Overview
Strike a chord in the heart of country music with a student performance tour in Nashville, Tennessee. Known as “Music City,” Nashville boasts dozens of popular performance venues, including the General Jackson Showboat and the Opry Mills Mall. Take a backstage tour of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, experience a recording session at the historic RCA Studio B, or check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Nashville, TN
Lunch
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage visit
Tour the home and grounds of the 7th U.S. president, Andrew Jackson, sprawling over 1,100 acres and including the original log home, garden, and slave cabins. With over 80% of the original artifacts in his mansion, you'll get a strong sense of what life was like here.
Dinner
Nashville City Tour with Step-On Guide
This 3-hour guided tour features highlights such as Downtown Music City and Music Row, the State Capitol, the Parthenon, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Vanderbilt University, Fort Nashborough, Ryman Auditorium, Riverfront Park, the Wildhorse Saloon, Millionaire’s Row, Bicentennial Mall, and the World War II Memorial.
Day 2
Breakfast
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum visit
Take a deep dive into the history and cultural impact of country music from its origins to modern-day artists at this museum nicknamed the "Smithsonian of country music." Admire Elvis Presley’s gold piano and Taylor Swift’s glittery guitars, while discovering how this music evolved over the years.
Performance at Country Music Hall of Fame
Walk of Fame Park visit
Visit some of the music industry's greatest stars when you stroll through this park paved with inlaid stars that are engraved with the biggest names in music. You'll find many with Nashville ties, from Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire to the Kings of Leon, to name a few.
Lunch
Ryman Auditorium visit
Stand on country music's most iconic stage, where Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton have performed, or sit in the original, wooden pews and imagine the legends belting out their classics. You'll tour the venue, marveling at the large collection of memorabilia from legendary artists.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
View Nashville from above as you stroll this historic 3,150-foot bridge, built in 1909. Once one of the longest concrete arch bridges, it now only allows foot traffic. It's the perfect spot to capture unobstructed views of downtown Nashville.
Dinner
Schermerhorn Symphony Center guided tour
Listen to the beautiful sounds of an orchestral ensemble and witness advanced sound engineering at play in this highly regarded concert hall. You'll learn how the intricate flower motifs function to diffuse high-frequency sounds and other details that contribute to this acoustically perfect venue.
Day 3
Breakfast
Music Row tour
Tour the very heart of the country music industry in this district that's so vital to the artists, songwriters, and producers. Find legendary recording studios, where the stars developed and evolved the Nashville sound, and record label offices where this groundbreaking music found its audience.
RCA Studio B visit
Step inside the recording home of Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, and the Everly Brothers, and onto the X where these legends recorded their masters. Learn about the "Nashville Sound," admire the artists' original equipment and instruments, and hear stories of the famous recording sessions.
Lunch
Vanderbilt University visit
Clinic at Vanderbilt University
Opryland Mills
Dinner
Grand Ole Opry tour
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the sights, sounds, and stories of the country music legends. You'll learn about legends like Minnie Pearl, visit fourteen, themed dressing rooms, explore the historic memorabilia, and step onto the iconic wooden circular stage where the musical magic takes shape.
Grand Ole Opry show
Sit up and enjoy this fast-paced live radio show which has been airing continuously since 1925. In this entertainment-filled, museum-like venue, you'll experience the roots and evolution of country music as you watch an eclectic mix of country legends and rising stars take to this iconic stage.
Day 4
Breakfast
Centennial Park and Parthenon visit
Explore the only exact-size replica of the original Parthenon, built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, at this historic park. Learn about ancient Greek architecture, art, and mythology, and explore Lake Watauga, a sunken garden, and walking trails.
Lunch
Depart for home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Scenes from Nashville
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.