River Queen Voyages: A Nashville Original
Nashville’s award-winning first downtown kayak outfitter, only Pedal Pontoon, only Pedal Kayak, and only River Scavenger Hunt.
The River Fun Authority
River Queen Voyages is Nashville’s longest-running downtown kayak outfitter and is consistently recognized as the go-to destination for water activities in the city. Our dedication to safety, education, and accessibility has set us apart and helped solidify our reputation as Nashville’s “River Fun Authority”.
Our founding philosophy is centered around the healing power of nature. We began our Cumberland River excursions in 2015 offering self-guided, downriver kayak tours. Since then, we have expanded our offerings to include many exclusive-to-us experiences including our “Hobie Fiesta” Pedal Kayak, River Scavenger Hunt, and Nashville’s only Pedal Pontoon. We believe the more people interact with our waterways, the more they will respect and care for them. So, we aim to have something for everyone!
Our public offerings are great for small groups and solo travelers alike, whether you opt for one of our kayak experiences (1-40 people) or a public cruise on the pontoon (1-16 people).
If you have a larger group or would like a private experience, we have several options for you! Our Pedal Pontoon can be booked privately for up to 16 people, and any of our kayak activities can be made private for groups of 20 or more. Want a totally customized, private event for 20-80 guests? Ask us about our River Day experience!
To give the gift of adventure, check out our Gift Certificates! We also offer Season Passes which include all of our activities, as well as “curbside” kayak rentals, so anyone can enjoy the perks of owning a kayak, without any of the hassle.
FAQs
Curious about something? Browse our general FAQs below or check out our adventure-specific FAQs to learn all you might need to know about your Nashville outdoor adventure on the Cumberland River.
Still have questions?
Email us or text 615-933-9778 so we can help you out!
GENERAL FAQs
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Short answer: It varies!
The best way to see if we’re running when you want to go is to look at our booking calendar. If the day/time you want is there, we plan to be too!Long answer: We’re a seasonal business and our schedule fluctuates according to demand, weather, and other factors. Our formal season runs April 1 - October 31…but we often start sooner and end later when the weather allows.
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By the river, of course!
We are a mobile business with no brick and mortar location. ***Unless otherwise noted***, you will find us downtown at 2 Victory Ave, right by Nissan Stadium. We typically have a branded tent set up and our branded vans with blue/green kayaks on the sidewalk. If you don’t see any of that and you’re getting nervous, just go stand by the “Red Rollercoaster” statue and relax— we’ll find you there.
*IMPORTANT * Downtown Nashville is busy and there are lots of events! Sometimes, we are unable to operate out of our regular Downtown location. In such an event, the Pedal Pontoon will operate from Lock One Marina and kayaking will likely operate from the Shelby Park Boat Ramp. We diligently send texts/emails to all scheduled guests when we’re operating atypically, so please be sure you’ve provided us with the correct contact info!
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Yes! River Queen Voyages is a great family-friendly option.
For KAYAKING we recommend children under 12 share a tandem kayak or the Pedal Kayak with an adult. We typically do not allow children under 7 years of age, but we do make exceptions on a case-by-case basis and leave it up to the parents’ discretion.
Our Pedal Pontoon is a BYOB cruise and thus not a strictly 21+ experience. However, most of our public cruises consist of adults and have a…”bar-like” atmosphere that may not be suitable for all ages. We warmly welcome all ages on our Private Cruise! Children under 12 must wear a life jacket. Under 7 must provide their own life jacket.
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You’ll probably get wet.
We paddle and pedal rain or shine! However, both your safety and that of our crew is our #1 priority. We monitor the weather closely and may delay/reschedule/shorten/reroute your trip as needed. We don’t like last-min changes either and we know you have other plans, so we will do our best to communicate changes in a timely manner, but please understand that sometimes this is not possible and a safety call may be made after you’ve arrived. -
Our cancelation policies vary slightly between experiences. Refer to your activity’s FAQ page to see its cancelation policy, or review your confirmation email.
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Our crew greatly appreciates tips! 20% is customary. We’ve made it easy to add gratuity online when booking your reservation, or we are happy to accept cash or Venmo at the end of your experience.
For your convenience, an 18% gratuity is added onto the card on file for the following experiences if not selected at checkout:
* Private Pedal Pontoon buyouts (included in final price)
* Parties of 6+ on the Public Pedal Pontoon
* Kayak Scavenger Hunt
* Kayaking parties of 10+ -
Yes! We love groups of all sizes and would be thrilled to host you on any activity. For groups of 20-80, we recommend our River Day experience which can be totally customized to your group. Text/call 615-933-9778 or email us at booking@riverqueenvoyages.com to learn more!