Nashville is a city that sings — not just with music, but with color. On my most recent visit, instead of sticking solely to Broadway or hopping from honky-tonk to honky-tonk, I decided to explore a different side of Music City: its walls.
Yes, Nashville is a living, breathing canvas filled with some of the most vibrant, creative, and deeply meaningful street art I’ve ever seen. This self-guided mural tour took me through several neighborhoods — from the polished streets of The Gulch to the laid-back artsy vibes of East Nashville — and gave me more than just cool photos. It gave me a new way to connect with the city.
Whether you’re a content creator, art lover, or traveler simply looking to experience something unique without breaking the bank, this guide will help you explore the best murals Nashville has to offer — in the smartest, most efficient way possible.
How to Plan Your Nashville Mural Adventure
Before jumping into addresses and murals, here’s what I learned from experience that made the whole day smoother and way more enjoyable.
Definition List
Self-Guided Mural Tour
A personal walking or driving route planned to explore and photograph public murals, often organized by neighborhood or theme.
Mural Cluster
Multiple murals located within a short walk of each other, allowing you to hit several spots quickly.
● What You’ll Need
- ◦ A reliable GPS or map app
- ◦ A car or rideshare budget (some murals are far from downtown)
- ◦ Comfortable shoes for when you want to park and walk clusters
- ◦ Water and snacks — exploring in the heat can wear you out
- ◦ A phone or camera with lots of storage
- ◦ An outfit or two you’ll feel good in (if you plan to snap pics)
Pro-Tip: Start early to avoid crowds and harsh light. Murals are best photographed in the morning or just before golden hour.
The Best Way to Navigate the Tour
After testing a few routes, I created an optimized plan that reduces driving time and avoids backtracking. I grouped murals by neighborhood to help you focus on one area before moving to the next.
Neighborhood Route Overview
| Route Stop | Neighborhood | Murals Covered | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop 1 | 12South | 1–4 | 1.5 hours |
| Stop 2 | Charlotte Ave / Midtown | 5 | 30 mins |
| Stop 3 | The Gulch | 6–7 | 1 hour |
| Stop 4 | Downtown Core | 8–11 | 1 hour |
| Stop 5 | Germantown / North Nashville | 12–15 | 1 hour |
| Stop 6 | East Nashville | 16–18 | 1 hour |
I completed the full route in one day, but you can easily split it over two relaxed mornings if you’d rather take your time and grab coffee or food along the way.
Stop 1 – 12South Murals
12South was my starting point, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. You can walk to every mural here — no car needed once you’re parked.
1. Love Y’all
● Location: 2020 Lindell Ave (Pencil and Paper Co)
● Vibe: Simple, sweet, and timeless — the perfect first shot of the day
● Parking: Street parking is usually available on quieter mornings
2. Nashville Looks Good on You
● Location: Behind Frothy Monkey at 2509 12th Ave S
● Pro-Tip: Order a chai latte from Frothy Monkey and walk around the back alley — the mural is tucked behind, and you can usually find a great angle without waiting in line
3. Legoman
● Location: 2709 12th Ave S (Imogene + Willie)
● Family-Friendly: My son lit up seeing this one — perfect for kids or LEGO fans
4. I Believe in Nashville
● Location: 2700 12th Ave S (next to Draper James)
● Note: Easily the most iconic mural in town. Even locals stop for pictures. This one has a bit of a wait sometimes, so be patient — it’s worth it
If you’re traveling with kids, take a break at Fannie Mae Dees Park nearby. Afterward, we stopped at The Parthenon in Centennial Park to stretch our legs and take in a bit of culture.
Stop 2 – Off The Wall on Charlotte Avenue
Charlotte Avenue is home to a string of large murals collectively known as the Off The Wall project. These aren’t just photogenic — they’re powerful.
5. It’s Gonna Be O.K.
● Location: 3020 Charlotte Ave
● Theme: Bold words with deep meaning — a reminder of resilience
● Parking Tip: There’s no parking in front, but a medical office across the street allows parking when not in use. Be cautious crossing this busy street.
From here, we grabbed a quick bite and explored Marathon Village, where the mix of shopping, cars, and distilleries gave us a good midday recharge before moving on.
Stop 3 – The Gulch Murals
This neighborhood has a polished, trendy vibe — ideal for photos. Be prepared: parking can be tricky and sometimes paid, but once you’re there, it’s a walkable cluster.
6. Polka Dots and Stripes
● Location: 299 11th Ave S (across from Milk & Honey)
● Look: Bright, high-contrast patterns — perfect for outfit shots
● Nearby Eats: Try Milk & Honey or Biscuit Love after your photo session
7. What Lifts You (Wings Mural)
● Location: 302 11th Ave S (on the side of Taziki’s Café)
● Notes: This is the Instagram-famous mural. Lines can get long, especially on weekends
● Fun Tip: There’s a “mini wings” version for kids and pets — my daughter loved posing here
Pro-Tip: Arrive before 9 AM for easy parking and minimal wait time. The lighting is perfect early morning, and you’ll beat the crowds.
Stop 4 – Downtown Core
Downtown Nashville isn’t just honky-tonks and music venues. If you explore a few blocks off Broadway, you’ll find some truly standout murals.
8. Acoustic Skyline
● Location: 911 Division St (side of A+ Storage)
● Inspo: A large guitar silhouette blended with Nashville’s skyline
● Parking: Huge adjacent lot — super easy
9. Country Music Icons
● Location: 608 Ash Street (in front of Industrial Fire & Safety)
● Legends Featured: Dolly, Willie, Waylon, Johnny, Loretta, and more
● Why It’s Special: Feels like a mini tribute museum painted onto the wall
10. Greetings from Nashville
● Location: 111 4th Ave S (side of Losers Bar & Grill)
● Look: Vintage postcard mural — bold letters filled with iconic Nashville landmarks
● Nearby: Quick walk from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Walk of Fame Park
11. Hey There Nashville Flower Wall
● Location: 201 1st Ave S (inside The Hampton Social)
● Access Tip: You’ll need to walk through the restaurant entrance — the hosts are used to it
● Atmosphere: Dreamy pinks and florals — great for couples or girls’ trips
Bonus Mural:
12. Rosé All Day
● Location: Inside the Rosé Lounge area of The Hampton Social
● Note: This one is technically indoors, but worth a quick peek if you’re already visiting the Flower Wall
Pro-Tip: Take a quick coffee break after these murals — either at Frothy Monkey (downtown location) or Barista Parlor.
Stop 5 – Germantown and North Nashville
This area has a hip, local vibe with fewer tourists and hidden gems — perfect if you’re after unique shots without the crowd.
13. Kindness Is…
● Location: 1120 4th Ave N #101 (on the side of Juice Bar)
● Message: Whimsical flowers and pastel vibes meet a universal message of compassion
● Parking: Paid lot across the street. We saw it being patrolled, so definitely pay and display
14. Instagram Like
● Location: 1230 4th Ave N (Barista Parlor wall)
● Look: Bold red heart inside a digital “like” notification
● Distance: A short walk from mural #13
15. You Do You
● Location: 1401 3rd Ave N (on the side of Payton Steaks)
● Trickiest One: You’ll need to drive through a residential parking garage. We almost missed it!
● Vibe: Affirming, bold, personal — perfect for a solo-traveler shot
Pro-Tip: Visit this cluster mid-day for best lighting. Earlier in the morning, the sun casts shadows across some murals.
Stop 6 – East Nashville Murals
East Nashville has a more eclectic, artsy energy than downtown — and it shows in its murals. The stops here were some of the most creative and interactive.
16. Flowerbalm Wall at Walden Bar
● Location: 2909 Gallatin Pike
● Style: Soft floral artwork with abstract strokes — feels like walking into a dream
● Parking: Easy street parking or behind the building
17. What Lifts You Up (Hot Air Balloon Basket Mural)
● Location: 1034 Eastland Ave (The Cleo Apartments)
● Feature: This mural includes a real-life hot air balloon basket that you can stand inside
● Family-Friendly: Easily the most engaging mural for kids — we got some of our best photos here
● Parking Tip: We parked across at Rite Aid (be a paying customer to avoid issues)
18. Stay Tuned
● Location: 625 Main St (side of Brics)
● Design: Abstract waveforms and retro radio vibes — very different from the others
● Best Time to Visit: Early morning or on weekends; parking is limited during business hours
Mural Recap and Planning Table
To make things even easier, here’s a mural summary you can screenshot or print.
| # | Mural Name | Location | Area | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love Y’all | 2020 Lindell Ave | 12South | Easy | Simple and sweet start |
| 2 | Nashville Looks Good on You | Behind Frothy Monkey, 12th Ave S | 12South | Moderate | Coffee + mural combo |
| 3 | Legoman | 2709 12th Ave S | 12South | Easy | Kids love this |
| 4 | I Believe in Nashville | 2700 12th Ave S | 12South | Busy | Most iconic shot |
| 5 | It’s Gonna Be O.K. | 3020 Charlotte Ave | Midtown | Tricky | Cross street carefully |
| 6 | Polka Dots & Stripes | 299 11th Ave S | The Gulch | Paid | Bold patterns |
| 7 | What Lifts You (Wings) | 302 11th Ave S | The Gulch | Busy | Arrive early |
| 8 | Acoustic Skyline | 911 Division St | Downtown | Easy | Skyline in guitar shape |
| 9 | Country Music Icons | 608 Ash Street | Downtown | Street | Legends wall |
| 10 | Greetings from Nashville | 111 4th Ave S | Downtown | Paid | Classic postcard |
| 11 | Hey There Nashville (Flower Wall) | 201 1st Ave S | Downtown | Easy | Inside restaurant |
| 12 | Rosé All Day | Inside Hampton Social | Downtown | Easy | Chic and pink interior wall |
| 13 | Kindness Is… | 1120 4th Ave N | Germantown | Paid | Positive message |
| 14 | Instagram Like | 1230 4th Ave N | Germantown | Easy | Perfect for social shot |
| 15 | You Do You | 1401 3rd Ave N | Germantown | Confusing | Inside garage |
| 16 | Flowerbalm | 2909 Gallatin Pike | East Nashville | Easy | Soft and dreamy |
| 17 | What Lifts You Up (Balloon) | 1034 Eastland Ave | East Nashville | Moderate | Interactive basket |
| 18 | Stay Tuned | 625 Main St | East Nashville | Busy | Artistic and bold |
Extra Tips for Your Mural Tour
● Early is better – Most murals photograph better before 10 AM, with soft lighting and fewer people.
● Bring cash – For small cafés, food trucks, or parking lots without card readers.
● Fuel up at local cafés – I loved Barista Parlor in Germantown and Frothy Monkey in 12South.
● Outfit changes? – If you’re serious about photos, pack a couple of looks and use café bathrooms or your car for quick swaps.
● Charge your phone fully – Between maps, camera use, and uploading to social, battery dies fast.
Final Thoughts
Walking (and driving) through Nashville’s mural scene gave me more than just cool Instagram shots. It gave me a fresh way to connect with the city — one that celebrated art, history, and creativity at every corner. Whether you’re coming with friends, kids, or traveling solo, this self-guided tour will help you see Music City in a way most tourists miss.
If you’ve got a full day and a bit of curiosity, you’re all set for one of the most colorful and rewarding days you’ll spend in Nashville.
