Historic Grounds: A Music City History and Coffee Morning Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Start your day the Nashville way—with a locally brewed coffee in hand and the city’s untold stories underfoot.
This isn’t just a history tour. It’s a morning ritual reimagined. Our "Rise & Roam" experience blends rich storytelling with rich coffee, giving you a fresh perspective on the streets of downtown Nashville before the crowds roll in. Led by passionate local guides (no scripts, no fluff), you'll walk through iconic landmarks and hidden gems while learning how Nashville’s past shaped its present.
We don’t just point at buildings—we connect the dots. From Civil War intrigue to Music Row legends, we uncover the people, conflicts, and quirky moments that textbooks skip. And yes, we fuel it all with a handpicked cup from one of Nashville’s best coffee shops.
If you're looking for a calm, insightful, and energizing way to explore the city, this is your new favorite morning routine.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Embark on a journey through musical history as we arrive at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Known affectionately as the "Mother Church of Country Music," this iconic venue holds an unparalleled place in the city's cultural tapestry. The Ryman's historic red brick exterior, dating back to 1892, welcomes you with timeless charm, setting the stage for the countless musical legends who have graced its boards. As we step inside, the auditorium's acoustically pristine space unfolds, creating an intimate and hallowed atmosphere. The wooden pews and intricate stained glass windows bear witness to over a century of unforgettable performances, from the Grand Ole Opry to contemporary concerts. With the ghosts of musical pioneers echoing through its hallowed halls, the Ryman remains a living testament to the enduring spirit of Nashville's music scene, making it a must-see highlight on our walking tour.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
As we venture into the heart of downtown Nashville, your eyes and ears will be drawn to the legendary Tootsies Orchid Lounge, an iconic honky-tonk that has become synonymous with the city's vibrant musical legacy. With its distinct purple exterior and rich history dating back to the 1960s, Tootsies is more than just a bar – it's a living testament to Nashville's country music heritage. As we step inside, the lively atmosphere and the twang of guitars will envelop you, transporting you back to a time when legendary musicians like Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline graced its stages. The walls adorned with autographed photos and memorabilia narrate the tales of countless performers who launched their careers within these hallowed walls. Whether you're tapping your feet to live music or soaking in the authentic honky-tonk ambiance, Tootsies offers an unmissable experience, making it a quintessential stop on our downtown Nashville walking tour.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
At the start of the tour, we’ll take your coffee order and have it ready to enjoy within the first 20 minutes of our tour.
Options
Historic Grounds: A Music City History and Coffee Morning Tour
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing historical tour
Levi C,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My wife signed us up for this tour so I didn’t know what to expect. Our tour guide Paul was great. He knew his history and was full of energy. If you’re a fan of history and music, this tour is for you. Paul gave great advice on how to spend our time while in Nashville. He suggested places to go and places to avoid. We followed his advance and had a great first experience. The whole thing with the coffee is just something to do while you enjoy the tour. Our group was small so we had the opportunity to do a little more sight seeing that a larger group would not be able to do. We signed up for the 9am tour and there were four of us. The tour after us had 25. Make sure to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes because it is a lot of walking and standing. If you have mobility issues, this may not be for you. I would gladly take another tour with Paul again.
Excellent Historical Information.
Kimberly H,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cody was a great tour guide and we learned so much.First time visiting and had a fun time walking around historic Nashville
So much fun..
thanhsond340,,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was part of a bachelorette party and it was perfect. Our guide was so accommodating and FUN. The whiskey was delicious and the moonshine samples were surprisingly good. Highly recommend!!
Wonderful tour!
Connector02509816926,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the 9am tour with Paul and had a great time! Paul was incredibly knowledgeable about all of the history he shared as well as random connections to the places others in the tour are from 🤣 As a local to the area my whole life, I was excited to get to see Nashville from this level! So many things I never knew! Thanks, Paul!
Highly recommended tour in Nashville!
ruzanm2024,,Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing way to start the day in Nashville! The coffee was great! The guide was very knowledgeable and made the whole tour fun and entertaining, we learned a lot about the past and present of Nashville, also some great tips on what to do and what to avoid. The best tour to have!
Thoroughly entertaining and an excellent US/Music city history tour!
rosaliek663,,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If there was option for a 10 star, I’d give it! So worth the time to take this tour. Not your ordinary genetic tour. Paul is excellent and gives a unique, fun and entertaining history lesson throughout. You will not be disappointed! It was the highlight of our Nashville visit for sure!
Fun walking tour
lesliebR9139YS,,Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very informative and interesting tour. Be prepared to pay for overpriced parking or uber if possible. The coffee was a nice touch. I just wish I had access to the coffee shop’s menu prior to the tour so I didn’t have to blindly place an order with my tour guide. Overall I enjoyed the experience and would recommend it.
Brilliant guide, brilliant tour and all round good guy tour guide
brianmV6458MK,,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul was my guide for this tour on an early Saturday morning. He was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. If there's a fact about nashville's music scene or the civil war that's worth knowing, he knows it. He will also give you a locals recommendation of bars to check out and places to go afterwards. A real gem. He even went so far as to give me a lift to tmobile afterwards so I could sort my plan out with them. An absolute gent and a great tour guide. Get up early, get that coffee and learn about Nashville early in the morning before everyone else is out of their bed from the night before. It's worth it, I promise!
The Best Tour in Nashville
N6544OFpaulw,,Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It's early so there isn't anybody on Broadway... which is what makes it so amazing! Coffee was wonderful and we actually got SEE Broadway. The guide was incredible and after the tour ended all the Honky Tonks were open. If there is one tour to go on than this is it.
Not to be missed!
dhenripin,,Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wish we could leave a rating higher than 5! Paul stepped in at the last minute to give us a tour and he was stellar and generous. He knows his stuff, and he’s funny and really knows how to engage with his audience. We came away feeling we had learned a lot about the history of Nashville. The early starting time is a bonus when it’s hot, as it was today. Highly recommend this experience!!
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Operated by Nashville Adventures