Hit the Water Any Way You Like
With the Cumberland River weaving through Nashville and lakes close by, Music City loves the water. Here are some great ways to enjoy it.
Water Parks
Great fun for all ages.
SoundWaves
Opryland Hotel. Only a few years old, it offers the most bells-and-whistles…but it’s pricey. It offers a wave pool, more than a dozen slides, a lazy river, and more. With features inside and out, it stays open year-round.
Nashville Shores
Hermitage. With multiple pools, slides from tame to stressful, and a variety of challenges, it’s a longstanding favorite for locals and tourists. Save some bucks by bringing your own picnic.
Wave Country
Donelson. Your budget solution with a large wave pool and a pair of serious slides. Still fun, just not as many activities as the other options. Nice for a few hours.
Riverboats
A touch of nostalgia with options for meals and entertainment.
Nashville Riverboats
Downtown. Hop aboard a paddlewheeler for 1 1/2 ride on the Cumberland. Choose a sightseeing trip or dinner cruise. Beverages available on board and there’s a one-man band for entertainment. Departs from the dock by Riverfront Park so it’s very convenient for those lodging downtown.
General Jackson Riverboat
Opry Mills. This entertaining ride from Opry Mills to Downtown offers daytime and nighttime options with evening selection including dinner and a show.
Nashville Water Taxi
Downtown. It’s on the river and it is a boat–just not a riverboat. Family-friendly two-hour cruises. Great views and you’ll learn a little about Nashville along the way.
Paddleboarding, Canoeing, and Kayaking
You’ll find paddleboards afloat on the Cumberland River near downtown as well as on the Harpeth River, Percy Priest Lake and Stone’s River.
River Queen Voyages
Downtown. Climb aboard for a one-, two- or four-hour kayak self-guided excursion with views of both nature and the Nashville skyline. Be warned: ya gotta paddle ’cause this ain’t no Disney ride. It is, however, Nashville from a perspective even most locals have never observed. Children under 7 are not allowed; those 7-10 years old must travel in a tandem kayak with a supervising adult. You can also climb aboard the Nashville Pedal Pontoon Party Boat. Host your own private party or climb aboard with likeminded strangers. Photo above: River Queen Voyages/Audrey Spillman
Cumberland Kayak
Downtown. Three self-guided tours are offered. The most popular, the Skyline Tour begins with a meet-up at Wasioto Park adjacent to the Pedestrian Bridge. You catch their shuttle to Shelby Park for put-in and paddle your way back to the park. Simple and serene. They also have a limited number of launches weekly on the Stones River.
Nashville Paddle Company
Hermitage. If you’ve never paddleboarding, it’s recommended that you enroll in their class before heading out on your own. Options include 60- and 90-minute rentals of boards and kayaks, tandem kayaks, paddleboard yoga classes and you can bring your pup along for the ride for an additional $5 fee. Discount for online registration. Located on Percy Priest Lake, east of downtown.
Broken Paddle Outfitters
Multiple locations. Whether you want a tube, canoe or kayak, these folks can get you ready for the Harpeth. They also offer a shuttle service for those bringing their own armada.
Sunshine’s Adventures
West Nashville. These happy people offer kayaks, paddleboards, tubes and a multi-person thing called a lilypad. They’ll launch you on the Harpeth and even offer an overnight camping experience. Kudos for offering assistance to people with mobility issues.
Tip-A-Canoe
Kingston Springs. The grandaddy of outfitters, I took my first float on the Harpeth with them more than 30 years ago. Make your reservation online to save 20%. They also offer kayaks for rent.
Foggy Bottom Canoe
Kingston Springs. Across the street from Tip-A-Canoe, same song, second verse.
Self-propelled Watercraft
JREEZ Watercraft
Want to rent a jetski, wave runner or pontoon boat? These folks stand ready to launch you. on Old Hickory Lake or Percy Priest Lake.
Safe Harbor Marina
Actually it’s two marinas that share the name: Elm Hill Marina on Percy Priest Lake and Blue Turtle Bay on Old Hickory Lake. Both rent a variety of pontoon boats in half-day and full-day blocks. Tip: Sam’s Sports Bar has surprisingly good food. At either location, please be smart enough to be sober on the water.
Boat Rentals
Mention the outdoors to any longtime Nashvillian and you’ll soon hear about our lakes. The closest are Old Hickory and Percy Priest. Here are four companies that rent a variety of craft including pontoons and fishing boats. All are located on Percy Priest Lake, east of Nashville proper.
- Elm Hill Marina in Nashville
- Nashville Boat Rentals in Hermitage
- Fate Sanders Marina in Mt. Juliet
And then there are the party boats–but don’t be stupid out there.
River Queen’s pedal pontoon
Downtown. With a 16-guest capacity, it’s a slightly smaller craft and requires your energy to keep things moving jfor a 2-hr. cruise.
Nashville Toons
Percy Priest Lake. No real destination–your captain will find a nice spot to chill out with up to 8 people on this double decker pontoon boat equipped with a slide, lily pad, floaties, and other gear. Free shuttle from downtown and a full-service restroom on board. BYOB.
Rowdy Boats
Percy Priest Lake. Specializing in bachelorette, bachelor, and wedding parties, these 3-hr. outings have you covered for floatables, ice and ice chests, and a sound system. BYOB.
Public Swimming Spots
When you just want something simple.
Percy Priest and Old Hickory lakes. Whether you’re into camping, boating, swimming or fishing, we have a couple of great big lakes to explore. You’ll find marinas that rent canoes, pontoon boats, fishing boats and jet skis on both. Here are additional links to learn the specifics about Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake. There’s a nominal fee for admission to some of the beaches.
Fishing
Close by, Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake are your best options. I’ve a friend who regularly floats on the Harpeth River with his fishing pole with surprising success. You’ll need a license unless you’re under 13 years old. Here’s all you need to know about Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses.
