Location: Nashville
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Things to do in Nashville, Tennessee (TN): The Best Historic Sites
With live music to be heard all across town, 24/7, 365 days a year, Music City lives up to its name. From honky-tonk bands jamming at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to songwriters in the round at the Bluebird Cafe and country music legends rocking the Grand Ole Opry, you never know who you might see. The creative spirit from Nashville's music landscape flows into the area's myriad art galleries, up-and-coming fashion scene, historic landmarks and chef-driven restaurants.
Restaurants in Nashville
1. Belmont Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
Belmont Mansion is the largest house museum in Tennessee and one of only a few whose history revolves around the life of a woman: Adelicia Acklen. The historic house is open to visitors for tours. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. The house is also one of Nashville's most popular rental venues for weddings and events.
Reviewed By fabiola2406
We had a wonderful experience while visiting Belmont mansion their staff is very knowledgeable about the history of the house and family the mansion is beautifully decorated with original pieces from the family that made Belmont Mansion what it is today I would definitely visit again if I'm ever in Nashville Tennessee
2. Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,206 reviews
History and hospitality...two words that have been at the foundation of Belle Meade for over 200 years. In the 1800s, Belle Meade was one of the largest and wealthiest private estates in Nashville, raising the nation's finest thoroughbred race horses. Having hosted celebrities, presidents, generals, and a wealth of revered turfmen, Belle Meade became Nashville's first attraction. Located just seven miles west of downtown Nashville, today this sanctuary of Southern hospitality offers Guided Tours, Food and Wine Pairings, Bourbon Tastings, Segway Tours, outstanding Gift Shops, Nashville's first Winery, an on-site Restaurant, an Outdoor Game Court, and some of the most beautiful Grounds in Nashville.
Reviewed By LJGoity
The tour was scenic and gorgeous, our guide, Patrick, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, the history of the tour was educational, eye opening and the FREE wine tasting afterwards was incredible! Every wine we tried was delicious!
3. Historic Travellers Rest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Historic Travellers Rest is the oldest historic house museum open to the public in Nashville. Our primary mission is history education and we serve more than 12,000 children and adult visitors each year. Our programs and events cover 1000 years of history, from Mississippian settlement through the 19th century using the cultural resources at the 1799 home built by John Overton. Self-guided grounds tours and guided house tours are available Tuesday-Saturdays. House tours last about an hour and are offered on the hour starting at 11:00 am. Last tour at 3:00 pm. During this time tour sizes will be limited to 8 people. Tour availability is first-come first-serve so reservations are suggested. Please call to make a reservation.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
I suppose most people visit Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to get a perspective on the history of Nashville, Tennessee. Well, that certainly is an important part of it. But don't pass up an opportunity to visit Travellers Rest Plantation and Museum to get another perspective. Located at 636 Farrell Parkway, the two-story structure with four rooms was built in 1799 by Judge John Overton, who was an advisor and close friend of Andrew Jackson. In fact, he was a co-founder of Memphis, Tennessee. An addition was made to the house in 1812 to accommodate more members of the Overton family and a long ell was added in 1820 when Overton married a widow with five children. He died at Travellers Rest in 1833. A final addition was added in 1887. At one time, the plantation covered 1,050 ares and was worked by 80 slaves. Historically, it is significant because Overton discovered a large number of prehistoric skulls on his property. Today, archaeologists know that the remains were part of a large Mississippian village site. The house was saved from demolition and restored in 1954 to become a museum when construction of a visitors center uncovered additional human remains from a prehistoric period. During a one-hour guided toour, visitors can view exhibits that document the life and work of John Overton, his relationship with Andrew Jackson and the history of the Overton plantation and Nashville during the Civil War, then explore the lavish gardens that surround the plantation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
4. Cheekwood
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,355 reviews
Experience Cheekwood, the 55-acre estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune in Nashville, Tennessee, and one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era Estate in the United States. The Botanical Garden is a spectacular showcase of color and horticultural diversity with eleven specialty display gardens and stunning natural landscape. The Museum of Art has collections of Painting, Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Visitors can enjoy year-round family-friendly activities with four distinct festivals held during the year. From Cheekwood in Bloom with more than 100,000 tulips in the Spring, to a children’s wonderland of Christmas trees, Trains, Santa, live reindeer, and more during Holiday LIGHTS, Cheekwood celebrates the seasons in style with something for everyone!
Reviewed By argiguy - Colleyville, United States
Our night tour to see the holiday lights at Cheekwood included a visit to the mansion as well as the 3 million Xmas lights throughout the grounds, some of which were unique in our experience. An added treat was the music of the professional carolers. It didn;'t hurt that the weather was perfect during our stay.
5. Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,595 reviews
The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson, is one of the largest and most visited presidential homes in the United States, and recently named the #1 historic house in Tennessee. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with over 30 historic buildings, that welcomes some 200,000 annual visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren, from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Visit Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to witness "The Duel: The Art of the Southern Gentleman." This 30-minute visitor experience will answer questions about dueling followed by an ACTUAL demonstration by our historic re-enactors. “The Duel” takes place every Thursday through Sunday throughout the day, free with paid admission.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home from 1804 until his death in 1845, has been acclaimed the fourth best Presidential site in the nation by USA Today, behind the White House, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon. Located at 4580 Rachels Lane in Davidson County, 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, the Greek Revival structure has a rectangular layout, about 104 feet from east to west and 54 feet from north to south. The main entrance includes a central block with a five-bay, two-story structure with a portico supported by six modified Corinthian style, wooden columns. Within the portico is a two-story balcony. One-story wings flank the mansion. Inside, the main block of the house consists of four large rooms separated by a center hall. At the far end of the hall is the elliptical cantilevered staircase with mahogany handrail that leads to the second level. Notice the crystal chandeliers and Italian marble mantels and the entry hall with plank flooring painted dark and decorated with block-printed wallpaper made in Paris, France. To the right of the entrance hall are two bedrooms that were occupied by Jackson and his son. On the second level are four bedrooms that once were occupied by guests such as Sam Houston, the Marquis de Lafayette, James K. Polk and Martin Van Buren. Perhaps the most interesting feature in the house is a rustic mantelpiece called the "Eighth of January" that was carved by a veteran of the Battle of New Orleans, who worked on the mantelpiece on each anniversary of the battle until he finished on January 8, 1839. The Hermitage, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, can be viewed in via a two to four-hour self-guided tour, a 90-minute guided tour of the mansion and grounds and access to the mansion's balcony, a tour of the grounds via a horse-drawn wagon allowing a glimpse of what life was like on the 1,000-acre cotton plantation and two tours that include access to the mansion, grounds and exhibit gallery, an interpreter-led tour of the mansion, a self-guided auto tour of the gardens, grounds and the other historic buildings, a self-guided tour of the farmland that used to be the Heritage Planation and viewing a film, "Andrew Jackson: Born From A Star," at the visitors center. Also of interest is the large brick smokehouse at the rear of the kitchen that was built in 1831 and cured 20,000 pounds of pork a year and a nearby slave cabin known as Uncle Alfred's Cabin, named for Alfred Jackson, who was born into slavery on the property in 1812 and worked as a freedman after Emancipation and stayed on as a caretaker following the purchase of the estate in 1889 by the Ladies' Hermitage Association. He died in 1901 and was buried near the tomb of the seventh President of the United States and his wife, Rachel, who died in 1828. There is so much to see at the Hermitage, so much history and so many stories.
6. Downtown Presbyterian Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Located at 154 5th Avenue North in Nashville, Tennessee, at the corner of 5th Avenue and Church Street, the Downtown Presbyterian Church probably can't match the history of its two predecessors but it has built an international reputation for its unique architecture. In fact, because of its distinctive Egyptian Revival architecture, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. The first church on this site burned down in 1832. President Andrew Jackson was a member and was presented with a ceremonial sword on the steps of the church after the Battle of New Orleans. The second church burned down in 1848, after future U.S. President James K. Polk was inaugurated as Governor of Tennessee. The current sanctuary, built in 1848, was designed in the unique Egyptian Revival style by William Strickland, who also designed the Tennessee State Capitol. Exterior design elements include Egyptian style lotus columns and a winged sun disk. Interior Egyptian style elements include stained glass windows, woodwork and renderings of Egyptian scenes on the sanctuary walls. The twin towers are reminiscent of the twin towers of St. Stephen's Church in Philadelphia, where Strickland lived before moving to Nashville. Downtown Presbyterian Church is one of few examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United States and may be the best surviving ecclesiastical example. Historically, it was seized by Federal forces and served as a military hospital during the Civil War, temporarily becoming Nashville's Union Hospital No. 8 with 206 beds. It also was used as a refuge for Nashville citizens from floods in the 1920s. Today, the church sponsors a Saturday meal program for the homeless and helps to train the homeless in restaurant skills. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
7. Two Rivers Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
8. Fort Negley Park and Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By 155julietl
Fort Negley's history as a Union fort in the south has left it relatively unknown. But it's history is fascinating. It was built by impressed African Americans, many of whom went on to join the Union Army. After the war, the first Black neighborhoods in Nashville were established in the area, some of which were right on St. Cloud Hill (the hill the fort is on). The fort was rebuilt in the 1930s by the WPA. Throughout its history it has served as a symbol of pride and complicated refuge. A can't miss. The visitors center has a few movies with information about Nashville during the Civil War and the staff are very well informed and have done extensive research on the fort.
9. Kelley's Point Battlefield
10. Clover Bottom Mansion
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