Pre-Con Tours - Monday, August 26
Mary Stella - Committee Chair
tours2024@bouchercon.com
Music City, U.S.A. Tour
On Monday, August 26th, the tour bus will pick us up at 1 p.m. at the Gaylord. On the way downtown, an expert Nashville Storyteller Guide will bring Music City alive for us with details about its history and evolution. We’ll make stops at the popular Gulch area to see art murals (and do some shopping if desired), and the Parthenon, and cruise Broadway, learning more about the honky tonk music scene. The trip includes tickets for a self-guided tour of the famous Ryman Auditorium, too! After the tour, there’s time to visit some of the local music clubs or grab a bite before heading back to the Gaylord. Want more time? You can absolutely remain downtown and simply grab a ride-share back to the hotel. It’s sure to be a fun, entertaining afternoon, all for only $120 per person, plus cash gratuities for guide and bus driver.
Pre-Con Tours - Tuesday, August 27
Grand Ole Opry
No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry! For almost 100 years, the Opry has showcased the legends of country music, while also introducing newer artists to audiences everywhere.
The Opry is a short walk from the Gaylord and our group has arranged two private (privacy based on minimum of 30 people), backstage tours.
On our tour, we’ll take in the sights, sounds, and stories that only happen backstage before the country music magic happens onstage. We’ll learn more about the history of this legendary venue, see what the artists experience, and soak in the behind the scenes atmosphere. Highlights include a state-of-the-art theater experience with music, special effects, archival footage and superstar hosts Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
The stories and photos alone provide a priceless look into the Opry and the country music greats who have appeared in the venue’s biggest moments. We’ll see the Artists’ Entrance, peek at the dressing rooms, and much, much more.
Join us for one of these special tours 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th.
Yes, you can do both the Tuesday Opry Tour and the Murder and Crime bus tour on the same day!
The Grand Ole Opry Tour is $35 per person. (It does not include tickets to an Opry show.)
Murder and True Crime Tour
Tuesday evening, August 27th, join guest host, New York Times Bestselling author and Bouchercon honoree Heather Graham and, together, we’ll delve into the darker side of Music City with a custom tour developed just for us.
The bus picks us up at 6 p.m. and on our way downtown, our experienced storyteller guide will give us an overview of Nashville's history, the evolution of Music Row and the features that make Nashville one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S.A. Wear your walking shoes as we then embark on a the 90-minute walking tour to visit some of the sites of Nashville’s most infamous and gruesome mysteries. Explore dark alleys, crime scenes and downtown Nashville’s hidden past. Our tour guide will tell the fascinating stories of political assassinations, celebrity murders, and serial killers. Cold case files solved years later, unsolved murders, and crimes of passion are a part of Nashville’s dark history. After the tour concludes, ride the bus back to the Gaylord, or take extra time on your own to continue exploring the legendary honky tonks and hot, superstar-owned clubs.
This custom tour is only $80 per person, plus cash gratuities for guide and bus driver.
Pre-Con Tours - Wednesday, August 28
Grand Ole Opry
No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry! For almost 100 years, the Opry has showcased the legends of country music, while also introducing newer artists to audiences everywhere.
The Opry is a short walk from the Gaylord and our group has arranged two private (privacy based on minimum of 30 people), backstage tours.
On our tour, we’ll take in the sights, sounds, and stories that only happen backstage before the country music magic happens onstage. We’ll learn more about the history of this legendary venue, see what the artists experience, and soak in the behind the scenes atmosphere. Highlights include a state-of-the-art theater experience with music, special effects, archival footage and superstar hosts Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
The stories and photos alone provide a priceless look into the Opry and the country music greats who have appeared in the venue’s biggest moments. We’ll see the Artists’ Entrance, peek at the dressing rooms, and much, much more.
Join us for this special tours at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28th.
The Grand Ole Opry Tour is $35 per person. (It does not include tickets to an Opry show.)
Sounds Great! How Do I Sign Up?
For the Bus Tours: To learn more and register for either of the two bus tours, please go to this link:
https://swtravel.groupcollect.com/v2/go/boucherconprenighttours
Follow the easy steps to set up the account, reserve your spot and make your payment directly with the tour operator!
Grand Ole Opry Tours: To reserve your spot in one of the Grand Ole Opry Tours, please email Bouchercon Tour Chair Mary Stella at tours2024@Bouchercon.com. Include your telephone number and best time to contact and Mary will call you to complete your registration and take your payment!
Please sign up as soon as possible and definitely before July 20th. We need a minimum number of participants to confirm the tours! Thank you!
Questions?
Email Mary: tours2024@Bouchercon.com