General Jackson Showboat

Business Details

41 Years

experience

Dinner Cruises with Live Entertainment in Nashville

Experience Nashville in a unique way aboard the General Jackson Showboat, where scenic river views, award-winning entertainment, and gourmet Southern cuisine combine to create unforgettable memories. As one of the largest and most elegant showboats ever built, we blend the grandeur of the American Victorian era with modern hospitality, offering guests a journey through music, history, and culture. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detailfrom our handcrafted culinary experiences to our world-class live performances featuring Nashvilles top talent.

With a legacy dating back to 1985, we continue to celebrate the spirit of the Cumberland River while providing exceptional service to locals and visitors alike. Whether youre joining us for a dinner cruise, private event, or specialty celebration, our team ensures an experience that embodies the heart and soul of Music City.

Services

Dinner Cruises Live Entertainment Private Events Southern Cuisine Dining Specialty Cruises

Details

Year established: 1985

Highlights and features

Award-winning live performances by top Nashville artists
Gourmet Southern cuisine crafted by expert chefs
Scenic river views from the historic General Jackson Showboat
Unique combination of dining, entertainment, and riverfront ambiance
Experienced crew ensuring memorable experiences

What people say

Unforgettable river views Talented live performers Delicious Southern cuisine Perfect for special occasions Historic, elegant atmosphere

Website

Update Listing

Services

Dinner Cruises

Enjoy multi-course Southern-inspired meals paired with live musical performances aboard the General Jackson Showboat. Cruises feature panoramic views of the Cumberland River and Nashville skyline, creating a unique blend of culinary excellence and entertainment. Ideal for romantic evenings, family outings, or group celebrations.

Live Entertainment

Experience high-energy stage productions featuring Nashvilles top musicians, singers, and dancers. From country legends to rock tributes, our shows celebrate Music Citys heritage with dazzling costumes, powerful vocals, and a live band. Performances are tailored to highlight the cultural richness of Tennessees music scene.

Private Events

Host weddings, corporate gatherings, or holiday parties aboard our historic showboat. Customizable packages include themed dcor, catering, and entertainment options. With capacity for up to 1,000 guests, our vessel offers a distinctive setting for memorable celebrations on the water.

Specialty Cruises

Join seasonal and holiday-themed cruises like Halloween parties, New Years Eve galas, and football game tailgates. These events combine festive atmospheres with live music and curated menus, offering unique experiences for special occasions throughout the year.

Southern Cuisine Dining

Savor handcrafted dishes showcasing the flavors of the American South, including slow-roasted prime rib, bourbon-glazed chicken, and seasonal vegetables. Menus are designed to complement the ambiance of riverfront dining, with options for dietary preferences and group events.

People

Amber Leigh Crowning

Cast Member, Tennessee Legends

Nashville-based singer/songwriter and fiddle player known for energetic performances and 'Country with a touch of Celtic flair.' Has shared stages with Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum, and performs over 200 shows annually.

Maggie Richardson

Cast Member, Tennessee Legends

Nashville native with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Belmont University. Professional singer with a versatile voice, performing live and in studios. Stars in Tennessee Legends aboard the General Jackson Showboat.

Nathan Belt

Cast Member, Music City Nights

Texas-born country artist influenced by Merle Haggard and Elvis Presley. Hosts Music City Nights aboard the General Jackson Showboat and performs weekly on Nashvilles Broadway. Releases new music in 2025.

Questions

What is included in a General Jackson Showboat dinner cruise?

Dinner cruises include a multi-course Southern meal, live musical entertainment, and scenic river views. Specialty packages may add premium seating or themed experiences.

Are private events available aboard the showboat?

Yes, we host weddings, corporate events, and holiday parties with customizable catering, entertainment, and décor options for groups up to 1,000 guests.

What types of live entertainment are featured?

Our shows feature country, bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, and holiday-themed performances by Nashville’s top artists, including tribute acts and original productions.

Do you offer vegetarian or dietary-restricted meal options?

Yes, our chefs accommodate dietary preferences including vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options when notified in advance.

What are the cancellation policies for bookings?

Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the cruise for a full refund. Policies may vary for specialty events, so check terms at booking.

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Sandy P.

Jun 23, 2022 Report

This was a fun touristy thing to do. You have the option of cruise or dinner cruise. It is a 2 and a half hour cruise. Also you just cruise and mot get the meal. I would suggest that option as we did the dinner and it was not that great. Thats why I gave four stars. But this is our first time here and we didn't know. They do have alcoholic drinks which you pay for in addition too your prepaid ticket.

Its a beautiful cruise at night and you cruise by downtown Nashville. The other thing is it leaves from up by the Grand Ole Opry so you will have to uber or drive there. The show on board was great very enjoyable. Great thing to do if it is your first time in Nashville.

Mike S.

Jun 18, 2022 Report

The cruise and show were very good. The only disappointment was in the picture we had taken. When we got home and tried to download the picture we were told we had an invalid code. I filled out the required form to locate our picture. This included a lot of detail and a picture of ourselves. Four days later we received an email stating our picture was attached. When I pulled up the attachment it included three photos of another couple at the Hard Rock Cafe ( does anyone look at these before they send them). I tried to resubmit my information and was told our file was closed. My suggestion to the Cruise Company is to find another Photographer. This really put a damper on an otherwise good time.

Nicole Rok

Jun 05, 2022 Report

Show was great, service from the waitstaff and bartenders was top-tier. So definitely; go for that! The views of the city were also great! Food was absolutely nothing to write home about, unfortunately. I'm almost 100% sure the green beans were canned, chicken was a bit over cooked and dry. But the wait staff were GREAT. Great attitudes, super fun, and very attentive. Just maybe have a bite before you board, instead!

Maurice J.

May 29, 2022 Report

IF YOU'RE BLACK. or a person of COLOR listen it's ghetto 0 stars. Would not recommend. I'm in the Theater "Victorian" and I'll just say they did NOT want to be bothered! come @ your own risk. *I added a star to be sure it showed up.

Kit Brooks

May 27, 2022 Report

Went on a band and choir trip to Nashville. The showboat was a fantastic time! There were non alcoholic fruity drinks as well as soda for minors, and there was a variety of wines, beer, and specialty drinks. The meal was also quite delicious. The view of Nashville was unbeatable! Going under the bridges and seeing as the buildings from the river was insanely beautiful. The performers also did a fantastic job. The dancing and singing were amazing.

Eric Van Schaik

May 26, 2022 Report

Amazing experience / music but have dinner somewhere else before you board. The experience on the river was awesome and the entertainment was very good (5 stars) but the food for dinner was very bad (great service at dinner). They also need to find a way to increase the bar service as we waited in line for 20 minutes to order a drink when we first boarded. Overall amazing experience!

Lisa Scoville

May 23, 2022 Report

We had a great time on the G-Jack, as they call it! we did a mid day cruise with the meal. The food was pretty good, it did the trick! First you board, and you can walk around/explore the boat until they call you into the main room where all the dining tables and stage are. They then give you a meal via a few courses: salad, entree, dessert, and then coffee. The meal for the day we went was chicken with Mac and cheese and green beans. Dessert was lemon blueberry cake in a little mason jar. After the meal, they do the show. Ours was a lot of fun! Great talent. Would definitely go again!