Nashville is known for country music, leather boots, barbecue AND breathtaking murals! No matter what neighborhood you are in, there is always an iconic mural within walking distance.
Here is my complete guide of the best, Most “Instagrammable” Nashville Murals and how to find them while you’re touring music city!
Most Instagrammable Nashville Murals
If you are looking to spend a day exploring the stunning Nashville Murals, I highly suggest taking time to explore 12 South and The Gulch. These neighborhoods are teeming with some of the best artwork in the city as well as great stops along the way for food, drinks and shopping!
This post will give you two complete self-guided walking tours, one for each neighborhood – and it’s totally doable to do both in one day! However, if you are a guided-tour girly, I also have a list of the best tours you can book to see some of the best murals with minimal effort!
12 South Self-Guided Mural Tour
12 South is a charming, upscale neighborhood just a short drive from Downtown Nashville. Here you’ll find delicious eats and drinks (including my FAVORITE taco place as featured in my blog post about the best tacos in Nashville!) as well plenty of interesting shops. You could easily spend half a day here exploring everything this street has to offer. Not only is 12 South a Nash neighborhood offering great food and shopping, it is one of the most dense areas for iconic Nashville Murals!
In less than a 20 minute walk, you will come across SIX unique murals, each with their own expression and artistry.
Be sure to visit these 12 South murals in this order for the easiest walk!
I Love Donuts Mural
Address: 1110 Caruthers Ave, Nashville, TN 3720
Artist: Unknown
Start your afternoon in 12 South at the corner of Caruthers and 12th Avenue – aka Five Daughter’s Bakery. This donut shop is unlike any other – their famous 100 layer donuts are absolutely to die for and you’ll stumble across your first mural of the day. Grab a sweet treat, a coffee, and some photos in front of this adorable mural to start your day off right!
Bussin Around Nashville Mural
Address: 2405 12th Ave, Nashville, TN 37204 (on the side of FWD Clothing CO)
Artist: Rachyl LaGrone
After your morning donut and coffee, continue walking down 12th Avenue (going South) until you happen upon this groovy mural by Rachyl LaGrone. Lagrone’s art can be found on the side of the trendy FWD Clothing Company as well as many other locations in Nashville. Snag a photo and then stop in to shop for some surf-inspired garments.
Nash Flower Wings Mural
Address: Bullets and Pearls, 2507 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Artist: Unknown
Keep walking (yes, we’re still on the same street!) and you’ll come upon my favorite mural in all of Nashville. Yes, wings are a big thing in Music City! Take some time to pose in front of this adorable flower mural – the shots will be sure to make a splash on your socials.
This spot is conveniently located next to Bullets and Pearls, an adorable boutique shop with lots of cute (and affordable) jewelry, bags, and Nashville-inspired accessories.
I Believe in Nashville Mural
Address: 2702 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Artist: Adrien Saporiti
About half-way down the busiest part of 12 South, you’ll come across one of the most famous murals in all of Nashville. Adrien Saporiti’s I Believe in Nashville Mural is a photo-op everyone should take the time to seek out. There may be a line when you go, but it’s worth it for the memories!
This was Jonnie’s favorite 🙂
Garden Floral
Address: 2900 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Artist: Unknown
As you continue your journey down the street, you’ll come across a beautiful floral mural, painting by a mystery artist. Located on the side of United Apparel Liquidators (a discount designer clothing store) this mural stop is a win-win!
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Make Music Not War
Address: 2902 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 (on the side of the Epice restaurant building)
Artist: Relax Max Apparel
Last stop on your self-guided tour of the 12 South Murals will land you at Epice Lebanese Restaurant. Besides some delicious food, this restaurant has Relax Max Apparel’s Make Music Not War Mural on it’s side, a true homage to everything Music City stands for.
The Gulch Self-Guided Mural Tour
Another large hub for Nashville murals is the Gulch – a large area of Nashville dotted with plenty of restaurants and stores. It’s also home to one of the most famous mural in Nashville, Kelsey Montague’s WhatLiftsYou mural. Here is my ultimate guide for a walkable self-guided tour of the Gulch Murals.
*This self-guided tour is doable but definitely a longer walk than the 12 South itinerary. You may wish to grab an Uber to get to some of the further points. That being said, Jonnie and I did this by foot and so I think you could too! 🙂
Green Leaves of the Gulch
Address: 200 12th Avenue South but mural faces mostly 11th Ave South (right across from Milk and Honey)
Artist: Ian Ross
You’ll want to start your self-guided Gulch mural tour near the address 200 12th Avenue. This is also the home of Milk and Honey, one of the most popular places for brunch in Nashville. Jonnie and I went here and let me tell you, it is GOOD. Be sure to order their cinnamon roll – to DIE for. Milk and Honey doesn’t take reservations so put your name in and then cross the street and have a photo shoot at this vast mural!
Created by artist Ian Ross, the Green Leaves of the Gulch is an all encompassing mural that covers a parking lot on 12th and 11th Avenue South. This mural reminded me of Jack and Beanstalk! Jonnie and I had so much fun taking photos here while we waited for our brunch reservation.
Nashville WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural
Address: 302 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Kelsey Montague
Luckily, the mural everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) is looking for is just steps further down the street from Milk and Honey. Kelsey Montague’s WhatLiftsYou Wings mural is breathtaking and extremely popular. There will be a line but it’s worth it for this iconic Instagrammable Nashville photo-op.
Jason Woodside Mural
Address: 299 11th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Jason Woodside
Right across the street, you’ll find this colorful and imaginative mural by Jason Woodside. Known for his optical illusions, Woodsides’ mural is a feast for the eyes as you walk The Gulch. You can find his artwork in numerous cities across the country (and the world!). Be sure to stop and marvel at this masterpiece that the Gulch is so lucky to have!
Acoustic Skyline
Address: 911 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Allison Johnson
Next on your itinerary, you’ll want to continue walking down 12th Avenue South until you hit Division Street and then turn left. You’ll pass STK on your right – an amazing steakhouse if you’re looking for an upscale meal – and then you’ll find Allison Johnson’s Acoustic Skyline Mural. A true depiction of Music City, this mural is a great spot for music lovers to take a pic!
Carter Vintage Guitars
Address: 625 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Unknown
Now, you’ll need to put on your walking shoes (or take an Uber!) and get yourself to Carter Vintage Guitars. Jonnie and I made this walk; it really wasn’t bad and totally worth it to see this awesome mural and check out some seriously cool vintage guitars inside.
Candy Hearts Mural
Address: 601 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Bryson Leach
Last on your self-guided tour of the Gulch Murals is the absolutely charming Candy Hearts by Bryson Leach. Perfect for Bachelorette trips, be sure to walk down the street from Carter’s and snag some photos in front of this whimsical and oh-so feminine mural!
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Honorable Mural Mentions
There are SO many amazing murals in Nashville! Here are three murals that are outside of 12 South and The Gulch but worth a special trip.
Honkey Tonk Angels Mural
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: Lucky Bastard Saloon, 408 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Artist: Unknown
Broadway, although teeming with bars, country singers, and disco cowgirls, is not a hub for for murals. However, I was able to find one at Lucky Bastard Saloon! Be sure to stop here for some incredible country music, a beer, and an awesome photo shoot.
What Lifts You Air Balloon Mural
Neighborhood: East Nashville
Address: 1034 West Eastland Ave. Nashville, TN 37206
Artist: Kelsey Montague
Kelsey Montague, the artist of the iconic WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural has another mural in East Nashville. If you find yourself in this eclectic neighborhood, be sure to stop by and hop in the basket for a super fun shot!
Art of Harmony
Neighborhood: Germantown
Address: 1120 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208 (on the side of Juice Bar Germantown)
Artist: Ty Christian
Germantown is a fantastic neighborhood in Nashville, lined with coffee shops and boutiques in old Victorian buildings. It is also home to Ty Christian’s Art of Harmony, a must-see piece.
Best Guided Tours of Nashville Murals
If you like exploring by bus or with a tour guide, there are plenty of guided tours of Nashville Murals that will be sure to immerse you in the amazing art of Music City with minimal effort! A guided tour is the best way to learn about the artists, the inspiration and Nashville art history as a whole. Here are my Top 4 Guided Nashville Mural Tours:
Official Nashville Murals Tours
Started by a Nashville local who had a van, this is the Official Nashville Mural Tour company. This tour will offer you an all encompassing 2.5 hour tour where you will visit up to 12 murals for only $49 per ticket! On this tour, a local will give you insider facts on artists, collective group art, and murals across Nashville. They also offer private tours for up to 12 people!
Nashville Combo Tour: Sightseeing, Murals, and a Brewery!
This small-group tour offered by Viator is a 3 hour experience that will leave you an expert on the city of Nashville, it’s murals, and a few breweries! You’ll travel the city by golf cart, lending to a comfortable tour that covers many spots in a short amount of time. This tour has a cap of only 7 people and starts at $110 per person. Be sure to snag tickets to this tour in advance – it is known to sell out!
Nashville Walking Mural Tour
If you’re prone to car sickness, or would rather meander the streets with the help of a guide, this walking tour offered by Viator is for you! This 1 hour tour in Downtown Nashville is known to show participants hidden gem murals that the average tourist misses! This is a great short tour and only costs $45 per person!
Murals and Margarita Tour
Murals and Margaritas – what could be better!? This tour is similar to other mural tours as you’ll stop at all the iconic spots (many that are named in this post!). However, this tour’s final stop is a rooftop bar where you’ll sip margaritas and scroll through all your new pics. This is a private tour opportunity, perfect for a girl’s trip and starts at $125 per person.
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