Your hands make a Goo Goo in Nashville. This 1-hour class at the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. blends a short tasting with real candy-making at a machine, plus time to design your own premium candy. I love the hands-on chocolate making part and the chance to taste multiple Goo Goo-style treats right up front.

What makes it extra fun is that you’re not just learning a recipe. You’re getting the story behind Nashville’s official candy bar, created back in 1912, while you work in a small group setting (max 8). One possible drawback: it’s not a long sightseeing tour, so it works best as a focused break in your Nashville day.

If you’re planning with kids, note the rules: everyone in the classroom needs a ticket, and children under 12 must be with an adult (you’ll also want kids around 5 and up for best enjoyment). The class is offered in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket for easy check-in near public transportation.

Key highlights to look for

• A small-group class (up to 8), so you’re not lost in the crowd
• Tasting flight first, including a lil Goo sample and the classic Goo Goo Cluster
• A chocolate machine moment, where you get the hands-on experience
• Design your own premium Goo Goo candy, choosing from included ingredients
• You take something home, including a take-home apron

Downtown at Goo Goo Chocolate Co: where the class starts

The action kicks off at Goo Goo Chocolate Co, 116 3rd Ave S in the center of downtown Nashville. This is the company’s flagship store setup, meaning you’re standing in the same retail space where people come to buy candy—then you move from browsing mode into workshop mode.

Check-in feels straightforward. You’ll use a mobile ticket, and because it’s near public transportation, you can usually fit it into a day without needing a car detour. With a maximum of 8 travelers, the room stays manageable, and the instructor can keep things moving without turning it into a long wait.

If you have allergies, the class has a reputation for being organized and accommodating. Still, it’s smart to mention any concerns at the start so the team can guide you on what’s safe to handle and eat.

The first taste: what you sample before you make

The class starts with a tasting component designed to get your palette ready. You’ll go through a tasting flight of various chocolates, plus a small sample called a Lil Goo—basically a quick taste of the original Goo Goo Cluster concept.

Then you get the flagship candy itself: the Goo Goo Cluster is described as a roundish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, and fresh roasted peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate. Even if you’ve never heard of it, this description helps you understand why the flavor mix works: salty peanut + sweet caramel + soft marshmallow under a chocolate shell.

This tasting-first approach matters. By the time you get to the making part, you’re not guessing what your final candy should taste like. You can also spot what you personally like—maybe you’re all-in on peanut, or maybe you love the marshmallow-meets-caramel feel.

The candy-making session: working with the chocolate machine

After your tasting, you move into the hands-on part: the class includes one hour of candy making with a chocolate machine experience. That’s the heart of the activity. Instead of watching from the sidelines, you’re actively participating in the chocolate step.

The exact mechanics can vary by instructor flow, but the big idea is consistent: you’ll learn how Goo Goo-style candy comes together, and you’ll build your own premium candy using included ingredients. The machine is a fun equalizer, too. Even if you’re not a kitchen person, you’re working with a guided process rather than trying to invent tempering techniques from scratch.

One practical tip: wear or bring clothes you don’t mind getting a tiny bit chocolate-adjacent. It’s not meant to be messy on purpose, but candy making is still candy making.

Customizing your own premium Goo Goo candy

Here’s where the class becomes more than tasting. You’ll design and make your premium Goo Goo candy from a set of included ingredients. The experience is set up so you can choose your ingredient options and put together your own version of the Cluster-style candy.

Think of it like this: the tasting shows you what makes Goo Goo Goo Goo. The customization lets you decide your preferences. If you like things sweeter, you’ll naturally gravitate toward the ingredients that push flavor in that direction. If you love crunch, peanuts and toppings become the star of the show.

You also get to sample your work in the moment. And you’ll leave with your crafted candy plus a take-home apron, which is a nice souvenir that makes the class feel real—not just like a sticker-and-sip stop on your trip.

What you learn beyond the recipe (and why it’s useful)

Nashville’s Goo Goo story is built into the experience. In 1912, America’s first combination candy bar was created here in Nashville, and that heritage is part of what you hear during the class.

You also learn what the Goo Goo Cluster actually contains—caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, all in milk chocolate—and how the brand turned that formula into an iconic Nashville candy. That context helps you understand why people treat Goo Goo like more than a dessert. It’s a local product with a clear identity.

The instructor role matters here. Many classes are led by energetic, humorous teachers who keep the pace lively. If your session is led by Rayna, for example, you can expect high energy and lots of knowledge woven into the process. Other instructors you might see include RK and BC/CB, and classes also run with people like Brenna and Sophia for family groups. Whoever you get, the goal is the same: you leave knowing what you made and why it matters.

The timing and group size that make it work

This is a short, focused class—about 1 hour. That makes it easier to schedule than longer cooking experiences, especially if you’re balancing Broadway, music venues, and daytime sightseeing.

With a maximum of 8 travelers, you’re less likely to feel rushed or ignored. It also tends to keep the room upbeat. You’re in it together: tasting, listening, making, and finishing without long stretches where nothing happens.

If you’re traveling with kids, the session length helps. Multiple reviews describe it as a good fit for young families when kids are old enough to enjoy the activity. Your best bet is to bring children around 5 and up, and of course ensure anyone under 12 is accompanied by an adult in the classroom.

Price and value: is $55 a fair deal?

At $55 per person, you’re paying for a full hour of guided instruction, tastings, and a take-home outcome. This isn’t just a museum stop where you look at candy behind glass. You make candy, you taste candy, and you get a souvenir apron tied to the experience.

The value equation gets even better because the class includes:

• A tasting flight of various chocolates
• The Lil Goo sample
• The classic Goo Goo Cluster concept
• Time to create your own premium candy
• A take-home apron

In other words, you’re not paying for a lecture. You’re paying for ingredients, instruction, and the hands-on machine experience. If you’re traveling as a couple, it’s an activity that feels different from the usual bar-and-venue rhythm. If you’re traveling with family, it’s one of those rare “everyone can participate” events where the kids aren’t just hanging out.

One thing to remember: the activity is marked as requiring good weather. That sounds odd for an indoor class, but it’s still worth factoring into your planning. If it’s impacted, you should expect the operator to offer a different date or a refund.

Who should book this class (and who may skip it)

This is a strong pick if you want something fun that’s still tightly tied to Nashville identity. If you’re into chocolate, candy making, or you like learning through doing, you’ll probably love it.

It also works well for:

• Couples who want a break from nightlife and a shared activity
• Families looking for hands-on fun, especially with kids 5+
• Groups of friends who want a smaller, more interactive plan than a bus tour

You might skip it if you’re looking for a longer narrative walking tour or a big history lecture with lots of stops. This is intentionally focused. You’re trading extra sightseeing time for the chance to make something edible with your own hands.

Should you book the Goo Goo Chocolate Tasting and Candy Making Class?

Yes, if you want a simple, high-reward activity that’s genuinely interactive. For $55, you’re getting tastings, machine time, and a custom candy you can take home—plus the apron. It’s also a smart way to experience something very Nashville without turning your whole day into a drive-and-park marathon.

Book it early if you can. It’s often booked around 18 days in advance on average. And if you’re traveling with kids, plan around the guidance: everyone needs a ticket, children under 12 must be with an adult, and kids around 5 and up tend to enjoy it most.

If you want a sweet break that doesn’t feel like a rushed tourist trap, this one fits the bill.

FAQ

How long is the Nashville Goo Goo Chocolate Tasting and Candy Making Class?

It runs about 1 hour.

What does the class cost?

The price is $55.00 per person.

Where does the class meet?

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

How many people are in each class?

The class has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Are there age requirements for kids?

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and the operator recommends kids be 5 and over for best enjoyment. Everyone in the classroom must purchase a ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.