Nashville Music City Legends Walking Tour with Bill DeMain

A Grammy-Nominated Journalist Takes You Through Nashville's Real Music History

You walk through downtown Nashville's music landmarks (the Ryman, Tootsies, the Country Music Hall of Fame) guided by a journalist who's spent thirty years interviewing the artists who made the songs. All entry fees are included, and the route is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. You get the inside story instead of the plaque version.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ryman Auditorium20m
2. Tootsies Orchid Lounge10m · entry included
3. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum10m

Explore Nashville's music and history

• Visit Tennessee's 5-star hotel
• See F.W. Woolworth's sit-in site
• Tour Nashville's oldest shopping mall
• Visit The Peanut Shop for samples
• Explore historic music performance district
• Discover site of Nashville's grandest hotel
• Tour Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry home
• Visit Tootsies Orchid Lounge honky tonk
• Explore Country Music Hall of Fame museum
• See legendary nightclub with famous artists

The experience

Bill DeMain has interviewed Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and David Bowie for Rolling Stone and MOJO. He's also written for the BBC and released songs that ended up in Sons of Anarchy. So when he walks you through Nashville, he's not reading from a script. He's telling you stories he actually knows. The Ryman Auditorium, where the Grand Ole Opry lived from 1943 to 1974, isn't just a building on this tour. It's the place where Hank Williams performed and where the real deals got made backstage.

You'll start downtown at the Hermitage Hotel, built in 1910 and still standing with its guest book full of names like Charlie Chaplin, JFK, and Paul McCartney. From there the walking tour moves through the old commercial district, the F.W. Woolworth building where John Lewis led sit-ins in 1913, the arcade from 1902 with the Peanut Shop still operating since 1927. It sounds like a history lesson, but DeMain connects the dots between the buildings and the songs, the neighborhoods and the people who made them matter. Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the honky tonk that once belonged to Tootsie Bess, is where demos of "Crazy" and "Hello Walls" got their first hearing on the jukebox.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum rounds out the walk: the best music museum in the city, with a permanent collection that changes enough to feel fresh. All fees and taxes are included, so there's nothing to sort out as you go. The route is wheelchair accessible, and if you're traveling with small children, strollers work fine on the sidewalks. Public transportation is nearby if your feet need a break, though most people find the pace manageable because DeMain stops to talk, not to rush.

What’s included

• Your tour includes entry to all attractions, the guided experience led by Bill DeMain, and all fees and taxes.
• You'll visit the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and several historic downtown buildings including the Hermitage Hotel and the Peanut Shop.
• No additional costs during the walk.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 2 Jan 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years): free · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bill DeMain

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Nashville's music history from someone who actually knows the artists and the stories, not a memorized script: the guide's thirty years of interviews and BBC credentials are what make the difference between a walking tour and an inside account.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Who is the guide on this Nashville music tour?

Bill DeMain, a Grammy-nominated music journalist with over 30 years' experience writing for Rolling Stone, MOJO, and the BBC. He's interviewed Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, David Bowie, and many others.

What are the main stops on the walking tour?

The Hermitage Hotel, F.W. Woolworth building, the Arcade, the Peanut Shop, Ryman Auditorium, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the route is wheelchair accessible. Strollers are also fine for small children, and public transportation options are available nearby.

What's included in the tour price?

All fees and taxes are included. Entry to the attractions and the guided experience with DeMain are covered.

How long is the walking tour?

The itinerary covers multiple downtown stops, but a specific duration isn't listed. Plan for a half-day experience moving between the main music landmarks.

Can service animals join the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What songs or artists does the tour focus on?

The tour covers decades of Nashville music history, from country to rock, including stories about Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Tim McGraw, and the songwriting era centered around Tootsies.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited fitness?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. The pace is walking-based but manageable, and public transportation is available if needed.