Neighborhood Spotlight: Belmont/Hillsboro Village

Located south of downtown Nashville, near both Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, Belmont/Hillsboro Village is an ideal place to spend the day strolling and taking in the unique shops, restaurants and cultural centers this neighborhood has to offer.

To really get a feel for the history and architecture of this area, I recommend checking out the annual Historic Belmont-Hillsboro Home Tour. This year it takes place on October 3rd from 11am -5pm.  Each year, the tour showcases a variety of homes from different eras and built in different architectural styles, as well as the famous Belmont Mansion. If you won’t be in Nashville for the home tour, you can still visit the historic Belmont Mansion, an Italian-style villa that dates back to 1853. Even if architecture isn’t really your “thing,” you can’t help but be impressed by this amazing structure.

Bibliophiles won’t want to miss BookMan/BookWoman, a bookstore located in the heart of Belmont/Hillsboro. This welcoming spot offers over 150,000 new and used titles, and a comprehensive search service (and knowledgeable staff) to help you find your textual treasure.

Fans of independent film and documentaries should definitely catch a flick at the historic Belcourt Theatre. This iconic spot opened in 1925 as a silent movie house, and later served as the location of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s now a beautifully restored 2-cinema movie theater that hosts film festivals and screens the best indy films from around the globe.

Art (and miniature things) aficionados should stroll by Nashville’s Smallest Art Gallery. Located in Hillsboro Village next to Peabody’s Shoe Repair, the gallery measures 27 inches wide by 37 inches tall. What was once a graffiti-covered display case has now become home to small-scale work from major artists from around the US and the world. Check out the gallery’s entertaining and informational website to find out more about this unique project.

If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience, check out Pangaea, an eclectic boutique in the heart of Hillsboro Village. Pangaea has been helping Nashvillians complete their boho-chic look for over twenty-five years. From flowing tunics to stackable bangles, Pangaea is the place to go to perfect your eclectic, global fashion aesthetic. It’s also a great place to find unique home décor and art pieces to add some interest to your living space.