While country music may immediately come to mind when you think of Nashville, this popular city offers plenty more in the way of activities and entertainment, from breweries to nightlife to outstanding cuisine. By picking the right tour, you’ll be able to experience whatever side of the Music City you’d like to see.
U.S. News identified the best Nashville tours using traveler opinion and expert input. No matter which one you pick, you’re in for a great time.
Price: Adults from $49; kids from $23
Duration: 1.75 hours
Nashville’s allure spreads far beyond the honky-tonks lining Broadway – there’s a world-class food scene, influential history in the Civil Rights and suffrage movements, and even a full-size replica of the Parthenon originally in Athens, Greece. Old Town Trolley Tours’ Hop-on Hop-off option moves visitors through each of these highlights and more, including retail districts Capitol View, the Gulch and Marathon Village, and attractions like the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and the Frist Art Museum. In total, it makes 13 stops. Riders are free to disembark and rejoin at any stop to explore the destinations by foot, with trolleys arriving around every half hour.
Throughout the tour, learn behind-the-scenes facts and personal anecdotes from a live local tour guide, such as their favorite dish to order at nearby restaurants, and where famous songs were recorded. The majority of Old Town Trolley Tours drivers moonlight as musicians, and come with insider knowledge of popular venues and recording studios around town. The comfortable trolleys are operational in any weather, with open-air windows that can be sealed quickly with a plastic covering in the event of rain.
Kellie Walton
Why we love it:
- Marathon Village, accessible via stop one, houses many Nashville retail options, including a Jack Daniel’s retail store, an amplifier showroom and Antique Archaeology, a store made famous by the reality television show “American Pickers.”
- Many highly recommended restaurants are within walking distance from several trolley stops. Turn up the heat at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken at stops three and nine, or dine inside an old train station at Stationairy or The Finch at stop six.
- For those visiting Nashville by car, stops one (Marathon Motor Works), 12 (Nashville Farmers’ Market) and 13 (Capitol View) have free street parking within walking distance of trolley stops.
Price: From $75
Duration: 2.5 hours
On this tour, you’ll roll through 5 miles of downtown Nashville on a Segway and pass key sights, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Capitol and Bicentennial Mall. Reviewers say tour guides are friendly, and the Segways provide a quick way to orient yourself with the city and see the sights. Travelers say this tour is especially appropriate for first-time visitors to Nashville.
Tours run at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. Before the tour, guides will give a 30-minute training session on how to safely operate a Segway. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Short on time? The company also offers an hourlong Music City Snapshot tour through Nashville’s entertainment district.
Price: From $50
Duration: 2 hours
For a tour that combines sightseeing in downtown Nashville with a heavy dose of comedy, consider the Brenda Kay Tour. As you travel aboard the company’s big pink bus, Brenda Kay (one half of the Jugg sisters) will entertain you with improv comedy, funny stories and trivia about country music’s famous stars. During the tour, you’ll pass top Nashville attractions like the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Reviewers – some of whom are locals – say they laughed until they cried and would take the tour again.
The tour, which runs multiple times weekly at 11 a.m., frequently sells out, so book well in advance. Children younger than 15 are not allowed to participate in the tour due to the mature nature of the jokes (this includes infants). NashTrash Tours also offers two other tours, including one led by vocalist/actress Jenny Littleton, a regular in Nashville’s music and theater scene.
Price: From $25
Duration: 2 hours
The Live Nashville! Walking Tour details some of the city’s most interesting history, including President Andrew Jackson’s famous duel and Johnny Cash’s performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Tourgoers say the experience is fun, engaging and informative thanks to the knowledgeable, humorous guide. Reviewers also appreciated that the guide wore a microphone, which made it easy to hear his commentary.
Tours run Tuesday through Sunday at 10 a.m. Really Entertaining Tours also runs a Nash Bar Bash tour that visits several bars for live music and dancing; it’s available by reservation request only.
Courtesy of Music City Rollin’ Jamboree
Price: From $38
Duration: 1.5 hours
This tour combines singing, comedy and a bit of sightseeing for a one-of-a-kind experience. On the Music City Rollin’ Jamboree bus tour, you’ll sing along to country hits and banter with your guides while cruising by attractions like Music Row and downtown Nashville, with a pit stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Reviewers say the tour is great fun and stress that the trip is for pure enjoyment, not to see Nashville’s top attractions.
Tours run Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. during peak season; offseason hours vary. Patrons must be 21 or older, as the comedy features adult themes.
Price: From $121
Duration: 7 hours
Travelers say this tour is a must-do for fans of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. You’ll board an air-conditioned bus and head to the distillery (located about 75 miles south of Nashville), where you’ll take the Angel’s Share tour, which includes a whiskey tasting. Tour-takers will then explore downtown Lynchburg and enjoy lunch before heading back to Nashville.
Tours pick up at 9 a.m. daily in downtown Nashville; you’ll be back in the city around 4 p.m. Tickets include the cost of the Angel’s Share tour, but do not cover the cost of lunch. Tours are for adults 21 and older. The company also offers a Tennessee Whiskey Experience tour of three local craft distilleries.
Price: Adults from $42.50; kids from $30
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy a laugh while seeing some of the top sights in Nashville on the Nashville Redneck Tour. You’ll learn Nashville trivia and history while riding in a camouflage-print bus. The tour also includes a stop at Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery. Tourgoers report that the tour is indeed hilarious and the comedian guides are knowledgeable.
Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. While children are welcome, the Redneck Comedy Bus’s content is rated PG-14.
Courtesy of Walkin’ Nashville
Price: Adults from $40; kids from $20
Duration: 1.5 hours
For a look at old Nashville when the likes of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn were up-and-coming stars, join the Walkin’ Nashville Music City Legends Tour. Lead by Grammy-nominated music journalist Bill DeMain, the tour (which is limited to 20 participants) features stories and trivia about the golden era of Nashville, as tourgoers see attractions like Printers Alley, Ryman Auditorium and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Reviewers say the tour is enjoyable, noting they learned unique facts about Nashville’s history and were amazed at the guide’s knowledge.
Tours depart Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. from April through October.
Price: From $79
Duration: 2.5 hours
According to reviewers, this bike tour offers a great introduction to Nashville. You’ll cycle through the streets of downtown, seeing neighborhoods like Germantown, Marathon Village and the Gulch along the way. You’ll enjoy expert commentary from your guide throughout the tour. Past patrons say the bike ride is well-paced and not too strenuous, and they also praise the guides for their recommendations on things to see and do in Nashville.
Tours are available Thursday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Green Fleet also offers bike rentals and private tours.
Courtesy of Joyride
Price: Adults from $45; kids from $25
Duration: 1.5 hours
Travelers can zip through the streets on a golf cart with Joyride Nashville. Local guides share knowledge about the city while they drive the cart past 35 attractions. Guides will even stop the cart at picture-perfect locations so you can get great photos. Reviewers praise guides for their knowledge of the city and engaging, fun commentary. They also say guides are quick to give restaurant and bar recommendations.
Tours are offered hourly every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Up to seven passengers can ride in each cart, though multiple carts can join the tour for larger groups. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. If you’d prefer to ride with just your group, you can reserve a private tour. Joyride Nashville also offers cart tours of the city’s many murals, as well as tours through the city via monster truck.
Price: From $89
Duration: 3 hours
Hop aboard a high-roof, climate-controlled van to sample some of Nashville’s signature dishes, including barbecue and hot chicken, on this tour. Between food stops, you’ll pass by top city attractions like Bicentennial Mall, Germantown, the Cumberland River and more. According to reviewers, the featured food is delicious and filling, so come hungry. Others applaud the guide’s interesting commentary and helpful recommendations.
Tours operate daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Outings are limited to 13 participants ages 14 and older. Dabble Studio also offers a walking tour of the German Town neighbourhood and a downtown food and history walking tour, among other options.
Price: From $50
Duration: 1.5 hours
Barhop to Nashville’s top honky-tonks by pedaling your way to each one on this bicycle built for 15. Tourgoers 21 and older pedal down Broadway, passing by the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena and the banks of the Cumberland River, with one stop at a honky-tonk for a drink and one stop for pictures. Keep in mind: If you’d like to drink as you pedal, you’ll have to bring your own beverages (no glass containers allowed). Tourgoers say the experience is fun, calling the tour a highlight of their Nashville trip. Reviewers also rave about their guides and laud their excellent music taste.
Tours require at least six riders and depart at multiple times daily.
Price: From $139
Duration: 3 hours
Come hungry and thirsty to this foodie journey through downtown Nashville. This walking tour covers a little more than a mile of the downtown area and features five stops at local restaurants. You’ll sample the city’s famous barbecue, hot chicken, local craft beer and cocktails, plus a tasting at a local distillery. Reviewers compliment the guides for their insightful commentary and say the tour is intimate and well-paced. Participants also rave about the food, describing the portions as generous.
Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. The company also operates a craft cocktail tour.
