Nashville · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 10 Best Boat Trips in Nashville

10 tours  ·  from $55

Paddlewheelers, pontoons and the party boats, all working the same stretch of the Cumberland. These 10 are compared on sailing time, whether a meal is served and what the skyline looks like from each deck.

General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville - Getting to the boat and settling in
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Lunch Experiences, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

1.General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,362 reviews · from $111Our pick

Ride Nashville’s historically recreated General Jackson Showboat for about four hours, with hotel pickup from select downtown hotels, a Southern lunch or dinner, and live music, comedy, or dancing. Choose daylight for city views or dinner for an orchestra-backed show. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals require advance notice.

“Great cruise, lunch and show Enjoyed the other guests at our table for lunch Everything clean and well kept”

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Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise - Dinner in the Victorian Dinner Theater
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise

2.General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 178 reviews · from $138

Spend about four hours aboard Nashville’s General Jackson Showboat, with dinner in the Victorian Theater, live Tennessee music, and skyline views from the Cumberland River. The evening includes round-trip transport options, English-language assistance, and wheelchair access.

“The food and show were great however we're not given enough time to eat then go outside and take pictures before the show begins.”

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Nashville: Pontoon Party Cruise with a Captain - Check-in by the red roller-coaster sculpture
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Nashville: Pontoon Party Cruise with a Captain

3.Pontoon Party Cruise with a Captain

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 130 reviews · from $60

Join a 50-foot Pontoon Saloon for two hours on the Cumberland River with a USCG captain, deckhand, party host, DJ, games, dancing, and drinks for purchase. Captain Mike, Captain G, Captain Cody, and hosts such as Crop Top Caden have helped make this a lively choice for groups aged 21 and up.

“A really fun ride. Great music, beautiful views and the crew was very helpful and kept everyone happy and having a great time.”

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Nashville: Family Friendly River Cruise - Boarding the Pontoon Boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Nashville: Family Friendly River Cruise

4.Family Friendly River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 124 reviews · 2 hours · from $55Best value

Spend two hours on a pontoon boat with a USCG licensed captain, live narration, and Cumberland River views. Guides such as Jimbo, Terri, Cody, and Capt. Kerry have made this a relaxed alternative to Broadway, with beer, wine, canned cocktails, and champagne for sale onboard.

“We were given a lot of information. The gentleman was informative & great at taking care of us. It was fun & relaxing. Would recommend it to others.”

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Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Lunch Cruise - Getting to the General Jackson
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Nashville: General Jackson Showboat Lunch Cruise

5.General Jackson Showboat Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · from $98

Spend three hours aboard Nashville’s General Jackson Showboat, with hotel pickup options, a Southern-style lunch, and the Taste of Tennessee country show. You’ll hear bluegrass, roots, and Americana while cruising the Cumberland River, with shuttle service and wheelchair access available.

“enjoyed the food, the entertainment and the theme of music in the three states of Tennessee, the shops, the cumberland river, the view of downtown Nashville and the weather.”

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Aloha Paradise Private Boat Rental Percy Priest - What your captain adds
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews

Aloha Paradise Private Boat Rental Percy Priest

6.Aloha Paradise Private Boat Rental Percy Priest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend three private hours on Percy Priest Lake with a master captain such as Sean, David, or Taylor. Cruise to Party Cove, swim from a 15-foot float pad, relax in a calm area, or ride a two to four-person tube. Cooler and ice are included, but bring towels and drinks.

“Sean was the best !!! We had so much fun!!!! The water was perfect and the boat was so nice. We went in October and the weather was so nice! Great time!!!”

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30ft Double Decker Triple Slide Party Boat with Captain up to 22 - What happens during the three-hour outing
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Nashville Sightseeing Bus Tours, Tour Reviews

30ft Double Decker Triple Slide Party Boat with Captain up to 22

7.30ft Double Decker Triple Slide Party Boat with Captain up to 22

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Gather your group at 3979 Bell Road for a private 3-hour cruise to Percy Priest Lake’s Party Cove. A captain such as Sean, Dave, Matt, or Taylor handles the boat while you use three slides, a four-person tube, floats, an 18-foot lily pad, and the onboard sound system.

“Here for a bachelorette, had such a good time on the lake!! Would absolutely do again! Matt was the best captain!!!! Would love if they had a longer time slot available :(”

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3 Hour 25ft Pontoon Party Boat with Captain up to 12 people - The 25-foot Bentley pontoon and what it means for your group
3-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

3 Hour 25ft Pontoon Party Boat with Captain up to 12 people

8.3 Hour 25ft Pontoon Party Boat with Captain up to 12 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Bring up to 12 people aboard a 25-foot Bentley 243 Navigator pontoon for three hours on Percy Priest Lake. A master captain handles the boat while you enjoy Party Cove, a 2 to 4 person tube, a 10-foot float pad, onboard music, ice, and a cooler. Alcohol is not included.

“Captain was awesome, amazing experience that you won’t regret! Captain asked what experience we wanted and how we wanted to spend our time. Accommodated based on our answers and kept the experience great, knowing when to chat with us or let us as friends have our conversations.”

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30ft Double Decker Slide Party Pontoon on Percy Priest - 16 max - Cruising Percy Priest Lake toward Party Cove
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Nashville Sightseeing Bus Tours, Tour Reviews

30ft Double Decker Slide Party Pontoon on Percy Priest – 16 max

9.30ft Double Decker Slide Party Pontoon on Percy Priest – 16 max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend three hours on Percy Priest Lake aboard a 30-foot double-decker pontoon with a slide, tube, float pad, noodles, music, and a captain. Matt, Beu, and Sean have each led trips. Cruise to Party Cove, swim, float, or ride behind the boat.

“Matt did an amazing job! We had a blast! Must book if you want a good time! Family time on the water was a great time. BOOK BOOK BOOK”

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Downtown Nashville Pedal Pontoon Boat Cruise with Captain - Pedal stations, bar seating, and six regular seats
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nashville River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Downtown Nashville Pedal Pontoon Boat Cruise with Captain

10.Downtown Nashville Pedal Pontoon Boat Cruise with Captain

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $0

You’ll pedal a private pontoon along Nashville’s Cumberland River for 90 minutes with a USCG Master Captain and deckhand. Bring canned or plastic drinks, use the onboard restroom, connect to Bluetooth speakers, and enjoy skyline, wildlife, and historic sights from a group boat for 6 to 16 people.

“The crew was great but the tour was kinda lame. Nothing really to see and very over priced. The boat was in pretty rough shape.”

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