Every pick is checked on Google Maps and rechecked every quarter. Last full check: October 19, 2026 How we rate
BacheloretteNASHVILLE Build your weekend

On the water

Party boats, compared.

You can go two ways: a party barge on the river a short walk from Broadway, or a private boat on Percy Priest Lake. The river is easier to get to; the lake gives you a full day of swimming.

Last checked Nov 8, 2026Ratings from Google MapsHow we rate
BoatWhereGetting thereWhat you getGoogle
Pontoon Saloon
Getting on the water without leaving downtown		Cumberland River, downtownDock at 2 Victory Ave, a short walk across the river from BroadwayCaptain and a DJ-bartender, up to 474.9 (2,020)
Rowdy Boats
A private lake day for just your group		Percy Priest LakeEast of the city; plan rides out and backCaptain, coolers with ice, pool noodles and a giant floating mat, per reviews5.0 (2,031)
Rowdy’s Wild Rides
A lake day with slides		Percy Priest LakeEast of the city; plan rides out and backBoats with a roof deck, slides and a lily pad, per reviews5.0 (1,876)

River or lake?

  • Pick the river if you want the water without losing half a day. Pontoon Saloon’s dock is a short walk from Broadway, and there’s a bachelorette-only shared cruise if your group is small. Reviews recommend the evening cruise for the sunset over the skyline.
  • Pick the lake if the bride wants to swim, float and lie in the sun. Percy Priest Lake is east of the city, so book rides there and back and keep the evening light.

When to book

Boats are one of the first things to book after the house. Pontoon Saloon advises booking private cruises about 90 days out, and popular weekends go sooner. Check the 2027 weekends to avoid before you pick a date.

Before you pay

  • Ask about drinks. Rules differ by company and by trip, so ask what you can bring and what’s sold on board.
  • Ask about weather. Find out what happens to your booking if it storms, and whether they run in the month you’re visiting. Nashville’s rainiest month is May on average; see the weather by month.
  • Confirm the headcount limit and where you meet. The dock and the meeting point aren’t always the same.

What to bring

Swimsuit, cover-up, sunscreen and water shoes. On the lake, reviews say captains supply coolers with ice and floats, so you bring the drinks and snacks. Have a rain plan ready the week of.

Every boat, one by one