In a city famous for its music, neon lights, and Honky Tonks, one tour company is quietly making waves by showing visitors a side of Nashville that’s often overlooked—its soul, its stories, and its struggles. At the heart of that company is Paul Whitten, a combat veteran, returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and founder of Nashville Adventures, a veteran-owned small business that’s redefining Nashville Tours one step at a time.
Whitten’s company specializes in high-impact, unscripted Nashville Walking Tours that dive deep into the city’s rich history—from Civil War battlefields to ghost-filled alleyways, legendary saloons, and the lesser-known stories that shaped Music City.
“I didn’t start this company because I thought it’d make me a millionaire,” said Whitten. “I started it because I love history, I love storytelling, and I believe Nashville has a deeper narrative than just boots, booze, and Broadway.”
Born From Recovery, Fueled by Purpose
The idea for Nashville Adventures was born in an unexpected place: during Whitten’s recovery from an injury sustained while on active duty in the army.
“After I got hurt, I started volunteering giving historical tours at Fort Knox. That was the first time I realized how much I loved doing this,” Whitten said. “I’ve always been a history guy—I studied it at The Citadel and spent years in the Peace Corps walking dusty roads with stories behind every corner. Eventually, I realized that Nashville’s streets weren’t so different. They had stories too. They just needed someone to tell them.”
He moved to Nashville and began offering walking tours that leaned into the city's lesser-told tales. Rather than parroting facts, his tours offer vivid, cinematic storytelling—infused with his background in military leadership, public history, and a Southern sense of humor.
A Tour Company with Heart
Today, Nashville Adventures offers a range of immersive experiences, including Downtown Nashville Walking Tours, Haunted History Tours, Whiskey Walks, and a newly launched Civil War Leadership series geared toward both tourists and corporate groups.
What sets Nashville Adventures apart is their authenticity. “We don’t do cookie-cutter scripts. Every guide is encouraged to bring their own flair. We hire for passion, not for memorization,” Whitten said.
But it’s not just the tours that make Nashville Adventures unique. It’s the mission behind them.
Whitten donates 1% of all company revenue—not profits—to veteran-related charities like Operation Stand Down Tennessee. “I know what it’s like to come home and wonder what your next chapter looks like,” he said. “That’s why we also prioritize hiring and mentoring veterans who are transitioning into civilian life.”
It’s this combination of community focus and storytelling that’s turned Nashville Adventures into one of the city’s fastest-growing independent tour companies. Without a brick-and-mortar storefront, they’ve kept overhead low and margins tight, allowing more resources to go into guide training, community outreach, and partnerships with local businesses.
History, Humor, and Hard Truths
“Our goal is to make history feel alive,” said Whitten. “Yes, we’ll tell you where Johnny Cash played or where Andrew Jackson once stood. But we’ll also tell you the hard stuff—the Civil War scars, the displaced communities, the complicated legacy that made Nashville what it is today.”
It’s no surprise then that their Nashville Walking Tours are increasingly popular with travelers who want more than Instagram moments. Their top-rated Downtown tour ends at Printer’s Alley, where guides recount bootlegger legends and civil rights clashes—just steps away from Broadway’s flashing lights.
“Nashville isn’t just a party city. It’s a place of resilience,” Whitten said. “From the Overmountain Men to the music legends to the folks just trying to pay rent—this city has always been a crossroads of creativity and conflict.”
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Whitten is excited to expand their corporate offerings, particularly the Civil War Leadership Tours, which are based on the "staff ride" concept used in military education. These tours bring groups to historic locations and explore how past battlefield decisions mirror modern business challenges.
“We’ve had CEOs stand in the middle of a field and realize something profound about leadership, risk, or communication,” Whitten said. “That’s what Nashville Adventures is about—transformational moments, not transactional ones.”
For visitors looking to experience the real Nashville—the one that lives beyond the neon—Nashville Adventures offers a walking tour that just might change the way you see Music City.
To learn more or book a tour, visit www.nashvilleadventures.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: Nashville Adventures
Contact Person: Paul Whitten
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Country: United States
Website: https://www.nashvilleadventures.com/