08/21/2024
Nashville, TN, also known as Music City, draws millions of visitors each year for its world-renowned music, as well as its rich history, diverse culture, and creative culinary scene. Whether you are visiting for the first time or just looking for things to do in Nashville during the day, the city is full of sightseeing tours showcasing the best of what Music City offers. Here are some of the Nashville sightseeing tours we recommend!
Experience the Heart of Music City With These Nashville Sightseeing Tours
1. A Little Local Flavor Food Tours. If you are a foodie, you can’t leave town without exploring a taste of Nashville’s culinary scene! This 3-hour walking tour by A Little Local Flavor takes you on a delicious journey through downtown neighborhoods to the city’s best eateries. Sample Southern classics like hot chicken, barbecue, biscuits, local beer, and contemporary dishes created by Nashville’s top chefs. The tour includes stops at local markets, bakeries, and specialty food shops, plus a lunch and two beverages with the ticket price. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the city’s most historic sites and get the scoop on those as well!
2. NashTrash Tours. Known for its pink bus and larger-than-life hosts, this quirky tour — a favorite among locals — likens itself to a “campy comedy show on wheels.” Its insider stories about Nashville’s music scene and celebrity culture offer a hilarious and irreverent way to explore Music City. Hop aboard the NashTrash bus for a wild ride through Nashville’s legendary sites, complete with a side of laughs, music, and local gossip.
3. General Jackson Showboat Cruise. Experience Nashville’s beauty and vibrancy from the water with a cruise on the General Jackson Showboat, one of the nation’s largest paddlewheel riverboats. Indulge in a delicious Southern-style meal served in General Jackson’s Victorian theater while enjoying a live show with music and comedy acts (the dinner portion includes a live orchestra and dancers). Wander around on the indoor and outdoor decks for gorgeous views of the Nashville skyline and the Cumberland River — the perfect spot for taking Insta-worthy pics!
4. Music City Rollin’ Jamboree Bus Tour. Equally entertaining and informative, this fun tour, featured on “Good Morning America” and HGTV’s “Flip or Flop,” melds comedy, live music, and Nashville trivia into an interactive bus ride through the heart of Nashville. Kick back with a beer and sing along to your favorite country music hits while learning about Nashville’s musical roots. Led by quick-witted and musically talented hosts, the tour stops at all the famous music landmarks, including Music Row, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Because drinks and bawdy jokes are allowed, you must be over 21 to sign up.
5. Urban Adventure Quest. If you are looking for things to do in Nashville with kids, this could be a winner! Turn your tour of the city into a giant board game with this fun scavenger hunt adventure modeled after “The Amazing Race.” Guided from smartphones, teams start outside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and make their way to well-known and overlooked gems of Nashville, solving clues and completing challenges along the way while discovering local history. The 3-hour tour explores the biggest tourist attractions in downtown Nashville, along with war memorials, historic hotels, and lesser-known but unique landmarks of Music City.
6. Old Town Trolley Tours of Nashville. Explore downtown Nashville at your own pace with this hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, which runs every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The 90-minute tour makes 14 stops and highlights more than 95 sites throughout the city, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ryman Auditorium, and the Frist Art Museum. Hop off to explore the sites around each stop or stay on the trolley to hear interesting tidbits about Nashville’s history, culture, and architecture.
7. Gray Line’s Best of Nashville City Tour. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Nashville aboard Gray Line’s double-decker bus. The tour offers a quick overview of the city’s key sites, traversing more than 100 points of interest in just an hour, and includes live commentary on Music City’s history and culture. Sit inside for panoramic city views, or head to the open-air upper level for an unobstructed glimpse of iconic landmarks.
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