17 AMAZING Tours in Nashville [December 2024]

Maybe you’ve heard of Nashville, Tennessee because you’re a music fan. Or maybe you’ve seen the hit TV show. Regardless, nothing compares to the real thing, and the town is as exciting and vibrant as its reputation suggests.

What better way to explore this amazing town than with a couple of Nashville tours? Yes, there’s music to be found, but there’s also a proud history of food, farming, and Southern charm to indulge in.

And, when Nashville feels too small, take a day tour to Memphis or Lynchburg, two more of the most famous towns in the world for their own reasons.

The 17 Best Tours in Nashville

We’ve collected a few of the best Nashville tours available. They are designed to make your stay memorable – in some cases, a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience.

#1 – Discover Nashville: Fully Narrated Half-Day City Tour

• $$
• 5 hours
• Pickup available from any Nashville hotel
• Part of the tour has a live guide, part of the tour is self-guided

The most iconic stops of  Nashville’s musical identity are covered on this tour. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, of course, but also the lively downtown area including Honky Tonk row are covered.

Along the way, you’ll also see some other landmarks like the Parthenon ( a replica of the one in Athens), Fort Nashborough and the Bicentennial Mall.

And then there’s the highlight, a walk and self-guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music. This Nashville city tour includes admission to the Ryman and the Hall of Fame and Museum.

 

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#2 – Homes of the Stars Narrated Bus Tour

• $$
• 2 hours
• Pickup can be arranged
• Cruise the swankiest parts of Nashville

Because Nashville is so synonymous with American music – especially country music – it’s no surprise that many of the industry’s biggest stars have homes here. Better to live close to work, right?

This bus tour takes you into the neighborhoods and past the homes of music stars like Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum and others.

You may not be able to actually tour their houses, but some of the stars are often seen in the neighborhood, walking or driving along. Nashville is very friendly like that.

#3 – Night Tour of Music City

• $
• 2 hours
• Starts at 7 pm
• Live guide

What’s better than a tour of Nashville?

Possibly a tour of Nashville by night! This trolley tour passes through the iconic locations, as many tours do, but with a few added bonuses.

You’ll stop at two of the venues to check out some music and perhaps have a refreshing drink. Then you’ll stop at the famous John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. The walk across the bridge is one of Nashville’s night-time highlights.

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#4 – Nashville to Graceland Memphis VIP Tour

• $$$
• 15 hours
• VIP Access at Graceland
• Live Guide

Easily the granddaddy of day trips, the tour to Memphis is worth every penny. Arrange a pickup in Nashville and head to Graceland, where you’ll be given a VIP pass and tour of Elvis’ home.

This might be the best Nashville tour not actually in Nashville.

Then experience a guided tour of where all the great Sun Studios recordings were made by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others.  Finally, for a bit of fun, wait to see the ducks do their daily walk at the Peabody Hotel. They live there.

#5 – Grand Ole Opry, Behind The Scenes Tour

• $$
• 5 Hours
• Pick up by arrangement, or head to the meeting point
• Live guide

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running and possibly the most famous music radio show running in the US. This might be the best of the Nashville music tours – you’ll get to actually walk on the stage where so many legends have played. You will feel the history of Country Music in your feet!

There’s also a stop at the Gaylord Opryland resort afterward, complete with a ride on the Delta River Flatboat – which is actually inside the hotel itself!

 

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#6 – VIP Jack Daniels Distillery with Lunch & Tastings

• $$$
• 8 Hours
• Includes lunch and tastings
• Pickup included

Lynchburg, Tennessee is one of the most famous places in the world – because here’s where Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made. Take the guided tour throughout the facility, along with a tasting of five liqueurs and whiskeys.

Later, Miss Mary Bobo’s in Lynchburg will host you for lunch. This family-style restaurant has been serving customers since before Jack arrived! A beautiful day out into one of Tennessee’s quaint, small towns.

#7 – 3-Hour Secret Food Tour

• $$
• 3 Hours
• Skip the line
• Live guide, food and drink included

A very passionate and knowledgeable food guide will take you on a culinary journey through Nashville’s most famous foods and snacks. Kick it off with a pulled pork taco, then taste your way through some southern BBQ chicken, slaw, craft beer, and a special secret surprise dish.

There’s some more authentic Tennessee BBQ later on in the day. Try the whole hog pulled pork, with the bacon and broccoli. It’s simply the best thing Nashville has to offer (besides music, of course).

#8 – Hop-on Hop-off Nashville Trolley

• $
• 1-2 days
• See most attractions at your own pace
• Fully narrated for great bits of info

Old Town Trolley Tour is a hop on hop off bus tour that lets you explore all Nashville’s “greatest hits” at your own pace. It stops by 15 of the city’s most famous attractions, and you can purchase a ticket valid for the whole day, to use as you feel.

As with many Nashville trolley tours, the on-board conductor has a wealth of stories and history to share, and you’re likely to hear a story or two that you won’t hear anywhere else. And, you won’t need to worry about traffic or parking -one of the best benefits of bus tours.

#9 – CMT’s Nashville TV Show Tour

• $$
• 5 hours
• Pickup can be arranged
• Guided

The popular TV show Nashville is partly filmed in the town, believe it or not.

Depending on which day you take the tour, you may see the Bluebird Cafe set or the Two Old Hippies set. But, you’ll always stop by the Ryman Auditorium, where the famous performances are shot. You’ll even get your photo taken on the stage

But the highlight is definitely visiting the home of the lead characters on the show. Beyond that, there are a number of other locations to visit, all guided by a narrator with some interesting tidbits and behind the scenes trivia.

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#10 – Taste of Nashville Walking Food Tour

• $$
• 3 Hours
• Foodie guide
• Sweets and sample tastings included

The downtown area of Nashville is packed with bars, pubs, and eateries. And there’s no better way to crack the nut than with a local who knows the best of what there is on offer.

Your local foodie guide will take you to five specially chosen outlets to taste the town’s best kept culinary secrets.

These are the spots that locals know about. As a bonus, the guide will share some stories about the regular popular monuments and attractions. So even if you’re not doing anything else in town, you’ll get a fair overview of Music Town.

#11 – Tractor Party Tour and Moonshine Distillery

• $
• 90 minutes
• Skip the line
• Cash bar on board

As one might expect, Nashville loves to have a good time. This party wagon has a bar and a dancefloor, and your seating is a horse saddle!

And, if you’re wondering if you’re making an impression, the whole structure is pulled through town by a tractor. Though the tour isn’t narrated, you may be able to draw a war story from your live on-board entertainer.

The party/tour includes a stop at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, where more live music, food, and drink await you. And, you’ll be able to sample a fair bit of the distillery’s finest moonshine.

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#12 – Historic Tennessee Sightseeing Tour

• $$
• 5 hours
• Pickup can be arranged from your hotel
• Tour guide

If you’re a real history nut or scholar, this is the tour for you. The Tennessee State Museum is where it all begins, where you can look around and learn about the most important events that influenced the history of the state and its people.

The highlight of the day is the visit to President Andrew Jackson’s estate. If you like, you can take a break here for lunch for a very reasonable USD $11.

The tour ends with a visit to the Mount Olivet Cemetery, where lots of famous city leaders were laid to rest. Definitely one for the scholars and city trivia enthusiasts.

#13 – Street Art & Instagram Golf Cart Tour

• $$
• 2 hours
• Tour guide
• Small groups of 5 max

If you’re a social media hound on the hunt for Instagram moments, why not try the golf cart tour?

The cart’s route is focused on showing you some of the city’s best examples of street art. Much of Nashville’s urban landscape is dotted with murals, architecture, and sculptures that make for excellent photos.

The best part of this kind of tour is that it takes you beyond the usual attractions, and shows a different side of Nashville.

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#14 – The Ville All-Inclusive Pub Crawl

• $$
• 2 Hours
• Free fanny pack and mason’s glass as souvenirs
• Skip the line

The legendary Printers Alley is the old nightlife district of Nashville. This is where you will meet, and your tour of the local bars begins with a craft beer. Broadway Street is next, where cocktails and custom concoctions will be prepared for your approval.

You’ll also try some local-style fried pickles that are what the proverbial ordered. Try the hot flavor if you dare. The honky-tonks are bound to have some live music going, so you’re more than welcome to have a stomp and a holler (or a listen if it’s a quieter set).

#15 – Civil War History Tour – The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee

• $$$
• 7 Hours
• Option to stop for lunch or picnic
• Pickup included

A fascinating look at one of the bloodiest battles to take place during the civil war – the Battle of Franklin.

The tour visits three of the homes that were in close proximity to the battle. The homes in themselves are captivating, as they are great examples of the architecture of the time. But they also contain the battle scars – bullet holes and cannon damage – from the battle.

#16 – Rural American Farm Tour

• $$
• 5 Hours
• Tour guide
• Stop for lunch (bring cash)

Everything about this tour beyond the city limits feels more authentic. Even the vehicle your guide picks you up in is a no-frills suburban – “dirty in a good way” she calls it. The farmers and locals you’ll meet will tell you stories and anecdotes from the farm life they experience first hand.

You’ll stop off at a few farms, meet the animals, and check out some of the day-to-day operations. The Robertson County experience isn’t complete without lunch at one of the small town’s eateries. Here you can eat like a local, as they have done here since the early 1900s.

#17 – Secret Network of Women in Civil Rights Tour

• $
• 60 minutes
• Guided tour
• Meet at the Nashville Public Library

A walking tour with a specific focus. In America’s storied civil rights movement of the 20th century, there were many women whose stories inspire with their remarkable strength and courage in the face of adversity. Visit sites like the Davidson County Courthouse and the Witness Walls.

The tour also talks about other entrepreneurs and iconic women who continue to make a difference in the South and in the world. An inspiring tour option for all.

Final Thoughts on Tours in Nashville

It’s the amazing music scene in Nashville. It’s the proximity to other Southern, iconic towns (like Memphis). It’s the legendary Southern hospitality. And, of course, and it’s the delicious food.

And it’s even more than that. You cannot possibly ask for a more exciting US destination to visit.

Hopefully, one of the Nashville, Tennessee tours suggested here will not only make your stay memorable but will inspire you to take a few of the others as well. Who knows – you may accidentally spot the next big music thing in a honkytonk!