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The Best Tours in Nashville, Tennessee

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Updated: January 28, 2022
By Santorini Dave

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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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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.