Best Things to Do in the Gulch Nashville
The Gulch sits just south of downtown and has transformed over the past decade into one of Nashville's premier neighborhoods — upscale, walkable, and home to some of the city's best restaurants, rooftop bars, and hotels. It's the right base for groups who want proximity to Broadway without actually staying on it.
The Gulch Crossing Mural
The Wings mural by street artist Angela Davis Johnson on 11th Avenue South is one of Nashville's most photographed locations — people line up all day to get their photo with the wings. It's free, it's fun, and it's a quintessential Nashville stop.
Best Restaurants in the Gulch
The 404 Kitchen is the Gulch's finest restaurant — wood-fired cooking and a seasonal menu that makes it one of the best in Nashville. Virago is excellent for Asian-inspired cuisine and a strong cocktail program. Whiskey Kitchen covers brunch and bottomless cocktails. For a casual lunch, The Grilled Cheeserie food truck often parks nearby.
Rooftop Bars and Views
Pinewood Social is the Gulch's most popular hangout — it has a restaurant, coffee bar, bowling lanes, and a sprawling outdoor space with a pool. L.A. Jackson at Thompson Nashville has one of the best rooftop views of the Nashville skyline. Both are worth a visit.
Boutique Shopping
The Gulch has the highest concentration of upscale boutiques in Nashville — Peter Nappi for leather goods and footwear, White's Mercantile for lifestyle goods and gifts, and several clothing boutiques along 11th and 12th Avenues. Not cheap, but genuinely worth browsing.
Hotels and the Gulch Experience
Thompson Nashville, 1 Hotel Nashville, and the Kimpton Aertson are the Gulch's flagship boutique hotels. Staying here puts you close to downtown while keeping you out of the Broadway chaos. The hotels have good bars and restaurants worth visiting even if you're not staying there.
Corsair Distillery
Corsair Distillery operates out of a space in Marathon Village at the northern edge of the Gulch. Tours and tastings are available, and their whiskey and gin are genuinely excellent. Worth an hour if you're into spirits.
Pre-Arrival Setup for Gulch Rentals
If your group is staying at an Airbnb or vacation rental near the Gulch, Music City Weekend Co. handles pre-arrival fridge stocking and amenity delivery. Walk in to cold drinks and a stocked kitchen instead of heading to a store your first night. Shop the full catalog at musiccityweekend.co/shop, or learn more about Nashville grocery delivery and fridge stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gulch in Nashville?
The Gulch is a mixed-use urban neighborhood south of downtown Nashville. It's known for boutique hotels, upscale restaurants, rooftop bars, street art, and the Wings mural. It's walkable, relatively quiet compared to Broadway, and considered one of Nashville's premier neighborhoods.
Is the Gulch Nashville worth visiting?
Yes. The Gulch has some of Nashville's best restaurants, rooftop views, and shopping. It's a 10-15 minute walk from Broadway and makes for an excellent day or evening of exploring.
How far is the Gulch from Broadway?
The Gulch is about half a mile south of Lower Broadway — roughly a 10-15 minute walk or a 5-minute Uber ride.
What is the best restaurant in the Gulch Nashville?
The 404 Kitchen is widely considered the best restaurant in the Gulch and one of the top restaurants in Nashville overall. Virago is close behind for Asian-inspired cuisine. Both require reservations on weekends.