Where Nashville Executives Spend Their Weekends: A Guide

Relocating executives rarely ask us about square footage first. They ask what weekends actually look like here — whether there's a lake worth owning a boat for, a trail that doesn't feel like a treadmill, a club scene, somewhere to take clients that isn't a chain restaurant. Home features matter, but lifestyle proximity is often what actually decides a neighborhood.

This guide covers the real places — lakes, parks, clubs, and wine country — that define how Nashville's executive and luxury-homeowner crowd spends its time off, and why several of them cluster near the neighborhoods we work in most.

Key takeaways

• Two major lakes anchor Nashville's weekend boating culture: Percy Priest Lake, 10 miles east of downtown, and the larger Old Hickory Lake, about 25 miles upstream.
• Radnor Lake State Natural Area offers five miles of trails within Nashville's city limits — a rare combination of wildlife preserve and close-in convenience.
• Belle Meade Country Club anchors the traditional club scene for neighborhoods like Belle Meade and Forest Hills.
• Arrington Vineyards, 25 miles south of Nashville, has become a genuine weekend destination rather than a niche stop.

On the Water

Percy Priest Lake sits about 10 miles east of downtown, spanning 14,200 acres across Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson counties. It's built for actual use, not just scenery — six marinas including Nashville Shores and Percy Priest Marina, twelve boat ramps, and active sailing and rowing clubs, including the Vanderbilt Sailing Club and Nashville Rowing Club.

For a bigger-water experience, Old Hickory Lake sits about 25 miles upstream from Nashville and covers 22,500 acres across 97 miles of the Cumberland River, with eight marinas and 41 boat access points maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Its shoreline near The Hermitage — Andrew Jackson's estate, for whom the lake is named — adds a layer of history to the boating culture that's built up around it.

On the Trails

Radnor Lake State Natural Area is the rare amenity that's both wild and close-in: 1,368 acres with five miles of trails, sitting largely within Oak Hill's city limits. Tennessee's first designated state natural area, it started as a railroad-built lake in 1914 before becoming a protected wildlife sanctuary — today it's home to river otters, deer, and a working aviary for injured birds of prey. For residents of Oak Hill, Forest Hills, and Belle Meade, it functions as a backyard nature preserve rather than a destination requiring a drive.

The Club Scene

Belle Meade Country Club has anchored the traditional social and golf scene in west Nashville for generations, situated at the center of the City of Belle Meade alongside Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. For residents of Belle Meade, Belle Meade Highlands, Forest Hills, and Oak Hill, club membership is often as much a part of the weekend routine as any specific activity — golf, tennis, and the social calendar that comes with it.

Wine Country, an Hour South

Arrington Vineyards, co-owned by country artist Kix Brooks, sits on a 95-acre property about 25 miles south of Nashville near Franklin. What started as a boutique winery has grown into a genuine weekend destination: 16 acres of vineyards, five tasting rooms, live music from April through November, and Food Truck Fridays running May through October. It markets itself as "Nashville's Wine Country," and for executives entertaining out-of-town guests, it's become a reliable go-to.

Featured Questions

What lakes are near Nashville for boating?

Percy Priest Lake, about 10 miles east of downtown, and Old Hickory Lake, about 25 miles upstream, are Nashville's two primary boating lakes. Percy Priest is closer in with six marinas, while Old Hickory is larger, with 22,500 acres and eight marinas.

Is there hiking near Nashville's luxury neighborhoods?

Yes — Radnor Lake State Natural Area offers five miles of trails largely within Oak Hill's city limits, making it directly accessible to residents of Oak Hill, Forest Hills, and Belle Meade without a significant drive.

FAQ

Where do wealthy Nashvillians spend their weekends? Patterns vary by household, but boating on Percy Priest or Old Hickory Lake, golf and social time at clubs like Belle Meade Country Club, and day trips to Arrington Vineyards are all well-established parts of Nashville's upscale weekend culture.

What golf clubs are near Belle Meade? Belle Meade Country Club is the anchor club for the immediate area, situated within the City of Belle Meade itself and central to the neighborhood's traditional social scene.

Is Arrington Vineyards worth visiting from Nashville? Yes, particularly on weekends. It's about 25 miles south of the city near Franklin, offering wine tastings, live music in season, and food trucks — a common stop for entertaining visiting family or clients.

Why does weekend lifestyle matter when choosing a Nashville neighborhood? Because proximity to the things you'll actually use — a lake, a trail system, a club — affects daily life far more than most home features. It's worth weighing alongside square footage and price.

Next Steps

1. Identify your weekend priorities — boating, hiking, club membership, or entertaining — before narrowing your neighborhood search.
2. Factor in drive time to the lakes, since Percy Priest and Old Hickory sit at meaningfully different distances from Nashville's close-in neighborhoods.
3. Ask about club membership and waitlists early, since access can shape which neighborhoods make sense.
4. Visit Radnor Lake or Percy Warner Park during a neighborhood tour to get a real sense of what's within walking or short driving distance.
5. Talk to a local agent about lifestyle fit, not just home specs, when comparing neighborhoods like Belle Meade, Oak Hill, and Forest Hills.

The Bottom Line

Nashville's executive lifestyle isn't defined by any single amenity — it's the combination of close-in nature, real boating culture, an established club scene, and an easy day trip to wine country. Where you choose to live shapes how much of that is a five-minute drive versus a weekend production.

If lifestyle fit is part of what you're weighing alongside a home search, Morrell Property Collective can help you think through which Nashville neighborhoods put you closest to what actually matters to you. Reach out at (615) 593-3103 to talk through what your weekends should look like.