Top 8 Nashville Riverboat Cruises

1.General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,362 reviews · from $111Our pick

Cruise Nashville’s Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson, a large paddle-wheel showboat, with a Southern lunch or dinner and live music, comedy, and dance performances. The roughly four-hour outing includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select downtown hotels. Choose a daylight lunch or early-evening dinner departure.

“Was a very nice cruise with friends but was a little disappointed with the food Entertainment was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 178 reviews · from $138

Cruise the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson, a large paddlewheel showboat, for an evening of dinner, Nashville skyline views, and live music ranging from bluegrass and gospel to soul and country. The experience lasts about four hours, includes round-trip transportation, and has an English-language guide. Pickup must be arranged in advance.

“We have a multi-handicapped child. She is mostly tube fed but can eat soft foods. The staff kindly fixed her some pasta so she could have something to eat with everyone else. We all enjoyed our meals. The shows are great. The Blues Brother’s act really got my daughter’s attention. She is a fan and though she is blind, as soon as she heard opening horn notes for the act she was especially happy. I would have liked more opportunity to have browsed the boat gift shop. We were never able to access our online picture copies for our photo package purchased but at least have two printed for us…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Pontoon Party Cruise with a Captain

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 130 reviews · from $60

Board the 50-foot Pontoon Saloon on the Cumberland River for a two-hour, adults-only party cruise. A USCG-licensed captain handles the boat while a deckhand-host brings music, games, and dancing. Buy beer, wine, seltzers, canned cocktails, or champagne at the onboard bar. Choose a morning Mimosa, afternoon party, or evening sunset cruise.

“I enjoyed the spunkiness of our DJ bar tender. I did not like that 4 ladies were standing and didn’t have a seat. A group of nice young men gave up their seats but they paid too. Need more seats and tables on boat or allow less people. When you pay 60 for a ride you should have a seat. I would do it again. Had a relaxing fun trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Family Friendly River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 124 reviews · 2 hours · from $55Best value

Cruise downtown Nashville on the Cumberland River for two hours with a USCG-licensed captain, deckhand, and live narration. Guide Jimbo has become a familiar voice on the history-focused ride, while captains vary by departure. Expect city views from the water, a relaxed pace, an onboard restroom, and a bar selling beer, wine, canned cocktails, and champagne.

“Beautiful route, informative, nice and chilled atmosphere. Great way to see different parts of Nashville other than just down town.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.General Jackson Showboat Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · from $98

Gray Line of Tennessee takes you to the General Jackson Showboat for a three-hour afternoon cruise, Southern-style lunch, and Taste of Tennessee, a country variety show with live music, comedy, and fiddle solos. Hotel pickup may be arranged in advance, or you can meet at one of two Nashville locations.

“Good Food and Entertainment. I would have given 5 stars, but the engine of the boat was down so we never actually cruised on the river. to be fair they offered full refund or reduction”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Aloha Paradise Private Boat Rental Percy Priest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend about three hours on Percy Priest Lake aboard a private slide pontoon with a master captain. Head to Party Cove, swim from a 15-foot float pad or try the included two-to-four-person tube. Captains Sean, David and Taylor are among the names associated with the trip. Bring your own drinks and towels.

“Sean was the best !!! We had so much fun!!!! The water was perfect and the boat was so nice. We went in October and the weather was so nice! Great time!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.30ft Double Decker Triple Slide Party Boat with Captain up to 22

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet at 3979 Bell Road in Hermitage for a private, three-hour cruise to Party Cove on Percy Priest Lake. Your 30-foot double-decker boat has three slides, a four-person tubing raft, a float pad, a cooler with ice, and a sound system. A captain runs the outing, with past trips led by Matt, Sean, Dave, and Taylor.

“Here for a bachelorette, had such a good time on the lake!! Would absolutely do again! Matt was the best captain!!!! Would love if they had a longer time slot available :(”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.3 Hour 25ft Pontoon Party Boat with Captain up to 12 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

You and your group cruise Percy Priest Lake aboard a 25-foot pontoon with a captain, then spend time at Party Cove. The boat includes a premium sound system, ice and cooler, a 2-to-4-person tube, floats, and a 5-by-10-foot play pad. Bring your own alcoholic drinks and towels.

“Captain was awesome, amazing experience that you won’t regret! Captain asked what experience we wanted and how we wanted to spend our time. Accommodated based on our answers and kept the experience great, knowing when to chat with us or let us as friends have our conversations.”

Check availability →Read our full review