If you think Nashville is just about honky-tonks and hot chicken, think again. Beneath the neon lights and pedal taverns lies a city with over 200 years of rich, complicated, and downright fascinating history. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local wanting to see your city in a new light, taking a Nashville history tour is the best way to uncover the stories that shaped Music City. And at Nashville Adventures, we believe history isn’t just something you read in books — it’s something you experience on the streets.
Here are our top tour stops that bring Nashville’s past to life on our signature Nashville Walking Tours:
1. Fort Nashborough
Located along the riverfront, Fort Nashborough is where it all began. This reconstructed 1780s fort marks the original settlement that would eventually become Nashville. It was here that early pioneers like James Robertson and John Donelson braved harsh conditions and conflicts with Native American tribes to build a community from scratch. On a Nashville Adventures tour, you’ll hear the real stories — including the struggles, resilience, and occasionally questionable decisions that marked Nashville’s frontier era.
Don’t miss: The surrounding Riverfront Park, which gives a great view of how the Cumberland River played a vital role in the city’s development.
2. The Tennessee State Capitol
Towering over the city from Capitol Hill, this Greek Revival masterpiece isn’t just a pretty façade. Built with slave labor and designed by famed architect William Strickland (who died before it was completed and is buried in its walls), the Tennessee State Capitol is a symbol of the state’s political legacy and its complicated relationship with the Civil War.
Our guides peel back the layers, revealing stories about Andrew Johnson, the often-forgotten Tennessee president, and the state’s early flirtations with secession. It’s a must-stop on any serious Nashville history tour.
3. Printer’s Alley
History gets gritty in Printer’s Alley — and that’s exactly why we love it. What started as the heart of Nashville’s printing industry in the 19th century transformed into a Prohibition-era nightlife hotspot. Mobsters, musicians, and moonshiners all left their mark here.
Today, it’s a quirky corridor of bars and hidden clubs, but our Nashville Walking Tours reveal the ghosts (literal and figurative) that still linger. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the tale of Skull’s Rainbow Room and its legendary burlesque past.
4. Woolworth on 5th
You can’t talk about Nashville history without honoring its Civil Rights legacy. Woolworth on 5th was the site of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins, led by brave Black students from local universities who demanded an end to segregation.
Now a beautifully restored space, it’s one of the most powerful stops on our tours. Standing in that room, hearing the chants that once echoed there, you’ll understand why Nashville Adventures includes it on every one of our history-focused Nashville tours.
5. Ryman Auditorium (The “Mother Church”)
No Nashville history tour would be complete without a stop at The Ryman. Built in 1892 as a church and later converted into a music venue, it was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and remains one of the most acoustically perfect theaters in the world.
But it’s not just about music — the Ryman has hosted speakers like Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. The building itself is a metaphor for Nashville’s transformation from river town to cultural capital.
Hot tip: Ask your Nashville Adventures guide to point out where the original pews were hand-cut and how the Ryman avoided demolition (barely).
6. The Hermitage Hotel and Polk’s Tomb
Tucked behind the Capitol building is Polk Place, the tomb of President James K. Polk — one of the few U.S. presidents buried on state capitol grounds. Just around the corner, the Hermitage Hotel boasts not only five-star luxury but also a key role in the 19th Amendment.
In 1920, both pro- and anti-suffrage groups camped out at the hotel during Tennessee’s heated vote on women’s right to vote. Spoiler alert: Tennessee’s “Yes” vote sealed the deal for the nation.
Why Walk It With Nashville Adventures?
You could drive by these places, sure. You could even read a plaque. But nothing compares to seeing it with a passionate guide who knows not just the names and dates, but the weird, wild, and deeply human stories that make Nashville unforgettable.
Nashville Adventures is veteran-owned, community-driven, and committed to making history come alive. We keep it engaging, insightful, and — when appropriate — downright funny. Our tours aren’t about memorizing facts. They’re about connecting with a city that’s been burnt down, rebuilt, transformed, and continues to evolve every single day.
Book Your Nashville History Tour Today
Ready to go beyond the honky tonks? Join us on a journey through the past with a Nashville Walking Tour that’s anything but ordinary. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious traveler, or just someone who wants to see the real Music City — Nashville Adventures has the perfect tour for you.
👉 Book your Nashville History Tour nowand walk through history with us.
