Nashville
in the Summer

Foot-powered kayaks hold up to four people and require zero paddling — you pedal like a bike and steer with a handle. You end up right on the water with the Nashville skyline in every direction and a river breeze that makes even a July afternoon feel manageable. One of the most unexpectedly fun things you can do downtown.

A shaded, seated two-hour pontoon cruise on the Cumberland with a guide sharing Nashville history and skyline commentary. A good choice for hot afternoons when you want to be on the water without exerting yourself. Works well for all ages and pairs naturally with a Broadway dinner afterward.

A guided stand-up paddleboard tour down the Cumberland River. No prior experience required — instructors get you upright quickly, and the river current does most of the work. Early morning tours are peaceful and cool. Evening tours catch the golden hour light on the water and the skyline at its most dramatic. A genuinely memorable way to see Nashville.

A party pontoon on the Cumberland with wide-open skyline views, music, drinks, and the option to jump in and cool off. The bachelorette and group crowd has figured out that a few hours on the river is a better Nashville afternoon than anything happening on Broadway. Book for your group and let the river do the rest.

Electric bikes cover serious ground without the sweat. The mural tour hits Nashville's best street art with a guide who knows the stories behind each piece — a completely different way to experience the city's neighborhoods than a walking tour or bus. Book a morning slot before 10am to beat the heat. Summer weekends sell out regularly.

Nine ziplines through old-growth forest less than 30 minutes from downtown. The tree canopy keeps things shaded and noticeably cooler than open-air Nashville, which makes this a smart summer morning choice. The whole experience runs about 90 minutes and works for most ages. Book a morning session and you'll be back in the city before the afternoon heat peaks.

A 90-minute ride through downtown Nashville in an open-air monster truck with a driver who knows how to make it an event. There is no shortage of tours in Nashville, but very few that people actually talk about afterward. This is one of them. The elevated view of the city, the storytelling, and the sheer absurdity of the vehicle make it genuinely memorable for every age.

The most dramatic way to see Nashville — the skyline, the river, the stadium, the neighborhoods all at once from above. The 30-minute flight covers all the major landmarks with commentary. A genuine bucket-list experience for a special trip. If you're going to splurge once in Nashville, this is the one that gives you something you absolutely cannot get any other way.

Four waterfalls, two state parks, a swimming hole, and a brewery stop — all within reach of Nashville in a single guided day. Up to 3 to 4 miles of easy hiking at a comfortable pace. Private transport from the Omni Hotel, lunch and snacks included, maximum 12 people. Most visitors are genuinely surprised by how much natural beauty is this close to the city.

About an hour south of Nashville near Williamsport, this guided Can-Am SXS tour covers caves, a ghost town, creek crossings, and backcountry terrain that is nothing like anything you can do in the city. Up to 4 people per vehicle. You will get wet. You will get muddy. Rated 4.99 out of 5 — and the reviews say exactly what you'd expect from something this good.

Our downtown Nashville food tour is rated top 1% worldwide with 2,600+ five-star reviews. Six stops over three hours — BBQ ribs, shrimp and grits, a James Beard restaurant, a local distillery, and live honky tonk. The best guests who do this first say it made the rest of their trip better. Book for your first evening or first lunch and you'll know the city by the time you're done.

Air-conditioned transport between Nashville's best local breweries in Germantown and East Nashville, without the parking headaches. A perfect afternoon option when you want to explore neighborhoods and taste great local beer without sweating through it. Start around noon and you'll have time to explore the areas between stops before the evening kicks off.

An early morning guided coffee tour through Nashville's most interesting cafe neighborhoods before the day heats up. A great first-morning activity that gets you oriented, caffeinated, and genuinely introduced to the character of the city before the tourist crowds arrive. The guides know the backstory on every stop, and the coffee is excellent.

The W's rooftop pool is the social center of Nashville's summer hotel scene. Music-forward energy, beautiful design, and a rooftop that genuinely delivers on the views. The Gulch location puts you close to great restaurants and a short walk from Broadway. Best hotel in the city for a group that wants the scene to come to them.

Sustainable design, stunning rooftop pool with some of the best views in the city, and a calm, wellness-minded atmosphere that feels like a genuine retreat from Nashville's summer energy. The rooftop bar draws locals and visitors alike on summer evenings. One of the most beautiful hotels in the city, full stop.

Steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Bridge Bar, and the Gulch. Large pool, excellent on-site dining, and the most walkable location of any full-service hotel in downtown Nashville. If you want to be in the middle of everything without getting in a car, the Omni is the answer. Also the departure point for the Waterfall Wonders tour.

The L.A. Jackson rooftop bar at the Thompson is one of Nashville's best summer evening spots — intimate, well-designed, and consistently one of the most beautiful places in the city to watch the sun go down over the skyline. A smaller, more boutique feel than the W, with the same great Gulch location and a crowd that leans more local.