While Nashville is known as the Music City, you could probably also call it Dog City, too. The pet-friendly areas around Downtown Nashville are filled with dog parks and pet-friendly restaurants and shops. All Metro Nashville parks allow dogs on-leash and many have off-leash sections as well. 

While it is no surprise to Nashville residents and pups, the city ranked No. 52 in a 2017 Wallethub ranking of the most pet-friendly U.S. cities. But here are the five most dog-friendly Nashville neighborhoods of them all.

East Nashville

Photo courtesy of Shelby Dog Park

The neighborhoods of East Nashville offer the expected dog parks and doggie-accessible sidewalks, plus a long list of amenities for humans and pets to enjoy together. Shelby Park includes a large enclosed dog run while the adjacent Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area runs along the Cumberland River. Shelby Bottoms features miles of paths and trails that are easily accessible and ready for hiking with dogs and their humans with water stations. Shelby Park has one downside, though — there’s no space designated just for small dogs. 

Five Points

Photo courtesy of Tomato Art Festival

The smaller Five Points neighborhood helps take care of dogs with the 5 Points Animal Hospital and Spot’s Pet Supply, which offers DIY dog washing and supplies. The Dog Spot has doggie daycare, boarding, and grooming while Mutts & Meows is a fun shopping spot for Spot. 

Looking for a fun outdoor festival that your pooch can join in on? The Tomato Art Festival in Five Points gives pet owners the opportunity to do just that with a fun tomato- and art-themed festival. Dogs dressed like tomatoes make everything better.

12 South

Photo courtesy of 12 South Farmers Market in Sevier Park

12 South is a bustling dog-friendly neighborhood that’s just a 10-minute run from downtown or Hillsboro Village. 12 South offers up a fun day with locally-grown produce, fruits, and other options at the 12 South Farmers Market in Sevier Park. Eclectic restaurants like Burger Up, The Frothy Monkey, Five Daughters Bakery, Sloco, Edley’s Barbeque, and the 12 South Taproom welcome pets on their outdoor patios. After dining al fresco, treat your dog to holistic food and treats at pet supply store Wags & Whiskers. 

Belmont / West End / Hillsboro

Photo courtesy of Fido Cafe

Live music is accessible to dogs in the West End/Hillsboro area thanks to pet-friendly, on-leash events. Fannie Mae Dees Park is a family-friendly park for dog-walking even though its mosaic dragon statue gives it the nickname “Dragon Park.”

While Vanderbilt Hospital serves the humans in Nashville, the Hillsboro Animal Hospital and Belmont Animal Hospital are open just for pets.

Nashville has no lack of hair and nail salons, and dogs get the same pampering treatment at The Belmont Pet Resort and Daycare with grooming, training, and boarding services. Dogs might not crave Nashville hot chicken but they can dine al fresco at pet-friendly outdoor dining options such as Fido Cafe and Double Dogs. These dining options don’t just serve up yummy food with dog-friendly patios — they also donate to dog-focused charities.

Downtown Nashville

Photo courtesy of Centennial Park

Downtown Nashville neighborhoods feature condos and lofts with minimal greenspace for walking your pet. Head to Centennial Park with your dog to enjoy the central location near the Nashville Parthenon reproduction. Centennial Park not only has a paved path to walk your dog on-leash, but it also has a large, fenced dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs, all with eco-friendly artificial turf. If humans or dogs get thirsty, doggie water fountains and water bottle filling stations are scattered through the park.

Walking or playing with dogs in Centennial Park is an everyday activity, but the Dog Day Festival and Music City Mutt Strutt 5K in Centennial Park is fun for dogs and humans. The money raised here for the Nashville Humane Association make it the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.