October 25, 2019
This post was written in collaboration with Amanda Baron at ABTNHomes based on her RealTour series on Instagram. Check out her site and series for more neighborhood tours in Middle Tennessee.
Amanda Baron is a local realtor in Nashville and a dear friend of mine for over a decade. We’ve known each other since our oldest kids were babies and while we’ve kept in touch on social media, these days we’ve reconnected for work and fun.
Not only is Amanda a Nashville expert in real-estate and Nashville neighborhoods, but she lives on a stunning mini-farm with her family of 4, is raising two incredible boys and donates a percentage of every home transaction to a charity.
Amanda recently started a series on her Instagram (@ABTNHomes) called #RealTour wherein she takes followers on a “real tour” of Nashville’s best neighborhoods. The series features places to eat, shop, play & a home on the market in the myriad and diverse communities in and around Nashville.
Amanda and I teamed up on her RealTour of growing and hip The Gulch neighborhood in Nashville. Whether you are a Nashville native, looking for a home in Nashville or visiting Music City with your kids, check out Amanda’s (and my) favorite family-friendly spots in and around The Gulch in Nashville.
About The Gulch in Nashville
Visitors and locals love the urban, eclectic mood of The Gulch in Nashville. Amazing restaurants, shops and some of Nashville’s best murals plus its proximity to all things Music City make The Gulch a must visit area. For home buying, family-friendly may not be the first image that comes to mind when you think of the urban Gulch neighborhood, however, it’s all a matter of perspective and what is right for you and your family, to live and play. If you do not wish to tend to a yard, sit in commuter traffic and believe living extends beyond four walls, then this could be the perfect family living for you. Plus, it’s a fabulous spot to see the sights and taste the food of Nashville with kids in tow.
Family Friendly Food in The Gulch
The Gulch offers so many wonderful foods and restaurants for a family within close proximity. A few family-friendly favorites include:
- Milk & Honey – Serves delicious breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner!
- Biscuit Love – The line is long but moves quickly and the biscuits are life-changing!
- Burger Republic. – Amazing kid-friendly atmosphere and the adult milkshakes (with alcohol) take the cake.
Shopping in The Gulch
A few stores to check out while downtown that are fun with the kids:
- Kittenish – Owned by recording artist Jessie James Decker, Kittenish has clothes that are perfect for hip moms and their daughters. Plus there is a wall mural inside ideal for snapping a few Nashville pictures that express your love of Music City!
- Design Within Reach – A fabulous home decor and furniture store for the modern eye. So many cute pieces to put in a home to dress up any space, including a kid’s living space. See if your little one can sit in the rolling chair!
- Urban Outfitters – Great clothing and accessories, books and toys especially for teens and older kids.
- Two Old Hippies – an iconic Nashville shop, Two Old Hippies provides women’s and men’s apparel, shoes and accessories, along with unique jewelry and gifts, home decor, and a spectacular collection of books. They also host music 5 nights a week. I love exploring this shop with my kiddos.
- Blush Boutique – A local women’s clothing shop with unique items.
What to Do In and Around The Gulch with Kids
Living in (or visiting) the heart of Nashville can mean wonderful, walkable urban experiences for kids and families. Many of my go to places are within walking distance from The Gulch. Some of those include:
- Nashville Murals – From the iconic Angel Wings to the Color Wall and many more, one fun thing to do with your family that doesn’t cost a dime is a Mural Tour and The Gulch has some of the best murals in Nashville:
- Sarah has written a couple of articles about some of the incredible murals here in Nashville: here and here.
- The mural tour from The Gulch to 12 South is a great option with families.
- Another great option is the Photowalk Tour in The Gulch which can be found through AirBnB experiences.
- Nashville Public Library (within 1.5 miles away)
- Adventure Science Center (within 1.3 miles away) – this one is a bit trickier to walk to, but would be a short car ride. One of my favorite things about the Science Center is the science classes they offer for kids.
- Nashville Children’s Theater (within 1 mile of the Gulch)
- A new attraction in the works in The Gulch is The Nashville Yards. This massive area will include office space, residential units, hotel rooms, and retail stores. Among these hotspots will be a movie theater, music venue, and 1.3 acre park. The park is the central “baseline” of the project. It will have afternoon yoga, concerts, and food trucks. I can’t wait to see this project come to life and all it will offer for Nashville families.
Family Friendly Transportation in The Gulch
There are several family friendly transportation options in addition to Uber or Lyft. NET (Nashville Electric Transportation) is an all Tesla fleet of licensed and certified drivers Co-Founded by Music City’s own Will Hoge. Download their app and have peace of mind while traveling with your family downtown.
Another fun and family friendly option for downtown transportation in The Gulch is Road Runners. These 3 wheeled scooters look like small red sports cars that seat 2 people. They charge per hour and are kid approved. The driver needs to be 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and everyone must wear a helmet. What a fun way to get around downtown!
Pups in The Gulch
The Gulch has options that your furry-friend would approve too:
- Pet Wants Nashville South is a local spot that has fresh food for your furry loved one that can even be delivered.
- If your dog needs a day to play with friends or enjoy a pup spa day, then take a visit to SouthPaw.
- Another up and coming hot spot for dogs will be a new dog park, according to The Nashville Post. It will have a designated large dog area, small dog area, and food truck/gathering area. I am not sure if my dogs or I will enjoy this more?
- Thankfully Nashville realizes the importance of taking our furry friends with us, everywhere we go. Nashville has so many pet friendly patios to welcome your furry family while you dine. This article breaks the pet friendly patios down by areas of Nashville.
Featured Home in The Gulch
If you are in the market to purchase a home in The Gulch, take a look at 933 South Street. It has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 2833 sq feet. This downtown home has plenty of space for a family and a small yard for your fur baby. The schools zoned for this particular home are Waverly-Belmont, John T Moore, and Hillsboro. If private schools are more your speed, then University School of Nashville is a great option. It is 1.5 miles away from The Gulch and provides and education for K-12 grades. If your child is of preschool age, a preschool close by is Primrose School off Charlotte Avenue.
The Gulch is truly one of my favorite spots in Nashville. I love being able to walk the streets with my kids and find great food, yummy treats, dog friendly venues, and areas that would keep my kid’s interests. I hope you and your family think about downtown Nashville, specifically The Gulch, for your next family adventure, it is sure to not disappoint.
Thanks Amanda! Be sure to follow her @ABTNHomes on Instagram and reach out to Amanda if you’re looking to buy a home in or around Nashville. And special thanks to Madeleine Donovan at MODMADS for helping with this.
