Nashville has so many photo ops with murals throughout the city! I thought Austin was filled with them, but Nashville takes the cake. There are hundreds of others not listed here, but Nashville Public Art is a great resource to explore more. My curated list showcases the murals in more popular neighborhood areas and ones you most likely want to feature on your insta feed. Plan for your next gram and where to eat while you go on a photoshoot adventure with the list below!
Most popular for Tourists:
- The Gulch #WhatLiftsYou Wings – fair warning, you’ll wait in a 100 person line on weekends….
- I believe in Nashville – multiple locations, most
popular and convenient is 12 South
Most underrated:
Totally a personal preference, but I loved Charlotte Pike’s Off the Wall street art gallery! I loved how they turned a blank canvas on the side of a major road into blocks of art, with over 20 murals lined up side by side.
Now let’s begin the Neighborhood Tour of Nashville’s Best Murals
12 South
By far the easiest neighborhood to take the most pictures within walking distance. Walk up and down the charming streets of 12South, with opportunities to shop and eat while you document your trip with mural pictures. I recommend Josephine (fancy) or Urban Grub (casual) for brunch! You can take pictures next to Reese Witherspoon’s store, and sip on sweet tea while you shop at Draper James! Other boutiques to check out in White’s Mercantile and Moda Boutique, and the Amelia’s Flower Truck.
Nashville Tie Dye Mural
Location: On the side of Corner Music, 2705 12th Ave S, Nashville
……Wait. It’s 2020 and the mural is updated. It’s now:
Looking Pretty Music City
I Believe in Nashville Mural
Location: In the Alley next to Draper James, 2706 12th Ave. S
Draper James Stripes Mural
Location: On the side of Draper James
Flower Mural
Location: On the side of Green Pea Salon, 2900 12th Ave. S
Make Music Not WarMural
Location: Across from the flower mural in the Green Pea
Salon alley, 2900 12th Ave. S
Nashville Looks Good on You Mural
Location: In the back parking lot of Frothy Monkey, 2509
12th Ave S
Fun Mural
Location: on Acklen Ave near 12 South – it’s actually someone’s garage / shed!
The Gulch
Another easy spot to grab a picture. Fair warning, the wings line will be looooong on the weekends. You might catch a break at a weird time, but overall it stays packed. It’s a great thing to do while you wait for a table at Milk & Honey, my favorite brunch spot in Nashville. Or Biscuit Love, another staple for best brekky. Overall Theme: I love brunch. Honestly had pancakes for dinner last night.
What Lifts You Mural
Location: At the parking entrance to Velocity apartments, 302 11th Ave S
Candy Hearts Mural
Location: Finnley’s Boutique in the Gulch
Bright Colored Wall Stripes and Polka Dots Mural
Location: In the parking lot across from Milk & Honey, if you type that in GPS you can’t miss it, it’s HUGE!
Green Patterned Wall Mural
Location: Next to the Mural above, in the parking lot across from Milk & Honey, if you type that in GPS you can’t miss it, it’s HUGE!
Germantown
Germantown neighborhood has the most adorable brick sidewalks and blooming trees. It’s growing so much, I can’t wait to see what new restaurants pop up around here! I really need to try Henrietta Red, I can’t believe I haven’t yet. But I would still recommend, if that has any validity? I can recommend Red Bicycle for coffee and a dessert crepe – Nutella and bananas anyone?
Kindness Is Mural
Location: Across from Henrietta Red
Charlotte Pike Off the Wall Art / Sylvan Park
This is actually a row of murals on murals on murals, about 20 of them stretching along the block on the side of a major road. It really brings life to the otherwise empty area! I only took a picture in front of a few, but there are tons of other ones to see here! If you drive all the way over here, I highly recommend eating at Avo for a healthy bite to eat (vegan)!
Take Flight Mural
Location: 3020 Charlotte Avenue
It’s Gonna Be O.K. Mural
Location: 3020 Charlotte Avenue
Avocado Mural
Location: On the side of Avo, an amazingly healthy vegan restaurant, 3 City Ave #200, In the plaza across from the Off the Wall Art on Charlotte Pike
Nashville Spelled in Food Mural
Location: 5001 Charlotte Ave, about a mile farther down Charlotte from the Off the Wall exhibit
East Nashville
Dive bar on the East Side, where you you at? Phone lights up my night in the black, come here you can meet me in the back….of 5 points pizza for a photo shoot. Shout out to Taylor Swift. Love you so much. I’ve always been reluctant of the East Side, Austin, TX I’m looking at you, but Tay’s inspired me to explore more. East Nashville actually has some hidden gems like The Treehouse Restaurant and the popular Butcher & Bee. I also get my hair done at Local Honey on the Eastside….can’t say anything but positive for my girl Valerie Lewis!
Dancing Bears Mural
Location: On the side of East Side Cycles, 103 S 11th St
Geometric Shapes Mural
Location: On the side of 5 Points Pizza, 1012 Woodland St
Hillsboro Village
There’s a few here, but the lips mural is by far my favorite! Located in the alleyway by Fido.
Lips Mural
So, what’s your favorite mural? Which one is your top priority while visiting Nashville? If you’re looking for more local guides of what to do around the city, check out Music City Highway!
If you’re a local, what hidden gems did I miss? I know there are so many others, and will be adding more as I explore Nashville! There’s something so magical yet simple as public art on the street. It makes cities so much more cheerful! It’s a way to get people outside and feel “cultured” even if it’s actually just for social media.
Thank you so much for all of these… taking a bunch of 6th grade girls to do this for my daughters birthday! This is extremely helpful!!
Awesome Angela! I'm so happy you found this helpful! That sounds like a blast for a birthday activity!! The girls will be so happy with all of their pictures.
Hi. A nice collection. Thanks for the endorsement of my blog (https://nashvillepublicart.com/) I'm always a little surprised to find that people actually read it!