As Music City continues to produce new and creative pieces on walls—great and small—across town, murals have become a top attraction for tourists and locals alike. 

At the Y, we first brought you a 6-mile run showcasing murals in the trendy 12 South neighborhood, Hillsboro Village, and the Gulch. Next, we explored East Nashville murals with a 5K featuring quirky animals and color blocks.

Now, we’re excited to take an active tour around historic Germantown. Cobblestone streets and Victorian houses come with this oldest Nashville neighborhood. It started as the city’s first suburb and is now home to the Sounds minor league baseball team and nationally-renowned restaurants.

 

Get ready to run

Begin at the Bicentennial Mall (600 James Robertson Parkway), where you can find free parking for two hours.

The mural route is about 2 miles. To extend your activity, we recommend starting or ending your mural tour with the one-mile loop around the Bicentennial Mall. For those willing to push their limits, run up and down the State Capitol steps! (You’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em.)

Below, our mural guide includes photos and addresses linked to Google Maps. You can also view the route above on MapMyRun. Now, grab those cameras, recruit a friend, and take on the Germantown #NashvilleMuralRun.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Germantown Pub - 708 Monroe Street

Take off northwest (away from the Capitol) to Germantown Pub for your first photo, appropriately, at the Germantown Mural. Each letter highlights the history and unique aspects of the neighborhood, like the "G" for Gerst beer, the "M" for Monell's, and the "R" for the Farmers Market. This piece is signed by the artist duo Anthony Billups and Dean Tomasek of Music City Murals.

2. Rolf & Daughters - 700 Taylor Street

Retrace your steps back down Monroe Street and take a left at 7th Avenue. Travel straight to Taylor Street, where you’ll see the black and white mural created by the artist Shantell Martin. Try to spot how the different phrases relate to the elements of the wall.

3. Little's Fish Market - 1234 6th Ave N

Go north on Taylor, and hang a right on 6th Ave back to Monroe Street, where you’ll find five filled-in window murals, created by five artists, on the side of Little’s Fish Market. Each window represents a different facet of the neighborhood, like the annual Oktoberfest and the Church of the Assumption.

4. Alexis + Bolt - 1309 5th Ave N

Now keep going one block down Monroe to 5th Avenue. Look left, to the ocean wave mural on the side of Alexis + Bolt. This one was done by the well-known Eastside Murals group, who specialize in large-scale murals.

5. Barista Parlor - 1230 4th Ave N

Keep on going down Monroe to 4th Avenue North, where you’ll find Barista Parlor. On the corner facing Monroe, a black and white Beethoven greets you. This special piece was created by famed artist Blek Le Rat in 2018. (You’ll also find an Instagram heart icon down the wall from artist Chris Tidwell.)

6. Saint Stephen - 1300 3rd Avenue N

Travel yet another block down Monroe Street to 3rd Avenue. On the side of Saint Stephen that faces 3rd, you’ll see a colorful paint dripping mural done by Drew T Morrison.

7. IMT Germantown - 1100 3rd Avenue N

We’re heading south on 3rd for one block to the IMT apartments parking garage entrance, just past Madison Street. Here, you’ll see two fun, black-and-white pieces – Live Soulfully and the Nashville skyline.

8. Juice Bar - 1120 4th Avenue N

Time for our last two murals! Head west on Madison toward 4th Avenue. Just before you get there, you’ll see Harmony, a piece by musician Ty Christian, and The Kind Mural on the side of the Juice Bar. The Kind Way, founded by South Dakota natives Rebekah Rinehart and Sarah Nelson, plans to install their mural in every major city around the globe.

You did it! Enjoy a stroll or jog back to Bicentennial Mall (600 James Robertson Parkway) to finish the loop. Remember, you can always circle around the mall or go up to the Capitol. Be sure to share your photos using #nashvillemuralrun so we can celebrate with you.

Next up: take on the Downtown Nashville Mural Run!