Hermitage

Visited the Andrew Jackson Hermitage and it was way more interesting than I expected. The grounds are beautiful, the history is deep, and the staff really know their stuff. You'll leave knowing more about Old Hickory than you ever thought you needed to--and honestly, it's fascinating. The mansion is incredibly well-preserved, and the audio tour was easy to follow and packed with great stories. The garden and tomb area were peaceful, and the museum had impressive displays that really helped paint the full picture. I've seen a lot of negative reviews about accessibility, and it's fair to say it's not the easiest terrain. But keep in mind--this property is over 200 years old. It wasn't built with wheelchairs, scooters, or golf carts in mind. They've clearly done what they can to make it accessible without compromising the historical integrity, but there's still a good bit of walking and uneven ground. Just something to plan for. Still, if you're in the Nashville area and love a good dose of American history with some fresh air and charm, this stop is absolutely worth it.

Apparently Andrew Jackson is my 1st cousin, 6x removed, but still kinda cool. I was visiting Nashville and figured, why not go see what the cousin is all about. I did the house tour, which is about $28 and includes the grounds and museum. They also have a horse/buggy type ride which I didn't do as I wanted to walk. I could see that being a very popular option on very hot and humid days. The house tour was pretty good and I asked a lot of questions, which the tour guides were very nice and happy to answer my questions questions. The house is nicely preserved and the workers seem to take pride in the home and the information provided. It's interesting that Jackson's wife wasn't interested at all in being a 1st lady and just wanted to hang with her husband at her home in Nashville. She was comfortable here and she died during Jackson's run for presidency, which he attributed to the stress of him running. The place was given to TN to settle some debts and was given to them in a state of dispair. It has been kept very nice and the gardens are beautiful. The property also has a live running creek that runs through it which made the property good for building. I didn't realize he had so many slaves. Up to 150 at a time, which seems nutty to me. They say he was good to his slaves at least, but most left as soon as they were given freedom. People value freedom over anything. It's good to see how the workers/slaves had to live compared to the huge mansion Jackson lived in. It is a humbling experience.

*some spoilers in this and obviously in pictures* History is essential to our present and future and I have tried to make it a priority to see the historical landmarks in our area. My friend, her dad, & I finally made it to the Andrew Jackson Hermitage Museum. We appreciated the there was an actual tour of the home, but most of the tour is audio by QR codes and self-guided with a map. Be prepared to walk, her dad's back was hurting by the end and we were pretty cold as it was a chilly day. We saw some covered golf carts, man that would make for a fun experience to have a golf cart ride and guided tour, but don't think that's an option. At the beginning or end there is a walk through museum with a 17 min film, a gift shop, and a winery. Overall, it is an unsettling experience. The stark contrast between the grandeur of the mansion and the tiny, shack-like slave quarters was disturbing. It was even more jarring to see the well-preserved family cemetery, knowing that the burial sites of enslaved people remained unidentified and unmarked until just last year (2024). Using new archaeological technology, researchers recently located what they believe to be the area where enslaved individuals were buried - only now receiving formal recognition and protection, nearly 200 years later. Jackson owned over 300 enslaved people, and while some accounts suggest he treated them well, the reality of their conditions tells a different story. One particularly striking detail is that a man born into slavery on the property chose to stay even after emancipation, later becoming the first tour guide when the Hermitage transitioned into a historical site. It's a fascinating but complicated piece of history, especially considering Jackson's broader legacy. The museum's closing documentary described him as both the best and worst of America - someone who fought against aristocracy and for the "common man," yet that definition clearly only applied to white men. His role in the Indian Removal Act, which led to the forced displacement and suffering of Native American tribes, is impossible to ignore. He did seem to genuinely love his family and wife and that is most evident in the things we learned during the mansion tour.The visit left me reflecting on how history is presented - who is honored, who is forgotten, and how the past still shapes the present.

I had a fantastic time exploring Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, which is not only a beautiful historic site but also an enriching experience for anyone interested in American history. Located just outside of Nashville, the Hermitage is an excellent place to learn about the life and legacy of the seventh U.S. president, Andrew Jackson, and his time on the estate. The property offers ample parking, which makes it easy to visit, even during busier times. I highly recommend booking your tour in advance, as the tours can fill up quickly, especially on weekends or during peak tourist seasons. Arriving at least 10 minutes early is a good idea, ensuring you have plenty of time to check in and get settled before the tour begins. The tour itself is a wonderful journey back in time. The museum is full of informative exhibits, and the guided tours, led by knowledgeable and engaging historians, provide rich insights into Andrew Jackson's life, his presidency, and his controversial legacy. The Hermitage house is beautifully preserved, giving you a glimpse into 19th-century plantation life. You'll get to see the rooms where Jackson lived, the furniture he used, and artifacts from his time. The house is a fascinating piece of history and provides context to the man behind the historical figure. One thing to note is that the site is expansive, and there is a fair amount of walking involved, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. The grounds are well-maintained, with lovely gardens, pathways, and several outbuildings that offer a deeper understanding of life during Jackson's era, including the slave quarters and the original barn. The Hermitage also has a lovely gift shop that's worth a visit. It offers a wide range of items, from historical books and educational materials to unique souvenirs. I particularly enjoyed the selection of antique-style cutlery and other period-appropriate items on display, which added to the historical ambiance and gave me a sense of what life might have been like during the Jacksonian period. Overall, visiting Andrew Jackson's Hermitage was an enlightening experience, combining both history and beauty in one place. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique outing, it's a place that offers plenty to see and learn. The well-preserved estate, engaging tours, and informative exhibits make it a must-visit in the Nashville area.

What a gem! Our tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable. House, grounds, museum and movie were excellent. Jackson represented the dichotomy of his time, a man to be revered and loathed at the same time. A must see!

Highly recommend to learn history on your own and form your own opinion! Jackson was so respected the civil war soldiers on either side would not fight on his property of course he had died before this happened and they still respected his family farm . Uncle Henry is buried in his cemetery. My ancestors fought with him in Battle of 1812! Where a free black man fought beside him and shot Maj Gen. Edward Pakenham the man who was head of the British forces during that war ...Jackson wrote back to the President and praised him highly. Very educational.

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage is an interesting trip for history nerds. There's plenty of parking available, even during peak hours. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket booth near the entrance. An adult ticket is $28 including access to the grounds and a mansion tour. At the ticket booth you can also purchase a wagon tour ticket. Please consider adding this on for $15!! The wagon tour is focused on the lives of the enslaved people who lived on the property, and it's honestly the only time the staff/plaques/signs are transparent and honest about the evils of slavery. Elsewhere, they paint Andrew Jackson as a "good and compassionate plantation owner" which is very disappointing to see. This is the reason I have to only give 4 stars. The wagon tour is also an accessible way to see the extensive grounds, especially when it's hot outside. There is a self-guided audio tour available of the property. You can check out audio equipment in the Visitor Center or use your phone. We didn't use the audio tour and learned plenty with just the signs and map. Definitely spend time at Alfred's Cabin, which isn't far from the mansion. The mansion tour is about 30 minutes long. You cannot take pictures inside the home. The tour was a little robotic and rehearsed, but if we asked questions, it was clear the guides are very knowledgeable and passionate. The gardens around the mansion are very peaceful and beautiful. There is a short introductory video that plays in the visitor center periodically, which is a good way to start the visit. The museum section of the visitor center is small and reading-heavy but informative. You aren't supposed to bring outside food and beverage into the buildings on the property. However, there are picnic tables outside for food. You can bring your own water bottle to fill up as long as it is sealed and packed away while in the buildings. This is good to know for when it's super hot - stay hydrated! There is also a winery/wine tasting room attached to the gift shop, and you can do a $3 wine tasting. Overall, there's a lot to see and do, and the admission price seems worth it. I would budget 4 hours to see and do everything.

Second only to Mt Vernon in presidential home tours.Knowledgeable tour guides take you through the house with many original artifacts, floors and wall paper. A good movie at the welcome center and grounds to explore including the Presidential tomb.

Last Saturday, my fiancée and I took a day trip to Nashville, Tennessee and this time we went and visited Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. I've been before with my mom back in 2016; but this time, I wanted to take my fiancée to the Hermitage. We had a really good time and our tour guide was knowledgeable about her stuff inside and outside of the Hermitage. I'm glad we were able to visit the Hermitage on such a gorgeous sunny day. :)

Lovely tour with a film, museum, home, grounds and historians to help guide you. The garden isn't to be missed. Plan to walk!! There's a a lot to explore and buildings are spread out.

This was an interesting experience. I absolutely love history and find it fascinating. Whether it be something good or something bad, I believe it is very important to keep history alive and known so that we don't repeat past mistakes. This is why I agreed to go to the beautiful Hermitage, despite it's ugly foundation. I am not taking stars off due to the nature of its history, but rather, taking stars off due to the lack of being fully transparent about its history. After going through the mansion tour with guides narrating and exploring the grounds while reading the signs along the way, I was pretty shocked and disappointed by how they seemed to very much soften the stories, information and experiences of the slaves who worked and lived on the hermitage during President Jackson's time there. Yes it was the time that he lived in and we already know that Andrew Jackson owned slaves, why try to sugarcoat anything? It's not a secret....*sigh* While I greatly enjoyed their wineries version of a Twisted Tea and appreciate the absolutely stunning beauty of the grounds as well as the historical significance of pieces within the mansion itself, based on how they did not do those who went through hell there in the past justice, I do regret spending my money there in support.

Andrew Jackson, lawyer, plantation owner, slave owner, General of the Tennessee Volunteers, General US Army, politician, and seventh President of The United States! A colorful character in every sense of the word. The Hermitage is roughly a twenty to twenty minute drive from downtown Nashville. The mansion is well preserved but access to rooms is very limited and the tour is very nice but short. The wallpaper and furnishings are from the period (early 19th century) so it does represent what the home looked like during his life. The gardens and family burial plots which adjoins the home are also very nice and well taken care of. You can walk on trails throughout the plantation. It's very quiet and tree lined and you may see some horses and other livestock. There is an audio tour which takes you around the house and gardens. It's recommended because you can pick up some trivia about Jackson you may not know. Here are some facts. Jackson and his wife Rachel did not have their own children. They adopted them and raised them as their own. Rachel Jackson died three months before her husband was sworn in as president for his first term. Jackson remained a widower the rest of his life. On his deathbed he did not release the slaves he owned. One of his slaves, Uncle Alfred, lived to be ninety eight years old and passed away in 1901. He is buried in the garden near Jackson's tomb. The Hermitage fell on hard times after the president's passing in 1845. His eldest son was apparently a bad businessman and amassed a lot of debt and the property had to be sold. The state of Tennessee bought it back and still owns it to this day. Jackson was known to be a commoner of the people, crass at times, and used profanity often. One amusing note, the President had a parakeet as a pet during his post presidency. The parakeet mimicked Jackson's voice and his use of colorful language. There is a bookstore, gift shop and bar restaurant on the property when you come in. You can take a pint of beer or glass of wine for your walk through the grounds. It's definitely worth a visit when in Nashville.

What a large property. Love the landscape and learning the history here. What a better way to learn about the former president then at his home.

Excellent museum and history lesson. It was a bit much for all of the young kids in our party but I think they had a good time overall but I would have liked to spend more time reading and soaking up the history. In addition to touring the house we also did the horse drawn wagon ride. It was exceptional due to our tour guide/driver, Jade. She was a friendly wealth of knowledge. This was definitely the highlight of our visit for me. Much of this portion of the tour centered around the lives of the enslaved people on the plantation. I thought she did a great job describing what had happened there in a way that didn't hold back some of the horrors of slavery but managed to keep it as age appropriate as possible. I hadn't realized how big this place was- we should have brought a picnic because then we could have stayed longer.

Very cool experience. But our tour felt rushed because an earlier group was late and delayed everyone after them. Plus we had to wait outside in the rain for 20 minutes because the line manager at the mansion didn't communicate with the ticket taker booth. Grounds were very impressive too. Lots of history on the slave experience and Andrew Jackson's start. Piqued my interest in the Battle of New Orleans. Gift shop had a lot of fun trinkets etc., but the "cafe" was just a cooler with a couple sandwiches in it!!

Plan to spend a few hours. And pay the extra money for the home tour. The self guided audio tour is very comprehensive. On a nice day it's wonderful to walk the grounds and listen to the history

Really beautiful. Well maintained. We did the mansion and grounds tour. Learned so much and loved the feeling and peace there. Learned a lot about the slaves and Jackson's place in history.

This was our last tour site of our trip and it was the best in my opinion. After proceeding through the museum entrance, it is a brief hike over to the actual mansion. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable which made for a pleasant experience. The mansion itself is quite impressive and felt different than other sites I've been too before. I liked the layout of the building. After the tour ended, we were free to roam the rest of the property. Since the property is so large, it was very peaceful and quiet. It helped that there weren't many visitors at that particular time. Visiting here was a great experience and taught me more about Mr. Twenty dollar bill!

I never thought I would become as interested in history as I have come to be, much less when I am traveling on vacation. But I have, in recent years, taken it upon myself to visit as many points of significance in the United States as possible. Arts, culture, politics, etc. This place provides a great opportunity to learn a lot about one of our country's former leaders, in great detail, and with great preservative effort. Definitely worth a few hours if you want to enrich yourself in between the silliness and hustle and bustle that Nashville has to offer. Jackson was truly an interesting man, and one who is not adequately reviewed in detail for the majority of public school attendees and graduates. Lastly, the gift shop and wine bar are excellent. I found it quite novel to indulge in some wines in between consuming history.

The Hermitage is a historical museum located in Hermitage, Tennessee. The mansion was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, from 1804 until his death at the Hermitage in 1845. Additionally, it serves as his final resting place. Jackson lived at the property until he retired from public life in 1837. Andrew Jackson also enslaved men, women, and children that worked at the Hermitage and were principally involved in growing cotton. I really love history and always evolving my knowledge so this was definitely the highlight of my trip. The tickets were about twenty five dollars and I purchased a regular tour for the mansion and through the grounds. I wanted to purchase tickets for the wagon ride but they we're short staffed. The tour inside the mansion was about thirty minutes and while you can't go inside the rooms, you can look through a glass door to see inside the rooms. My visit was about two hours because there is a lot of reading involved and there are trails you can venture off to explore the grounds. The Hermitage garden and grounds hold the stories of the slaves, cotton fields, and the president's and wife history. The one acre garden is adjacent to the Hermitage which was designed in the 19th century and was a favorite spot of both Andrew and Rachel Jackson. I would have loved to see the garden while it was in the full effect of its blooming season. The slave quarters and grounds were filled with history of how the slaves lived there day to day lives and their were artifacts that have been discovered, analyzed, catalogued, curated, and displayed at the museum. The mansion and grounds are very interesting to see if you love American history. I can really appreciate the museum because it tells the story of slavery, American history, and Andrew Jackson's life.

It's a solid 4 It's also a testament to the association that they have been able to preserve as much of the house as they have The wallpaper is an incredible piece of art

Great experience of history, the good and bad. The tour guides were informative and helpful. Grounds and mansion are beautifully kept. The horse carriage ride was my favorite part. I believe our guide was named Craig. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of the hermitage.

I really loved my experience here. The history, the beautiful grounds and the employees are so knowledgeable and kind. The walk from the ticket booth to the main home and tour was a bit of a walk through brain grounds. The horse drawn tour was fun and I would highly recommend it. The garden was beautiful! The tomb and cemetery was an eye opening experience. I couldn't find where to get the self guided tour but I'll catch that next time I'm in town. Thanks!

I have to say that this was one of the highlights of my trip to Tennessee. I have always been interested in American history especially with that of our Presidents and the Hermitage did not disappoint at all. I would advise that crowds in the weekends are probably larger than on the weekdays which is why we came on a Wednesday. As expected the amount of people on site was not large and out tour group was limited to about 10 people overall. The tour we took was the VIP tour which was well with the money as you have a dedicated tour guide walking you through the mansion and various sites on the property. Our guide Tony was excellent and did a phenomenal job filing us in on all the interesting aspects personal and public la about the Jackson family. The mansion is absolutely beautiful and well preserved as 82% of what is on the property including wall papers are original to the mansion. The overall property is beautiful and breathtaking and I would advise going early so you can sit back relax and enjoy the quiet tranquility of the location. We also visited the Church Andrew Jackson built for his wife Rachel located on the property and on our way over we saw quite a bit of deer grazing on the open fields surrounding the property, mostly does. Lastly we visited the Jackson's cemetery on the grounds located in the garden behind the mansion as well to pay our respects to the family. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at the property and would highly encourage anyone who is interested in American history and wanting to learn more about Andrew Jackson the man to visit as well. Wishing you all a pleasant stay in Hermitage, TN!

Looking for something fun to explore in Nashville this is a great tour that will have you steeping into the past and seeing how one of our presidents lived his life. The grounds are so beautiful and the vast land is perfect for pictures and exploration. The amount of flowers and plants are so beautiful to explore and the mansion tour takes you back in time to see how life was when this mansion flourished. Our guide was a gentleman who you could tell was passionate about the history of this mansion and was well knowledgeable as well. Each part of the house had a different guide and everyone was so knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour and what a beautiful way to step back in time.

When your hometown is named for Jackson and has a giant statue of him on horseback, you pretty much need to check this place out when you're in town. We bought tickets online so we didn't have to wait in line and the process was really easy. It's only a half hour or so from downtown Nashville (fortunately not a four hour carriage ride like in Jackson's day). We bought tickets to the grounds and house tour but there are lots of different options. The museum is interesting and shows you all about Jackson's really interesting life. Including his few months and Florida territorial governor that got Jacksonville named for him. Sounds like he didn't like living in FL all that much and moved back to TN after a less than a year after getting sick in the swamps. Not sure if we should be insulted since they didn't quite have AC back then. The mansion tour is pretty short but interesting (many of the items inside are original) and be sure to walk the grounds to see the other buildings and homes on the property. If you're interested in Jackson or from a city named for him, this place is a must see.

I really struggled with this rating because so many aspects of The Hermitage deserve five stars, but overall our visit today was not consistently top notch. The preservation of the mansion is incredible and worth the entrance fee, but the tour left a lot to be desired. The groups were too large to be accommodated in the hallways of the mansion, so no one got to spend more than a few seconds looking in the doorways. Unlike most historic homes, you are never allowed into a space other than hallways, breezeways, or entryways, which makes it difficult to really examine the contents of the rooms. Because the group moved from area to area with a different guide in each location, the tour lacked any personalization, and it was much shorter than advertised. The tour guides' offerings were so scripted as to be awkward, and the content was short and vague, offering little in the way of creating an engaging portrait of Jackson and the family members who made this a home. I would recommend that you arrive at least an hour before your tour and spend plenty of time in the museum first so you aren't left wanting by the tour. So do your research on your own, and take your time because the house and grounds are incredible, the museum is well done and easily navigated, and the museum store offered well-curated offerings and friendly staff. Don't forget to check out the church and Tulip Grove (currently closed for construction but worth a drive by look anyway) before you leave. Ultimately, springing for the VIP tour might get you a much different experience, so consider investing the extra money up front.

I recently discovered I am related to Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel, so it only seemed natural to explore the Hermitage while in Nashville. My wife and I took the VIP tour. Our guide, Jay, was great! Jay was a great storyteller and knew his subject matter quite well. Being in the VIP tour, we had access to more parts of the grounds and mansion and we were allowed to take no flash photos throughout (something the other tours are not allowed to do). The tour group was not too large. Jay walked us through the grounds and mansion and had terrific stories and insight about the history of the property and the Jackson's. If you are in the Nashville area and have a couple of hours, the Hermitage tour is well worth the trip.

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage was definitely on my must see list when I visited Nashville. For those of you that do not know, Andrew Jackson was our 7th president. Prior to that, he was a military leader who helped established the city of Memphis and the modern Democratic party. He was the first US representative from Tennessee and led soldiers into battle and ultimately to victory at the Battle of New Orleans. About 14 years before Andrew Jackson was elected to be the president of the United States, he had purchased a 640 acre cotton plantation, which he named the Hermitage. According to one staff member, it is French for home. Andrew Jackson lived on this beautiful open land with his wife Rachel (which in the beginning their marriage union was quite the sandal) in a log cabin that was made by the previous owner. They had 9 slaves at the time, who lived in the smaller log cabins. Eventually, he had a Federal style brick mansion constructed by his slaves (He had at least 300 slaves during his time and had about 150 slaves at one time when he had passed away in 1845). There are 4 rooms on the first floor and 4 rooms upstairs. Eventually Andrew Jackson had architect David Morrison redesign his home while he was living in the White House. David Morrison added 10 large columns for a grand entrance and also helped design the garden. When my husband and I visited, I purchased tickets online (times available are from 9:15 am with the last ticket available at 4 pm. Time slots are sold for every 15 minutes) for the 12:45 pm mansion tour, which allows us a tour of the mansion and of the grounds. You can purchase tickets just to view the grounds (which by the way is dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on site but just not inside any buildings), you can also purchase other tour tickets as well. For the mansion tour, it cost $24 per person. We had a young woman as our tour guide when we reached the mansion (you have to go through the small museum exhibits to get outside and then take a long walk up to the mansion so make sure you allow at least 15-30 minutes ahead of time. You can always come back to the museum to tour it later though, but you just want to make sure you have enough time to get to the mansion). The museum exhibits briefly chronicle the life of Andrew Jackson. There is a film that shows how he rose to become the president (who may not know, was an orphan). You will also learn about the scandal surround his marriage to his wife, Rachel towards the end of the exhibits before going outside to the mansion. Taking the long walk to the mansion, you can listen to a self guided tour in which one of the friendly employees gave us a QR code so that we could listen to it. There are about 3 different tours (one that is also kid friendly). My husband and I listed to most of the tour and really enjoyed the added information since there are very few plaques outside to read about. The mansion itself is decorated with a mix of the appropriate period time pieces and actual family heirlooms from the Jackson family. When you first come you, you may notice the beautiful wallpaper, which was imported from France. Rachel Jackson wanted to make sure that guests were wowed when they first entered the home. The wallpaper shows scenes during Telemachus' visit with the Greek mythological nymph Calypso (which is from the French novel The Adventures of Telemachus). After the Mansion tour (which I think lasted a little less than an hour), you are led back outside but in the back of the home, by the smokehouse. My husband and I walked all of the grounds and toured everything. I know most probably will not but you definitely want to make sure you check out the rose garden that Andrew Jackson had built for Rachel (you will also find the tomb that he had built for her when she passed away in 1828), a cemetery built specifically for those who had served during the Confederate war that is organized by state and Uncle's Alfred's Cabin. Alfred was a man who was born as a slave on the plantation and remained as the caretaker after he was emancipated from slavery. Alfred, who outlived everyone on the plantation and died in 1901, is the only slave buried right near the former president's tomb. He had his funeral in the entry hall of the mansion. No visit is complete without checking out the gift shop, which was back at the main entrance of the museum. There is also a small restaurant there that had a live band playing when we visited and they also do wine tasting, which we did not do. Although other Yelp members had mentioned that the ladies in the gift shop were rude, I thought they were very friendly. I ended up purchasing two coloring books about the Hermitage as souvenirs for my nephews since they were on clearance at only $1.99 (prior to tax). Overall, my husband and I had a really nice time here and highly recommend making it a visit.

I took this tour this past summer with my mother and husband. We really enjoyed it! The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. It was really cool to go inside and see what the house looked like and then walk around the grounds. This is a must see for tourists or locals who haven't been.

Well-preserved historic site with plenty of interesting information. We visited Andrew Jackson's Hermitage on a winter afternoon, and there were few others there. We completed the tour of the mansion. Patrons are able to see almost the entirety of the mansion, and the guide had plenty of information concerning every room. The grounds are expansive and contain several of the original buildings with placards describing the purported use. We spent over 2 hours here and didn't even watch the informational video at the entrance. I would recommend visiting this historic site if your are interested in either US history or historic houses.

The Hermatige is a must do with any visit in Nashville. There is so much history in this property and in the story is that the tour guides and the plaques give you is amazing. Everybody is extremely nice the way it has always been with the natives of Tennessee. the mansion tour and walking the grounds is an awesome time. There is a golf cart for those that need assistance because the mansion is approximately 300 yards from the visitor center. Plenty of parking plenty of room for everybody to walk around a great time for all.

This is a must go to place! There is a reason many world leaders before and after his presidency have visited this very historic place. While his values of his day are not allowed in today's world, his contributions to the US and arguably the world were more than a footnote in history. The 7th US President set actions in place that are still in motion and still evolving. There was a lot of history and events that shaped the man the people elected many times into multiple offices and perhaps you can feel that in the rooms of the mansion and the rolling terrain of the property. I know I walked away seeing a different view of what I thought I knew. Perhaps these grounds are of more importance. You should go and decide. Great efforts have been made to restore the house to the Jackson family original furnishings so that during a tour, you can accurately imagine the sights and sounds of events in the house of this very powerful man. You can look out the same windows he did on the world he was shaping. The tour guides do an outstanding job of taking you back into time and putting you with him. They point out many sides to a complicated man and others that lived on this land. The grounds are fascinating and give you a sense of how the estate operated. It was a rough time and people had different values, morals and standards. I walked away with a keener sense of history and appreciation for how much life has changed after a few minutes experiencing the tour of the Hermitage grounds. The cemetery is a must visit as well. Many world leaders have visited his grave for over a century. The garden is worth a slow stroll seeing all of the various plants labeled in the garden. A beautiful, peaceful place for such a powerful man to be laid to rest. Sign up for the VIP tour as it is well worth it! Wear comfortable shoes. There is plenty of parking and the entry point has some other events always taking place, even with COVID altering some. I saved this for Review #999 as this experience touched me deeply. I hope your visit does the same for you.

Surprisingly interesting visit. The mansion tour (it is easy to buy tickets online - tours occur every 15 minutes) allows you to look into every room (no photos allowed). Try to arrive 30 minutes before your mansion tour time to review the visitor center exhibits and the short walk to the mansion. Be prepared to use your phone to listen to the audio tour as you walk through the grounds.

It was cool! They talked a lot though. Overall, it was an amazing experience! I would come back, but I have already learned everything that there is to learn about Andrew Jackson. (Edit: The only reason I wouldn't recommend this place is because I don't like history.)

Made the trip today to check out this historic site. The grounds are very beautiful and well manicured. The museum was a short interesting 10 minute walk-through. The house was really neat except for we did not realize you do not enter any rooms. You see all the rooms through Glass while walking through hallways. That was a bummer to us because we do enjoy to go into the rooms and learn about the pieces of furniture and the history of the items. We also felt rushed by the staff and that they rush you onto each part of the house in order to make room for the other groups coming through. I recommend if you are in the area, but I would not make a special trip.

Five stars for the museum grounds and preservation of The Hermitage. It was easy to find and a pleasant walk despite the scorching heat. Andrew Jackson's Hermitage is well preserved and beautiful. The mansion tour was very lackluster and somewhat disappointing. The tour guide didn't even know where our free wine tasting was...a big red flag. Another tour guide said it was in the first building area where we presented our tickets. Our tour guide was difficult to listen to and understand unfortunately. Maybe she was having a bad day. The tour groups seem to be disorganized and conflict with each other. I found myself overhearing other tour guides and groups since we were so close to each other in the mansion. I would have preferred the VIP tour, but it was sold out. I got more information about the Hermitage and Andrew Jackson online than the tour guide. This was a problem for me. The wine tasting was so so. I had to locate the place by asking the people in the ticket center area and another tour guide. Once I located it, I noticed there were no lines or anyone to direct me where to go. You just walk up to the crowded bar and show your ticket & ID. The lady giving the wine tasting gave the best service in the Hermitage. The gift shop staff were semi polite yet cold. One of the gift shop ladies at the cash register said she could not give me change for $20. I told her I only had a $20 bill. I just needed change for $5 to use the penny press machine. She forgot to give me pennies though. I had to remind her. She said she could only give me 20 pennies or less for change to use for the penny press machines. She could have offered to help me get change from other sales people or ticket vendors. I decided not to say anything. I never had this problem with getting change. The highlight of the tour was seeing the garden and the cemetery area by the mansion. Very beautiful flowers and picturesque. I do have to take away one star for the mansion tour an other factors. My companion thought it was lacking and overpriced. My suggestion is to save your money and pay for the VIP or Commander in Chief tour. It may cost more but you are saving money by getting better quality tour service. If you love revisiting museums, get a year membership. You get a discount on the pricier tours and unlimited passes for a year for the grounds pass and mansion tours tickets. I really wanted to give this place an excellent rating, but I can not dismiss some of the flaws I experienced.

I've done a few historical tours this year during vacations and this one was one of my favorites. It's amazing how well kept the home is for over 100 years with many of the same artifacts still remaining. I would recommend doing the mansion tour and you get to view the outdoor grounds as well. Outdoors there are slave cabins and Andrew Jackson's tomb. It's a little pricey, but not often you get to view a president's home.

Ghost tour was fantastic! Get on their newsletter list and next summer when the tickets go on sale, order tickets. You won't be disappointed.

There is certainly a lot to experience at Andrew Jackson's estate. The mansion itself is certainly very interesting to visit, and I was pleased that the tour guides allowed us a bit of extra time to pick through the doorways and didn't hustle us along. The spaces themselves are very interesting, and as you cannot photograph them with your phone, you'll have to come see them yourself! The museum does not have a tremendous number of artifacts, but what they do have is well presented and helps paint a picture of who Andrew Jackson was in all his various phases. The grounds are probably interesting, but we didn't spend a great deal of time exploring them as it was terribly hot the day we visited. The tomb was a worthwhile stop and I'm glad we were able to spend some time there as well as the gardens. The staff are welcoming and well equipped to answer questions that you may have along the way.

Went for the speciality evening tour on Halloween. Absolutely fantastic! Loved that we were able to take pics inside the home. It was throughly entertaining hearing about the history and some other unfortunate events and happenings with the family and home. We visited the graves that night by lantern, and there was nearly a full moon with a dog setting in. It was such a spooky coincidence, but lent itself to the entire mood of the night. If you get a chance to take one of the specialty tours, I would recommend it. The guides really take extra care to ensure everyone is getting the most from the experience.

Stopped here while visiting Nashville about 8 years ago on a weekend getaway. From my experience it was one of the best kept secrets in the Nashville area. Really enjoyed learning the history and strolling the awesome homes and grounds of this historic place. One the favorite things I've done in Nashville.

Definitely worth visiting if you're in Nashville and have a car. It's a historic site that covers the only US president from Tennesse!

Beautiful grounds and home. I'm not a huge history person but I love seeing the home and how they lived. I also enjoy hearing facts that may not be known. Paid for my ticket online for $24. The tour was fairly short and only of the home. Not the grounds or surrounding buildings. Wear walking shoes if you want to see all the grounds. You are not allowed to take photos inside the home, which was disappointing.

The Hertimage of Andrew Jackson is a beautiful place! Grounds are just gorgeous. I can't say I agree with his politicics, but he had the water he promised and housing.. for his help (slaves), not near enough housing, but an abundance of acres to grow what their families needed to feed and water. This man was weird. That beautiful home and large bedrooms. Master down and 4 up, one for Generals, one guest. The other two gohe way he treated his immediate family appalling, but give his (help) slaves a better life, if you have it that.

This was not initially on my to-do list, but I ferreted it out even though it is not as well-known as some of the Founding Fathers' estates like Mount Vernon and Monticello. They offer several levels of tickets. To me, just getting a pass to walk the grounds isn't that great. It's a few bucks more for the tour of the mansion. It is not the most impressive such building ever (nor would you expect it to be, given that Andrew Jackson was known for railing against elitism), but there are some interesting aspects to it. The museum beforehand had a movie as well as a set of exhibits. I found the museum and the site as a whole to be tonally similar to the Tennessee museum downtown, in that they seem to be trying to walk the line between acknowledging some of the more aspects of American history without going over the line into fantastical pseudohistory. You get a variety of perspectives; for example the movie does have a Native American historian describing this president as the architect of a massive campaign of forced resettlement of native peoples and refers to him as "Jack the Devil", while other exhibits describe him as a war hero and a man of the people. I did not see anything addressing the $20 bill (I probably missed something), which is due to remove his picture at the time of this writing. Much of the exhibits outside of the main house are devoted to trying to reconstruct the history of slave labor at the place, and they had a special tour devoted to this history which I thought might be worthwhile but did not get before it sold out. The place has some aesthetic qualities, but it is not remotely comparable to the view at Monticello, nor is it one of the better plantation reconstructions out there. The tour of the house was a little discombobulated, as it was one of those situations where a guide was stationed in each room. I much prefer it when one guide follows the group all the way through, so you get less of people repeating the same thing (or referring to things you never heard the first time). They said someone would meet us at the exit to the house for a debriefing but that never happened. It was an hour and a half or so total for me. On a better weather day I could see staying longer, but it's not really a whole day kind of thing. It is nonetheless an important piece of history and one that, while not perfect, is worth seeing.

Wonderful house, lots of fairly balanced history but our house guides were really wooden and recited information as if it was Memorized word for word. That was a little awkward, but still worth the visit. Dont miss the cafe!

Giving it 4 stars because we weren't allowed to take pictures. Doesn't make sense, since everything is not original. The property is huge. It was an experience seeing a part of history, than just reading about it.

I've been to Nashville several times, including trips with each of my three kids individually on separate occasions (college visits, tagging along during conferences, etc.). It's the only place that has that distinction in our family history. The one place to which I have taken each of them without fail while there was the Hermitage. On our recent visit with my wife and grandson (who happens to be named Jackson, for no reason related to Andrew), our venture to the Hermitage was the fourth visit I have made to this enjoyable site. A visit to the Hermitage can be dissected into five parts. The museum provides a great overview of the salient facts concerning Jackson and his times. The grounds facilitate an enjoyable fresh-air experience. The servant quarters provide insight into the slaveholding culture of the day and the microcosm of Jackson's participation in that institution. The gardens provide a more aesthetic aspect to the adventure. Within the gardens is also the family cemetery, providing additional pieces to the puzzle of Jackson's family history. Finally and foremost is the main house, which is unquestionably the highlight of a visit to the Hermitage. It's all extraordinarily interesting. The museum itself is at the point of entry. It gives you the chance to establish a working knowledge about Jackson, his life, his family and those associated with him. What you see here will broaden and deepen the learning experience when touring the grounds. There was clearly a lot to admire about the man, but also a lot of things that cast him in a negative light. How you judge him, assuming you feel compelled to do so, depends on the weight you place on each of his respective actions and achievements, both positive and negative. The grounds are amazing! Setting aside the historical significance of the place for a moment, if you are there on a nice weather day, just sitting outside and/or strolling the grounds can be an enjoyable experience by itself. I have been fortunate that each of my times here have been during beautiful autumn or winter weather, with crisp but moderate temperatures and copious sunshine. While such things are unfortunately out of our control, I can only say that the lovely weather has added greatly to my enjoyment during each visit. The on-site historical re-creation is superb. The workers are "in the day" (i.e., they don't pretend to be living in the past while you observe and interact with them, such as they do at Plimouth Plantation, for example). But they are in period costume. On our last visit, we were able to observe the re-enactment of a duel. Learning about the ritual of dueling (and it truly was a ritual) provided a fascinating window through which to view an aspect of the culture of Jackson's time. Activities such as these add greatly to the enjoyment and learning experience of a visit to the Hermitage. Roaming the grounds can be an eye-opening process. The slave quarters provide insight into the less discussed portion of the Hermitage's history. More recent interpretation among the documents in these buildings is quite illuminating and worthwhile. The gardens are a nice diversion as well. Not only do they provide an aesthetic break, it is also there you'll find the tomb of Jackson, his wife Rachel and several family members. It provides a bit of insight into family history. The house is the highlight of the tour. I'm a sucker for well-preserved historical houses, but the history associated with this one makes it particularly special. The furnishings are beautiful and the guides do a very good job with the interpretation of what you see when walking through. In the end, it goes without saying that Jackson was a complicated man. His treatment of Native Americans as President and the fact that he owned a large number of slaves in his private life were two hugely negative scars on his legacy. Like physical scars, such character disfigurements can give someone an initial repulsive appearance. But it's only when we take a deep breath and adjust to that first impression that we can move past it to see someone like Jackson in totality; that is, with a rational eye. Once we see the good and the bad, we can synthesize an entire, often complex, picture. But good or bad, it's all history. The issues at hand do not constitute the man and the man is not the sole embodiment of those issues. This place helps a person to assimilate a collection of facts that are contributions to the aggregate that make up the mosaic of time.