Top 5 Nashville Filming Locations (and How to Leverage Them in Your Video)
TL;DR
If you’re looking for aesthetic locations to shoot your latest campaign, consider these five locations:
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Broadway & The Honky Tonks
Centennial Park & The Parthenon
East Nashville Murals
Aerial Views over the Cumberland River
Find Your Place
Nashville stands as one of America's most visually rich cities, offering everything from iconic skyline views and historic architecture to vibrant street art and rolling countryside just minutes from downtown. Whether you're creating a corporate promotional video, capturing a music-themed project, or developing content that showcases Southern charm, choosing the right location can transform your video from ordinary to extraordinary.
The key to successful location-based filming isn't just finding beautiful backdrops – it's understanding how to capture them effectively. Each Nashville location comes with its own unique filming considerations, from lighting challenges and permit requirements to crowd management and acoustic factors. This guide combines insider local knowledge with practical production expertise to help you make the most of Music City's most compelling filming locations.
1. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Why It's Perfect: This iconic pedestrian bridge offers the most recognizable Nashville skyline view, featuring the Cumberland River, downtown architecture, and the famous AT&T Building (affectionately known as the "Batman Building"). The elevated perspective provides a cinematic backdrop that immediately establishes Nashville as your setting.
Best Use Cases: Corporate videos, promotional content, romantic scenes, establishing shots, time-lapse sequences
Production Tips:
Golden Hour Magic: Plan shoots for sunrise (6:30-7:30 AM) or sunset (7:30-8:30 PM) when natural lighting creates warm tones against the skyline
Crowd Management: Weekday mornings offer fewer pedestrians than evenings or weekends
Permit Requirements: Large crews require coordination through Nashville's Office of Film and Special Events – plan ahead for commercial shoots
Audio Considerations: Wind can be significant on the bridge; bring windscreens for microphones
Safety First: The bridge has no vehicle access, so equipment must be carried on foot
Note: Our team recently filmed B-Roll here at sunrise, capturing both the city awakening and stunning reflections on the Cumberland River. The key was arriving early to set up before foot traffic increased.
2. Broadway & The Honky-Tonks
Why It's Perfect: Nashville's famous Broadway strip provides authentic Music City energy with neon signs, live music venues, and constant activity. The area captures the essence of Nashville's entertainment culture better than any other location.
Best Use Cases: Music videos, lifestyle content, tourism promotions, event coverage, cultural documentaries
Production Tips:
Lighting Strategy: The neon signs create beautiful ambient lighting at dusk, but interiors of honky-tonks are notoriously dim – bring portable LED panels
Sound Challenges: Live music from multiple venues creates audio overlap; plan for post-production cleanup or embrace the authentic Nashville soundscape
Crowd Navigation: Thursday through Sunday nights are peak times; consider weekday afternoon shoots for more control
Parking Logistics: Street parking is limited; arrange equipment transport in advance
Permission Protocol: Each honky-tonk has different policies for filming – contact venues directly for interior shots
Note: The best wide shots of Broadway's famous neon happen from the 2nd Avenue Bridge or from elevated positions in nearby buildings. Many venues are surprisingly accommodating if you explain your project and avoid disrupting business.
3. Centennial Park & The Parthenon
Why It's Perfect: This location offers classical architecture and expansive green space in the heart of Nashville. The full-scale replica of Athens' Parthenon provides a unique backdrop that suggests both tradition and grandeur – perfect for corporate messaging or artistic projects.
Best Use Cases: Corporate interviews, educational content, artistic projects, family videos, wedding content
Production Tips:
Event Schedule Awareness: Check Metro Parks' event calendar before booking your shoot date – festivals and events can completely change the location's accessibility
Natural Lighting Advantage: The open park setting provides excellent natural light throughout most of the day, with midday offering the most consistent exposure
Acoustic Considerations: Sound can echo dramatically under the Parthenon's columns – great for dramatic effect, challenging for dialogue
Permit Process: Warner Parks filming requires permits at $200 per hour with a two-hour minimum, and similar rules apply to other Metro Parks locations
Weather Backup: Limited covered areas make weather contingency planning essential
Note: The contrast between the ancient-inspired architecture and Nashville's modern skyline visible in the background creates compelling visual storytelling opportunities for brands wanting to emphasize heritage and innovation.
4. East Nashville Murals
Why It's Perfect: East Nashville's vibrant street art scene, including the famous "I Believe in Nashville" mural, provides colorful, trendy backdrops that appeal to younger demographics and brands wanting to showcase creativity and local culture.
Best Use Cases: Social media content, lifestyle videos, startup promotions, artist profiles, tourism content
Production Tips:
Early Morning Advantage: Shoot between 7-9 AM to avoid parked cars blocking mural views and minimize foot traffic
Property Permission: Many murals are on private property – always check with building owners before filming commercial content
Lighting Considerations: Most murals face different directions; scout beforehand to understand how shadows fall throughout the day
Seasonal Changes: Some murals get updated or painted over – confirm your chosen artwork is still intact before shoot day
Parking Strategy: East Nashville has limited parking; factor in time for crew to walk from parking areas
Note: The Five Points area offers multiple mural options within walking distance, allowing for quick setup changes. The neighborhood's coffee shops and local businesses are often supportive of creative projects that showcase the area positively.
5. Aerial Views over the Cumberland River
Why It's Perfect: Drone footage of Nashville's skyline, bridges, and Cumberland River provides epic establishing shots that rival any major city. The unique geography – with the river curving through downtown – creates compelling aerial compositions.
Best Use Cases: Promotional videos, real estate content, event coverage, establishing shots, tourism promotion
Production Tips:
Regulatory Compliance: Drone flight is restricted in most Nashville Metro Parks, with exceptions only in Warner Park, Peeler Park, and Cane Ridge – permits required even in designated areas
FAA Coordination: Downtown Nashville falls under controlled airspace requiring FAA clearance for commercial drone operations
Weather Dependency: Clear visibility is crucial; check weather forecasts and air quality reports
Time of Day: Early morning offers the calmest air conditions and best visibility
Backup Plans: Always have ground-based shots ready since drone regulations can change quickly
Regulatory Update: As of 2025, all registered drones must broadcast Remote ID signals, adding an additional compliance layer for commercial operations.
Note: Professional drone pilots familiar with Nashville's airspace restrictions are essential for commercial shoots. The investment in proper licensing and insurance pays off
Ready to move from Planning to Production?
Our experienced Nashville production team can help you maximize every dollar of your video budget while delivering the professional quality your brand deserves. Whether you're in downtown Nashville, Franklin, or Robertson County, we're here to make your video vision a reality.
Book a free 15-minute strategy session with Ozone Media Group to see how we can bring the polished vision of your business to life.
-Derek C., VP of Business Development
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