Cultural Tours

Cultural tours in Tennessee cover the state’s music, food, and creative scenes, drawing everyone from first-time visitors to locals looking for new perspectives. With 82 options—about 10% of all tours in the state—there’s a strong focus on Nashville’s musical heritage and Memphis’s historic streets.

These tours attract travelers curious about the stories behind Tennessee’s landmarks, as well as those seeking hands-on experiences like food tastings or mural photo stops. The median price is $63, but nearly half cost under $30, making them accessible for most budgets.

With 82 cultural tours on offer, Tennessee matches its other popular categories in both variety and price—$63 is the median here, the same as for walking, bus, historical, and food tours. The range is wide: 36 tours cost under $30, while 18 exceed $250, many of those being private or specialty experiences.

Compared to the overall destination, cultural tours are neither a budget outlier nor a luxury splurge. Instead, they reflect the state’s blend of accessible group walks, mid-range food and music outings, and high-end private excursions. About 9% of cultural tours are rated below 4 stars, a slightly better showing than some other categories.

Whether you’re after a quick $11 distillery visit, a $75 food crawl, or a $342 private songwriter-led drive, the field is broad enough to suit solo travelers, families, and small groups.

The right cultural tour in Tennessee depends on your interests and group size. If you want a quick, affordable introduction, options like the $11 Big Machine Distillery tasting or $17 walking tours of Beale Street and downtown Nashville deliver good value and solid reviews. These are best for solo travelers or couples who want to sample local flavor without a big commitment.

For those who prioritize depth and local insight, mid-range tours ($30–$75) include the Grand Ole Opry backstage tour, the Soul of Music City trolley, and the highly rated Nashville food tour. The food tour stands out for its 3,051 reviews and 4.88★ rating, appealing to visitors who want a mix of history and tastings. The golf cart mural tour ($49) is popular with groups who want to cover more ground and capture photos, though reviews note occasional issues with tour length and guide punctuality.

Private tours, like the $342 songwriter-led drive, suit groups up to six and earn perfect ratings for personalized attention and exclusive experiences. However, these are a splurge compared to the per-person rates of group tours. If you’re booking for a family or celebrating a special occasion, the higher price may be justified by the private transport and tailored stops.

What disappoints? Across the category, the most common complaints are about cancellations or shortened tours without prompt refunds (noted on both food and distillery tours), feeling rushed or not getting the full itinerary (Opry and mural tours), and, on rare occasions, the experience not matching the description. Night tours have a slightly higher rate of reviews below 4 stars, often due to missed departures or unmet expectations about content. Reading recent reviews before booking is the best way to avoid these issues.