Nashville: Ryman Auditorium & Country Music Hall Tour

Summary

Music legends, Ryman’s wooden pews and Nashville’s soul in one ride

You’ll ride through Nashville’s historic heart with a local guide who knows every corner—from Fort Nashborough to Music Row—before wandering inside Ryman Auditorium’s legendary halls and exploring the Country Music Hall of Fame at your own pace. Expect small surprises, honest stories, and moments that linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how our guide—her name was Carla—kept tapping the steering wheel in time with some old country tune on the radio. We’d barely left downtown Nashville when she pointed out Fort Nashborough, which honestly I’d never heard of before. There was a faint smell of barbecue drifting in from somewhere (maybe Broadway?), and people were already out on their porches even though it wasn’t quite noon. Carla told us stories about the State Capitol that made it sound less like a postcard and more like something people actually argued over at dinner tables.

We rolled past the Parthenon (yes, there’s a full-size Greek temple here, which still cracks me up), then Music Row where you could almost feel the ghosts of all those songs written in tiny studios. The highlight for me was stepping into the Ryman Auditorium—those creaky wooden pews, stained glass windows throwing colored light everywhere, and this hush that just settles over you. I tried to imagine what it must have sounded like when Dolly or Johnny Cash stood up there. Some guy behind me whispered “Mother Church” under his breath, and yeah, that felt right.

The last stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. You get your own pace here—nobody rushes you—and I ended up staring at Elvis’s Cadillac longer than I meant to. There’s this wall of gold records that kind of glows in the afternoon light; I didn’t expect to feel much but…well, it got to me. Maybe it was just thinking about all those voices echoing through Nashville. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip in Nashville that actually feels like being let into the city’s story (not just seeing it from a bus window), this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nashville city landmarks and museums

• Drive through Historic Downtown
• Visit Fort Nashborough
• See the State Capitol
• View The Parthenon
• Pass Vanderbilt University
• Explore Music Row
• Enter Ryman Auditorium
• Tour Country Music Hall of Fame

Top questions

Is admission to Ryman Auditorium included in this tour?

Yes, entry to Ryman Auditorium is included as part of the tour.

How long does the Discover Nashville city tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Does this Nashville city tour include transportation?

Yes, transportation is provided by trolley or mini coach bus depending on group size.

Are tickets for the Country Music Hall of Fame included?

Yes, admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum is included.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, ADA-compliant vehicles are available with 48-hour notice before your tour date.

Can infants join this Nashville city tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap or be in a stroller/pram.

What are some landmarks visited during this tour?

You’ll see Fort Nashborough, Downtown Nashville, State Capitol, Parthenon, Music Row and more.

What’s included

Your day includes narrated transportation by trolley or mini coach bus through Nashville’s iconic spots like Downtown, Fort Nashborough, Parthenon and Music Row; self-guided entry into both Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame; plus plenty of local stories along the way before heading back with new tunes stuck in your head.