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Downtown Nashville Kayaking with Epic Skyline Views on the Cumberland River image 1
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Downtown Nashville Kayaking with Epic Skyline Views on the Cumberland River

About this Experience

What you'll do:

Kayak through the heart of Nashville for the best views in the city!

Choose from three unforgettable downtown kayak experiences on the Cumberland River — with single or tandem kayaks available for every adventure:

  • The Skyline is our most popular route, offering a peaceful paddle that ends with iconic skyline photo ops.

  • The Scavenger Hunt adds fun clues, river trivia, and a prize-worthy challenge to your paddle.

  • The Out & Back gives you the freedom to float at your own pace right in downtown.

Whether you're chasing chill vibes, a little friendly competition, or the perfect Instagram shot, we’ve got the perfect Nashville kayak adventure for you!

Why we love it for your party:

  • Paddle with a view (Epic skyline photo ops you won’t get anywhere else in Nashville)

  • Add a challenge (Turn up the fun with a kayak scavenger hunt and river trivia)

  • Go solo or team up (Choose single or tandem kayaks for the perfect party pairing)

  • Wildlife photo-ops (Spot turtles, herons & more as you float through the city)

  • Easy + unforgettable (Self-guided, beginner-friendly, and totally unique for group fun!)

About this experience partner:

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.

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”.

Additional information:

  • 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

Book This Experience

Visit the experience booking site to check availability and book your experience.

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Reviews

See All

4.9 (30 Ratings)

BP

Bev P.

July 2025 • Other Party

Just completed our 3 mile float on the Cumberland River and it was awesome! Great experience, saw an eagle, turtles, a crane, and a baby raccoon. It was very laid back and relaxing! I would highly recommend this activity! Had a great time!

NC

Nicole C.

July 2025 • Other Party

Perfect Nashville activity for locals or tourists! The team at River Queen Voyages were amazing and the views were stunning. As a local , it’ll give you a new perspective of the cumberland river. Would definitely go again!

AV

Anna V.

June 2025 • Other Party

My 90 minute out and back kayak adventure on the Cumberland River was a great way to get away from the noise of downtown. One of the workers squeezed me in as a walk up. This was just what I needed!

CJ

Cerys J.

June 2025 • Other Party

Absolutely beautiful. Everyone is so lovely and friendly. The water is beautiful and we saw lots of turtles! Will recommend to everyone!

LM

Lucas M.

June 2025 • Other Party

We had a great experience with River Queen Voyages. We decided to go with the tandem kayak scavenger hunt and it was worth it. I highly recommend it for those that have gone kayaking before and enjoy a challenge because you start upstream and once you solve the first two clues you can turn and head downstream. Totally a great time!

LJ

Lauren J.

May 2025 • Other Party

This was an excellent experience. All equipment needed was available and in good shape. They even provided a water-proof phone cover. The experience itself was a joy. Thank you!

KF

Karsyn F.

May 2025 • Bachelorette Party

We did this for a bachelorette party, and it was SO incredibly fun! The guides were so much fun and accommodating, and we HIGHLY recommend this if you're looking for something fun and different to do as a group. Thank you so much again!

DJ

Destiny J.

April 2025 • Other Party

Great experience! Very easy trail , nice for beginners. Easy coasting for experienced kayakers!

JE

Jillian E.

April 2025 • Other Party

Amazing! We were running late and they were so accommodating. The current was too strong to do an out and back, so they called us back and switched us to just paddling down the river and drove us. Great hospitality and amazing experience!!

A

Amanda

October 2024 • Other Party

Awesome time! Great equipment and employees!

AK

Akbar K.

September 2024 • Other Party

Emily, our guide, was great! Very friendly, very knowledgeable, and took a bunch of pictures of us. Everyone else on the team was also lovely, the trip was very organized, and the kayaks were great—moved through the water very easily even when half full of water from the pouring rainstorm we got caught in (which was very fun! Made it more of any adventure!). Highly recommend the scavenger hunt option for anyone who wants to check out the Cumberland at greater length. —Paige

GB

Gina B.

September 2024 • Birthday Party

I drove to Nashville from Canada and wanted to do something fun with my local friend for my birthday on September 6... kayaking on the Cumberland River was awesome! Thanks to Billy and Emily for their professionalism and great service, we loved it!

AC

Aron C.

September 2024 • Other Party

A great place to go start your Nashville holiday. Lovely views and a great experience all round. Billy and Xeia were awesome, having great recommendations for the rest of our trip

E

Evan

September 2024 • Other Party

Emily was great guide! Got to see some cool blue herons and some turtles, and despite the rain we had an incredible time. Thanks so much, will definitely be back!

MB

Megan B.

August 2024 • Other Party

We live in Nashville and finally decided to take a trip on the Cumberland. We LOVED our kayaking journey with River Queen Voyages! It was easy to book through their website and they had openings the night before we went. They texted us day of to coordinate, and were very flexible with the event at Nissan Stadium that day. All the staff were so kind, informative, and helpful! We will definitely be doing this again.

RP

Russell P.

August 2024 • Other Party

Really enjoyed a relaxing trip up and down the Cumberland on the 4 person Fiesta. Well organised, friendly and efficient staff and the Pedal Kayak was easy to use. Highly recommended!

HO

Hannah O.

August 2024 • Other Party

The package was well organized and easy to follow. The guides were friendly and informative. They made the drop-off go smoothly. We knew where to arrive and the guides were ready for us to take the gear back. Great group!

JK

John K.

July 2024 • Other Party

The staff was very friendly and helpful. The kayaks were well maintained and in great shape. The 1.5 hr out and end trip was a great start to a fun filled day in Nashville. Only down side is the parking is a bit confusing, park in lot r at the Nissan stadium and look for their tent and vans. look forward to next trip

ML

Mandy L.

July 2024 • Other Party

This was such a fun experience and I cannot wait to do it again! My friend and I did the RQV Kayaking scavenger hunt and it was the perfect way to spend our Sunday afternoon. The guides are great and provide everything you'll need for the excursion. My friend and I are both Nashville locals and we still loved kayaking down the Cumberland - so this is a perfect activity regardless of if you live in Nashville or are visiting from out of town. We are both beginner kayakers, but the distance and the time of the activity was just right, and it made everything enjoyable and a good experience. Can't wait to kayak from Shelby park to downtown Nashville again!

MM

Mary M.

July 2024 • Girls-Trip Party

We did this as the last group activity, Nashville girls weekend. We were shuttled to the location with our kayaks, dropped off in the water and floated back downstream to the start. We could have made it more challenging by kayaking and getting out in the river, but we chose to relax and soak in every last minute of talking laughter, and girl time. The crew was wonderful and I highly recommend this company if you’re down in Nashville and wanna kayak. Very pretty very serene wonderful experience.

CM

Carol M.

July 2024 • Other Party

My husband and I had the most enjoyable experience with River Queen Voyages on our Saturday morning kayaking adventure. The staff was so friendly. A big walking event downtown had the roads closed for the time that we were scheduled to return, so they suggested that we could spend some extra time exploring some historic landmarks a little further up river. It didn't hurt that we had the most beautiful weather. We will be back, and recommend this to locals and out-of-town visitors.

SM

Stephanie M.

July 2024 • Other Party

What an awesome experience! Karen, Xela, and Megan were very knowledgeable about the trip and the ins and outs of the river. It was a great relaxed trip down the river on a HOT summer Nashville day!!

RK

Rachel K.

July 2024 • Other Party

Friendly group of people! The ride was great and calming! I would definitely recommend doing this if you are in town for a visit!

LS

Lucy S.

July 2024 • Other Party

everyone was so kind and even waited on us when we were a couple minutes late. the trip was super easy and the river carried us so we didn’t have to paddle too much! (because the water was high). when we got back they even carried our kayaks back for us! 10/10 experience. also- AWESOME views!! and turtles:)

AB

April B.

July 2024 • Other Party

Super easy and fun way to enjoy Nashville’s downtown riverfront. The staff is so helpful and makes it so easy that I often don’t even get my feet wet. Kayaks are very comfortable and stable.

JS

Jay S.

July 2024 • Other Party

Such a fun time! As a Nashville local it was fun to see the city from this point of view. Staff was great and helpful, the kayaks were awesome and comfy. Check this out whether you live here or you are visiting!

JM

Jenna M.

July 2024 • Other Party

The staff was helpful and didn’t mind my multiple phone calls. They’re flexible and filled with the flow to accommodate me on my solo journey down the river. I appreciate Mac! Water was cold and refreshing. The trip took me about 75 minutes and I actively paddled most of the way.

SN

Savas N.

July 2024 • Other Party

It was such a fun experience. I had kayaking first time in my life. I really enjoyed it. Also Staff are very friendly and helpful.

JS

Jessie S.

July 2024 • Other Party

Great experience! Karen did an excellent job explaining the instructions and the route! Definitely would go again!

AL

Angela L.

July 2024 • Other Party

Our trip was absolutely amazing! The views were beautiful and the staff was incredibly kind/helpful. Karen went above and beyond to make sure the first timers were comfortable kayaking while also ensuring our experience was awesome. Would absolutely recommend!

Frequently Asked Questions