pickpocketing 🎒 can happen, so stay aware.🚨 In this blog, I’ll share essential safety tips to keep you protected while enjoying Music City. 🎶

🔍 The focus will be on violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and other serious offenses 🚔, but I’ll also cover additional precautions to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.

This content is taken from the upcoming book Nashville Local’s Guide for Visitors and Newbies, which you can support on Kickstarter by clicking the link above This article may contain affiliate links, which help me with a small compensation, at no additional cost to you.

Where to Stay?

I will cover where to stay from other aspects in a future post, but here I want to look at areas of town. Look at the map below, as it will give you an idea of where you are safe, not safe, and the dicier areas. The map is a bit wider than some I have on this blog, as people often find a cheaper Airbnb further out of the city (again, I will cover that aspect of “where to stay” in another post).

Safe, Unsafe, and Uber Safe Areas

Nashville Safety Map: Understanding Area Colors and What They Mean:

✅ Green: Generally Safe – Most areas marked green are safe day and night, but always use common sense when walking alone. Safety varies by location, but in general, walking late at night or after midnight is fine, especially if others are around. Stick to crowds for added security.

🚖 Orange: “Uber Safe” Zones – These areas aren’t high-crime, but they pose opportunity risks due to low foot traffic and proximity to red zones. While some gentrified areas have safer pockets with restaurants and bars, it’s best to avoid walking at night and take an Uber instead. Staying in crowds adds another layer of safety.

🚨 Red: High-Risk Areas – These unsafe zones sparked debate among locals when shared on social media. Some parts of North Nashville have new construction, making them safer, but this guide is aimed at visitors, who often don’t research before traveling. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, exercise caution and consider avoiding red zones, especially at night.

⚪ White: Neutral Zones – These areas don’t lean heavily safe or unsafe, so use judgment when walking around late. The closer you are to an orange or red area, the more cautious you should be about nighttime travel.

🛡️ Stay Alert and Travel Smart – Nashville is a city, so situational awareness is always key. If you’re exploring, make sure to plan ahead, stick with groups, and choose safe routes for a smooth and secure visit.

Downtown & The Inner Interstate Loop

🚶 Downtown Nashville is highly walkable, making it a great place to explore. Demonbreun is a preferred route from Midtown to Downtown, as certain areas near McDonald’s and gas stations on Broadway can attract sketchy crowds.

🏢 Rolling Mill Hill offers rental units but falls into the Uber Safe category, so exercise caution. Pie Town is another option, but Capitol North and Germantown require extra awareness, especially near the James Robertson Bridge, where a homeless encampment is located.

🚖 For the East Bank, it’s best to Uber back to your hotel at night for safety. In Germantown, avoid west of Rosa Parks after dark if possible. If staying in new complexes, pick one on Rosa Parks, then walk east into Germantown.

🛒 Kroger in Germantown is generally safe during the day, but at night, armed off-duty police officers are present for added security

Safety Tips: The Rules of the Road

Much of the advice here will work in any city, from Nashville to New York City and any in between. I am going to fill out this section by the following categories:

General Safety Tips

Here are some rules that don’t fall into the other categories but are important to follow.

👀 Be aware of your surroundings – Staying alert helps you notice if someone is following you or getting too close to your drink.

👥 Stick to crowded areas – Safety is in numbers—staying in well-lit, busy places reduces the risk of crime and makes it easier to get help if needed.

🚶 If you feel you’re being followed, act fast – Change directions, cross the street or track back. Enter a crowded or well-lit area, and if necessary, seek help from stafff or police.

📍 Save your hotel or rental in your phone – Store the address in saved places so you can easily find your way back at the end of the night.

🗺️ Map your route before heading out – Even if using Uber, knowing your destination prevents errors and helps identify suspicious detours by drivers. It is also helpful to get back safely at night.

📢 Let someone know where you’re going – Share your plans with a trusted contact, and set a check-in time for when you’ll be back or call.

📡 Use location settings or tracking apps – Enable real-time tracking so your backup can monitor your location for added security.

Cell Phone Safety Tips

Your cell phone is your lifeline, storing valuable financial and personal information—making it a prime target for thieves. Here are some safety tips and advice for cellphones:

🔒 Keep your phone secure – In crowded areas like Lower Broadway, theft is common. Always store your device in a safe spot when exploring downtown.

🚶 Stay aware while walking – Keeping your eyes glued to your phone distracts you from your surroundings. Some visitors have even been injured while walking inattentively.

🔐 Use a screen lock – For cybersecurity, biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition) are safer than keypads, which thieves can observe and replicate.

🔑 Enable two-factor authentication – Apps with personal, financial, or medical data should have two-factor security to prevent theft. Most banking apps require this, and biometrics remain the best option for added protection.

Following these safety tips ensures your phone and data stay secure while exploring Nashville—or anywhere else.

Hotel and Short Term Rental Safety Tips

I previously mentioned using the hotel safe to secure valuables. Another safety tip is to place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door to minimize unnecessary room access. Here are a some essential safety tips to protect your belongings and ensure a hassle-free stay:

🚪 Always lock the door – Hotels issue extra keys, and rentals use entry codes, so never leave doors unlocked, even for members of your party—always double-check locks.

🪟 Check windows – Keep all windows closed and locked unless you have a reason to keep them open while inside. Open windows make easy targets for thieves, especially on ground floors, but it’s a smart habit for higher floors too.

🕵️‍♂️ Close curtains & blinds – Thieves often target rooms that have something of value laying out.

🔑 Avoid carrying your room key in the sleeve – A key with a hotel number gives thieves easy access—be extra cautious while out.

💰 Use the in-room safe – Secure cash and valuables with a locked combination. Short-term rentals may not offer safes, so plan ahead.

🔐 Consider portable locks – Compact travel locks fit most doors except sliding glass. Avoid overtightening locks to prevent damage to the unit.

🔩 Small window locks – These compact locks secure windows & sliding doors when placed at the top and bottom.

🚧 Security bars – Reinforce windows & sliding doors with adjustable bars for added safety.

📢 Use door alarms – Portable alarms slide under doors and emit a loud alert if someone gains entry—easy to pack despite taking up more space.

Safety Tips to Avoid Theft

While theft isn’t a huge concern, some people make a living by stealing from others. This can happen in hotels, on the street, or in bars.

To keep your belongings safe, follow these essential safety tips:

💎 Leave expensive valuables at home – If you can’t afford to lose items like Rolex watches or fine jewelry, it’s best not to bring them. If necessary, store them in your hotel safe.

💰 Carry only what you need – Visitors spend an average of $350 per day in Nashville, including hotels, meals, and drinks. Some couples spend over $200 on drinks alone. If using cash, carry only what you plan to spend while out.

👖 Keep your wallet in your front pocket – Pickpockets have a much harder time stealing from a front pocket, especially if you keep a hand on it in crowded areas.

🎥 Secure your bags at honky-tonks & bars – Some honky-tonks don’t allow large bags or camera bags, but others do. If carrying valuables like cameras, never leave them on the floor. If you must, wrap the strap around your leg to prevent theft and ensure you don’t forget it—better to risk tripping than lose a $1,000 camera.

Drinking Safety Tips and Rules

Here I am looking at a couple of different sets of rules. Drinking, in general; avoiding date rape drugs; and, drinking with a group.

🚫 Know your limits – Stop at a buzz to avoid risky situations. Consider a portable breathalyzer for extra awareness. There are also keychain models as well as some in bachelorette pink. Don’t be tempted to use this to find who can blow the highest.

🐢 Pace yourself – Bars are open until 3 AM—treat the night like a marathon, not a sprint.

💧 Stay hydrated – Drinking water keeps you feeling better tomorrow and helps slow down alcohol consumption.

👀 Watch your drink – Keep a hand on your drink and use Nightcap covers, or alternatives without the scrunchie, for extra protection. Also in pink.

🧪 Carry drink testers – Some bars provide testing coasters for GHB and Ketamine, but you can carry your own testers, including some that will also test for Rohypnol (ruffies).

🍸 Watch your drink being made – Reduce risk by observing the bartender as they mix your drink.

🚫 Don’t accept drinks from strangers– If someone offers and you accept, go with them to the bar to ensure it’s safe.

🎒 Never leave your drink unattended – Even with a cover, always keep your drink close or take it with you.

⚠️ If your drink tastes weird, don’t drink it – Date rape drugs can leave a salty or unusual taste—better to be safe.

🔔 Order an “Angel Shot” – A code word bartenders recognize that signals you don’t feel safe.

👮 Find a bouncer or police officer – If harassed, seek help from security inside or police on the street.

Group Safety Tips and Rules

Riley Strain was left to fend for himself by his Fraternity brothers, which is something you should never do with your friends. These rules hone in a bit more on group dynamics:

👥 Use the buddy system – Split into small groups (2-3 people) to make it easier to stay together and look out for each other.

🚶 Never leave your buddy – Regular check-ins ensure everyone stays safe and accounted for throughout the night.

🚖 Don’t put your buddy in an Uber/cab alone – If they’re too drunk, they could get kicked out of the car and left in an unsafe situation. Vomit and Uber never mix.

🔄 Adjust buddies as needed – In large groups, rotate designated buddies so everyone gets a chance to enjoy the night. If someone leaves early, shuffle buddies to ensure no one is alone.

📍 Use a tracking app – Apps like Life360 help keep tabs on friends. Set geocircles around hotels and key locations to track movements and ensure no one wanders off.

Personal Safety Equipment

I don’t necessarily advocate carrying around a lot of safety equipment in Nashville, but they can be useful if you have an issue.

Top-Rated Small Self Defense Equipment

🗝️ Handheld weapons – Small metal sticks are a good option, as they attach to keychains for easy access. Stingers include a seatbelt cutter and alarm but may raise eyebrows if you are searched.

🚨 Portable alarms – Compact keychain alarms emit 130 dB sirens, loud as a jet engine, to draw attention in emergencies.

🌶️ Pepper spray – Sabre is a highly rated option with a carrying strap for convenience. Keep in pockets, not purses, to avoid bar entry issues.

⚡ Tasers & stun guns – Taser fire projectiles, which is very effective, but pricey (~$400) and bar-restricted. Mini stun guns are effective and more compact, but flashlight models or stun pens are more discrete, as they do not look like stun guns. The flashlight is my favorite, as it can help you find your keys if you drop them in a dark place.

Safety Rules For Equipment

🚖 Consider rideshare over walking – The best defense is avoiding danger. If a street looks unsafe, find a secure location to call an Uber, Lyft, or cab.

🚫 Don’t use personal safety equipment in bars – Seek help from bouncers or employees instead of handling it yourself. Using weapons could get you kicked out or even arrested.

🚶 Try to evade first – If someone is following you, cross the street. If they follow, head to the nearest bar or double back. Once safe, alert police or staff for assistance.

⚡ Use safety equipment as a last resort – If you can’t avoid an attacker, be ready to defend yourself.

📜 File a police report – If attacked or followed, report the incident. Even if you fight off an attacker, filing a report could prevent future incidents.

Being proactive with these safety tips ensures a safer night out.

Stay Safe & Explore Nashville with Confidence!

Nashville is an amazing city filled with live music, nightlife, and unforgettable experiences—but staying aware and prepared is key to having the best possible trip.

Have tips, stories, or safety advice to share? Drop a comment below! Your insights can help fellow travelers and locals alike.

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Peace and Grace,