The 7 Best Civil Rights & Black History Tours in Nashville

1.Journey to Jubilee Guided Tour at Belle Meade with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 396 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33Our pick

Visit Belle Meade Historic Site for a discussion-based walking tour focused on enslaved and formerly enslaved people. Guides such as Anastasia, Ben, Tom, and Melissa bring different strengths to the hour-long visit. Then explore 30 acres and enjoy a complimentary wine tasting.

“There was actually very little to see. Had visited one other plantation elsewhere with a self guided audio tour that had much more visual impact. This tour involved more discussion of slavery and the history of this plantation. Guide was excellent just not much to see.”

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2.Civil Rights Walking Tour of Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend about two hours walking through Nashville’s Civil Rights story with a professional English-speaking guide, including United Street Tours, Witness Walls, Davidson County Courthouse, and the National Museum of African American Music. Guide Lauren adds personal perspective to the historical account.

“Our guide gave her own perspective as well as the historical perspective, which added to the richness of the experience.”

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3.Belle Meade Historic Site Journey to Jubilee Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 14 reviews · 1 hour · from $33

Walk through Belle Meade’s kitchen house and historic grounds while learning about enslavement, contract labor, and Black contributions to thoroughbred racing. Guides such as Melissa and Taegan bring care and clarity to difficult stories. The tour ends with complimentary wine tasting for visitors 21 and older.

“Our guide Taegan was very knowledgeable and super sweet. We had a few older people on our tour and she was very patient with them as they followed a bit slower. She answered and was so knowledgeable about every question thrown at her. Very impressive! She made the tour so interesting.”

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4.Nashville African American History & Civil Rights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Nashville with a live English-speaking guide, possibly Chiquita, through Lower Broadway, the National Museum of African American Music, the library, and courthouse. Expect local stories, civil rights context, mural photo stops, and a look at how Nashville changed from a segregated farm town into a major American destination.

“Chiquita’s tour was amazing! She is so knowledgeable and so passionate about her work. We highly recommend this tour.”

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5.Nashville Black History & Civil Rights Trail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk downtown Nashville with a live guide and learn how Black residents and students shaped the city’s story. The tour covers Lower Broadway and civil rights events, including the February 1960 student protests. Guides such as Chakita Patterson bring local knowledge and lesser-known details.

“This tour was exceptional! Our guide, Chakita Patterson, was up-beat, energetic, and knowledgeable. She talked about little-known facts and expounded on others, while revealing the controversies that accompanied them. Being a native Nashvillian, I was interested to know what would/could be revealed to me; I was not disappointed. While this is my first time touring with United Street Tours, I would highly recommend this tour, and frankly any of the others being offered by this company.”

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6.Civil Rights Tour Of Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $298

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Nashville Visitor Center for a two-hour walking tour of Civil Rights sites. Hear Chiquita’s memorable account of the Woolworth sit-ins, visit the Civil Rights room at the city library, and connect Nashville’s past with today’s work for equality.

“Chiquita is a great tour guide and wonderful storyteller. Her account of the lunch counter sit-ins and the incredible organization that made it happen should be an inspiration to all activists. Loved seeing the former Woolworths and the City of Nashville's gorgeous library with the beautiful Civil Rights room.”

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7.Nashville Jubilee: Country Music & Comedy Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend an evening with singer Gil Grand and comedian Jenny Carson at Nashville’s Texas Troubadour Theatre. The 7 pm Nashville Jubilee combines classic country songs, stories, games, and comedy in a roughly 90-minute show. Dinner is optional, and you must be 21 or older to enter.

“Gil Grand has the rich dreamy voice that captures the history of our greatest country artists. He tells and sings their stories with charisma, heart and soul. Skip the downtown madness and hear what it means to “be country” at one of his shows. He is talented beyond the overproduced pop-country. And it’s a fun show to add to your travels or local entertainment.”

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