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A General Jackson Showboat review of their newest show for 2022, Rollin’ on the River. If you’re looking for a unique night out in Nashville, this is it! Whether you’re a Nashville native or new to town and looking for something you can only find in Music City, you’ll definitely want to add this outing to your “must-do” list…
General Jackson Showboat Review
Come aboard the General Jackson Showboat for a first-hand look at their newest show, as well as views you won’t find anywhere else in Music City (especially at night).
General Jackson Showboat Menu
As for the food and entertainment, both exceeded my expectations.
We tried each of the appetizers and would have ordered each again. The wings were flavorful, the pretzels were soft and warm and the pimento cheese tasted homemade. We then moved on to a 3-course southern menu. The salad with sun-dried tomatoes went above the average house salad and the dressing was light and delicious. The main course featured both chicken and beef as well as potatoes and green beans. The green beans and beef were fine, but the chicken and potatoes were the real stars of the plate!
After returning from our sightseeing outside, we found a delightful mason jar dessert awaiting us at the table with a lemon-blueberry cake of sorts. Again, such a different and special way to end our meal and far above what I would have expected from a banquet-style dinner.
Rollin’ on the River Show
Rollin’ on the River is the GJ’s new evening cruise show for 2022. The Showboat celebrates music from some of America’s most iconic river towns.
The hour-long show took us on a musical journey from New Orleans jazz up the Mississippi river to Memphis Blues and Rock & Roll. The trip concluded with a number of classic and current country hits, all performed by some of Nashville’s finest singers. They perform alongside a magnificent 8-piece showband including a 5-piece horn section made the jazz truly come alive. There was an instrumental section in the middle of the show between a fiddle player and guitarist that was one of the highlights of the night!
Midday Cruise Show
The General Jackson Showboat also offers a Midday cruise show: Tennessee Legends. The afternoon show pays tribute to world-famous musicians who have roots in Tennessee, including Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and more.
How Long is the General Jackson Cruise?
This 3-hour round-trip cruise up and down Nashville’s main waterway was a treat for our entire family with multiple generations in attendance. We noticed a lot of groups on board, as well as others celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. One thing to note – there is no “on and off” this dinner cruise. You board near Opry Mills Mall and Gaylord Opryland Resort around 6:15, leave the dock at 7 and return home by 10 PM. It is a full evening of food and entertainment. If you are planning on a Friday evening cruise, keep in mind that traffic can get backed up because of mall traffic, especially around the holidays.
What Type of Cruise is the General Jackson?
I’ve seen a lot of questions online about what type of cruise the General Jackson showboat is. Believe it or not, the General Jackson is the largest paddlewheel riverboat in the country. The boat can hold 1,000 passengers and up to 172 crew members.
Speaking of Nashville skyline views, make sure to head up to the top deck after dinner and before the show starts to see the bright lights of Broadway on one side of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium (where the Titans play) on the other side. Plus, you’ll want to take selfies with the pedestrian bridge lit up at night.
The Best Views of the Nashville Skyline
I started this post by saying you’ll see some of the best views of the Nashville skyline from the General Jackson, especially at night, and I wasn’t exaggerating. With four massive decks, the boat offers both outside and inside access with sweeping views of the Cumberland river.
For the best Nashville skyline views, make sure to head up to the top deck after dinner and before the show starts to see the bright lights of Broadway on one side of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium (where the Titans play) on the other side. Plus, you’ll want to take selfies with the pedestrian bridge lit up at night.
General Jackson Tickets & Schedule
Get more details on General Jackson tickets, show schedule and more by visiting the General Jackson showboat website.
Related Opryland Posts:
- Opryland SoundWaves Review
- SoundWaves Outdoor Water Experience
- Visiting Opryland Hotel at Christmas
- Favorite Restaurants in Opryland Hotel
