Summer in Nashville is hot. It's humid. And when you plan it right, it's genuinely one of the best times to be here. Long evenings, live music spilling out of open doors, cold drinks on shaded patios, and experiences on the river that you just can't have any other season. This guide covers the best Nashville summer activities, from water experiences on the Cumberland to backcountry adventures an hour south of the city.
I'm Christine, a Nashville local who's spent the last eight years showing people around my city through award winning food tours, guiding thousands of visitors through the neighborhoods, restaurants, and hidden gems that make Nashville worth the trip. I know what works in the summer heat and what doesn't, and I've built this guide around both.
Here's what I recommend, and why.
What to Expect from Nashville Summer Weather
Nashville weather in summer means upper 80s to low 90s with real humidity from June through August. Locals don't fight it, we plan around it. The best summer days are built around water, shade, air conditioning, and front-loading activities in the morning or evening. Short afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually blow through fast. Daylight stretches until nearly 9pm, so evenings feel long and luxurious.
The experiences in this guide are all summer-smart — they work with the heat, not against it.
Start Your Nashville Trip Here - The Downtown Nashville Food Tour
Downtown Nashville Food Tour (A Little Local Flavor) — My #1 Recommendation
If you do one structured activity in Nashville this summer, make it this. Our Downtown Nashville Food Tour has earned over 2,600 five-star reviews over eight years, and it's consistently rated in the top 1% of experiences worldwide on TripAdvisor.
You'll walk through the historic heart of the city, stopping at locally-owned restaurants that represent the best of Nashville's food scene. The smell of slow-smoked meats, fresh cornbread, the clink of cocktail ice. Between bites, the city's story unfolds, from its musical roots to the restaurants quietly driving the city's culinary reputation. In summer, this tour is perfectly suited to the heat: you're moving between air-conditioned stops with time to breathe and actually enjoy what you're eating.
I usually recommend booking this on your first full day. You'll leave knowing the city — and the rest of your trip gets better because of it.
All-inclusive: Food, cocktails, local beer, history, and live music in one
Relaxed pace - Time to talk, take photos, and actually enjoy your food
Locally owned restaurants only - All food is made from scratch
Over $1.3 million invested back into Nashville's local restaurant community
Christine's Insider Tip: Book this for your first morning or lunch in Nashville. You'll get your bearings, find spots to come back to, and still have plenty of day left. Spots fill fast on summer weekends.
Planning a special occasion? See our Private Nashville Food Tours for Groups & Celebrations
Nashville Morning Coffee Tour - The Best Way to Start a Summer Day
Nashville in the early morning is a different city. Streets are quieter, the light is golden, and a well-poured espresso tastes better when someone's telling you stories about the building you're standing in front of. This Nashville coffee tour is a relaxed, caffeinated intro to the city's neighborhood character, and it gets you moving before the heat peaks and the crowds take over.
Water Activities in Nashville - Cool Down and See the City Differently
Water activities in Nashville are some of the most popular things to do in the summer, and they book early for a reason. Whether you want outdoor activities on the river or a full day on Percy Priest Lake, these are the ones I send people to.
Nashville Pontoon Party Cruise on the Cumberland River
Being on the water immediately changes the pace. A Nashville pontoon cruise on the Cumberland River gives you wide-open skyline views, music playing, drinks in hand, and the option to jump in and cool off. During the day the vibe is playful and relaxed. In the evening, the city lights add a celebratory glow without the intensity of downtown crowds.
This is one of my go-to recommendations for bachelorette parties, girls trips to Nashville, birthdays, and groups who want to have fun together without feeling boxed in.
Christine's Insider Tip: Book this for a daytime slot earlier in the weekend. Pair it with brunch before or Broadway after for a full, unforgettable day. Warm-weather weekends book up fast.
Planning a bachelorette? See the Ultimate Nashville Bachelorette & Girls Trip Guide for more group-friendly picks.
Pedal Kayak Downtown Nashville - Priced Per Group, Up to 4 People
If you want to kayak in Nashville without any paddling experience, the Hobie Fiesta four-person pedal-drive kayak is the answer. Foot pedals instead of arm paddles means hands free, no exhaustion, and easy conversation while you glide past downtown at water level. The skyline looks completely different from down here, its quieter, more dramatic, surprisingly beautiful.
Priced per group for up to four people, making it excellent value for couples, families, or small friend groups.
Guided Paddleboard Tour on the Cumberland River
Paddleboarding in Nashville is one of those experiences that surprises people because early morning on the Cumberland is one of the city's quieter secrets. The water is still, the city hasn't fully woken up, and the skyline reflecting on the surface is something you won't find in any brochure. Your guide leads you along the river with local history and easy instruction. No paddleboarding experience needed.
Evening tours offer a different reward - golden hour light and the city's silhouette against a colored sky.
Family-Friendly Downtown River Cruise
Seated, shaded, and genuinely enjoyable for all ages. The family river cruise moves gently along the Cumberland while a guide shares Nashville's history from the water. This works beautifully as a midday reset when the heat peaks, or as a gentle closer after a more active morning.
Book the Family River Cruise → Reserve on Viator
Summer Nashville Tours That Make the Heat Work For You
Music City Brew Hop — My Go-To Summer Afternoon
The Brew Hop Trolley is, quite simply, one of the best summer afternoons Nashville offers. You hop between Nashville's best local breweries without touching parking, rideshares, or logistics, making it the easiest Nashville brewery tour you'll ever do. Air-conditioned transport between stops. Cold beer at each one. Flexible enough to stay longer where you like and move on when the mood shifts.
This is a great option for mixed groups who want structure without rigidity. I usually recommend the East Loop for the artsy vibe and smaller taprooms of East Nashville — more unique and more fun.
Christine's Insider Tip: Start at noon and you’ll have time to explore a bit of the neighborhood around each brewery stop.
Want to go deeper into Nashville's craft beer world? Read The Ultimate Guide to Brewery Tours in Nashville.
The Original Music City Electric Bicycle Tour — 15 Miles, Zero Sweat
The electric bike tour in Nashville is one of the best ways to see the city in summer because the electric assist does most of the work, so you feel the breeze and cover serious ground without paying the thermal price of regular cycling. In summer, that distinction is everything.
The tour covers about 15 miles of Nashville's most iconic terrain, past Historic RCA Studio B, Elvis's old crash pad, Dolly Parton's Nashville home, Music Row, Printers Alley, The Gulch, and out to Fort Nashboro. There are off-road sections through trees that reveal a greener, quieter Nashville most visitors never see. The 35mph downhill run is a legitimate thrill. Helmets and safety gear included.
Rated 4.93 out of 5 across hundreds of reviews. This one frequently sells out in summer, so book ahead.
Christine's Insider Tip: Book this for a morning slot before 10am. The streets are cooler, the light is beautiful, and you'll have the rest of the day ahead of you. This frequently sells out on summer weekends.
The bike tour passes many of Nashville's best murals. See our guide to Best Ways to See Nashville Murals for more stops to add to your day.
Adventure Day Trips from Nashville - These are Worth Every Mile
The best Nashville day trips put you in a completely different world within 30 to 90 minutes. Middle Tennessee has waterfalls, backcountry trails, ziplining, and landscapes that feel about as far from Broadway as you can get. Summer is peak season for all of it.
Waterfall Wonders Hiking Tour with Brewery Stop — The Best Nashville Day Trip
You leave Nashville in the morning and within an hour you're standing at a waterfall on the Duck River, mist cooling the air. Later, you're swimming in a cold, clear swimming hole designed, it seems, specifically for a July afternoon. By early evening you're raising a glass at a Tennessee brewery. That's this tour.
This waterfall hike from Nashville visits up to four waterfalls across two state parks, covering 3 to 4 miles at a comfortable pace. Guides share the region's prehistoric geology and wildlife as you walk. The swimming hole is a summer highlight. The brewery stop is the perfect decompression.
Includes private transport from Nashville (meet at the Omni Hotel), knowledgeable guides, lunch, and snacks. Max group size of 12. Runs ~5–6 hours. Frequently sells out in summer so book early.
Christine's Insider Tip: This pairs perfectly as a follow-day after your food tour. Do the city first, then escape into the Tennessee countryside. Book 2–3 weeks ahead for summer weekends.
Adventure Works Ziplining Near Nashville
Looking for a zipline near Nashville? Adventure Works is less than 30 minutes from downtown and genuinely one of the best outdoor experiences in the area. Ziplining sounds intense, but in practice, it's shaded treetop fun with wide-open Tennessee views that reframe how beautiful this region is. The courses are accessible for beginners while still delivering real excitement. Guides are great with groups and keep the energy high without making anyone feel pressured.
This works for families with older kids, friend groups, and corporate groups who want a shared adrenaline experience without needing any training.
Can-Am Side-by-Side Backcountry Tours — Middle Tennessee's Best Kept Secret
About an hour south of Nashville near Williamsport, this side by side Nashville experience is the one almost no tourist knows about, and nearly everyone who does it calls it the best thing they did on their trip.
You're behind the wheel of a high-powered Can-Am SXS - an open-air off-road vehicle built for this terrain. Your guide leads you through 80% backcountry dirt roads, multiple creek crossings (yes, you will get wet, and it's the best part), past caves, waterfalls, and an old ghost town. The landscape is stunning in a way that feels genuinely secret.
Two options: the 3-hour tour delivers the full backcountry experience. The 4-hour tour, the most popular, adds more riding, more scenery, and more creek crossings. Rated 4.99 out of 5. Drivers must be 18+ with a valid license. Up to four people per SXS. Helmets and goggles provided.
Christine's Insider Tip: Bring a towel, wear clothes you don't mind getting muddy, a change of clothes and shoes for afterwards, then drive through every creek crossing you can! That's the whole point.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Nashville in the Summer
Nashville often gets marketed as an adult playground, but when it comes to things to do in Nashville with kids, summer is actually one of the best times to visit. There's a surprising amount of family friendly Nashville fun. Here are the experiences I recommend most.
Nashville Sounds Baseball Games
Nashville baseball is minor league magic at First Horizon Park, one of those simple, perfect summer evenings. The Nashville skyline as your backdrop. Affordable tickets. Relaxed atmosphere. Fireworks nights throughout the summer. Kids love the in-game promotions; adults love being able to actually hear each other talk. Easy to combine with a late afternoon at Riverfront Park.
Nashville Shores Water Park
Nashville Shores is the top Nashville water park and full-day aquatic fun on Percy Priest Lake with water slides, wave pool, lazy river, and a private beach. This is the answer to a 93-degree July afternoon with kids. The lake beach is what sets it apart from any other water park in the area.
Christine's Insider Tip: This sells out on summer weekends. Book tickets in advance. Arrive early. Bring serious sunscreen.
Jacked Up Joyride Monster Truck City Tour — 90 Minutes of Elevated Nashville
You're elevated in an open-air monster truck rolling through downtown Nashville while a guide delivers local history with genuine enthusiasm. Kids love the vehicle. Adults end up more entertained than they expected. It's loud and silly and a genuinely good time for all ages.
For more family ideas, see our full Family-Friendly Nashville Activity Guide.
Traveling with teens? Our Things to Do in Nashville with Teens guide has age-appropriate picks they'll actually enjoy.
Nashville Parks & Green Spaces Worth Your Morning
Nashville's park system is underrated. Summer mornings before 10am are the best time to explore them.
Centennial Park
Wide shaded lawns, scenic lake, and the full-scale Parthenon replica - Nashville's most audacious landmark. Great for an early morning walk. Worth stepping inside the Parthenon ($7) for the art collection.
Percy Warner Park
3,400 acres of woodland 20 minutes from downtown. Miles of hiking trails that feel genuinely remote. The scenic drive through the park is one of Nashville's most beautiful, least-crowded experiences. Go early - the shade and wildlife are worth it.
H3: Radnor Lake State Park
Flat, accessible trails circling a beautiful lake. Early summer mornings here bring herons, deer, and turtles sunning on logs. The quiet is earned in a way city experiences rarely provide.
H3: Bicentennial Capitol Mall + Nashville Farmers' Market
Walk the Bicentennial Mall's 2,000-foot granite Tennessee history timeline, then cross over to the Farmers' Market for local vendors, international food stalls, and easy, communal Southern atmosphere. A near-perfect summer afternoon pairing.
For the best local food the Farmers' Market and beyond can offer, read What Food Is Nashville Known For.
Nashville Waterfall Day Trips — Tennessee's Best Summer Secret
Within 80 to 90 minutes, you can reach some of Tennessee's most dramatic natural experiences. Cummins Falls (about 80 miles east) has a 75-foot waterfall dropping into a natural swimming hole. Burgess Falls features a 136-foot drop into a gorge. Both require summer reservations so book ahead.
For a fully guided experience that handles all logistics, the Waterfall Wonders Tour above is the easiest way to make it happen.
More ideas for escaping Nashville's summer heat: When Is the Best Time to Visit Nashville — Local Guide.
Where to Stay in Nashville in the Summer
The best Nashville hotels for summer have three things in common: a good pool, walkable location, and serious air conditioning. Here's where I send people.
W Nashville — Best Pool Scene
The rooftop pool is the social center of Nashville's summer hotel world. Energetic, well-designed, music-forward. Best for bachelorette groups and anyone who wants their hotel to feel like part of the Nashville experience.
1 Hotel Nashville — Best for Wellness-Minded Travelers
Sustainable design, rooftop pool with stunning views, and a vibe that leans mindful. Great for couples and anyone whose summer trip includes yoga and thoughtful food.
Omni Nashville — Most Walkable
Steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Bridge, and the Gulch. Large pool, excellent on-site dining, and the meeting point for the Waterfall Wonders Tour and the Music City Brew Hop. It’s an outstanding summer choice.
Thompson Nashville — Best Rooftop Bar
More intimate feel in the Gulch. The L.A. Jackson rooftop bar is one of Nashville's best for a summer evening drink with skyline views.
Planning a girls trip to Nashville? Read our guide to the Best Nashville Hotels for a Girls Trip.
H2: FAQs — Nashville Summer Planning
Is Nashville too hot in the summer?
Not if you plan well. Air conditioning is excellent, water activities are everywhere, and the long daylight hours mean you can front-load active experiences in the morning. With the right itinerary, summer is one of Nashville's most vibrant seasons.
What are the best outdoor activities in Nashville in summer?
Water experiences (pontoon cruises, kayaking, paddleboarding) for hot afternoons. E-bike tours for efficient sightseeing with motor assist. The waterfall hiking tour and backcountry SXS tours for shaded terrain outside the city. Early morning walks through Centennial Park or Radnor Lake.
Are there good family-friendly summer activities in Nashville?
Yes. Nashville Shores water park is the full-day family anchor. The family river cruise works for all ages. Monster Truck tours are reliable fun. Nashville Sounds games are affordable and easy. The Waterfall Wonders tour works well for active families with kids 8+.
What are the best summer day trips from Nashville?
Waterfalls are the top answer - Cummins Falls and Burgess Falls are both spectacular. The Can-Am backcountry ride near Williamsport is an hour south and unlike anything else in the region. The Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg is about 90 minutes and deeply worth it.
When should I book summer Nashville experiences?
For summer weekends, book water experiences and the Waterfall Wonders tour 2 to 4 weeks ahead. The Can-Am tours and food tour book up on summer weekends so don't wait until you arrive. Nashville Shores tickets should be reserved in advance for any weekend visit.
H2: How to Plan a Great Nashville Summer Trip
The best Nashville summer trips are built intentionally. Here's the template I use with guests:
Day One: Downtown Nashville Food Tour (morning or lunch) - get oriented, discover the food scene, gather local intel. Pontoon cruise or kayaking in the afternoon. Evening: rooftop bar or Broadway.
Day Two: Waterfall Wonders Tour - full day out of the city, back refreshed and sun-happy. Dinner in East Nashville.
Day Three: Morning coffee tour or e-bike tour through the neighborhoods. Afternoon: Music City Brew Hop. Evening: Nashville Sounds game or live music.
Day Four: Can-Am backcountry SXS tour near Williamsport. This is the day that's hardest to explain to people back home and the one they'll be most jealous of.
Mix high-energy and relaxed experiences. Front-load activity in the mornings. Let evenings breathe. And always have at least one thing on your list that couldn't happen anywhere else but Tennessee.
Christine's Insider Tip: Start your trip with the food tour. Every guest I've ever had who did this first says it made the rest of the trip better. You'll know the city, know the neighborhoods, and have a list of places to return to.
Start your Nashville summer with the city's most-loved food tour → Book Now
Related: Best Things to Do in Nashville for Food Lovers — a perfect companion to this guide.
Related: Fun Things to Do in Nashville for Adults
Related: Best Sightseeing Tours in Nashville