Ellis HartThe first time I went to Nashville, I tried to explore on my own. I thought I could just walk around and find all the fun places. But I ended up missing a lot. I didn’t know where to go or what to see.
So the next day, I joined one of the guided tours in Nashville, and it made a big difference. The guide told great stories, showed us cool spots I would’ve never found!
If you really want to enjoy Nashville and learn about its music, food, and history, guided tours are the way to go. Here are some of the best ones!
1. Nashville Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Media Credit: oldtowntrolley
Website: https://www.trolleytours.com/nashville
Address: 201 Broadway, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 629-208-0200
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Admission Costs: Starts from $44.06
If you’re visiting Nashville and want an easy way to see the city, the Old Town Trolley Tours are a great choice. This tour lets you sit back and relax while a guide tells you all about Nashville’s history and famous spots.
You can hop on and off at 13 different stops, so you can really take your time at the places you’re most interested in.
The tour guide was awesome and gave us lots of cool facts and stories about the city. We visited famous spots like the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and even the Parthenon.
The trolleys are tall with stadium seating, which gave us a fantastic view of the city. One of my favorite parts was stopping by Broadway—it’s a great area to shop, grab a bite to eat, or check out some live music.
The best thing about this tour is how convenient it is! The trolleys run every 20-30 minutes, so if you get off at a stop, you can just hop back on whenever you’re ready. It’s also really comfortable, with padded seats, and it was a nice way to avoid the hassle of traffic and finding parking.
Pro Tip:
Before you start exploring the museum, watch the short welcome video. It gives you a quick overview of the exhibits and helps you enjoy your visit more. It’s a great way to get ready for what’s ahead.
2. Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour
Media Credit: dabblestudiotn
Website: https://dabbleevents.com/
Address: 330A Harrison St, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-338-7579
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday – Closed
Admission Costs: Starts from $99
If you’re visiting Nashville and love food, history, or music (or all three), you have to try a guided food and walking tour. I booked it kind of last-minute, and I’m so glad I did—it ended up being one of my favorite things I did in the city.
Our guide was amazing. He was funny, friendly, and full of great stories about Nashville’s past and the people who made it famous.
We walked through downtown Nashville and tried all kinds of delicious food. We had hot chicken (spicy but so good), pulled pork BBQ, sweet cupcakes, and Nashville’s own Goo Goo Clusters.
At the start of the tour, we even got to taste flavored bourbons at a distillery—Apple Pie and Chocolate Cherry were my favorites.
It wasn’t just about eating, though. We also saw big landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Scott told us about the history behind each one, and I learned so much in just a couple of hours.
The walking part was easy—not too far, but enough to help make room for all the food. I wore comfy shoes, and that helped a lot. Just a heads-up: some sidewalks were a little uneven, and there were stairs here and there!
Pro Tip:
You’ll be doing a fair bit of walking, so it’s important to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive.
3. Guided Segway Tour of Downtown Nashville
Media Credit: iridenashville
Website: https://www.iridenashville.com/
Address: 217 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-244-0555
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Admission Costs: Starts at $79
If you want a fun and different way to explore Nashville, iRide Nashville Segway Tours is a great choice. This guided tour lets you see downtown Nashville while riding a Segway!
I was a little nervous at first, but the Segways are really easy to ride, and the guides make the experience fun and informative.
The Downtown Tour Experience was amazing! It’s a 5-mile ride through some of Nashville’s most famous landmarks, like the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Bridgestone Arena. Plus, we got to visit hidden spots like Fort Nashborough and the Tennessee State Capitol, which you might miss if you’re walking.
It was such a cool way to see the city, and you get a fresh perspective from the Segway.
What really stood out was the tour guides, who were so passionate and full of fun stories about Nashville’s history and culture. You can tell they love the city, and their excitement makes the tour even better.
Pro Tip:
Don’t worry if it’s your first time on a Segway–the 30-minute training session makes it easy to get comfortable quickly. The iRide Nashville staff will guide you through it!
4. Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
Media Credit: opry
Website: https://www.opry.com/tours
Address: 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-871-6779
Price Range: Start at $29
If you love country music, visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is a must. Known as the “Home of American Music,” the Opry has hosted plenty of legendary performances! The backstage tours give the chance to explore what happens behind the scenes and learn about the history of country music.
The tour starts with a movie that takes you through 100 years of country music history. After that, we went behind the scenes and saw the Artist Entrance, where stars walk in before their shows.
We even got to stand in the famous wooden circle where music legends have performed! It was amazing to be in the same spot they stood.
We also got to check out the artist-only areas like the dressing rooms and the Family Room, where performers relax before going on stage. It felt like we were seeing the backstage magic up close.
One of the best parts was the Opry 100 Exhibit, which has special photos and memorabilia from the Opry’s 100-year history. And don’t forget to try the famous backstage lemonade—it’s a treat that the stars love.
Pro Tip:
After the tour, consider staying for a live show at the Opry. It’s the best way to enjoy country music! You’ll see both new artists and famous stars perform, so it’s a great way to end your visit.
5. Homes of the Stars Tour
Media Credit: graylinetennessee
Website: https://graylinetn.com/homes-of-the-stars-tour/
Address: 108 1st Ave S, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 615-883-5555
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM
Price Range: Start at $69.95 (Adults), $34.95 (Kids)
If you’re visiting Nashville and want to see where the city’s biggest stars live, the Homes of the Stars tour is a must-do!
This two-hour guided tour passes through some of Nashville’s nicest neighborhoods and we got to see the homes of over 30 celebrities, from country music stars like Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks to Hollywood icons like Reese Witherspoon.
As we cruised around in a comfy, air-conditioned coach, the tour guide shared some really interesting stories and facts about the stars who live in Nashville!
It was so cool to get a peek at their luxurious homes and hear the inside scoop on their lives in Music City. The tour was fun, relaxed, and a great way to see Nashville from a fresh angle.
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting Nashville in the warmer months, try to book the morning tour. This way, you can avoid the hot midday sun. The air-conditioned bus keeps you cool, but walking around outside can get uncomfortable in the heat.
6. The Gulch Walking & Tasting Food Tour
Media Credit: localtastesofnashville
Website: https://localtastesofnashville.com/
Address: 901 BROADWAY # 23601, Nashville, TN 37202, United States
Contact Details: +1 615-800-7052
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 7 PM; Monday, Tuesday – 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Price Range: Start from $95
If you’re visiting Nashville and want to enjoy the city’s food and culture, the Gulch Food Tour is a great choice. This 2.75-hour tour goes through one of the city’s most popular areas, The Gulch, where guests can taste some of the best dishes Nashville is known for.
The tour started at the Westin Nashville, where we met our guide, who was friendly and so knowledgeable about both the food and the city. As we walked through The Gulch, we stopped at 4 or 5 different restaurants, each with a unique dish!
We got to try Tennessee’s famous barbecue and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken and a nice selection of desserts–I could see why these dishes are local favorites!
But the food wasn’t the only highlight. As we walked around, our guide shared fun stories and interesting facts about the area’s history and how The Gulch has grown into one of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods.
(Plus, we stopped at the Gibson Garage, where I got to check out rare guitars and learn more about Nashville’s music scene!)
Pro Tip:
Take some time to explore and shop as you go. You’ll pass local shops and boutiques where you can pick up Nashville souvenirs or even a special drink. Enjoy the neighborhood and grab something to remember your visit!
7. Downtown Helicopter Experience
Media Credit: flynash_
Website: https://flyhelistar.com/
Address: 110 Tune Airport Dr, Nashville, TN
Contact Details: +1 833-359-6387
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Price Range: Start from $106
If you’re looking to make your trip to Nashville unforgettable, I really recommend trying a helicopter tour!
Flying high above the city, I got to see Nashville in a way I never could have imagined. I saw the famous buildings, the Cumberland River, and landmarks like the Tennessee State Capitol and Nissan Stadium from up in the sky.
Our pilot was amazing. He made the whole ride feel smooth and easy. As we flew, he pointed out interesting places and told us fun facts about Nashville’s history.
The best part was flying over Nashville at night. The city lights were so beautiful–a perfect way to celebrate something special, like an anniversary (or just enjoy the city from a new view).
The tour lasted about 30 minutes, but it was so fun I didn’t want it to end. They also take pictures before and after the ride, so you can take plenty of photos with the helicopter!
Pro Tips:
- Pick clothes that are easy to move in, since you’ll be getting in and out of the helicopter. Avoid tight or hard-to-wear outfits!
- Make sure to check the weather before your tour. Strong wind or rain can change your flight plans. The pilots are trained for it, but clear skies make the ride much nicer.
