Finding Classic Country Music: A Modern Nashville Walking Tour
Buy for a Group
Reviews
About the Tour
About the Tour
Nashville's reputation as Nash Vegas
undersells its deep roots in classic country music. On this walking tour, you'll track down the places where traditional country – from the 1950s through the 1980s – was made, performed, and is still played live today. You'll also hear the stories behind the artists, venues, and characters who shaped the genre.
The tour starts across from the Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music,
where the Grand Ole Opry broadcast every Saturday night from 1943 to 1974. You'll walk the alley that Opry performers used to sneak over to Tootsies Orchid Lounge between sets, stroll down Lower Broadway past honky-tonks that have hosted legends for decades, and explore the architectural symbolism hiding in plain sight on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Along the way, you'll stop at Robert's Western World – Nashville's self-proclaimed home of traditional country – where steel guitar and stand-up bass are still the house sound, and where a fried bologna sandwich and a PBR will set you back just $6. The tour ends at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Smithsonian of Country Music,
which was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2024 and houses everything from Elvis's gold diamond-encrusted Cadillac to stage costumes to early recordings and much more.
On this 45-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:
- Meet the bronze statues of Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, George Jones, and Bill Monroe outside the Ryman Auditorium
- Hear how a riverboat captain who made his fortune from drinking and gambling ended up building a church that later became a country music landmark
- Discover Nudie's Honky-Tonk, built around the legacy of the tailor who rhinestone-studded everyone from Hank Williams Sr. to John Lennon
- Visit the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, home of the Midnite Jamboree, the Grand Ole Opry's unofficial after-party radio show
- Explore the Johnny Cash Museum, the largest authorized collection of Cash memorabilia in the world
- Learn why Nashville earned the nickname Music City – and how a Victorian-era gospel choir and the Queen of England helped it happen
If you thought classic country could no longer be found in Nashville, this tour will prove you wrong.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Mary Duval
Mary Duval is a Segway tour guide in Nashville, Tennessee. She has been writing and telling stories her entire life and loves to entertain people with stories filled with history, music, and humorous anecdotes. She’s always looking for new stories or angles to bring something new for her tour guests.
Mary has traveled all over the world and currently lives in Goodlettsville, TN, just 20 minutes from downtown Nashville. As a Nashville tour guide, she has gained a great appreciation not just of Nashville, but also Tennessee. The more she learns, the more she loves about the area. There is a LOT of rich history and culture to explore!
As she explores the Southern United States she’s finding fascinating customs, history, and stories she’s looking forward to sharing with others. Mary is a strong believer that we should not forget what came before. That we can learn from the past as well as embrace the culture and customs that surround us while also moving forward and evolving.
Life is about the journey and Mary hopes that you will join her on that journey.
Save with audio tour passes
How do passes work?
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 11
Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams Jr. Boogie Bars
::
Ernest Tubb, also known as the Texas Troubadour, was born in 1914 south of Dallas in Crisp, Texas. He made his way to Nashville and his career starte...
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
-
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
-
Robert's Western World
-
Nudie's Honky Tonk
-
Ernest Tubb Bar
-
Johnny Cash Museum
-
Goo Goo Chocolate Co
-
Sun Diner
-
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
-
Start location116 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA
-
Total distance1km
-
Final location222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
-
Distance back to start location334.31m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at 5036 Broadway, the Fifth and Broadway complex, across the street from The Ryman Auditorium.
There is a parking lot available at the Fifth and Broadway complex. Cheaper parking can usually be found at the Music City Center (201 Rep. John Lewis Way S) just a couple of blocks away from the Ryman.
The tour ends at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, across the street from the Music City Center, so that can be a great option for parking.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
If you’re looking for some great food downtown, you can go into Chiefs at 2nd and Broadway. On the fifth floor you’ll find Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, some of the best barbecue in town!
The Sun Diner is also an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
For your sweet tooth, check out Savannah’s Candy Kitchen and the Goo Goo Cluster shop!
Robert's Western World is THE place to stop for traditional/classic country music.
Don't skip the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum filled with everything country music!
Best time of day
Monday through Wednesday or earlier in the day are the best times to do this tour to avoid heavy crowds.
NOTE: The music on Broadway can be very loud when you're standing outside the honky-tonks, so you may need to increase your volume from time to time to hear the tour commentary.
Precautions
Apply sunscreen and bring water, especially in the summer. Southern heat and humidity takes it’s toll. If you ever feel overheated or light-headed, you can go into any of the bars on Broadway to cool off.
Get The App
Get The App
Last Updated
Questions and Reviews
