Is Cherokee Park safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Cherokee Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Cherokee Park
“Go. Cherokee Park is one of Nashville's safest, most affluent, and picturesque residential enclaves. Visitors can walk the neighborhood comfortably at almost any hour with minimal safety concerns beyond standard awareness.”
About the area
Nestled in West Nashville adjacent to Sylvan Park and West End, Cherokee Park is an architectural gem characterized by stately 1920s Tudor Revival and Craftsman homes along mature, tree-lined streets. It functions as a peaceful, high-income residential sanctuary while keeping visitors within minutes of premier West End dining and urban greenways.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent & Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Residential Enclave
Walking and biking in Cherokee Park
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The area connects directly to the 4-mile paved Richland Creek Greenway loop in adjacent Sylvan Park. Nashville BCycle stations are available nearby along the greenway and at surrounding West End transit stops.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent crime, consistently ranking among the safest residential sections of Nashville.
- Affluent economic profile with high homeownership rates, negligible poverty, and pristine property upkeep.
- Direct proximity to McCabe Park, Richland Creek Greenway, and Sylvan Park dining corridors.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes, primarily unlocked vehicle burglaries and package theft.
- Exclusively residential interior with little to no commercial activity directly inside neighborhood boundaries.
- Dimly lit residential side streets late at night due to dense tree cover and widely spaced street lamps.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Cherokee Park's interior streets. Any visible panhandling or unhoused individuals are concentrated along higher-traffic commercial arteries further out, such as West End Avenue and Charlotte Pike.
What Cherokee Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and enjoying peaceful residential morning light.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm, quiet, and exceptionally safe with minimal vehicular traffic and well-tended sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and tranquil with neighbors strolling along the tree-lined streets as evening sets in.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with almost zero pedestrian traffic; exceedingly safe, though caution on dark side streets is sensible.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the neighborhood perimeter primarily along West End Avenue via Route 3 (West End) and Route 10 (Charlotte Pike). Nashville does not operate heavy rail or light rail transit in this area.
Residential street parking is free, abundant, and unmetered throughout the neighborhood. Commercial destinations on the periphery provide dedicated free surface lots or easy curb parking.
Things to do in Cherokee Park
- Take an architectural walking tour of the historic, winding residential avenues featuring intact 1920s and 1930s homes.
- Jog or cycle along the nearby Richland Creek Greenway loop wrapping around McCabe Golf Course.
- Walk a few blocks into adjoining Sylvan Park for boutique dining and local cafes along Murphy Road.
Local favorites
- Park Cafe · Contemporary American Restaurant · 4.6★ (760)A sophisticated neighborhood bistro on Murphy Road offering seasonal cuisine, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list.
- McCabe Pub · American Pub · 4.5★ (710)A cozy, long-standing neighborhood tavern famous for classic burgers, cold beer, and a friendly local atmosphere.
- Doughbird · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (480)A lively spot near West End serving rotisserie chicken dishes, specialty pizzas, and craft cocktails.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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