Among the veterans of Nashville tours, the sometimes-bawdy Jugg Sisters have been providing laughs-on-wheels aboard their impossible-to-miss hot pink bus for 20 years. If they weren’t doggone funny, they would have landed in a ditch years ago. They’ve recruited some entertaining friends to diversify so now pick your choice of three distinctive tours. Come sober and stay that way; they don’t want to waste their wit on drunkards.
It also offers a raucous ride around town aboard their equally impossible-to-miss camo-patterned bus bound for famous, infamous and historic locations. BYOC–that’s bring your own cooler for beverages including those with a kick. Might want to leave young’uns out of this trip into the tacky and sometimes-tawdry. Meet the bus at the Scoreboard Bar & Grill. Stops at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Old Smoky Moonshine Distillery. Groups of 12 or more get a $5 discount over the standard adult rate of $40.
This category-defying tour company offers sightseeing, comedy…and singalongs! But they are NOT a party bus. Bachelorette parties and groups of more than six people need not apply. Who WILL love their tours? Fun-loving adults who don’t mind a little risque humor. See their website for details about on-board alcohol.
A few things set Tommy Garmon’s tours apart. First, he’s a comedian so laughter is guaranteed. Secondly, he’ll pick you up at your hotel and drop you back off again making him logistically superior to some of his competitors. Unlike some of his competitors, he takes his clients past the homes of the rich and famous. And also unlike some, his tour is family-friendly.
Food Tours
Call it a progressive dinner on foot as you and up to 11 others graze from eatery to eatery on one of three tour options. Get both the abridged and unabridged version of East Nashville, Downtown or 12 South. Depending on the tour you select, you’ll walk up to 1.5 miles, stop in at least 5 destinations to sample the fare, and enjoy unlimited conversation. You can also make reservations for a private group.
These folks offer a pair of geographically centered walking tours (Gulch/Union Station and Historic Germantown) and the option for a private, customizable tour. Whether you’re drawn to brisket or cupcakes, these folks can accommodate.
This company gives you the option of driving or walking tours. Individuals have their choice of two driving tours while groups can choose such options as “Q and Brew” or “Global Eats.” Or they’ll custom-design a tour to satisfy your tastes. Walking tours are centered around Historic Downtown Nashville, Bicentennial Mall and Germantown, 12South, Midtown Food and Sightseeing, East Nashville Food and Sightseeing, Jefferson Street, and the Nashville Mural Tour.
Can’t get much more self-explanatory than this. This 21-and-up tour hits 4-6 downtown bars and showers you with Nashville insights along the way. Cost is $25 for a 2 1/2 hour romp, plus drinks. Private groups welcome.
Horsepowered Travels
Clip-clop your way around downtown aboard one of their horsedrawn carriages for a narrated tour of local history. Prices range from $71.50 for a 20-minute ride to $423.50 for a 2-hour round-trip ride from downtown to the Bicentennial Mall State Park for up to 9 guests. If you want something extra magical, reserve the Cinderella carriage.
Travel in style in these 19th century replicas of grand ole carriages with a sturdy team of draft horses as your power source. Rates start at $30 for four people with $5 more for each additional person.
Why Drive When You Can Walk
This series of self-guided walking tours works with smartphone connectivity so you can hear audio commentary about each site. Among the diverse tours: Early History, Early Black Life and Culture, Music in Music City, Historic Music Row, Music Row Neighborhood, New South Nashville, Women’s Suffrage, Women’s History Highlights, Downtown Schools and Education, Capitol and Church Architecture, Belmont-Hillsboro-Vanderbilt, South Broadway Architecture, Old Time Religion, Fort Negley, Seedy Side and Printers Alley, South Broadway Architecture, Hidden History and Haunts, Downtown Public Art and Murals, Civic and Public Spaces, Civil Rights Sit-Ins, Downtown Civil War, Tennessee State University, Fisk University and Meharry Medical College, Food for Thought, Family Fun, East Nashville, Gulch Highlights and WeHo Happy Hour. Each tour covers between 1-2 miles. FREE and cloud-based with nothing to download.
Local music history. Bill DeMain is a singer, songwriter, author and journalist who will take you deep into Nashville music history with a sense of humor during one of his mile-long Walkin’ Nashville tours. Prices start at $40.
This walking tour operation in downtown offers two options. For $25, take the two-hour, all-ages Live Nashville! Walking Tour which hits the historical and entertainment highlights. For $400, your group can cavort on the Nashville Bar Bash, hitting four honky tonks while getting a bit more boozy story of Nashville.
The “Famous Footsteps” tour sets out from the front of (soon-to-be-renovated) Ernest Tubb Record Shop, You’ll walk only seven blocks but you’ll hear the tales of some of our most celebrated country artists including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Keith Urban and Elvis Presley. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Cost: $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, $15 for children 12 and under, free to those in the military.
Your 90-minute stroll will take you by the Ryman Auditorium, down famous and infamous Printers Alley, past the War Memorial Auditorium. Your chatty tour guide will reveal the secrets of the city and give you the inside scoop on country music icons.
Take an otherworldly walk through downtown to learn of devious deeds and gravely dark secrets. Expect a super-natural good time in your hour-long stroll past historic buildings.
Novel Transportation
Don’t limit yourself to garden-variety vehicles when there’s a fleet of fun alternatives.
Grab an e-bike and two-wheel your way around town with your choice of two tours: a 3-hr., 12 mi. trip around the city ($75) or a 2 1/2hr., 9 mi. trek ($65) to visit murals and street art. Prefer keeping your feet on the ground? They also offer 2-hr. downtown walking tours ($35).
Segway anyone? Get a tutorial, then head out in a convoy of the little contraptions to tour the downtown entertainment district. Spend 2 1/2 hours tooling around town with your guide. Surely among the most novel of Nashville tours. Cost: $75, plus tax.
Get a bird’s eye view of the city and surrounding areas via helicopter. Whether you want to circle our ever-changing skyline, buzz by the homes of celebrities or follow our waterways, these folks take touring to new heights.
Not a lot of historic insight but a lot of fun as you go rollin’ on the river aboard a paddlewheeler. Feast on a fine meal and enjoy live entertainment in the Victorian theatre. The boat churns up the Cumberland to Riverfront Park before returning to the dock adjacent to Opry Mills.
Adult-Beverage Excursions
Current offerings include a Jack Daniel’s tour (includes travel to Lynchburg, TN), a 3-hour Murals & Mimosas local tour, and a 4-hour Barbecue, Beer & Bourbon Nashville Foodie Experience. Custom tours also available.
In addition to custom rentals, these folks provide round-trip transportation to Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg or Arrington Vineyard or a combination of distilleries and a winery. Private charters also available.
With the trolley captain as your designated driver, catch a ride in a circular route with stops at eight top-flight East Nashville and Germantown breweries. Hit them all or pass on any of them. Choose between one- and two-day passes. With so many breweries in town, they sometimes swap out destinations so check with them for current breweries on their route.
Travel in style aboard a coach bound for this Shelbyville distillery for a tour and tasting. If you’re a whiskey aficionado, you’ll appreciate both the product and the story of this former slave who became a legendary distiller.
→You’ll find pedal taverns, party buses and such listed among Experiences.
For tours of historic buildings including RCA Studio B, the Ryman Auditorium, Tennessee State Capitol and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, visit my Museums post.
