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    General Jackson Showboat

    3.4 (271 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndAmerican, Music Venues

    General Jackson Showboat Photos

    Business Info

    GENERAL JACKSON SHOWBOAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - General Jackson Showboat

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    Casey K.

    I spent New Year's Eve on the general Jackson and it was a great experience! For $160 you get a dinner including appetizers (a kale salad with raspberry dressing and a brie puff pastry), dinner (slightly overcooked steak with carrots, potatoes and some other veggies) and dessert (a slice of delicious chocolate cake), as well as non stop live music starting at 9pm until docking at 1. And of course the music was phenomenal with the supremely talented Perry Danos band keeping the party going all night. Service was fast and efficient and while drinks were not included and pricey, you get your money's worth because the pours were heavy! You can also explore the boat, which has 4 different levels and even though it was cold it was a beautiful night out on a beautiful boat. Cons: -when I tried to call Gaylord opryland with a question I was on hold for over 10 minutes before I eventually hung up. For such a large hotel you would think they would have more -the schedule they sent was not accurate to what happened. Boarding was supposed to start at 8 and dinner at 8:45; my party boarded 10 minutes after 8 and most of the seats were already full with salads already served and most eaten. We also docked early.

    Time to replace that letter.
    Kimberly M.

    It had been 30 years since I had cruised on the GJ. Wow! What a throwback experience. This is Americana nostalgia, and you need that mindset to step back in time on this boat. Well-maintained with friendly staff and decent food, we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of service and drinks as well. Is it cool, hip, or modern, no, but that's what's great. I had a good time aboard and the entertainment was a bonus. It's pricey, but worth it for a family or group outing.

    Show in the Victorian Theater
    Diana W.

    Overall, a fabulous experience that everyone should do when visiting Nashville. Photos are taken when you first board the boat for purchase later if you so wish. From 6:15-7:15 is country music on the top floor of the boat with a band playing and a bar. The bartenders on the top floor made the best drinks of the night. I recommend trying a banana pina colada, or a colada/daiquiri mix. After the music, you are ushered to the Victorian theater for a buffet style meal that includes mashed potatoes, broccoli, mac and cheese, chicken, and a carving station with prime rib. The prime rib was fantastic! After dinner, go out on the deck of the ship as you approach downtown Nashville/Broadway street in its lighted splendor. Great views from the boat. The ship is then turned around. Go back inside and enjoy a show that includes pretty impressive vocals and songs from country music legends as the boat makes it way back to the dock. The only reason I did not give this experience 5 stars is that the wait staff at the end of the dinner were very pushy for tips. It made several of us at the table uncomfortable since it was a buffet style meal.... But overall, I think everyone should experience this at least once when visiting Nashville. Nothing quite like it.

    Rocking on deck

    The entire experience exceeded our expectations. The show was amazing. The staff was extremely kind, helpful and knowledgeable of the boat and river. We enjoyed visiting with them and learning from them while on the cruise. The General Jackson Showboat was the highlight of our trip to Nashville TN.

    William F.

    Dinner, River cruise, and a show for $100. Definitely worth it!! Sine we were first in line at the buffet, the prime rib was pretty dry. It was still tasty. For my second round at the dinner buffet, it was superb! I got my prime rare, with baby carrots, broccolini, nice side salad, and fresh horseradish with a kick! The food was better than I expected for a buffet. The interior was very cool. Love the old school architecture. Wait for my review on the show. We sat on Table 65. It was Tier 2. Tables 51 and above are better seats only because you are not as crowded and you have more room to move about. The tables in front of the stage are best for the show. You may even get a personal lap dance. Jk. There is not a bad seat for the show though. Post #2: the show was outstanding! From Johnny Cash, Shania, Toby, Garth, Reba, Ray Charles, Dilly, Elvis, Aretha, I can go on. I even knew the Swiftie song. The singers/performers did a fabulous job. A must see. Overall, 4.5. It was greater than a 4 and less than a 5.

    Show
    Kelie E.

    This showboat is the final boss of the touristy things you can do in Nashville. BUT- it is incredibly fun. The food, the view, the entertainment. It's worth going at least once. We did the Rollin' on the River evening show and the performers were very talented. I was riveted to my seat the entire time. I loved the virgin strawberry daiquiri I got and props to my husband for bringing the souvenir glass back in one piece in his carry on! Shout out to the random guy in the trees along the dark river bank who screamed at us and revved a chainsaw. We got a good laugh about that. Remember to bring cash to tip your waitstaff!

    We had a wonderful experience on the General Jackson Showboat. The food and entertainment were both wonderful. I highly recommend it!

    Jazz ensemble at boarding prior to dinner
    D H.

    Four LOCAL Ladies decided we would take in the 4th of July Fireworks from the General Jackson Showboat. Booked in March, glad we were able to get a table in the theater balcony. LOVELY ambiance, GREAT service, EXCELLENT food served at our table, salad, bread, entree & dessert with Tea, Coffee, Water included. Early Music was Outstanding & Stage Show on way back was very well done! Perfect parking spot on the Cumberland River to watch the Fireworks show. The boat was packed but we never felt cramped or crowded in our space. 6pm till approx 12 Midnight

    Food was good (brisket, chicken, steamed green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, rolls) staff was nice, but couldn't understand them as they were foreign. No drinks unless you pay $5 for Pepsi products except unsweetened tea (if you could call it that), coffee, and water. Elvis tribute- Sounded nothing like Elvis and looked nothing like Elvis. He spent 30 minutes talking and 30 minutes singing. If you are a true Elvis fan you'd be mortified. Scenery was pretty. Beautiful boat.

    Becca W.

    ABSOLUTELY A MUST DO! We did this the first night we were in town. The boat cruise was nice and easy was not rocky at all. You eat dinner first buffet style and there was all types of food for everyone. I loved the fresh cut prime rib they even let you get seconds if you wanted more. The show was absolutely amazing you can tell they love what they do and I love how they did generations over time of country music. About great deal for dinner and a show! So happy to have gone. Everyone was friendly and nice bathrooms were clean and place was clean.

    Chicken

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    Very nice things to do with family! Seeing downtown by the boat was cool. Music show and dinner was great!

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    Page 1 of 7

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    Review Highlights - General Jackson Showboat

    The captain gave a fun and informative tour of the pilot house and all of the VIP extras made our experiences fantastic!

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    General Jackson Showboat - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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