Nashville is not only home to country music, but also to beautiful colorful murals that are picture-perfect for your family photos, selfies, or even for your next Facebook profile picture!
My kids and I joined my husband when he went to Nashville for a work conference back in January and looked for something to do while he was in meetings. So, if you’re pinched on time and don’t have a car to drive around town (because we know how Uber fares can get costly), follow along with our mural exploration to maximize your minuscule schedule, yet still get a lot of photos taken while having fun doing it.
We spent the first part of the day in this area called The Gulch and then finished the day in 12 South area. We mostly walked around looking for these murals except when we headed to 12 South from The Gulch. We took an Uber ride then since it’s a long walk for the kiddos. Below is a list of our favorite Nashville murals (and our adventure!) in order.
1. What Lifts You Wings
Artist: Kelsey Montague
Location: 302 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
This is probably the most iconic mural in Nashville. Almost everyone gets their photos taken here when visiting the Music City. Right next to giant wings are the smaller wings, and don’t forget to take pictures there, too, with your younger kids or even your dog. There is usually a line, so either get there early in the day or just wait for your turn with a cup of joe. Be careful while standing in the line because the wall is right by a parking garage.
2. The Green Leaves Mural (a green and blue abstract imagery)
Artist: Ian Ross
Location: 200 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
This was painted by Ian Ross as a part of the Nashville Walls Project. It’s so big you can’t miss it even if the parking lot where it’s located is full of cars. I just took a photo from across the street because my kids were too cold to keep walking when we went.
3. Hear This Nashville
Artist: Adam Newman
Location: 901 Gleaves Street, Nashville, TN 37203
You will find this one on the side of Stock & Barrel restaurant facing Peg Leg Porker restaurant. The microphone would have been fun for interactive pictures where you get to pretend like you’re screaming/singing to the ear. My son is too short for that, so I just took a photo of him standing in front of the mural.
4. Candy Hearts
Artist: Bryson Leach
Location: 601 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
This mural originated as a fun photo op for bachelorette parties taking place in Nashville. Some of the candy hearts had different sayings on them before which were targeted for the bride-to-be and her entourage. Some of the sayings now can be kid-appropriate, so I just zoomed in to the specific candy heart when taking my son’s photo. You will find this on the side of Finnleys Boutique.
5. Carter Vintage Guitars
Artist: Jenna Boyko Colt and Brian Law of Vermillion Murals
Location: 625 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
While walking around after taking photos at the Candy Hearts wall, we found this mural on the side of Carter Vintage Guitars store. The parked cars blocked some parts of the wall, but it was still fun taking photos in front of it. From there, we decided to head out to the 12 South location because it was too cold to walk around several blocks looking for murals. But first, we stopped by a local coffee place, Honest Coffee Roasters, to get hot cocoa and then we got an Uber ride from there to take us to 12 South.
6. Vuori’s Geometric Wall Mural
Artist: Katie Murray
Location: 2701 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
I used this point of location for our Uber driver to drop us off since it’s in a parking lot and not too crowded with busy tourists walking up and down 12th Avenue. You will find this mural on the side of the Vuori retail store. If you like geometrical patterns and it makes your Feng-shui heart happy, then certainly don’t miss this one.
7. I Believe in Nashville
Artist: Adrien Saporiti
Location: 2702 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Cross the street from Vuori’s store and then you’ll find this mural next in an alley. This is another iconic mural in Nashville, so expect a line to get your photos taken. Try horizontal and vertical ways to take the picture, and don’t be shy to tell the person taking a photo for you how you want your photos taken. Take some jumping videos, too!
8. Draper James Wall
Artist: Unknown (commissioned by Draper James)
Location: 2608 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
This is literally right across from the “I Believe in Nashville” mural in the same alley, and it is on the side of Reese Witherspoon’s retail store, Draper James. I love the blue and white stripes for pictures. There’s also a bench where you can sit, but don’t expect to sit there too long because a lot of people want to take photos of the Draper James postcard sign behind it.
9. Predators
Artist: Unknown
Location: 2607 12th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37204.
If you’re an ice hockey fan, you’ll know right away that this is the NHL’s Predators’ mascot. My son loves all things NHL, and he spotted it first. It is located on the side of the White Bison Coffee building. Not sure who the artist is, but maybe he/she wants to remain anonymous so they are not infringing NHL copyright, hah!
10. The Flower Mural
Artist: Unknown
Location: 2900 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Look for this on the side of the United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) store. We almost missed it, so walk up to the store and look to the side. I love the vibrant colors! I’ve researched the artist but can’t find any information about it. It could be Nathan Brown, but when I checked out his site, the Flower Mural doesn’t seem to match his type. If you ever find out, let me know!
11. Make Music Not War
Artist: Unknown (commissioned by Relax Max Apparel)
Location: 2902 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Directly across from the Flower Mural and on the side of the Epice restaurant, you’ll find this mural. It’s in a little secluded area, so don’t miss it while walking on the street.
12. Country Girls (Just Wanna Have Fun)
Artist: Rachyl LaGrone of Murals by Loba
Location: 2803 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
This is a perfect photo op with your ladies entourage wearing cowgirl boots! My 8-year-old son refused to get his photos taken in front of it so he took my picture instead (in my Ugg boots, hah!).
13. Looking Pretty, Music City
Artist: Emily Eisenhart/Eastside Murals
Location: 2709 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
This a long wall of mural so get ready to take the photo from across the street. Parked cars on the side could be blocking some of the view, but it’s still a fun mural to photograph nonetheless. I highly suggest using a wide angle lens if you’d rather not take the picture from across the street.
14. Astronaut
Artist: Edie Ottestad
Location: 1206B Dallas Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
This is on a residential condo’s wall, but I saw people still taking photos there anyway. The people who live there are probably used to it already. You can’t miss this big Astronaut after taking pictures at Vuori’s Geometric Wall Mural (see #6).
15. Nashville Looks Good On You
Artist: Nash
Location: 2511 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204.
There are several of these same murals plastered around Nashville. You can find one of them in the 12th South area in a parking lot behind Frothy Monkey Coffee House. This reminds of the “Make Portland Weird” mural in Oregon for some reason. Maybe it’s the simple typography, and that it’s fun to find because it is located in the most random spot. Check out the artist’s site if you’d like to buy merch with this mural on it.
BONUS Find: Taylor Swift Bench!
Okay, so technically this is not a mural, but if you’re a Swiftie like me, you will want to visit this bench in Nashville, which is located in Centennial Park. The mayor of the city erected this bench in dedication to Taylor Swift right before she came to Nashville for one of her Eras Tour stops in 2023. She mentioned this park in her song, “Invisible Strings,” so now many Swifties flock to this area looking for the bench. Don’t be like us and walk almost around the park looking for it. Just have your Uber driver take you to the Parthenon’s parking lot, and it’s literally just across from there. Google Maps even recognizes this as a hot spot for photos, so you can just type in “Taylor Swift Bench,” and it’ll show you its exact location.
There are so many more murals around Nashville, and I can’t wait to go back and explore other areas! What is your favorite Nashville mural?
