The 15 Best History Tours in Nashville

1.Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,189 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $33Our pick

Take a 45-minute guided tour of Belle Meade’s 1853 Greek Revival mansion, then sample wine at the on-site winery. Your $33 ticket also covers the 30-acre grounds, historic outbuildings, walking trails, outdoor games and shops. Guides such as Andie, Tegan and Jason have led engaging tours, though your guide will depend on the day.

“Fabulous tour with wine tasting. We timed our tour at 11.30 so we could have lunch at the Fox Run Cafe. Enjoyed cheese n meats platter with a glass of the wine we sampled”

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2.Civil War Tour with Lotz House, Carter House & Carnton Admission from Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 522 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $101Top rated

Ride from downtown Nashville to Franklin for a seven-hour Civil War tour of the Carter House, Lotz House, and Carnton Plantation. Hear how the 1864 battle shaped local families, see damage left on the homes, and take a break to eat or shop in town. Guides and drivers have included Roger, Julie, Nick, Jeff, and Lotz House guide Thomas Cartwright.

“The guides had so much information at times it was overwhelming. The explanation about the war was hard to follow. Touring the house and grounds and learning about there history was outstanding.”

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3.Journey to Jubilee Guided Tour at Belle Meade with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 396 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

At Belle Meade, a guide leads a discussion-based walk through the stories of enslaved and formerly enslaved Black Americans, using primary-source research to trace nearly a century of local history. The tour includes the grounds, outbuildings, and a complimentary winery tasting. Guides have included Anastasia, Ben, Melissa, Tom, Taryn, and Jeff; the mansion tour costs extra.

“Learning about how former slaves lived be Ed after emancipation. The wine tasting at the end was nice”

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4.Nashville Unveiled: The History, Music, and Hacks Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24

In about 90 minutes, a musician guide leads you from the Ryman Auditorium and Tootsies Orchid Lounge to Printer’s Alley, Riverfront Park, and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Expect music stories, downtown history, skyline views, and practical suggestions for where to eat, drink, and hear live music. Groups are capped at 18.

“We got a great orientation and historical background of the local landmarks. Lots of fun and very informative.”

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5.Nashville’s Historic Electric Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Ride for about two hours through downtown Nashville, Music Row, Printer’s Alley, Marathon Village and the Gulch, with stops near major music and sports landmarks. Your guide leads a group of up to 12, and a helmet listening device carries the commentary. E-bike use, helmet and safety vest are included; admission to RCA Studio B is not.

“Great pace and interesting points of interest highlighted by the guide. (Fellow named Cash). I found it very informative and more connected to the neighborhoods visited than a previous bus tour. Really got a feel for Nashville! Thank you Cash!”

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6.Immersive E-Bike Tour of Music City’s History

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 99 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Ride a hybrid e-bike through six Nashville neighborhoods on a two-hour history tour, passing more than 200 points of interest. A live guide narrates through an open-ear listening device, with short stops at places such as Music Row, the Ryman Auditorium, and The Gulch. Guides have included Johnny, Bee, and Cash, though your guide may vary.

“The tour was a lot of fun. It really is a great way to see the city and learn about it.”

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7.Civil War History Tour – The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 85 reviews · 7 hours · from $93

Spend seven hours exploring the Battle of Franklin through three historic homes: Carter House, Lotz House, and Carnton Plantation. Admission and transportation between stops are included, with time for lunch in downtown Franklin. Drivers and guides such as Julie and Roger have helped bring the homes’ stories to life. Expect antiques, battle damage, and a sobering look at the war’s toll on families and soldiers.

“Absolutely what I expected and more. The tour guides in each home were so informative. We felt their sincere connection to the history and how sad it all was. The tour guide at the Carter house was like an encyclopedia- he had so much to tell us and I felt his sharing was so personal- like he knew the household members and his empathy for them. He put us right in the middle of the battle. I learned so much. It’s been exactly one week since the tour and we shared it with a couple family members. They were as sadden as we were of the loss at Franklin. I…”

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8.Legends of Music City Guided Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $38

In about 90 minutes, a guide leads you through downtown Nashville, past the Ryman Auditorium and through the Arcade and Printer’s Alley. Expect stories about the city’s music and history, plus views of landmarks, murals, and historic buildings. Guides have included Kimber, Sean, Eric, and Derrin. The group is capped at 20.

“Erick was knowledgeable, and pleasant to walk and talk with. Every time we tour, we learn something new.”

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9.Ghost Tour in Historic Franklin

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · from $25

Join Franklin on Foot for a 90-minute walk through downtown Franklin, starting at the old Williamson County courthouse. Your English-speaking guide shares ghost stories tied to socialites, a Civil War spy, Confederate soldiers, failed businessmen, and a dog, along with local history and photos taken on earlier tours. Expect about five stops and bring a camera.

“Robert was a wonderful guide. He was so kind and informative”

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10.Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Grounds Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 64 reviews · from $21

Spend a day on the Hermitage grounds, exploring the museum and its Born for a Storm exhibit, historic outbuildings, gardens, hiking trail, wildlife, and Jackson family burial site. The $21 pass does not include the mansion interior, but you can ask about a $7 tour upgrade at the Ticket Office. It also includes a discounted wine tasting for visitors 21 and older.

“I have always wanted to see what a plantation may have looked like. Being from California I had never been to one. Guide on ride was very informative. This is a beautiful place. I learned so much. Glad I went.”

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11.Belle Meade Historic Mansion Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 63 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Tour Belle Meade’s 1853 Greek Revival mansion with an English-speaking guide, then sample Belle Meade Winery’s wines if you are 21 or older. Your ticket also covers the gardens, outbuildings, walking trails, game court, shops and two on-site restaurants, so you can stay and explore after the 45-minute house tour.

“What a great step back in time to learn about the past. We were in town for the fun stuff on Broadway but also wanted to see the surrounding area. This was perfect. On the way, we got to see a lot of the real Nashville. The historic home and plantation itself was very much worth the visit. Very interesting family owned this home for generations. All of the curious antiques added to the experience. If you like history, don’t miss it!”

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12.Music History Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 25 reviews · from $10Best value

Spend two hours walking downtown Nashville with a live guide and personal listening device. You’ll pass through Lower Broadway, Printers’ Alley, Capitol Hill, and other areas while stories, music, photos, and videos bring more than 100 points of interest to life. Guides Sherri Lee and Duncan have led warmly praised tours. Expect about 35 minutes of walking, with an easy incline.

“My adult daughter and I had a wonderful time on our walking tour. Our guide, Sherri Lee was amazing - so knowledgeable and helpful - she pointed out so many interesting things and told us great stories. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone in Nashville.”

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13.Civil Rights Walking Tour of Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk downtown Nashville with a professional English-speaking guide for about two hours, visiting the Witness Walls, Davidson County Courthouse, and National Museum of African American Music. The tour also connects civil rights history with murals and a library exhibition. Lauren has guided the walk, though guide assignments may vary.

“great tour, that made our visit to Nashville all the more rich. Thanks so much! We felt like we understood much better what we were seeing and how the city worked.”

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14.Historic Grounds: A Music City History and Coffee Morning Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Walk downtown Nashville with a local guide, passing the Ryman, Tootsies, Printer’s Alley, Broadway, and Riverfront Park. The 1-hour-45-minute tour starts at 9 a.m., includes 25 minutes of coffee at Assembly Food Hall, and costs $44.99. Guides Paul and Cody have led past departures, though your guide may differ.

“This was the perfect tour for me! The early start (8:30am) allowed for a cooler and quieter tour and the coffee was an added bonus! Our tour guide, Cody, offered a great blend of music, political and architectural history as we walked through the beautiful streets of downtown Nashville. I really enjoyed seeing the city in its quieter moments and, as the tour wrapped up around 10:00, live music could be heard in restaurants and bars along Broadway. I highly recommend this tour!”

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15.Nashville Music, History and Hidden Gems Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Steve leads a private Nashville tour by car, with pickup at your hotel, Airbnb or an agreed location. Over about two to four hours, you can focus on music landmarks, historic sites, neighborhoods and local eateries. The Toyota Highlander suits four comfortably, while six can fit more snugly. Food, drinks and any extra van rental are not included.

“STEVE knows so much. We had a group of six. Hard to see from back of vehicle and impossible to interact personally. It was a bit long just because it was more of a lecture than interaction.”

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