I’ve been saving this post for a while, because it was for sure one of my favorite things I did this summer. The General Jackson Showboat was the perfect night with my mom and husband. When I think of my time in Nashville, I will always remember doing this river cruise.
The General Jackson Showboat boards up near Opry Mills Mall and takes you down past the downtown skyline. It is an authentic paddle boat with multiple levels, bars, and a gift shop. There are midday and evening cruises with each cruise time offering a different show.
We purchased the cruise & show only ticket for the evening show on a Saturday night. The ticket that included dinner was about $40 more expensive, so we decided to spend that dinner money eating somewhere else and spend the whole time enjoying the views. We were so glad we didn’t purchase the dinner ticket, because instead of going down into the ballroom for dinner we just sat on the top of the boat taking in the scenery. We had an appetizer and drinks and enjoyed the river views as we came upon the downtown Nashville skyline.
Seeing the skyline during sunset was the highlight of the cruise. It was so fun to get a different perspective of the busy downtown area with all its neon lights, music, and people. Some of the people who had been eating dinner came up to see the views, but not many. There were hardly any people up with us on the top deck, so we were able to take some great pictures. I loved watching Broadway light up as the sun went down.
After taking in the downtown skyline views, the boat turned around and the show began in the ballroom. The show was called “Music City Nights” and was a tribute to Nashville’s thriving music scene. We were all pleasantly surprised by the show! The singers all had great voices, and it was fun to sing along with popular songs.
The General Jackson Showboat was honestly a 10/10 for me. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing, pretty views, entertainment, and great service. The tickets are a bit of a splurge, but I would recommend doing just the cruise and show ticket. I have heard from other people that the food on the cruise isn’t that great, so you’re better off spending $40 on dinner somewhere else. We loved sitting on the deck and chatting while taking in the views, and the show had a song for everyone in it!
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