Accommodations & Travel

Logistics for Undergraduate Ceremony

Please note that GEODIS Park has a clear bag policy.

Please do not drive or take a ride-share directly to GEODIS Park for Vanderbilt University’s Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony. Roads and parking lots around the stadium will be closed for shuttle bus parking and loading.

Families and guests are encouraged to take a free shuttle directly from their hotel (see list of Hotels with Shuttle Service below), or drive and park in one of the following parking lots to take a shuttle to Geodis Park.

Music City Center Parking Garage
205 Sixth Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37203

Fort Negley Parking Lot
534 Chestnut St., Nashville, TN 37203

Chestnut Parking Lot
1204 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville, TN 37203

If you or another guest in your party have mobility issues and may need a special accommodation traveling to and from Geodis Park, please fill out the form in the Accessibility section.

Undergraduate students will load shuttles along West End Ave. near the 21st Ave. S. intersection. Loading times will be from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m.

  • Hotels with Shuttle Service

    For the convenience of families and guests traveling to Nashville from out of town, we have arranged direct shuttle service from several hotels directly to Geodis Park. Shuttle bus stops will be either directly in front of the hotel or a short walk away if the shuttle is serving more than one hotel. 

    Shuttles will depart every 30 minutes beginning at 7 a.m., leaving on the hour and half hour (7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.). It is recommended that guests take a shuttle before the 9:30 a.m. shuttle to ensure that they can arrive and be seated before the start of the ceremony. 

    • Hampton Inn Nashville Vanderbilt: Shuttles will be located will be located along West End Avenue near the Vanderbilt University sign at the intersection of 21st Avenue.

    More hotel shuttles may be added, but if your hotel is not listed above, please plan to take a shuttle from the Music City Center Parking Garage, Fort Negley Parking Lot or Chestnut Parking Lot.

  • Music City Center Parking Garage

    Families and guests can park in the parking garage at Music City Center, using the entrance on Sixth Avenue South (205 Sixth Ave. S.). Please see the map below. 

    The garage has 700 available parking spots. Guests will use a QR code to park in the garage at no charge. Please see the QR Code section below to download the QR code and read the instructions.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Sixth Avenue. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 7 a.m., with the last shuttle departing for Geodis Park at 9:30 a.m. It is recommended that guests take a shuttle before the 9:30 a.m. shuttle to ensure that they can arrive and be seated before the start of the ceremony. Volunteers will be on site to answer questions and provide additional instructions. 

    This parking garage and shuttle stop are recommended for:

    • Local families and guests
    • Families and guests staying at the following hotels:
      • AC Hotel Nashville Downtown
      • Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
      • Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown
      • Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown
      • Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown – Broadway
      • JW Marriott Nashville
      • Omni Nashville Hotel
      • 1 Hotel Nashville
      • SpringHill Suites Nashville Downtown/Convention Center
      • The Joseph
      • The Westin Nashville
      • Tru by Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center
    • Families and guests staying at hotels that do not have direct shuttle service

    QR Code

    Each vehicle will need to have the QR code on a phone or printed on paper before entering the garage. Please download the QR code here.

    At entry, the driver will scan the QR code at the gate. Do not pull a white ticket. If there is a parking attendant at the gate requesting payment to enter the garage, the driver will need to show the QR code to the attendant for entry. 

    To exit, the driver will scan the QR code to raise the gate. If the gate is already raised to allow vehicles to exit more efficiently, the driver should not stop to scan the QR code.

    Full instructions can be viewed here.

  • Fort Negley and Chestnut Parking Lots

    Families and guests can park in the Fort Negley Parking Lot (534 Chestnut St.) or the Chestnut Parking Lot (1204 Fort Negley Blvd.). The lots are on opposite sides of Chestnut Street and offer a combined total of 1,400 parking spots. Please see the map below. 

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on both sides of Chestnut Street. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 7 a.m., with the last shuttle departing for Geodis Park at 9:30 a.m. It is recommended that guests take a shuttle before the 9:30 a.m. shuttle to ensure that they can arrive and be seated before the start of the ceremony. Volunteers will be on site to answer questions and provide additional instructions. 

    These parking lots and shuttle stops are recommended for:

    • Local families and guests
    • Families and guests staying at hotels that do not have direct shuttle service

Accommodations

Accessibility

For accessibility accommodations, please fill out this form.

Wheelchairs will be available for loan by reservation for Graduates Day on Thursday, May 9, and Commencement on Friday, May 10. 

Credit card information is required for borrowing a wheelchair. If you request the use of a wheelchair, please know that you are responsible for returning the equipment to the designated location; otherwise a potential fee will be levied.

An area within the seating section of all ceremonies will be reserved for wheelchair users. Only one guest is permitted to sit with the user due to limited space. 

If you have questions or concerns, please email Commencement@vanderbilt.edu.

Deadline to reserve a wheelchair or other accommodations is May 1, 2024. Emails regarding any accommodations will be sent following the closure of the form.

Traveling to Campus

Getting to Vanderbilt from Nashville International Airport
Take I-40 west to exit 209A. Turn left onto Broadway. Follow Broadway and veer right to West End Avenue. Allow approximately 30 minutes driving time from the airport to Vanderbilt University. If traffic is light, it will take less time.

Getting to Vanderbilt on the Interstates

  • From the north, take I-65 to I-40 west and then look for I-40 east to exit 209B. Turn right on Broadway.
  • From the east or south, take I-40 west to exit 209A. Turn left on Broadway.
    From the west, take I-40 east to exit 209B. Turn right on Broadway (US 70S).
    Follow Broadway and veer right to West End Avenue.

Vanderbilt is a mile and a half southwest of downtown Nashville and is approximately four hours from Atlanta, three hours from Birmingham, two and a half hours from Knoxville, three hours from Louisville and three hours from Memphis.

Logistics for Graduates Day

Roads and parking lots around the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center Indoor Practice Facility may be closed for shuttle bus parking and loading. Families and guests are encouraged to take a free shuttle from one of four campus parking garages.

Terrace Place Parking Garage
2010 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203

Wesley Parking Garage
1963 Scarritt Place, Nashville, TN 37203

25th Avenue Parking Garage
2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212

West Parking Garage *
2400 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37212

* There is no shuttle service from West Parking Garage as it is only a short walk to the Graduates Day event location.

  • Terrace Place Parking Garage

    Families and guests can park in the Terrace Place Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2010 Terrace Place). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Terrace Place. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 9:45 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 4 p.m.

  • Wesley Parking Garage

    Families and guests can park in the Wesley Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (1963 Scarritt Place). Please see the map above. 

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Scarritt Place. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 9:45 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 4 p.m.

  • 25th Avenue Parking Garage

    Families and guests can park in the 25th Avenue Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2401 Highland Ave.). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on 24th Avenue. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 9:45 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 4 p.m.

  • West Parking Garage

    Families and guests can park in the West Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2400 Children's Way). Please see the map above.

    There is no shuttle service from West Parking Garage. This garage is a short 2-minute walk from the Indoor Practice Facility. There will be signs directing you to the location.

Logistics for Diploma Ceremonies

Families and guests are encouraged to walk or take a free shuttle from a designated nearby campus parking garage because roads around the ceremony sites may be closed for shuttle bus parking and loading.

For the Divinity School, Peabody College and School of Nursing Ceremonies:

Wesley Parking Garage
1963 Scarritt Place, Nashville, TN 37203

For the Graduate School Ceremony:

25th Avenue Parking Garage
2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212

OR

Terrace Place Parking Garage
2010 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203

For the Law School Ceremony:

Terrace Place Parking Garage
2010 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203

For the Owen Graduate School Ceremony:

25th Avenue Parking Garage
2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212

OR

West Parking Garage
2400 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37212

For the School of Medicine Ceremony:

25th Avenue Parking Garage
2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212

  • Divinity School’s Act of Worship and Diploma Ceremony

    The Divinity School’s Act of Worship and Diploma Ceremony will be at Benton Chapel at 10 a.m. Families and guests can park in the Wesley Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (1963 Scarritt Place). Please see the map above. 

    Families and guests will walk to Benton Chapel from the Wesley Parking Garage. It is an estimated 5-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

  • Graduate School Commencement

    The Graduate School Commencement will be on Alumni Lawn at 11 a.m. Families and guests can park in the 25th Avenue Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2401 Highland Ave.) or the Terrace Place Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2010 Terrace Place). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops from the 25th Avenue Garage will be clearly marked on 24th Avenue. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 10 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 2 p.m.

    There is no shuttle service from the Terrace Place Parking Garage, but families and guests may choose to walk from the Terrace Place Parking Garage. It is an estimated 10-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

  • Law School Hooding Ceremony

    The Law School Hooding Ceremony will be on Curry Field at 11 a.m. Families and guests can park in the Terrace Place Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2010 Terrace Place). Please see the map above.

    Families and guests will walk to Curry Field from the Terrace Place Parking Garage. It is an estimated 5-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

  • Owen Graduate School Diploma Ceremony

    The Owen Graduate School Diploma Ceremony will be at the Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center at 11 a.m. Families and guests can park in the 25th Avenue Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2401 Highland Ave.) or the West Parking Garage (2400 Children's Way). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops from the 25th Avenue Garage will be clearly marked on 24th Avenue. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 10 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 2 p.m. There is no shuttle service from West Parking Garage because it is a short walk to the ceremony site (2 minutes).

    Families and guests may also choose to walk from the 25th Avenue Parking Garage (5 minutes). There will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

  • Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony – Master’s Students

    The Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony for Master’s Students will be on the Peabody Esplanade at 11 a.m. Families and guests can park in the Wesley Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (1963 Scarritt Place). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Scarritt Place. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 10 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 6 p.m.

    Families and guests may also choose to walk from the Wesley Parking Garage. It is an estimated 15-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

    A limited number of additional parking spots will be available in Lot 77 and the Sony Parking Garage. No shuttle service is offered from these parking locations. It is an estimated 10-minute walk from these locations to the Peabody Esplanade.

  • Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony – Ed.D. Students

    The Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony for Ed.D. Students will be on the Peabody Esplanade at 3 p.m. Families and guests can park in the Wesley Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (1963 Scarritt Place). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Scarritt Place. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 10 a.m., with the last shuttle departing at 6 p.m.

    Families and guests may also choose to walk from the Wesley Parking Garage. It is an estimated 15-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

    A limited number of additional parking spots will be available in Lot 77 and the Sony Parking Garage. No shuttle service is offered from these parking locations. It is an estimated 10-minute walk from these locations to the Peabody Esplanade.

  • School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony

    The School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony will be in Langford Auditorium at 11 a.m. Families and guests can park in the 25th Avenue Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (2401 Highland Ave.). Please see the map above. 

    Families and guests will walk from the 25th Avenue Parking Garage to Langford Auditorium. It is an estimated 10-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

  • School of Nursing Investiture of the Academic Hood Ceremony

    The School of Nursing Investiture of the Academic Hood will be on Magnolia Lawn at 2 p.m. Families and guests can park in the Wesley Parking Garage on the Vanderbilt campus (1963 Scarritt Place). Please see the map above.

    Shuttle bus stops will be clearly marked on Scarritt Place. Shuttles will depart when buses are fully loaded on a continuous loop beginning at 10 a.m., with the last shuttle will departing at 6 p.m.

    Families and guests may also choose to walk from the Wesley Parking Garage. It is an estimated 10-minute walk, and there will be signs directing you to the ceremony site.

    A limited number of additional parking spots will be available in Lot 77 and the Sony Parking Garage. No shuttle service is offered from these parking locations. It is an estimated 15-minute walk from these locations to Magnolia Lawn.