Outdoors East Nashville
Shelby Park
An outdoor spot in East Nashville, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Afternoon.
Why go
Large riverside park with a lake, trails and a view of the downtown skyline along the Cumberland.
It is one of 11 curated places we feature in East Nashville, alongside 4 bars & cafés, 4 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Shelby Bottoms Greenway, 0.4 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Neighborhood
- East Nashville
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Afternoon
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in East Nashville, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Riverside paved and gravel trails through wetlands and meadows along the Cumberland.
Activity · 0.4 mi straight-line - 2Lockeland Table
Neighborhood restaurant with wood-fired dishes and a happy hour in a 1930s building.
Food · 0.8 mi straight-line - 3The 5 Spot
Five Points dive with live music most nights and a Monday swing dance tradition.
Drinks · 1.2 mi straight-line - 4Five Points
The crossroads at the heart of East Nashville, lined with bars, cafes and restaurants in old storefronts.
Sight · 1.3 mi straight-line - 5Barista Parlor
Coffee bar in a converted auto shop on Gallatin Avenue, the original location.
Drinks · 1.3 mi straight-line - 6The Basement East
Mid-size rock and Americana venue, rebuilt after the 2020 tornado.
Drinks · 1.4 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Shelby Park is a stop on our Nashville New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in East Nashville
Shelby Park is our only outdoors pick in East Nashville; here is what else we recommend there. See the full East Nashville guide.
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Mas Tacos Por Favor
Counter-service tacos and soups in a small East Nashville storefront.
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Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Burgers, house sodas and a large beer garden on Fatherland Street.
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Attaboy
Menu-free cocktail bar where bartenders make drinks to your taste.
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The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Burgers, house-made sodas and a large beer garden on McFerrin Avenue.
When to go: weather by month, based on Nashville
Our climate figures for East Nashville come from nearby Nashville. Average daily highs in Nashville run from 46°F in January to 90°F in August; February is usually the wettest month. For Shelby Park itself, we suggest: Afternoon.
Modelled monthly averages for Nashville from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Nashville weather by month (covers East Nashville).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Shelby Park, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 36.16917, -86.73154
- Destination
- East Nashville, Tennessee
Shelby Park: quick answers
How much time do you need at Shelby Park?
Plan on about an hour at Shelby Park. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Shelby Park?
Our pick: Afternoon.
Is Shelby Park free?
Yes, we list Shelby Park as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Shelby Park?
Shelby Park appears on Nashville New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Shelby Park to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to East Nashville.
Plan East Nashville
- East Nashville travel guide 11 places
- Nashville weather (covers East Nashville) weather by month
Lists & regions
Also in East Nashville
- Mas Tacos Por Favor Food
- Attaboy Drinks
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.