Downtown Nashville Kayaking
Create unforgettable memories on the water! Experience “Nashville’s Best Water Activity” with River Queen Voyages’ award-winning downtown kayak excursions. Enjoy the most unique views of Music City from the scenic Cumberland River, and get perfect photo opps with the vibrant city skyline.
The Best View in Music City!
Kayak the famous Nashville Skyline on one of our downtown kayaking adventures! Pick your activity and meet our crew at our mobile setup next to Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville.
3 kayak routes to choose from!
Stay downtown and paddle around wherever you’d like with our 90min Out & Back kayak rental, or let us shuttle you up (for free!) to Shelby Park to kayak downriver on our popular Skyline Route (1hr/3mi) which ends right back downtown. Want to add extra time, friendly competition, fun facts, and one of our river guides to the Skyline Route? Book the “River Queen Quest”— Nashville's ONLY Kayak Scavenger Hunt (2hrs/3mi)!
*Please note: offerings and meeting points may change due to events/closures. While walk-ups are accepted, we highly recommend reserving in advance so we can communicate any changes or day-of info to you. Check out our FAQs for more helpful info!
PRICING
Base price: $46/per person
4+ guests: $45/pp | 7+ guests: $44/pp | 10+ guests: $41/pp | 13+ guests: $39/pp | 16+ guests: $37
Includes: kayak; life jacket; paddle; "kayaking 101" tutorial; RQV sticker; van shuttle upriver (for Skyline & Scavenger Hunt) | Scavenger Hunt ($55+/pp) includes the above + scavenger hunt crossword puzzle game, phone dry bag, tour guide, and prize!
Pricing may vary depending on route/activity, group size, seasonality, and day of the week. Tandem kayaks accommodate 2 people and are priced as such. See our booking calendar to get the exact price for your desired activity and group size, and be sure to follow us on socials and sign up for our mailing list to take advantage of any deals!
The Skyline
Our most popular option for kayaking in downtown Nashville! This self-guided, one-way paddle is perfect for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. Enjoy a little slice of nature and end with picture-perfect views of the Nashville skyline on this 3 mile paddle along our bustling urban waterway. You’ll share the river with working towboats, Great Blue Heron, turtles, catfish, and more!
How it works: For the Skyline, you will meet our crew at our mobile set up by Nissan Stadium to catch our shuttle to your route’s starting point in East Nashville’s Shelby Park. There, our crew will give you a brief “Kayaking 101” tutorial, get you outfitted for your paddle, and help you onto the water. You’ll paddle one-way, downriver with the current, and end right back in downtown Nashville by Nissan Stadium where you first met us. Easy!
Allow about 2.5 hrs total: up to 1.5 hrs kayaking + 1hr for shuttling and put in / take out (depending on wind & river current). Please note, we reserve the right to charge guests who exceed their maximum rental time.
3 miles / 1 hour | Shelby Park to Downtown
The Scavenger Hunt
3 miles / 2 hours | Shelby Park to Downtown
Come try the only kayaking Scavenger Hunt in Nashville! This 2hr activity includes everything from The Skyline Route, but adds 1hr of time, river trivia, cell phone dry bags, a crew member on the river with you, and some friendly competition! Solve a crossword puzzle of clues as you paddle from Shelby Park into the stunning downtown skyline. Be the first to finish the route and correctly complete the puzzle to win a prize!
How it works: For the Scavenger Hunt, you will meet our crew at our mobile set up by Nissan Stadium to catch our shuttle to your route’s starting point in East Nashville’s Shelby Park. There, our crew will give you your Scavenger Hunt game, cell phone dry bags, a brief “Kayaking 101” tutorial, get you outfitted for your paddle, and help you onto the water. Paddle upriver at the start to see some historic sites as part of the game, or skip those clues and paddle one-way, downriver with the current, ending back downtown where you first met us.
Allow about 2.5-3 hrs total: About 1.5 hrs for kayaking + 1hr for shuttling and put in / take out (depending on wind & river current). Please note, we reserve the right to charge guests who exceed their allotted rental time.
The Out & Back
90 min rental | Downtown
Just looking to float and do your own thing? The Out & Back is for you! This 90min kayak rental starts and ends right in downtown Nashville. We’ll get you outfitted and on the water where you’re free to choose your own adventure! You can stay in the immediate area, or paddle upriver for ~45mins, then turn around and float back. It’s up to you and all fair game, so long as you return your kayak to the same location before your 90mins are up!
How it works: For the Out & Back, you will meet our crew at our mobile set up by Nissan Stadium Our crew will give you a brief “Kayaking 101” tutorial, get you outfitted for your paddle, and help you onto the water. Float around the immediate downtown area, or paddle upriver against the current before turning around and returning your kayak to the starting spot.
Allow about 2 hrs total: up to 90 mins kayaking + 30 mins for orientation and put in / take out. Please note, we reserve the right to charge guests who exceed their maximum rental time. This is a self-guided route.
Good to know…
Same-day reservations welcome
Tipping the crew is highly encouraged
Guided kayak rentals and group accommodations available on a case-by-case basis - reach out here
While these are beginner-level paddles, they are still active kayaking excursions, not "floats"- be prepared to paddle
Children under 7 not recommended
Children 7-10 must be with an adult in a tandem kayak; one adult per 4 children required