Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
4.7(5.9K)google
Senior-FriendlyIndoorOutdoorMust-SeeGuided TourEducationalHistoric BuildingPlantationSlavery History
Overview
The Hermitage is a National Historic Landmark and museum located in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Nashville in the neighborhood of Hermitage. The 1,000-acre (400 ha)+ site was owned by President Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, from 1804 until his death there in 1845. It also serves as his final resting place.
Practical Info
Every day8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeFabulous in May for formal garden blooms or late October fall foliage. Pass the security gates at the 9:00 AM opening on a weekday to stroll the historic cotton fields and photograph the stunning Greek Revival brick mansion under soft morning sun rays before heavy student tour groups arrive.
Getting ThereSituated in northeast suburban Nashville at 4580 Rachels Lane. Driving is highly recommended as no high-frequency transit links serve this estate: take I-40 East to Exit 221, head north on Old Hickory Blvd for 4 miles, and turn right directly into the plantation's grand free surface lot.
Travel Tips
- The entry-tier Grounds Pass permits self-guided tracking across the 1,000-acre historic agricultural property and slave quarters but strictly denies access across the historic Mansion threshold. Entering the central residence requires purchasing the specialized 'Mansion Tour' tier online; on-site box offices cannot process last-minute cabin upgrades due to firm interior limits.
- The plantation’s archeological nodes and field quarters are highly dispersed, demanding 1.5 to 2 miles of active walking over raw gravel, dirt tracking, and turf meadows. Wet weather causes deep mud and erosion; footwear safety codes prohibit stilettos or smooth fashion sandals, necessitating technical traction sneakers or rugged field boots.
- The residence interior preserves highly sensitive 19th-century panoramic wallpapers and personal presidential effects. To stop light-driven organic decay, flash photography is universally banned inside the Mansion; extending hands, camera rigs, or luggage surfaces to touch any exposed historical wood or textile is legally prohibited, resulting in immediate removal.
Reviews
Positive
- This sweeping plantation home of the 7th US President features a grand Greek Revival mansion rich in history, with stunning, authentic pastoral scenery.
- The tour design is deeply objective, showcasing presidential achievements while transparently detailing enslaved history for superb educational value.
- The walking paths are well-planned with ample trash cans, benches, and clean restrooms, offering flat accessible pathways from the visitor center onwards.
- Driving here is highly convenient, offering an exceptionally spacious and completely free outdoor lot, backed by warm, professional costumed guides.
Heads up
- Basic admission only covers the grounds and a mansion tour; accessing the upper floor or specific deep tours requires upgrading, creating steep secondary costs.
- Because the historic complex spans a large footprint with scattered sites, walking under direct summer sun causes rapid fatigue, and free internal shuttles are missing.
- Exhibits and media movies are entirely in English, providing zero multilingual signs or foreign audio devices, making it less convenient for international guests.
- During weekend afternoon crowd peaks, limited capacity inside the historic rooms can cause mansion queues to get chaotic, indicating a need for better splitting.