Why I Lace Up My Walking Shoes in Music City
I’ve learned that the best way to really understand a city isn’t from behind the window of a car or on a quick bus ride. It’s with your feet on the ground, walking among the locals, smelling the food carts, listening to the street musicians, and feeling the rhythm of the place seep into you.
When I first arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, I knew this city had a reputation for honky-tonks and hot chicken. But what I didn’t realize was how many stories were written into its streets, buildings, and neighborhoods. The moment I signed up for my first walking tour in Downtown Nashville, I was hooked.
Over the course of my stay, I experienced three walking tours myself and researched several more that I couldn’t squeeze in but will absolutely return for. Each one offered a different lens on the city—history, food, art, even ghosts. Some were polished and professional, others quirky and intimate, but all were unforgettable in their own way.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Nashville, I strongly believe that taking at least one walking tour will transform your trip. Let me take you step by step through the tours I joined, the ones I recommend, the details you’ll need for booking, and my very honest reflections—because not every tour is perfect, and sometimes those imperfections make the stories even better.
Part I: The Three Walking Tours I Experienced
- Downtown Nashville History and Music Walking Tour
• Tour Company: Echoes of Nashville Walking Tours
• Meeting Point: Outside the Tennessee State Capitol, 600 Charlotte Ave.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: Around $30 per adult (discounts available on Viator for groups of 4+)
• Booking Platforms: Echoes of Nashville, Viator, GetYourGuide
My Experience
It was a sunny morning in Nashville when I joined this tour. Our guide, a retired history teacher named Carol, greeted us with the kind of enthusiasm that immediately made me feel like I was in for something special. She handed out small headsets so we could hear her clearly over the bustle of downtown traffic—a small touch, but one that made all the difference.
We started on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol, an imposing Greek Revival building completed in 1859. Carol wove stories of political drama and Civil War history into her introduction, her voice rising and falling with theatrical flair. Standing there, I felt goosebumps as she pointed out the graves of President James K. Polk and his wife on the Capitol grounds.
From there, we made our way down to Printer’s Alley, once home to raucous speakeasies and publishing houses. Today it’s lit up with neon, but Carol painted vivid pictures of bootleggers slipping through shadows in the 1920s. I could almost hear the clink of hidden whiskey glasses.
The highlight, of course, was Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music.” Though the tour didn’t go inside (that’s a separate paid entry), just standing in front of it as Carol recounted how it hosted everyone from Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley made my spine tingle. I later bought a ticket to see the inside for myself, but the way she described its acoustics made me want to return for a live show.
We finished with a stroll down Broadway, where the honky-tonks blared music even at 11 a.m. Carol explained the evolution of this street—from gritty beginnings to tourist magnet—and pointed out small plaques and statues I would have otherwise missed.
Pros & Cons
• Pros:
o Engaging guide with clear passion for history and music
o Small group (only 12 of us) so it felt personal
o Headsets were a fantastic touch
o Covered a mix of politics, music, and local lore
• Cons:
o Didn’t include interior visits (Ryman, for example)
o Walking pace was fast at times; my calves definitely felt it
My Reflection
I left this tour with a notebook full of scribbles and a heart full of admiration for Nashville’s layers of history. The way Carol blended facts with anecdotes reminded me why I love walking tours—you can read about history, but you can’t feel it until someone brings it alive on the street where it happened. For me, this was a 9/10 experience.
- Nashville Food Walking Tour: Hot Chicken, BBQ & Goo Goo
• Tour Company: Walk Eat Nashville
• Meeting Point: Outside the Hermitage Hotel, 231 6th Ave N
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price: $72 per adult (includes all food tastings)
• Booking Platforms: Walkeatnashville.com, Airbnb Experiences, Viator
My Experience
If there’s one thing I know as a traveler, it’s this: food tells the truest story of a place. Nashville is famous for hot chicken, but there’s so much more to eat. On this tour, our guide Sam, a self-proclaimed foodie, promised to introduce us to both the classics and the hidden gems.
Our first stop was Hattie B’s Hot Chicken on 19th Ave. I’d eaten hot chicken before, but never like this. We sampled medium spice, which already had me sweating, and Sam warned us with a grin that the “Shut the Cluck Up” level could bring even locals to tears. A plate of creamy mac & cheese helped cool my tongue, and I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the neon “Hot Chicken Lives Here” sign.
Next, we wandered to Peg Leg Porker, a barbecue joint tucked away in the Gulch. The pulled pork sliders, brushed with tangy sauce and served with crunchy pickles, were divine. The owner, Carey Bringle, even popped out to say hello, which gave the whole stop an intimate, behind-the-scenes feel.
The sweetest ending was at Goo Goo Chocolate Co., where we learned about the history of Nashville’s own candy cluster, invented in 1912. We each built our own Goo Goo cluster with a choice of fillings. Mine had peanut butter, caramel, and pretzels—pure heaven.
Pros & Cons
• Pros:
o Generous tastings—come hungry!
o Guide shared insider foodie knowledge and restaurant history
o Great variety (spicy, savory, sweet)
o No waiting in long lines at popular spots like Hattie B’s
• Cons:
o Pricey compared to other tours
o You cover less physical ground; more eating than walking
My Reflection
By the end, I felt stuffed but also deeply connected to Nashville’s culinary identity. Food walking tours always feel indulgent, but in the best way. I rated this one a 9.5/10, only docking points for the price.
- Ghosts of Nashville Walking Tour
• Tour Company: Nashville Ghost Tours
• Meeting Point: Outside the Tennessee State Capitol
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Price: $25 per adult
• Booking Platforms: Nashville Ghost Tours, GetYourGuide, Viator
My Experience
I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for a good ghost story. So when I saw there was a Ghosts of Nashville Walking Tour, I signed up immediately.
The tour started at twilight, the Capitol bathed in fading orange light. Our guide, dressed in black with a lantern, led us down darkened alleys and into shadowy corners of downtown. He told tales of spirits lingering in the Hermitage Hotel, the tragedy of the Union Station, and whispers of hauntings in Printer’s Alley.
One story stuck with me: the tale of a young woman who supposedly appears in the windows of the Ryman Auditorium after hours, dressed in white, humming faintly. As he spoke, a breeze rustled through the street, and I swear the hair on my neck stood up.
Was it scary? Not really. Was it atmospheric and entertaining? Absolutely.
Pros & Cons
• Pros:
o Fun, theatrical guide with dramatic storytelling
o Great way to see downtown by night
o Affordable ticket price
• Cons:
o Some stories felt a bit exaggerated
o Not for those who dislike walking in the dark or uneven sidewalks
My Reflection
This wasn’t the most historically deep tour, but it added a playful, spooky layer to my Nashville experience. For travelers looking for something different than music or food, it’s a solid 7.5/10.
Part II: Four More Walking Tours I Recommend
While I couldn’t fit these into my schedule, I researched them extensively and spoke to fellow travelers who raved about them.
- Nashville Street Art & Murals Walking Tour
• Focuses on the city’s colorful murals, including the famous “I Believe in Nashville” wall.
• Great for photography lovers.
• Around $25 per person, 2 hours. - Civil Rights & Black History Walking Tour
• Explores Nashville’s pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, including lunch counter sit-ins.
• A must for history buffs.
• Around $35, 2 hours. - Brewery & Distillery Walking Tour
• Visits local craft breweries and distilleries downtown.
• Includes tastings of whiskey and beer.
• Around $65, 3 hours. - Self-Guided Downtown Architecture Walk
• Free option using Google Maps + online guides.
• Covers landmarks like Union Station, the Customs House, and the Arcade.
• Flexible and budget-friendly.
Services, Pros & Cons of Walking Tours in Nashville
• Prices: $20–$70 depending on theme (ghost vs. food vs. brewery)
• Group Sizes: Smaller is better (under 15 feels personal)
• Walking Distance: 1–3 miles on average; wear good shoes
• Best Times: Morning tours for history, evening tours for food/ghosts
• Seasons: Summer gets hot—book earlier or later in the day
Getting to Downtown Tour Meeting Points
• From BNA Airport: 15–20 minutes by Uber/Lyft ($25–$30)
• From Greyhound Station: 10 minutes by car; some tours within walking distance
• Parking: Limited downtown; best to use rideshare if possible
Booking Platforms
• Viator & GetYourGuide: Reliable, with refund policies
• Airbnb Experiences: Great for quirky, locally-run tours
• Official Company Websites: Sometimes offer discounts or seasonal deals
Why Walking Tours Are Nashville’s Heartbeat
As I look back on my Nashville trip, I realize that the tours I took weren’t just about learning—they were about feeling.
• The History & Music Tour made me hear Nashville’s stories in every brick.
• The Food Tour let me taste its spirit in hot chicken and barbecue sauce.
• The Ghost Tour made me laugh, shiver, and fall in love with the city’s quirks.
The recommended tours—street art, civil rights, breweries, architecture—are equally powerful ways to connect with this city.
Walking tours, to me, are like keys: each one unlocks a different door. And Nashville, with its layers of music, history, art, and food, deserves to be opened wide.
So if you’re heading here soon, my advice is simple: put on your comfiest shoes, leave the rental car behind for a few hours, and let the streets tell you their stories. Nashville won’t disappoint.
