Nashville may be considered a highly influential and contemporary city nowadays, but it still tells the story of the old American south. Walk through the neighborhoods that fringe downtown, or perhaps wander your way into a classic diner south of Broadway. You’ll find it, every once in awhile. A sudden glimmer of what used to be. If you’d rather seek out the past then let it find you, then make sure to visit one of these historic homes around the city. Each one tells a story of what used to be, and each one is incredible in its own right.

The Hermitage

roberto volpi - GoogleMaps The Hermitage is located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s the historic home of President Andrew Jackson. He served as the seventh President of the United States, and lived on the property until his eventual death in 1945. It once operated as a cotton plantation, and is a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the mansion are available on the daily, most commonly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with ticket prices beginning at $22 for adults and $12 for children.

Cragfont State Historic Site

Deborah Hyland - GoogleMaps Cragfont is located in Tennessee’s Castalian Springs, and once was the home of General James Winchester. It sits on 26 acres in Sumner County, and is open to the public for tours. Construction began in 1798 and was completed in 1802, and was once the finest house located in the state of Tennessee. Folks can visit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available both online and in-person.

Buchanan Log House

Buchanan Log House - Facebook The Buchanan Log House is the oldest home in Donelson, Tennessee, located right on the edge of Nashville. The house is still open to the public, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was originally built by James Buchanan, one of the earliest settlers in Nashville, and also one of the men who signed the 1789 Cumberland Compact. It’s now used as a community event space for everything from family reunions to weddings.

Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation - Facebook Belle Meade Plantation is a Greek-Revival plantation located in the heart of Tennessee’s Belle Meade. There are multiple outbuildings located across 30 acres, and there’s even a winery and visitor’s center on the property. The plantation now operates as a museum and event space, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.

Rippavilla Plantation

Rippavilla Plantation - Facebook Rippavilla Plantation is a beautiful hidden treasure tucked away in the rolling hills of Spring Hill, Tennessee. The plantation itself is open to visitors, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Come take a tour to experience both Colonial and Greek Revival architecture in the midst of the American south, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Sunday, when you can visit from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Belmont Mansion

Belmont Mansion - Facebook The beautiful Belmont Mansion is also known as Acklen Hall, and it sits right in the heart of Nashville’s Belmont University. The house was built as an Italian villa-style summer home, and was inhabited by the famed Adelicia Hayes and Joseph Acklen. It’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, and has been visited by the likes of Mrs. James K. Polk, Thomas Huxley and Dwight L. Moody.

Travellers Rest Plantation

Travellers Rest Plantation - Facebook Travellers Rest Plantation is perhaps best known as an event space nowadays, but the historic plantation is much more than a background for weddings and family reunions. It also operates as a museum, and boasts a 200 year old history from its time as Judge John Overton’s plantation home to present day. The plantation plays host to local events, group tours and creative workshops.

Timothy Demonbreun House

Timothy Demonbreun House - Facebook The Timothy Demonbreun House now operates as a bed and breakfast, but is also a historic mansion built in 1902. The stunning 22-room mansion was once named, “Robincroft,” to honor its original owners, but the name was changed after local attorney Richard A. Demonbreun purchased it as his personal residence. Known as one of the most beautifully restored homes in Nashville, it’s now a #1 bed and breakfast and intimate event venue.

There’s nothing like a bit of history to infuse your vacation with a bit of knowledgeable fun. If you’re looking to chill out after a tour, however, check out the incredible Greenhouse Bar in the heart of Nashville.

roberto volpi - GoogleMaps

The Hermitage is located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s the historic home of President Andrew Jackson. He served as the seventh President of the United States, and lived on the property until his eventual death in 1945. It once operated as a cotton plantation, and is a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the mansion are available on the daily, most commonly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with ticket prices beginning at $22 for adults and $12 for children.

Deborah Hyland - GoogleMaps

Cragfont is located in Tennessee’s Castalian Springs, and once was the home of General James Winchester. It sits on 26 acres in Sumner County, and is open to the public for tours. Construction began in 1798 and was completed in 1802, and was once the finest house located in the state of Tennessee. Folks can visit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available both online and in-person.

Buchanan Log House - Facebook

The Buchanan Log House is the oldest home in Donelson, Tennessee, located right on the edge of Nashville. The house is still open to the public, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was originally built by James Buchanan, one of the earliest settlers in Nashville, and also one of the men who signed the 1789 Cumberland Compact. It’s now used as a community event space for everything from family reunions to weddings.

Belle Meade Plantation - Facebook

Belle Meade Plantation is a Greek-Revival plantation located in the heart of Tennessee’s Belle Meade. There are multiple outbuildings located across 30 acres, and there’s even a winery and visitor’s center on the property. The plantation now operates as a museum and event space, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.

Rippavilla Plantation - Facebook

Rippavilla Plantation is a beautiful hidden treasure tucked away in the rolling hills of Spring Hill, Tennessee. The plantation itself is open to visitors, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Come take a tour to experience both Colonial and Greek Revival architecture in the midst of the American south, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Sunday, when you can visit from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Belmont Mansion - Facebook

The beautiful Belmont Mansion is also known as Acklen Hall, and it sits right in the heart of Nashville’s Belmont University. The house was built as an Italian villa-style summer home, and was inhabited by the famed Adelicia Hayes and Joseph Acklen. It’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, and has been visited by the likes of Mrs. James K. Polk, Thomas Huxley and Dwight L. Moody.

Travellers Rest Plantation - Facebook

Travellers Rest Plantation is perhaps best known as an event space nowadays, but the historic plantation is much more than a background for weddings and family reunions. It also operates as a museum, and boasts a 200 year old history from its time as Judge John Overton’s plantation home to present day. The plantation plays host to local events, group tours and creative workshops.

Timothy Demonbreun House - Facebook

The Timothy Demonbreun House now operates as a bed and breakfast, but is also a historic mansion built in 1902. The stunning 22-room mansion was once named, “Robincroft,” to honor its original owners, but the name was changed after local attorney Richard A. Demonbreun purchased it as his personal residence. Known as one of the most beautifully restored homes in Nashville, it’s now a #1 bed and breakfast and intimate event venue.

Experience a bit more of Tennessee’s quirkiest aspects by way of The Christmas Place, a holiday-themed store that has a whole lot of seasonal fun inside. 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, 4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076, USAAddress: 200 Cragfont Rd, Castalian Springs, TN 37031, USAAddress: 2910 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, USAAddress: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205, USAAddress: Rippavilla Way, Spring Hill, TN 37174, USAAddress: Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212, USAAddress: Historic Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, 636 Farrell Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37220, USAAddress: 746 Benton Ave, Nashville, TN 37204, USA