When you visit Nashville, you will quickly discover that there is more to see and do than you probably expected. There are few American cities in which you can tour Civil War battlegrounds and historic homes, and then travel up the river on a luxurious paddle steamer.

Whether you choose to tour Nashville as part of a large group or by yourself, there are many ways to see the Music City. It is impossible to list every tour and charter service in town, but the following are some of the most popular:

Tour Services

To help plan your time in the Music City and get the maximum enjoyment out of your visit, stop by the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau inside the Nashville Arena. This is a good resource for first-time visitors who have no idea where to begin their sightseeing.

B&L Ballooning: Forget about the crowded streets and slow buses. Take to the air and get a “bird’s-eye” view of town. Daily excursions last about two hours and include a bottle of champagne and a knowledgeable guide. This is a great option for romantic types.

Mary Williams Guide Service: If you have ever entertained out-of-town visitors, you have probably taken them out on the town. No doubt they appreciated the personal touch of your tour. You can experience the same personal attention with this delightful tour service. A tour guide will join you in your car and accompany you for three hours on an extensive tour of the city.

Grand Ole Opry Tours: If you are a country music lover, then you will be delighted with this tour, which is designed just for you. Your trip begins with a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry, home of country music’s most famous radio broadcast. Next, climb aboard a luxury motor coach and visit the sites that made country music history. You will see the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium. You’ll visit the recording studios and record companies of Music Row, and you will take an excursion or two in the direction of historical landmarks.

Downtown Tours

Downtown Nashville has undergone an amazing revitalization over the last decade. Tourists flock to its restaurants, clubs and specialty shops, and everywhere you go you’ll hear great country music. No visit to the Music City is complete without a day, and perhaps a night, in the downtown district.

Second Avenue Carriage Service: When most folks tour the downtown area, they walk from place to place, but you can visit the sites in style. Catch a ride with this carriage service and see all the attractions from a comfy seat in a horse-drawn carriage. Your driver will tell you all about the city, or leave you and your guests to talk among yourselves.

Historical Tours

Middle Tennessee has a rich and varied history, from the early days of the American colonies and the horrors of the Civil War to the heyday of country music. Here are some of the city’s most famous sites:

The Hermitage: Former United States President Andrew Jackson built this Greek Revival home and its gardens for his wife. There are few homes in the Nashville area with as much beauty or history. The tour features exhibits, an award-winning film, an extensive tour of the house and grounds and a stop at one of the South’s oldest Confederate cemeteries.

Oaklands Historic House and Museum: The small town of Murfreesboro (just west of Nashville) was founded by the infamous Colonel Hardy Mufree. This is the home he loved and defended during the Civil War.

Tennessee Antebellum Trail: There are so many historic sites in the Middle Tennessee area that it’s virtually impossible to see them all, especially given the time you’d have to spend going from tour company to tour company. Take matters into your own hands—or car—and sample the beauty and history on your own. This 90-mile self-guided driving tour takes you through four counties and to over 50 historic places, 10 of which are open for tours. You will see plantations and homes from the Civil War period as well as such famous homes as the Hermitage.

Riverfront Tours

Long before the city planners even dreamed of paved streets, visitors to Nashville arrived via boat. The Cumberland River is the city’s chief waterway, and you can tour its banks as you embark on a marine excursion.

General Jackson Showboat: A beautiful and comfortable paddle steamer takes you up the Cumberland River and back. Complete with a ballroom, restaurant and live-music theater, the General Jackson offers a lot of entertainment while you tour the main waterway of Nashville. Historic tours are available.

Music City Queen: Back in simpler times, the Cumberland River was the only route into the city of Nashville. Majestic paddle steamers surged through the waters carrying passengers and their cargo to the Music City. The captain and his staff will provide a full lunch or dinner menu in addition to offering historical insights.