The Nashville Trolley Tour begins downtown, lasting approximately one hour. On this tour, you'll ride in an open-air trolley car visiting a variety of Nashville attractions and landmarks. Some of the more popular highlights include the Country Music Hall of Fame, the state capital, Music Row, Vanderbilt University and Fort Nashborough. As you ride through the streets of Nashville, you'll make frequent stops to take pictures or shoot video. The Country Music Hall of Fame is one you'll want to capture as it takes up almost an entire city block.
The Nashville Trolley Tour operates seven days a week, departing approximately five times per day. Reservations for this tour must be made at least 24 hours in advance. There is no hotel pickup and all sales are final. Online reservation prices differ than over the phone. As of December 2010, when you book this tour online, adult rates are approximately $15. Prices for children age 6 to 11 are $7.50 and all under age 6 ride free.
Another popular tour that takes place in downtown Nashville is the city's walking tour. Lasting approximately 90 minutes, you'll visit the Ryman Auditorium and receive a behind the scenes look at this "mother church of country music" where icons like Johnny Cash and Elvis once played.
This tour also provides significant history on what made Nashville the Music City. You'll hear true stories about famous people like Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, and how they used to spend their time in Nashville. You'll also learn of Nashville's seedier past, including tragic events, the history of brothels and tales of the city's villains and heroes.
As of December 2010, online reservation rates for the walking tour are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 11. All children under age 6 are free. Tours are given Wednesday through Saturday, starting at around 10 a.m. There is no hotel pick up or drop off and all reservation sales are final.
If you'd like to tap into Nashville's spookier side, there are also downtown ghost tours available. Lasting around 90 minutes, this walking tour visits some of Nashville's reported haunts. Your tour guide will relay stories of strange and unexplainable sights, point out a variety of haunted buildings, and give a history of the darker side of Nashville including corrupt military and politicians, murder and doomed love affairs.
Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, either by phone or online. Online rates for adults as of December 2010 are approximately $18, and for children age 8 to 14, the cost is $10. All children age 8 and under are free.
Tour guides recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and clothing. It's also recommended you bring your camera or video recording device. Tours are given from March to October at 9 p.m. nightly. From mid-November through December, tours are only given on weekends, starting at 7 p.m. There is no hotel pick up or drop off service for this tour.
