Nashville: BiCentennial Segway Tour

A Segway gives you a quick way to cover central Nashville without turning your sightseeing into a long march. I like that this 90-minute outing pairs a full half-hour of practice with a local guide, and that the route takes in varied sights, from the Tennessee State Capitol to the Farmers Market and First Horizon Park.

The small group limit of six should make it easier to hear your guide and get help as you learn. One consideration: you need to be at least 12, able to ride a Segway, and comfortable standing and moving on one. This is not suitable for pregnant riders or people with mobility impairments.

What makes this Nashville Segway tour worth considering

• The training takes a full 30 minutes: You get time to learn the controls before setting off on the one-hour city ride.
• The route covers several kinds of sights: Expect the State Capitol, Bicentennial State Park, the Walk of the Counties, First Horizon Park, the Farmers Market, and Municipal Auditorium.
• The group is capped at six: A small group can make instruction and questions easier to manage.
• The guide brings local context: The tour is built around a guide showing you the city and sharing information along the way.
• The price is $64 per person: That buys a 90-minute guided activity, training, and a helmet, but not hotel transport.
• Weather can affect the plan: Tours generally run rain or shine, with ponchos provided if needed, though the operator can cancel for severe conditions.

Learning the Segway before the city ride

The tour starts at iRide Nashville with a 30-minute training session. That may sound like a long introduction for a short ride, but it is useful time. A Segway is not a bicycle or a scooter, and you will want a chance to get familiar with it before paying attention to traffic, landmarks, and your guide.

The training is part of the 90-minute total, followed by an hour on the route. You are given a helmet, and the operator’s approach is aimed at first-time riders as well as people who have ridden before. If you are new to Segways, arriving ready to listen and take your time should make the outing more comfortable.

Brett has been praised for being kind and patient while making sure a rider felt safe before the tour began. That is exactly the sort of attention you want in the first half-hour. Mary is another guide name associated with the experience, though the guide on your departure may vary.

Wear flat, comfortable shoes. Open-toed shoes are allowed, but comfortable footwear is still the sensible choice for standing and riding. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed, and anyone under the influence cannot take part.

Riding through Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

The one-hour ride centers on Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and the sights around it. The park is a natural anchor for a tour that also covers nearby civic, cultural, and everyday city landmarks. You are seeing more than a single attraction, but the format is still a guided overview rather than an extended visit at each place.

The named route includes the Tennessee State Capitol and the Walk of the Counties. These give the guide a chance to point out features of Nashville’s state and civic identity. You should think of them as sights to see and discuss while moving through the area, not a promise of a Capitol interior tour or a long stop at every landmark.

The Walk of the Counties adds a distinct local note to the route. Its name hints at the statewide perspective the guide can bring to the ride, while the Capitol gives the tour a clear point of orientation. If you have limited time in Nashville, this mix helps you place the city’s institutions within the broader Tennessee story.

Bicentennial State Park is also the core of the itinerary, and the Segway format lets you cover ground without spending the whole hour on foot. That can be a welcome trade if you have a packed day, or if you want a first look before deciding where to return on your own.

From the Farmers Market to First Horizon Park

The ride also takes in the Nashville Farmers Market, First Horizon Park, and Municipal Auditorium. These stops broaden the view beyond government buildings and park features. You get a sense of the city’s public spaces and venues as the guide carries you through the area.

The Farmers Market is a useful contrast to the Capitol and the park. It is a place associated with local food and everyday city life, so it gives the route a more practical, lived-in feel. The tour does not promise time to shop or eat, though, so treat it as a sight along the ride rather than a market visit.

First Horizon Park brings a sports venue into the mix, while Municipal Auditorium adds another civic gathering place. The appeal is variety: instead of spending the hour on one theme, you pass a series of landmarks that help make downtown Nashville easier to picture. The tradeoff is that a moving tour offers a broad introduction, not the time for a deep look at any one place.

The guide is an important part of making that quick sequence useful. A local perspective can connect the sights and help them make sense as more than names on a route. The experience is described as informative and fun, and one rider specifically praised Brett’s patient instruction before setting off. That balance matters: a good Segway tour needs to feel safe as well as entertaining.

What the small group means for your ride

With no more than six participants, this is a more contained outing than a large coach tour. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and it should be easier to hear the guide and ask a question. The group size also suits a hands-on activity, where riders may need slightly different amounts of time to get comfortable.

Small does not mean private. You will share the guide’s attention with the rest of the group, and the route follows the pace of a guided ride. If you prefer to stop whenever you like, linger at every sight, or set your own route, a Segway tour is not the right format.

The tour works particularly well as a first orientation to central Nashville. You can cover several sights in an hour of riding, then use the rest of your day to return to the places that interest you most. It also suits a visitor with only a day in town, or an experienced rider who wants a brisk overview rather than a long excursion.

Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, the price includes the one-hour guided ride, the 30-minute training session, and a helmet. For someone who wants an activity rather than simply a way to get from one place to another, that is a reasonable package: instruction, equipment, a guide, and a route through several named sights are all included.

The value depends on how you like to explore. If you enjoy an active outing and want local commentary while covering ground, the price can make sense. If your main goal is to enter buildings, spend a long time at the Farmers Market, or study individual sites at your own pace, you may get more from a self-guided walking day or separate visits.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to iRide Nashville, and you should arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts. Build that extra time into your plan rather than treating the listed 90 minutes as door-to-door time.

The tour is billed as the top Segway tour in the United States according to Newsweek readers. That claim may catch your eye, but the practical reasons to book are simpler: a compact route, a local guide, a small group, and a substantial training period before you ride.

Weather, age limits, and practical fit

Tours take place rain or shine, and ponchos are provided if it rains during the ride. Still, the operator can cancel at its discretion because of inclement weather. If bad weather is possible, the local partner contacts the group one to two hours before the start to discuss options; a canceled tour can be refunded or rescheduled, depending on availability.

You must be at least 12 years old. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and riders under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed. These limits matter because the activity requires you to operate a Segway and take part in a moving group ride.

Wear comfortable shoes and plan to arrive early. The meeting point is iRide Nashville, and there is no hotel transfer. The tour is in English, so you should be comfortable following spoken instruction and commentary in that language.

Booking is flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours ahead qualifies for a full refund. Check the available start times when choosing a date, since the tour runs at set departure times rather than whenever you arrive.

Who should book this ride

I would put this tour high on the list if you want a lively first look at downtown Nashville and are open to learning a new way to get around. The training makes it more approachable for a first-time rider, while the one-hour route suits a tight schedule. A guide who is both informative and patient can make the difference between merely operating the Segway and enjoying the sights around you.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a slow, on-foot visit, has mobility limitations, is pregnant, or is under 12. You should also skip it if you are uneasy about riding a Segway even after instruction. There is no need to force an activity just because it covers a lot of ground.

For $64, you are paying for an active guided overview, not admission to buildings, a meal, or transport from your hotel. Book if the combination of training, local commentary, and a compact route sounds like a good use of your Nashville time. If you would rather linger at the park, market, or civic sights, plan to explore them separately.

FAQ

How long is the Nashville BiCentennial Segway Tour?

The activity lasts 90 minutes: 30 minutes of training followed by a one-hour guided ride.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at iRide Nashville. Arrive 15 minutes before the activity begins.

What sights does the tour include?

The route takes in the Tennessee State Capitol, Bicentennial State Park, the Walk of the Counties, First Horizon Park, the Nashville Farmers Market, and Municipal Auditorium.

Is Segway training included?

Yes. The tour includes a 30-minute training session before the one-hour ride.

What equipment is provided?

A helmet is included.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to six participants.

What is the minimum age?

Riders must be at least 12 years old. Children under 12 cannot take part.

Can pregnant riders join?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to ride.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, flat shoes. Open-toed shoes are allowed.

What happens if it rains or the tour is canceled for weather?

Tours generally run rain or shine, and ponchos are provided for rain. The operator may cancel due to inclement weather; if that happens, you can receive a full refund or reschedule, depending on availability.