Hayley ThomasWalking Broadway in the sweltering heat among shoulder-to-shoulder crowds isn’t exactly a relaxing vacation. You can easily skip the hassle of scouring the city for reliable car rental facilities just to navigate gridlocked downtown streets.
Instead of white-knuckling through traffic and risking unexpected towing from an overpriced lot, ditch the pavement altogether. A Nashville cruise swaps those cramped sidewalks for a gentle breeze out on the water.
We tested the city’s top aquatic adventures so you can let a captain steer while you just sit back and enjoy the view. Here are the best cruises in Nashville!
How much does it cost to join a cruise in Nashville?
Joining a cruise in Nashville generally costs $40 to over $100 per person, depending on the specific type of experience you choose.
| Cruise Experience | Approximate Cost |
| Nashville Water Taxi Scenic Tours | Adults ~$40, Kids ~$30 |
| Pontoon Saloon Private Cruises | Starting around $55 for public tours |
| General Jackson Showboat | $70 to $120+ based on lunch/dinner inclusion |
| Private/Party Boats | A few hundred to $1,000+ |
1. General Jackson Showboat
Website: https://www.generaljackson.com/
Address: 577 Opry Mills Drive
Contact: (615) 458-3900
Schedule: Hours Vary By Cruise
Stepping onto the massive decks of this historic vessel instantly transports you back in time. Instead of just a basic river ride, you get a full-on Southern dinner and a show right on the water.
I booked a dinner trip last year and was completely blown away by the sheer scale of the Victorian-style theater inside the boat. You catch panoramic skyline views of the city outside, while professional singers and a live country band light up the stage inside.
Their multi-course meals feature freshly prepared dishes that give local restaurants a real run for their money. Couples and families looking for an easy, all-in-one night out usually end up booking this trip.
A quick heads-up, though: the actual river scenery can feel a bit underwhelming compared to the lively indoor performances. You’ll likely spend way more time watching the stage than looking out at the water.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend
Very under rated show. I think they should do a little touch-up work but the show was great. Staff was very good, food was better the. Expected and the performers knocked it out of the park. The amount of wardrobe changes was incredible. I would recommend the evening cruise so you can check out Nashville from the water. Highly recommend.
- Ryan Martin | Google Review
Tons of fun
I had no idea what to expect on this dinner cruise, but I was so, so pleased and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The food was great and also the entertainment. The staff was helpful and good at communicating about activities, times, etc. There was an abundance of food (contrary to some other reviews) and it was all well prepared, hot and fresh (nice fresh broccolini). The music was very good and tons of fun.
- Moriah Jarrett | Google Review
2. Pontoon Saloon
Website: https://pontoonsaloontn.com/
Address: 2 Victory Avenue
Contact: (615) 601-1464
Schedule:
- Tues-Sat 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you want a high-energy party on the water, this floating barge delivers exactly that. Pontoon Saloon is all about loud music and dancing rather than quiet sightseeing. You’ll get a dedicated host pouring drinks from a full bar while you cruise down the river.
Passengers catch sweeping downtown sights between songs on the open deck. Their crew handles plenty of bachelorette parties and birthdays, offering really flexible public and private trips depending on your group size.
Since the boat’s a bit smaller, you end up chatting and mingling with everyone on board pretty quickly. But finding parking near the departure point is notoriously difficult and can really complicate your arrival.
They also run a tight ship, so if you show up late, you risk missing the departure entirely without any option for a refund.
Customer Reviews
Perfect way to party on the river in Nashville!
This was soooo much fun!!! We decided to book The Pontoon Saloon for a sunset cruise last Saturday night. We were celebrating a few 50th birthdays in our group and this was a perfect way to party on the river in Nashville! The bartender/ dj/ host was awesome as he had a few games and had people moving around and enjoying the party atmosphere. I would definitely recommend this excursion!
- Krystin Beban | Google Review
We had the BEST time doing a holiday party on Pontoon Saloon
This is soooo much fun!!! Highly recommended a private cruise – we had the BEST time doing a holiday party on Pontoon Saloon and it was the best decision. The crew was fantastic, they played our favorite music and the drinks were perfect! We could bring our own food and had an amazing spread of snacks and we danced and snacked for a few hours. I might have to make this a new tradition because all my friends loved it so much. We took pics and looked at the views of the city- it was magical!! 10 outta 10
- Christy Hunter | Google Review
3. Cruisin’ Tikis Nashville
Website: https://cruisintikis.com/nashville/
Address: 525 Basswood Drive
Contact: (844) 836-8454 | [email protected]
Schedule: Daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Floating down the river on a motorized tropical hut offers a brilliant escape from the heavy downtown crowds. Cruisin’ Tikis Nashville skips the massive party barges and keeps things small and intimate instead.
Our team recently organized a sunset trip, and their Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) policy made it incredibly easy and budget-friendly to customize our drinks. These open-air boats hold up to six passengers, so you can actually hear your friends talking.
You just connect your phone to the sound system to control the playlist while cruising around Old Hickory Lake. A friendly captain handles all the steering, letting you kick back and pretend you’re on a tropical island.
Just keep in mind that the standard ninety-minute trip feels slightly short given the price point. Also, the small footprint of the boat means there are absolutely no restrooms onboard, so plan accordingly.
Customer Reviews
A unique Nashville experience!
Our experience on the Cruisin’ Tiki Nashville Cruise was unforgettable! We had the best captain, and watching the sunset over the river was absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect way to end a birthday celebration and create lasting memories. Highly recommend this hidden gem for anyone looking for a unique Nashville experience!
- Megan Jones | Google Review
Very romantic!
Nick was a great Captain on our Sunset Tiki Cruise. It ended up being just my husband and myself on this mid-week cruise, so it was very romantic! We toasted with the Champagne we brought from France and had a lovely time. We had fun chatting about geeky things with Nick. Thanks for a memorable evening!
- ChampagneFanatic | Google Review
4. Nashville Toons
Website: https://nashvilletoons.com/
Address: 1504 Demonbreun Street
Contact: (615) 979-2373 | [email protected]
Schedule: Daily 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Heading out to Percy Priest Lake gives your group a totally private adventure away from the main tourist hubs. Nashville Toons skips the shared public excursions and focuses entirely on private boat rentals.
These massive double-decker pontoons come fully loaded with water slides and huge lounge areas to stretch out on. Every booking includes a dedicated captain and host, so your crew can focus on swimming and floating around.
A free round-trip shuttle from downtown even takes a ton of stress out of organizing rideshares. Their generous three-hour trip leaves plenty of time for active water play instead of sitting and sightseeing, too.
Being out on a lake does mean you miss out on those classic downtown skyline views. Even so, trading the concrete for peaceful, tree-lined shores and gorgeous sunset reflections is a pretty great swap.
Just remember that glass bottles are strictly banned, so you’ve got to be careful about what drinks you pack.
Customer Reviews
Great!
Caleigh and team were great! We got hit with a downpour part way into our ride and the team kept us entertained and spirits up. They were training two new hires during our cruise who were also great!
- Taylor Cowan | Google Review
AMAZING!
We just finished doing a little cruise for a bachelorette party and it was so much fun! We had Joe and Becky as our hosts and they were AMAZING! Id def recommend! They were so fun and partied with us! Thanks for the great time! Everyone should go and do this
- Cassandra Bretzing | Google Review
5. Nashville Water Taxi
Website: https://thenashvillewatertaxi.com/
Address: 2 Victory Ave
Contact: (615) 601-1464 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Sun-Tues 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Weds 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thurs-Sat 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
This comfortable sightseeing vessel makes it easy to spot city landmarks without breaking a sweat. Nashville Water Taxi skips the crazy party scene and focuses on scenic downtown river trips past historic bridges and waterfront parks.
Their captain narrates the tour with excellent historical context, so you actually learn something about the city while you cruise. This forty-foot pontoon features a covered roof and an onboard bar to keep you comfortable if the weather suddenly turns.
Beyond standard tours, they’ve also got a handy transportation route on game days to help fans bypass all that heavy road traffic.
Plus, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible boarding ensures everyone can easily get on the water.
You’ll definitely want to watch out for the booking policies, as they require a non-refundable 50% deposit. Altering your schedule for a weekend trip also hits you with a steep twenty percent adjustment fee.
Customer Reviews
One of the best things to do in this area
The history boat cruise was amazing. Jumbo is a true history buff sharing all sorts of Nashville’s history. Definetly one of the best things to do in this area. Captain did a great job navigating the boat. Jumbo pointed out many hidden treasures along the way
- Donna Blankenship | Google Review
Recommend this particular river cruise for anyone
Jimbo and Capt. Terri were fabulous. Recommend this particular river cruise for anyone. I didn’t have any particular expectations other than we would see the buildings alongside the river, but Jimbo is a fabulous river guide and gave us all kinds of history that we would’ve never even imagined was there to learn about.
- Meri Bond | Google Review
