Advertisement
Nashville Tours
General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville
4

General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

By Gray Line Tours
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
This Nashville lunch or dinner cruise combines live entertainment, a Southern-style meal, and beautiful views of the Cumberland River for a reasonable price, so you can get more sightseeing and entertainment for less. Plus, this Nashville cruise on one of the country’s largest paddle-wheel boats includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it even more appealing for travelers.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 25 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Ride one of the largest paddle-wheel boats in the US for this river cruise
  • Take in Nashville's Cumberland River scenery from an indoor or outdoor deck
  • Watch a show with live comedy and music in the boat’s Victorian theater
  • Choose from a Southern-style lunch or dinner

  • General Jackson Showboat Admission Ticket in Nashville
  • Lunch or Dinner Cruise Options Available
  • Boat Cruise along scenic Cumberland River in Nashville
  • Experience the General Jackson Showboat, on one of the largest paddlewheel riverboats in the country
  • Enjoy a musical performance for dinner in the riverboat’s beautiful Victorian dinner theatre
  • Live Entertainment On Board
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off (from select downtown Nashville hotels only)
  • All local taxes & fees
  • Entry/Admission - Gray Line Tours
What's not included
  • Additional food and beverages
  • Gratuities

Your Nashville cruise starts with hotel pickup. From there, your driver takes you to meet your crew for the day or evening. Once you get to the Cumberland River and board the General Jackson Showboat, enjoy views of the river from either the indoor or outdoor deck. There's plenty of space on this ship to wander around before your meal is served.   This historically recreated paddle boat also features a Victorian theater where you can head to eat your Southern-style meal (see Itinerary section for a sample menu). While you eat, enjoy a live show with music and comedy acts. The dinner show includes a live orchestra and talented dancers.  Your Cumberland River cruise ends with a hotel drop-off at your Nashville hotel.

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Please note: Hotel pick-up is offered at select downtown Nashville hotels only. • Lunch Cruise: Please be ready in the Hotel Lobby for pick up by 10:30am for the Lunch Cruise at 12pm.  • Dinner Cruise: Please be ready in the Hotel Lobby for pick up by 5:30pm for the Dinner cruise at 7:00pm.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Wheelchair accessible
        • Stroller accessible
        • Near public transportation
        • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3131SHOWBOAT

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Most travelers can participate
        • Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon advance notice
        • Accessibility: ADA-compliant vehicles are available for most tours if you provide us with a 48-hour notice. After scheduling your tour, please contact our Dispatch Office to confirm availability.
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3131SHOWBOAT

        From
        $146.12
        per adult
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • 1
        • 2
        • 3
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Gray Line Tours
          6,292
          Nashville, Tennessee
          Joined in June 2009
        • renee d
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Comfortable, convenient, cost effective.
          It's a nice tour. Our guide was personable, polite and a great ambassador of Nashville. I would recommend this tour to family & friends.
          Written December 7, 2024
        • TucsonRandy
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent overview for first timers
          Recommend for those wanting to get a feel for the locations of the top Trip Advisor tourist spots. Start/stop conveniently located at the end of Broadway at the Cumberland River.
          Written December 6, 2024
        • 825Harjo
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cold December Night
          Trolley was not available so they had to use the bus and it was comfortable and warm. Driver was friendly and funny. I would recommend this ride at the beginning of your trip so you get a lay of the land and some great recommendations for food.
          Written December 6, 2024
        • Trip07337571568
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Ryman and Country Music Hall
          Outstanding! Recommend this to anyone who loves history and country music. We even found the vehicle Bandit at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
          Written December 6, 2024
        • MarissaAMtravel
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great tour
          This was such a great tour. The guide was so knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor too. Very enjoyable and a great way to see a lot of the city and hear fun facts!
          Written December 5, 2024
        • S6304RFkellyb
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Time to learn some history!
          Great trip to take and learn a little more history! I would highly recommend this trip. Can only bar hop so many days in a row. Roger was great!
          Written December 3, 2024
        • Nomad819045
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Graceland was amazing. Frank was phenomenal
          This was such a great time. Frank, our driver was amazing and gave us the perfect recommendations for places to go once we left Graceland and Sun studios. He played Elvis movies and documentaries on the bus TV's during the trip which made the time fly by on the road. He also told us all things we never knew about Elvis or Graceland before. Made it that much more fun. We will definitely be back next year to do it again. My family and friends can't stop talking about the trip.
          Written December 1, 2024
        • S6304RFkellyb
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Would highly recommend
          Julie was awesome! She was very knowledgeable, it was a great experience. Loved learning about the history. I would highly recommend this tour.
          Written December 1, 2024
        • Camper624760
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Perfect
          Perfect Safe Entertaining. Comforting Educational very good experience learning experience relaxing punctuational.
          Written November 30, 2024
        • M1338HJlynnb
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing narrated tour of Nashville famous homes and sights!
          So many gorgeous homes! Ed, our driver and narrator, was delightful and shared so many wonderful stories. He is a walking Nashville history book! You will love this tour!
          Written November 30, 2024
        • Odyssey11130775557
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Nashville to Memphis
          It was a great excursion. Bus driver was good. Stopped for bathroom breaks on the 3 hour bus ride to and from Memphis. Would have liked to spend more time on Beale St. though.
          Written November 28, 2024
        • sandrawH173HX
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A great overview of a wonderful city!
          We had a most enjoyable tour. So many sights we would have missed if we had been on our own in a car! Tour Guide was delightful and knowledgeable. A great way to orient us to the city and places we would want to return and see! Would recommend this to others!!
          Written November 27, 2024
        • davidcF5899ME
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience.
          Had a great time. Our driver was very informative and professional. The Ryman was fun and the Country Hall of Fame was fabulous.
          Written November 26, 2024
        • Lisa P
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          First Time in Nashville
          It was our first day in Nashville and this gave us a great overview of the city. Our tour guide (Leonard) was fantastic! The Ryman and Country Music Hall of fame tours were amazing! We went at 9am and we had the Ryman basically to ourselves.
          Written November 26, 2024
        • 472ireney
          0 contributions
          3.0 of 5 bubbles
          Night trolley tour - would not recommend
          The tour was below expectations- it doesn’t specifically cover night spots. The narration didn’t cover much of history. The bus driver could not control the rowdy bunch sitting in the back that prevented others from hearing the driver. Would not recommend.
          Written November 23, 2024
        See all 6,292 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        4.0
        4.0 of 5 bubbles423 reviews
        Excellent
        243
        Very good
        94
        Average
        47
        Poor
        20
        Terrible
        19

        hape2bmome
        Somerset, Kentucky37 contributions
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2021
        My husband and I (upper 40's) went on a weekday night dinner cruise for our 20th anniversary. We opted for the Captain's table package & other than first to board & front seating it was NOT worth the extra money. We were placed in a separate area while others boarded and left unattended while the boarders were able to purchase drinks and mingle. It was hot with no shade & we weren't sure where any of the staff was or if we could even leave the area. For the extra, we should have had a personal waiter/ess for the time.

        There was only one other couple where we were located outside but it was still cramped & the view was very limited. The "tour" is just look at a small room that houses the navigation instruments, etc. The free drink was ok, but came in a plastic cup (if you buy drinks from the bar you get real glass) & was more ice than anything & gone in maybe 3 drinks. Then w/ no way of knowing if & where to get refills or even water once the thirst was back. The free T-shirts are plain & went straight to our every day pile.

        Show was ok. We weren't impressed with the performers, but more so because there seemed to be a weird vibe/tension between them and the girls looked like their faces were frozen in terror or something.

        Food was actually pretty good. We received a chocolate dessert that was supposed to be a perk of the Captain's table package, and even though it was good, it wasn't extra $ good. There were other people due to join our table that appeared to miss the boat and our table's staff were more than happy to share what had already been brought for those people. Of course this didn't include the main meal or desert.

        One thing to note that many do not mention is that if you want to eat comfortably and see the whole show, there is really no opportunity to go out and just watch the scenery. It literally went . . . board, table, eat, show, unload. Despite not having a good view after boarding, we still would haven't seen anything because we had to be seated & that was at take off which mostly included a turnaround.

        Overall, fine with doing it once, but wouldn't really recommend or go back.
        Written June 23, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for leaving us this feedback. We take reviews seriously and always look for ways to improve passenger experiences.
        Written June 23, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Scenic32130444379
        Naples, FL8 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        We enjoyed our excursion, and the entire staff was excellent. We sat with a lovey group of people.( you’re assigned to a table). The dinner show was great including the very talented singers, fiddle player and band and the outdoor bar band was excellent!
        The dinner, however, was extremely disappointing at this price point and only included soft drinks. We expected at least beer and wine to be included, but wasn’t. Alcoholic beverages were available at the cash bar.
        The river cruise itself was pleasant and it was nice to see downtown Nashville at night, but other then that there was not much to see.
        I would recommend this excursion because we did enjoy it. However, we won’t do it again unless there are major improvements to the dinner itself!
        Written August 10, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hello! Thank you for letting us provide transportation for you to the General Jackson Showboat and sharing your experience.
        Written August 12, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Michelle P
        1 contribution
        2.0 of 5 bubbles
        May 2021 • Couples
        not what I expected at all. I thought it would be similar to new Orleans where they have a live band for a bit and then give you a tour and info of the city with points of interest along the ride. this boat is far inside the embankment that you can only see trees the whole way. there are no views. and the one view of the downtown skyline that they said they would pause at for photos, they didn't tell anybody and just made the turn around there. if you didn't see it yourself, then you missed it. the music show was good, but was only on the way back. the food was not as described. they gave us chicken breast with mashed potatoes, asparagus and tomatoes. I could've gotten that meal for $10 downtown. for dessert you got a jar of mush with lemon and raspberry. this was definitely NOT worth the money I paid and would NOT recommend it to anyone.
        Written June 11, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for leaving us this feedback. We take reviews seriously and always look for ways to improve passenger experiences.
        Written June 23, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        smarski
        Elburn, IL10 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2022
        I always love a dinner cruise and looked forward to this. Crowds were pointed toward the upper deck stern to listen to the live band, but the area was too small for everyone to go up there. We found the bar below, which quickly became very crowded, and there was no indication that one line was cash only and the other credit card, creating more delays. We only found out after dinner there was another bar towards the bow. Would have liked to know that.
        The dining room was pleasant, and tables were comfortably seating 10. The food was lukewarm, and disappointing for the cost of the ticket.
        The show was amazing, so many talented entertainers. It would have been nice to have a more diverse cast.
        It's a big boat, so it's very crowded and it took us a bit to find where everything was. We certainly had a nice time, but the Nashville skyline viewing is brief, and once the sun goes down you don't see much on the river.
        Will try the luncheon cruise next time and maybe see more on the deck, now that we know where the other bar is for refreshment on a hot day!
        Written June 28, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are glad that you enjoyed the show and will be sure to share your feedback with the team.
        Written July 6, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Jody K
        Kasson, MN176 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        We booked a lunch tour that started at noon. We started boarding right at 11:15 and when you boarded you got to go through the Buffet line for your lunch and sit down at the table to eat. At 12:10 the entertainment shows started while we finished eating. If you get out of the show before it’s over, you will have an easy time exploring the boat as no one else will be out there and you’ll get a good seat for the rest of the ride. There was a band that played on the top deck in the back of the boat at the end of the tour, which was very good as well. Lunch was OK for a buffet and the drinks were good with a souvenir cup. They were the best priced drinks we had the entire stay based on Nashville pricing we got a 24 ounce drink in souvenir glass for just under $20. Staff were all very friendly and courteous. I would do this again.
        Written May 4, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for booking through "Gray Line Tennessee" to join our partner, "General Jackson Showboat Cruise" and for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your lunch tour and found the entertainment shows to be a highlight of the experience. We're glad that you were able to explore the boat and find a good seat for the rest of the ride. Thank you for choosing the General Jackson Showboat Cruise, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic experience soon!
        Written May 5, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        TarHeel
        Durham, NC1,142 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2022
        Okay, let's get this out of the way. I'm not a big fan of touristy entertainment reviews but attended with a group of coworkers. We grabbed a few beverages as the boat departed and enjoyed seeing Nashville from the river. However, our dinner tables were extremely packed (people kept running into the back of my chair) and the food was okay but not outstanding. They should tell you if the price includes a tip because it seemed the servers kept hinting at you to tip them. As for the show, the performers are talented but the populist songs and vocalizing were just too showoffy for me (like they were auditioning for "American Idol"). Hat tip to the very talented violinist, and actually, I would have been happy just to see a more authentic local country band perform. There was a high school group on the boat with us and some of them were rude (one kept blocking my coworker's view of the stage). I know others like this kind of stuff but I would not choose this on my own.
        Written July 17, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thanks for taking the General Jackson Showboat Cruise. We appreciate the feedback about your experience and will share it with our team.
        Written July 20, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        jwalker13
        Calgary, Canada39 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2022
        Interesting experience that overall we wouldn’t recommend, but with caveats that appreciate how it would be appealing to others (and given the number of positive reviews, it clearly is).

        For our group, the entertainment wasn’t what we were looking for. This is not to say the entertainers weren’t talented. They absolutely were, but what you get is a very flashy, variety-show type rendition of hit songs that reflect ‘America’s southern river-cities.’ So if that’s your bag, you’ll likely enjoy it.

        The experience of being on the riverboat was cool as we got on, but given the time of year (it was pitch black by the time we left port) is was hard to appreciate the scenery, and as a testament to the Captain’s prowess, leaving port and travelling was so smooth that between the steady hand on the wheel and darkness, you had little appreciation that you were actually on a boat most of the time. This is not a criticism, only a point that if you want to see the banks and view as you float along, don’t go in the Fall / Winter months.

        The food (considering the price of the package) was disappointing. Eatable, certainly, worth the price (or whatever piece of it goes to the meal) absolutely not.

        What really left us feeling flat from this experience was our server at dinner, I won’t post his name as i doubt it would do any good, but he was (hands down) the greasiest, slimiest, most sycophantic server I’ve ever had in my life. He was positively shameless with his ridiculously obvious and hollow attempts to ingratiate himself with us, and then went straight for the preverbal throat at the end of the night asking us for a generous tip. The irony, HE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING! it was other busers that were running the food and making things happen. We watched him scurry around his set of tables and could overhear him playing out the same little hustle. Now hey, I get it, like the rest of us, he’s just one more squirrel trying to get a nut, but man, don’t be a grease-ball. It came off as insincere and annoying for the 8 of us and was the final memory of our evening that stuck with us.
        Written November 2, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        The General Jackson is a close partner to Gray Line TN and we take your feedback seriously. We will be sure to share this feedback with our partner, The General Jackson. We appreciate you for coming out and taking the tour.
        Written November 8, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Donna C
        9 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2023 • Friends
        We, a group of old highschoolers celebrating our 45th reunion, went on the General Jackson dinner cruise. The view was so pretty and peaceful, and the crew were fantastic. We had a little bit of rainy weather, with a fantastic lightning show over Nashville as we approached the walking bridge. One of the crew came by and said, "Just a reminder that the decks are metal and there is some lightning around, so please be aware of lightning strikes." in the most conversational tone. That did shoo some inside.

        The food was excellent, the service was fantastic, and the "Rolling on the River" show was entertaining and energetic, and timed perfectly so that it ended as we pulled up to the dock.

        We did have one of our group who slipped the bottom step when descending and fell on his knee. The crew were there immediately with a first aid kit and assistance.

        I recommend that you wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles, because the stairs are very steep and you have to go below deck for the dinner theater, and the bars are on the upper Hurricane deck and lower levels.
        Written August 10, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you so much for sharing your outstanding experience from your recent General Jackson dinner cruise with us! We're thrilled to hear that your group of old high schoolers had such a memorable and enjoyable 45th reunion celebration on board. Thank you for choosing the General Jackson Cruise and Gray Line Tennessee for your reunion celebration and for taking the time to share your detailed and glowing review. We hope to welcome you and your group back on board for more unforgettable moments in the future!
        Written August 29, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Carla E
        4 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        The entertainment was great! The food was lackluster and a little disappointing. It reminded me of a college cafeteria. There were no choices, everyone got the same thing. ( I do believe there were children’s meals and vegetarian meals available for the asking). The cocktails were EXPENSIVE. You were served and entertained on an interior lower level, so not really able to take a huge advantage of the river views!
        Written July 18, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        John G
        Asheville, NC446 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2023 • Family
        Considering they have to serve about 800 people for dinner on an exact schedule they do a pretty good job. Improvements could be made by having a bypass line for the pre-boarding picture taking as the pictures are overpriced and taken into the sun to have the boat in the shot. Drinks are overpriced. The show is almost excellent except for too many repeats in the video. I've been to the Grand Ole Opry show and now the General Jackson. If you only do one, do the Opry. If you do two, the General Jackson is a good second choice. However book as early as possible for the best seats which are assigned automatically. If you are with a group, book all together so you are at the same table.
        Written September 24, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback about the General Jackson Showboat Cruise. We appreciate your insights and hope to see you back on your next visit to Nashville!
        Written September 29, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Showing results 1-10 of 415
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville provided by Gray Line Tours

        All Nashville HotelsNashville Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Nashville
        All things to do in Nashville
        RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars