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Best Tours in Nashville
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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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