Nashville’s Goo Goo Chocolate Tasting & Candy Making Class

A candy class that tastes like Nashville.

This hands-on session happens right at the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. flagship in the middle of downtown, where you get a quick history lesson and then jump into making your own Goo Goo Cluster-style candy. You’ll also sample multiple chocolate options so you’re not just standing around watching.

What I like most is how practical it feels: you actually work with the candy process, including a chocolate machine moment, instead of doing a passive tour. I also love the energy of the instructors—names like Rayna and RK show up in the class experience, and they keep things moving with humor and clear guidance.

One consideration: the class is short (about an hour, sometimes a bit longer), and everyone in the classroom needs a ticket. If you’re hoping for a long, slow “sit and stroll” activity, plan for something more bite-sized.

Key highlights at a glance

• Downtown meeting spot at 116 3rd Ave S, right in the Goo Goo shop area
• Small group size with a maximum of 8 travelers in the classroom
• Hands-on candy making with a chocolate machine experience
• Customize your premium Goo Goo by choosing from included ingredients
• Tasting flight included plus the small Lil Goo sample of the Original Cluster
• Take-home apron plus extra goodies and purchase discounts

Entering Goo Goo Chocolate Co in the heart of downtown Nashville

You’ll start at the Goo Goo Chocolate Co at 116 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201. The location matters more than you’d think. If you’re doing Nashville on foot, this is one of the more convenient “activity blocks” because you can pair it with nearby sights and still be back out on the street fast.

Check in is simple—this runs with a mobile ticket, and it’s offered in English. The class also stays small (max 8 travelers), so it doesn’t feel like you’re being funneled through a factory line. You’ll be close to the action, with enough room to focus when it’s time to make candy.

The “A Taste of Goo Goo” story: what the class teaches you

The class is built around a very Nashville origin myth you can actually explain afterward. In 1912, Nashville is credited with creating America’s first combination candy bar. That’s the backdrop for the Goo Goo Cluster, which is essentially a round-ish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, and fresh roasted peanuts, all coated in milk chocolate.

This matters for two reasons. First, it gives the candy a real identity, not just a brand name. Second, it helps you understand why the flavor combo works: caramel + nougat + peanut has that sweet-salty balance that keeps people coming back.

During the session, you’ll get a tasting flight alongside the history, then you’ll move into making your own premium version. So the story isn’t floating in the air—it lands right on your tongue.

Your tasting flight: what you’ll try before you make your own

You’ll sample several Goo Goo offerings in the classroom experience. The typical lineup includes a tasting flight of various chocolates, plus the Lil Goo sample, which is a small taste of the Original Goo Goo Cluster. You’ll also get to experience the signature Original Cluster itself—caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate.

And yes, you’ll taste again at the point where the class shifts from history to hands-on candy making. That’s a smart pacing choice. It helps you notice flavor and texture differences as you go from tasting to building.

If you’re the kind of person who buys chocolate and then second-guesses whether it’s “too sweet,” this flight helps you calibrate fast. You’ll learn what you personally like before your own candy is finished.

Candy making in real time: how the class flows

This is not a lecture with a snack at the end. It’s an hour-plus session built around doing the steps yourself. The highlights specifically call out a chocolate machine experience, and the class is designed to keep the momentum going so you don’t feel lost.

Here’s the practical rhythm you should expect:

1) Start with tasting + instructions so you understand the candy components.

2) Move into hands-on candy making with the chocolate machine moment.

3) Customize your premium Goo Goo candy using different included ingredients.

4) Finish with take-home items and time to enjoy what you made.

Group size helps here. With a maximum of 8 travelers, the instructor can actually keep watch, offer fixes, and help you stay on track when you’re working with something sticky and timing-sensitive.

Also, the size of what you make is decent. In other words, this isn’t a “tiny bite for a photo.” You’ll leave with something substantial enough to feel like a real souvenir.

Customizing your premium Goo Goo cluster: choosing ingredients and designing yours

One of the fun parts is that you don’t just assemble a single pre-set candy. You’ll design and make a premium Goo Goo candy from different ingredients, selecting from the included options.

That customization is where the class becomes more than a tasting. It turns into a small creative project. You get to think through your preferred balance—sweetness, crunch, and that peanut-meets-caramel vibe—then apply it to what you build.

If you’re doing this as a couple, it’s also a natural “compare and trade bites” moment. If you’re doing it as a family, it gives kids or teens a job that feels like theirs, not something they’re being dragged through.

Who teaches the class and why it matters

In a short class, the instructor quality really shows. Reviews repeatedly highlight instructors by name—Rayna and RK come up as energetic, funny, and knowledgeable, with a talent for keeping everyone engaged. Other names that appear include Brenna and Sophia, plus CB and BC in different experiences.

What you want in this setting is someone who can explain steps clearly, then switch to hands-on help when you need it. The good news is that the class is run with that in mind: the flow is structured, but the teaching stays personal.

So if you’re worried you’ll feel awkward making candy in front of strangers, don’t be. With small groups and instructors who stay patient, it’s more like a guided workshop than a show.

What you take home: apron, candy, and purchase perks

You’ll leave with multiple take-home elements. The class description includes classic clusters and a take-home apron. That apron is a nice detail because it turns the experience into something you can remember and reuse, not just a one-time snack.

You should also plan on extra treats during the class. People mention complimentary goodies alongside the tasting and candy making. And there’s usually a perk when you shop afterward—reviews mention discount codes for purchases.

If your group is already excited about buying Goo Goo in the shop, it’s worth going into the class with that in mind. The class doesn’t just end when you’re done making candy; it nudges you toward grabbing the flavors you liked most.

How long it really takes, and how to schedule it

The tour duration is listed at about 1 hour. Some experiences run a little longer (think around an hour and some change), which lines up with a class where you’re tasting, learning, and then making something from start to finish.

Plan your day like this:

• If you’re on a tight schedule, treat it as a firm “block” and build in a small buffer around it.
• If you’re doing a broader Nashville day, slot it early or mid-day so you’re not trying to fit it around a late dinner.

Because it’s downtown, you can easily connect it to nearby activities without needing a car shuffle. And the small group size means you’re less likely to feel stuck behind a long line.

Families, kids, and the age question that actually matters

Children have specific guidance: anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and all parties in the classroom must purchase a ticket. The experience also recommends kids 5 and over for best enjoyment.

That recommendation makes sense. With candy making, kids need enough patience to follow steps and handle the tools safely with guidance. In practice, the class tends to work well across ages when an adult is actively involved.

So if you’re bringing a younger child, don’t assume it’s “drop-off friendly.” It’s more of a shared activity—parents should plan to stay engaged.

If your group includes teens, this can be a surprisingly good break from typical sightseeing. It’s hands-on, it’s social, and it ends with something you made.

Value for $55: why this price can work

At $55 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity in downtown Nashville. But it also isn’t priced like a basic tasting. You’re paying for several things at once:

• a guided history + instruction component
• a tasting flight
• a hands-on candy making session that includes a chocolate machine experience
• take-home items like an apron
• and you likely leave with extra candy and shopping perks like discount codes

If you compare it to booking a generic walking tour plus buying candy separately, this can be a better deal because everything is bundled. It’s also a one-hour activity, so you’re not paying for a half-day commitment.

It’s best value if you want something different from bars and typical attractions, and if your group enjoys tasting as much as building.

Practical notes before you go

A few details help you have a smoother experience:

• It’s offered in English with a small classroom size.
• Service animals are allowed.
• It’s near public transportation, so you can reach it without stressing about parking.
• You’ll want to keep your phone charged for the mobile ticket.

Also, bring the right mindset. This class rewards attention. If you show up expecting a quick photo-op only, you might miss the fun parts. If you show up ready to make and taste, you’ll feel satisfied when you walk out.

Should you book the Nashville Goo Goo Chocolate tasting and candy making class?

Book it if you want a short, sweet, downtown activity that mixes local food history with real hands-on making. It’s especially worth it if your group includes chocolate fans, families with kids around age 5+, or anyone who wants a break from the usual Nashville rhythm.

Skip it if you’re looking for a long guided tour, a deep museum-style history session, or an activity that doesn’t require participation. This is a do-something class, and it works best when you lean into it.

If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a very easy “yes.” The combination of tasting, customization, and take-home candy makes it feel like more than the sum of its parts.

FAQ

How much does the Goo Goo Chocolate tasting and candy making class cost?

The price is $55.00 per person.

How long is the class?

It runs for about 1 hour, approximately.

Where do I meet for the class?

You’ll meet at Goo Goo Chocolate Co, 116 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201.

What do I get to taste during the class?

You get a tasting flight of various chocolates, a small Lil Goo sample, and you’ll also experience the Goo Goo Cluster that includes caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate.

Can kids participate?

Yes, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The experience recommends children 5 and over for best enjoyment, and all parties in the classroom must purchase a ticket.

Is the class offered in English?

Yes, the class is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The class has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Do I take anything home?

Yes. The class includes classic clusters and a take-home apron, plus you make a premium Goo Goo candy during the session.

What if the class gets canceled due to weather or I need to change plans?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.