The Best Tours in Nashville, Tennessee

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Updated: January 28, 2022

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Best Tours in Nashville

Map showing the starting location of sightseeing tours in Nashville, Tennessee.

1. Music City Legends – Downtown

The exterior of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on a sunny day

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Grammy-nominated music journalist Bill DeMain leads this fantastic tour catered to country music fans. It’s all about Nashville’s musical evolution; chock-full of history, trivia, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Nashville’s most famous country stars.
  • Offered March to November.
  • Meeting Point: Bank of America plaza at 5th and Union.
  • Tour Highlights: The Arcade, Printers Alley, Skull’s Rainbow Room, Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World, Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
  • Included: Expert guided tour.
  • Not Included: Gratuities.
  • Food included? No
  • Good for kids? Yes. Children 4-11 are booked at a discounted rate; children 3 and under are free.
  • Tour Operator: Walkin’ Nashville

2. BBQ, Beer, & Bourbon Experience – SoBro

Overhead photo of spicy hot chicken with baked beans, potato salad and beer.

  • Duration: 4.5 hours
  • Enjoy Southern BBQ cuisine and boozy local beverages on this excellent behind-the-scenes tour of 3 of Nashville’s top foodie destinations.
  • Meeting Point: Omni Nashville Hotel
  • Tour Highlights: Brewery visit and tasting; house-smoked meat flight paired with sides and Tennessee spirits or beers; historic distillery tour and tasting.
  • Included: Expert guide, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch, distillery tasting and flight of craft beer, entry/admission to breweries and distilleries.
  • Not Included: Additional alcoholic beverages, gratuities.
  • Food included? Yes, a BBQ lunch is provided.
  • Good for kids? No
  • Tour Operator: Mint Julep Tours
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

3. Downtown Nashville Food Tour – Downtown

Barbecue and mashed potatoes in a cast iron skillet, with people talking in the background

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Sample from destination restaurants and culinary gems amid the Music City landmarks north and south of Broadway.
  • Meeting Point: Lobby of the Hermitage Hotel
  • Tour Highlights: Tasting a variety of local flavors from elevated Southern cuisine to comfort food to candy. Guided walk through the Music City Walk of Fame, insider information about Nashville’s best music venues.
  • Included: Five tasting stops (four savory tastings and dessert), expert tour guide, interaction with chefs and food industry experts.
  • Not Included: Gratuities
  • Food included? Yes, enough for a good-sized lunch.
  • Vegetarians diets and certain food allergies (such as nuts and seafood) can be accommodated with advance notice. Vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free restrictions cannot.
  • Good for kids? Kids who like to walk and try different foods will like this tour, but no discounts are offered for younger ages.
  • Tour Operator: Walk Eat Nashville

4. RCA Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame Combo – SoBro

Control booth in a sound studio

  • Duration: 1 hour tour, plus time at the museum.
  • Combine your time at the Country Music Hall of Fame with a guided trip to the iconic Studio B, recording home to Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, and more.
  • Meeting Point: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Tour Highlights: Behind-the-scenes stories, instruments, and memorabilia at Studio B; Hall of Fame rotunda; museum photographs, artifacts, recordings, and archival footage.
  • Included: Admission to RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; guided tour of RCA Studio B; transportation between RCA Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • Not Included: Guided tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; gratuities.
  • Food included? No.
  • Good for kids? Yes, especially if your kids are country music fans.
  • Tour Operator: Country Music Hall of Fame

5. Opry House Backstage Tour – Music Valley

A tour guide talks to a group of smiling tourists inside of a plush dressing room at the Grand Old Opry House

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Exclusive backstage tour at the Grand Ole Opry House, current home to the legendary TV show that made country music famous.
  • Meeting Point: Grand Ole Opry House
  • Tour Highlights: Backstage access to the green room and 18 different musician dressing rooms; immersive theater experience featuring Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood; rare artifacts and photos; chance to walk onstage through the artists’ entrance and get your photo taken in “the circle.”
  • Included: Guided backstage tour.
  • Not Included: Gratuity
  • Food included? No
  • Good for kids? Yes
  • Tour Operator: Grand Ole Opry

6. Falconry 101 – Whites Creek

A large raptor with outstretched wings perches on the gloved hand of a man in a field

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with birds of prey like hawks, falcons, and owls. After learning about the birds from expert handlers, head to a beautiful 6-acre farm to fly them.
  • Meeting Point: Wing Blade Falconry, a 20-minute drive north of downtown Nashville.
  • Tour Highlights: In-depth introduction, personally handling and flying the raptors.
  • Included: Experienced animal handlers, protective gear.
  • Food Included? No
  • Good for kids? Yes, but not young kids. Older kids can get assistance handling the birds; those too afraid can still see them up close. Children under 6 are not allowed without prior approval.
  • Tour Operator: Wing Blade Falconry

7. Ghosts of Nashville – Downtown

A group of tourists walk down an alley covered with neon signs at night

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Fun all-ages walking tour that explores Nashville’s haunted history and spookiest spots and provides a fun way to learn about the city.
  • Meeting Point: 553 Charlotte Street, just outside the Tennessee State Capitol.
  • Tour Highlights: Tennessee State Capitol, Hermitage Hotel, Printers Alley, St Mary’s of the Seven Sorrows Catholic Church.
  • Included: Guided tour with professional guide.
  • Not Included: Gratuity.
  • Food included? No.
  • Good for kids? Yes. Though the tour is spooky, there’s nothing too scary.
  • Tour Operator: Ghost City Tours. Use promo code “Santorini15” at checkout to save 15% off all ticket prices.
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

8. Germantown Food Tour – Downtown

A group of tourists taste chocolates at a candy shop counter

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Delicious foodie tour that’s also a great crash course on Nashville history.
  • Meeting Point: Nashville Farmer’s Market
  • Tour Highlights: Farmer’s Market, Bicentennial Park outdoor museum, Carillon of Bells, Historic Germantown neighborhood.
  • Included: Five restaurant tastings, expert guide.
  • Not Included: Gratuities.
  • Food included? Yes, enough to consider a meal.
  • With advance notice, dietary restrictions and food allergies may be accommodated.
  • Good for kids? Yes – for older kids who can handle a 3-hour walking tour. Not recommended for kids younger than 11.
  • Tour Operator: Local Tastes of Nashville

9. Belle Meade Mansion Tour & Wine Tasting – Belle Meade

A white, red-roofed, plantation house sits on a large green lawn.

  • Duration: 45 minutes, 2 hours recommended on site
  • Guided tour of an historic 1853 Greek Revival Mansion, access to gorgeous grounds, and a complimentary wine tasting at the on-site Winery after the guided tour is complete.
  • Meeting Point: Belle Meade Historic Site
  • Tour Highlights: Belle Meade Mansion tour; complimentary wine tasting; access to grounds including Outbuildings, outdoor game court, walking trail, gift shops, and on-site restaurant.
  • Note: While the general Mansion Tour does address the topic of slavery and emancipation, Belle Meade also offers a very well-done “Journey to Jubilee” Tour, which focuses on the experiences of African Americans at Belle Meade. (Complimentary wine tasting included).
  • Included: Admission to Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery; professionally guided tour of Belle Meade Mansion; complimentary wine tasting at the Belle Meade Winery; access to grounds; free on-site parking.
  • Not Included: Food, gratuity.
  • Food included? No. But guests have access to the restaurant on site.
  • Good for kids? Not really, however, there is a Family tour offered when scheduled in advance.
  • Tour Operator: Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery

10. This is How We Zoo – Grassmere Park

From behind a metal fence, a woman feeds an okapi a leaf of lettuce.

  • Duration: 75 minutes
  • Travel on foot and by golf cart to go behind the scenes at the Nashville Zoo and learn about animal care, behavior, and conservation – including a unique wildlife feeding opportunity.
  • Meeting Point: In front of the zoo gift shop.
  • Tour Highlights: Exclusive admission to giraffe and okapi enclosures; feeding the animals.
  • Included: Zoo admission, guided tour, animal interaction, transport by golf cart.
  • The Nashville Zoo also offers other behind-the-scenes tours that include access to rhinos, aardvark, clouded leopard, sloth, and the zoo’s veterinary center.
  • Food included? No.
  • Good for kids? Yes, though children younger than 8 are not allowed.
  • Tour Operator: Nashville Zoo

11. General Jackson’s Tennessee Legends Cruise – Music Valley

View of downtown Nashville, Tenn., skyline from the river on a bright sunny day. On the river is a large paddle-wheel boat.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Cruise down the Cumberland River on a paddle-wheel showboat while enjoying a traditional Southern-style lunch and a musical tour through Tennessee’s country music history.
  • Meeting Point: Pick-up is offered from Nashville hotels, or guests can meet at the boat near the Grand Ole Opry House.
  • Tour Highlights: Classic country, bluegrass, roots, and Americana music played by a fantastic showband; Cumberland River scenery enjoyed from an indoor or outdoor deck; Southern-style lunch.
  • Included: General Jackson cruise, lunch, and live entertainment; Hotel pick-up/drop-off from Nashville hotels.
  • Not Included: Additional food and beverage; gratuities.
  • Food included? Yes, a traditional Southern-style lunch is served. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available with advance notice.
  • Good for kids? Yes.
  • Tour Operator: General Jackson Showboat
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

12. Golf Cart Sightseeing Tour – Edgehill

View of Nashville's main drag, full of bars and music venues, from the back of a golf cart

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Efficient tour of over 35 of Nashville’s most famous sightseeing locations, all from the unique perspective of a sporty golf cart, with many opportunities for photo-ops along the way.
  • Meeting Point: Downtown pick-up and drop off may be arranged, or guests can meet at the Joyride offices, 833 9th Ave S.
  • Tour Highlights: The Parthenon (a full-sized replica of the one in Greece), Ryman Auditorium (home to the Grand Ole Opry), the trendy Gulch neighborhood, Nashville Farmer’s Market.
  • Included: Up-close and personable tour.
  • Not Included: Gratuities
  • Food included? No
  • Good for kids? Yes, though guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Guests aged 5-7 must be in a booster seat.
  • Tour Operator: Joyride Nashville
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

13. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage VIP Tour – Hermitage

A white plantation-style house with grand columns, draped with patriotic bunting.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Guided tour of the beautiful and authentically-preserved home of the US’ 7th president.
  • Meeting Point: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
  • Tour Highlights: Guided tour of the Hermitage museum, mansion, grounds, Jackson’s tomb, and the garden; discounted wine tasting at the on-site tasting room.
  • Included: Expert tour guide, museum and grounds admission.
  • Not included: Gratuities
  • Food included? No
  • Good for kids? Yes
  • Tour Operator: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

14. Soul of Music City Night Tour – SoBro

A hop-on tour trolley tour bus at night, in front of a distillery

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Entertaining and educational nighttime trolley tour of Nashville’s most famous musical destinations, featuring musical tour guides performing original songs.
  • Meeting Point: Ole Smoky Distillery
  • Tour Highlights: Ryman Auditorium, Municipal Auditorium & Musicians Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Heritage of Historic Jefferson Street, Elliston Place “Rock Block”, Music Row.
  • Included: Trolley tour, professional guide.
  • Not Included: Gratuity
  • Food included? No
  • Good for kids? No. Guests must be 18 years or older.
  • Tour Operator: Old Town Trolley Tours
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

15. Jack Daniels’ Hometown Experience – SoBro

Barrels stacked in a bourbon distillery

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Travel by air-conditioned bus to Lynchburg, Tennessee, where you’ll tour and taste at the Jack Daniels distillery, visit Jack Daniels’ grave site, and explore the charming traditional town that Daniels called home.
  • Meeting Point: Omni Nashville Hotel
  • Tour Highlights: Behind-the-scenes “Angel’s Share” tour and elevated tasting at Jack Daniels Distillery; Jack Daniels’ grave site; lunch and free time in Lynchburg.
  • Included: Round-trip transportation from Nashville, expert tour leader, “Angel’s Share” tour at Jack Daniels Distillery, premium whiskey tasting, lunch in Lynchburg, visit to Jack Daniel’s grave site, bottled water, souvenir glass.
  • Not Included: Additional beverages or souvenirs, gratuities.
  • Food included? Yes, a restaurant lunch is provided.
  • Good for kids? No
  • Tour Operator: Mint Julep Tours
  • Alternative booking though Get Your Guide

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