Nashville Music City Historical Guided Tour

This is a tour for music lovers and those wanting the inside story of how Nashville became Music City.
Your friendly guide is Grammy-nominated music journalist Bill DeMain, a writer with over thirty years experience who’s contributed to publications such as MOJO and Rolling Stone. He is also a Nashville correspondent for the BBC.

DeMain has interviewed an A-Z of pop and country music superstars, including Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, David Bowie and Stevie Nicks.

An acclaimed songwriter, DeMain has had songs covered by such artists as Marshall Crenshaw, Kim Richey and Curtis Stigers. He’s also one half of the acclaimed pop duo Swan Dive. His songs have appeared in TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Private Practice.

A long-time Nashville resident, DeMain will take you through decades of musical history, from country to rock ‘n’ roll, for a tour experience that will make your visit to Nashville an unforgettable one.

Meeting Point

Union Street & Anne Dallas Dudley Boulevard

Union St & Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

At the entrance to Legislative Plaza. Look for the guide with the cowboy hat and microphone headset.

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 1 hour, 50 minutes

The Hermitage Hotel

231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

Tennessee's only 5-star hotel, built in 1910. Guests have included Charlie Chaplin, Enrico Caruso, JFK, Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Woolworth Theatre

223 Rep John Lewis Way N, Nashville, 37219-1901, Tennessee

F.W. Woolworth's, opened in 1913, was the site of Nashville's sit-ins, led by the legendary freedom rider and proponent of "good trouble," John Lewis.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Arcade

65 Arcade Alley, Nashville, 37219-1905, Tennessee

"Nashville's oldest shopping mall," built in 1902. We will visit The Peanut Shop, which opened in 1927.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Peanut Shop

19 Arcade, , Nashville, 37219-1906, Tennessee

First opened in 1927 as Planter's Peanuts, this is one of the oldest surviving businesses in downtown Nashville. It's like stepping into a time capsule. Friendly, fun service and free samples!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Printer's Alley

Between 3rd Ave N & 4th Ave N, An alley from Union St to Commerce St, Nashville, 37201, Tennessee

Once the heart of Nashville's red light district, it was long the center of music performance and backstage deals. Everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Johnny Cash to Tim McGraw performed here.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Nashville

2025 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228, USA

Once the site of Nashville's grandest hotel and the first place the celebrated coffee was served. What's the real story behind "Good to the last drop?"

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ryman Auditorium

116 Fifth Ave N, , Nashville, 37219-2309, Tennessee

The crown jewel of downtown Nashville. Built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892, it was the home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-74. Stories about everyone from Hank Williams to Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tootsies Orchid Lounge

422 Broadway, , Nashville, 37203-3931, Tennessee

The city's most famous honky tonk was once songwriter's central, overseen by the colorful den mother Tootsie Bess. Her jukebox introduced demos of songs like "Hello Walls," "Crazy," "A-11" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down."

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

222 Fifth Avenue South, , Nashville, 37203-4206, Tennessee

The best of the music-related museums in Nashville, with a wonderful permanent collection and ever-changing exhibits.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Skull's Rainbow Room

222 Printers Aly, Nashville, 37201-1403, Tennessee

Legendary nightclub that has hosted such artists as Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Dolly Parton and Andy Griffith. Paul McCartney once wrote a song in the club.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included