We visited Cheekwood gardens for their annual Black arts event. It was very well organized despite the construction. The grounds were well kept and the mansion was a great place to wonder as well as cool off. We stopped by the cafe and the staff were very kind. They didn't have many bakery options but considering the location that was to be expected. Cheekwood is a nice place to spend the time enjoying the outdoors without taking a hike. There is plenty of seating spread throughout as well for rest breaks read more

Stunningly beautiful and serene relaxation for adults and fun to explore for kids. The little trains near the entrance were a hit with our 9 month old but the bigger kids were skipping around following the various train loops and looked to be having a blast. If you arrive early on a warm day, start with the loop and aim to get to the Perenn cafe to cool down and have an amazing lunch. The btl was amazing but the grilled sandwich with the added prosciutto was epic. Enjoyed the Japanese garden section the most. Also very shaded for later in the day. The mansion as of August (2026) has an incredible collection of paintings on loan from the Nashville Parthenon that's not to be missed. Then take stroll around the South side of the mansion under the wisteria and past the fountain and waterfall. read more

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As a lifelong area resident, I'm shocked I waited so long to visit Cheekwood! The incredible home and gardens are a great way to spend a day. From the beginning, the experience was wonderful. After leaving our car and scanning our tickets, there were multiple employees to direct us and answer any questions. We began by exploring the gardens. My personal favorite was the sculpture walk, with several different sculptures hidden around every corner. We then took a self-guided tour of the historic mansion. The mansion is decorated with items from the Cheek family collection, as well as donated items and rotating art exhibits. I particularly loved the wood paneled library and the small morning/dining room. Definitely the place to come if you want some design inspo! Be prepared to walk when you visit. We arrived around 10:30 on a weekend, and were directed to park in the overflow parking. The overflow lot requires a walk on gravel/rock with a slight incline. Although the site is huge, there are plenty of benches and three different restrooms. There are limited food options, but we were able to bring sandwiches and enjoy lunch in the water garden. When visiting, don't miss the iconic Wisteria Arbor or the stables! read more

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I was really looking forward to making my visit here while visiting Nashville this week and this was such a lovely way to end my trip. I booked the gardens and mansion ticket and it allows you to soak in the energy of the space, roaming around the gardens entirely while stepping into the mansion to learn about the history. I felt like I was in a movie, the gardens all had beautiful flowers and the trains area was so cute. I spent a good hour here but easily could have spent another if it wasn't so hot. I would come back during the late fall or winter! read more

I love Cheekwood. We went for the fall festival. Lovely day. Beautiful gardens. Pumpkin and scarecrow displays were very festive and fun. Marigolds were perfect for fall. Easy walk with plenty of places to sit along the way. Parking is convenient. $5 charge for parking when we went. Ticket no longer includes the mansion. That was an extra $6 per person. Well maintained. Nice gift shops. read more

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Absolutely beautiful property. Parking isn't great but it looks like they are working on that right now. It was an insanely hot the day we visited but we still ended up staying for hours, so that should tell you how nice this place is. There are so many lovely places to enjoy, mostly outdoor gardens. The house is nice but small and it doesn't take long to see it. Don't skip the art trail. We also got to see a cute baby deer wandering the gardens. My only negative is I wish they had more spots to purchase a drink. read more

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We always try to find something interesting when we travel and this was the wifes find. We were definitly lucky as the Celebrate 250 Train display was still on site before moving September 6th....outstanding creation by those involved. And I know this took sometime to build. The Service was great and the grounds were Amazingly Manicured...The Mansion was great with lots of rich history and artwork to look at. Amazing to see how old some of the painting were. The onsite Cafe served up pastries and coffee....both delicious and refreshing. Highly recommend the stop if you have the time. read more

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Checkwood has stunning views and many photo-worthy spots. Went on a breezy Sunday where the sun was bright and the winds a little high. I only attended the garden due to time since I had to be back on the road for home. I was able to walk 3/4 of the garden within 2 hours so I say there is much to see and admire. I was able to take photos with ease and I enjoyed that I wasn't the only one carrying a camera. 1 thing I didn't like is that the paid parking is on a steep hill and basically dirt. It was only $7 ($5 + $2 fee) but i would've hoped for something a bit better. So carry your good shoes in your hand. read more

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Beautiful building ! After exploring the antiques downstairs you can visit the amazing works of art upstairs You can easily spend hours exploring the gardens alone . They have had many wonderful exhibits including Chihuly , miniature trains and giant Trolls ! read more

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I love visiting Cheekwood during the fall and spring when the pumpkins and tulips are in full swing. It's a great place for families to enjoy the grounds and I have also enjoyed the mansion tour. I try to take friends and family when they visit. read more

Cheekwood - Mansion Tour - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Cheekwood has a history of treating employees like trash. While some basic employees make a meek 12 bucks an hour, CEO Jane McLeod makes 600,000 bucks a year mostly funded by private prisons racking in millions. Do not support this establishment. It's funded by blood money, and treats employees as an afterthought, letting sexual predators continue to work there for years and even giving them promotions. read more

The last time my fiancée and I visited Cheekwood was in the summer of 2023. We decided to visit again last Sunday as part of our anniversary trip. Both visits the mansion and the gardens have been well kept and the fall/pumpkin displays they had were absolutely adorable. read more

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December 2022 was my first & last visit to Cheekwood. I wanted to see the Holiday Lights-Garden and Mansion there; even though, it was no longer Christmas season & past Christmas. Despite the rainy weather and experiencing pain walking, it was wonderful to walk through the Christmas lights. It was $30 for an adult ticket. Was it worth it? Yes. Just make sure to still be prepared for crowds even after the holidays if you want to see the Christmas lights. We saw a wedding proposal on a bridge. There was walking traffic on the grounds until it started raining. We went to the mansion during some of the time of heavy rain pour. The mansion was showcasing a gallery of illustrations of The Adams Family, paintings, and vintage photos of famous Hollywood celebrities. It was festively decorated for Christmas and was a joy to wander through. It was very crowded in the area with The Adams Family illustrations gallery. I took a lot of videos of the holiday light displays in the rain and tried seeing every part of Cheekwood that night. When we went back to our car, we were given a golf cart ride back to our car to avoid the long walk back to our car by Troy. read more

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Cheekwood is for those who love flowers and pretty places to walk. They rotate through their flowers every so often, and have beautiful views of the mountains. There are toy trains that go around with a slide that kids love. Whenever I go I always little kids there, and there's usually a craft they can do. Inside the mansion it's an art gallery that is very pretty. There's a wooded trail too with woodchips. There are so many gardens including a Japanese garden, flowers garden, and ponds. Make sure to see the turtles ! read more

Cheekwood - Outside- tulips - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I enjoy the membership here, and appreciate the many events they host. This visit was for Fleurs de Ville, which is always a must see!

Tonight.....Thursday October 1. Harvest Nights. The entertainment was a big disappointment. The acoustics were bad..the performers were lacking. We love Cheekwood but this was definitely a thumbs down. read more

Cheekwood completely blew me away. I honestly wasn't expecting much, but this place is on a different level. Coming from California, you just don't see places like this. The Christmas lights were insane. The detail, the scale, the way everything was put together. Nothing back home even comes close. But the part that actually stopped me in my tracks were the trees decorated by Laura Dowling. My jaw literally dropped, and that doesn't happen to me. I used to decorate Christmas trees, and I've seen a lot of "nice" displays, but this was something else. In California we have Roger's Gardens, and as much as I love it, it doesn't even touch what I saw here. Her trees were so stunning that I kept thinking about them hours after I left. Cheekwood was the highlight of my entire trip. I walked in with no expectations and left completely blown away. They deserve every bit of credit. I'd come back to Nashville just to see this again. read more

Wonderfully beautiful, Cheekwood is a gem and a must-visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. The grounds are well-cared for, with a nice variety of gardens. The little village with model trains running was such a cool design, and for me, a nice start to my walk around the grounds. Even though it was a hot day, I made a point to cover the entirety of the trails and gardens, using my time touring the mansion as a chance to cool off. I enjoyed the sculpture trail and how well the sculptures integrated into the landscape. They are a little out of the way, but worth the extra stroll in the woods. I chose to do my self-guided tour of the mansion without the free audio tour, but I appreciate that they include that. The story of the families and how the houses and estates change over are super interesting, and I always enjoy seeing the styles they adopted and artifacts that they brought back from their travels abroad. In this case, one of the items is a set of doors from the Duke of Westminster! read more

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Okay... I'm going to go against the grain here... I did not like the Holiday Lights display. There were a few impressive elements (like the detail of the lights on the cherry blossom trees), but they could have done so much more with it. There was limited programming and they didn't take advantage of the water, which just seemed like a huge miss to me. The decorations in the mansion were nice, but very adult - they should add a display or two to engage kids. If you want a cool light display, I'd recommend Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo - it's incredible. Note - I have not been during the day, so I'll update my review once I experience it during the day and spring time. read more

This was our first time at Cheekwood. Easy to find (gps gets lost though if you use Waze) Easy parking. We have a national membership to botanic gardens, despite this, Cheekwood does charge for parking ($3-5 or something). The estate is VERY hilly. It is also more of an English style garden, manicured lawns and hedges and statues with some watering holes or ponds. A few flowers. Drastically less than the Chicago Botanic gardens. I did enjoy the children's area with water painting and some things. The castles throughout the park were a nice touch for younger kids. Seems like it's basically a kinder camp though with toddler groups at each castle. Small gift shop, best a/c though. We didn't visit the mansion, but did see some wedding photos happening. Because of the heatwave, we skipped out early. It was just too hot for all the hills. read more

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A lovely spot to take family members when they're visiting, especially if it's an older or slower crowd. I've visited in summer and winter, and each time it's a pleasant experience. I love the winter lights and the late evening deal they do (otherwise I find it too expensive). Their programming is wonderful and fits the needs of several audiences. I wish they'd offer more deals for locals to be able to enjoy the gardens, but I'll always recommend it as a place to visit. read more

I need to come back and try again. We went on a weekday in September and were very excited to see all the pumpkins and fall decorations. The tickets are expensive, roughly $30/person. When you first walk in there are some very beautiful displays, the color garden and pumpkin houses were very cool. A few good photo ops, but they were the only highlights. Otherwise, I was underwhelmed. We didn't get tickets to the mansion, maybe that's why? But those tickets are even more expensive. I asked if I could covert my tickets purchased into an annual membership for me plus a guest and was told only $20 would go toward it (even though I paid almost $60). So I said never mind. Meh, maybe I'll try again around the holidays. read more

My friend and I had such a wonderful experience here I had to share! The staff is amazing and are so happy to help you find your way around. It was nothing short of a magical experience! read more

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Came here for their fall festival event. It would be much better to visit during the day in my opinion. Once it got dark the gardens were closed or too dark to walk around and the part that was open for the fall festival was only a few food trucks and a stage. The pumpkin houses were cute but the area was small and didn't feel worth the admission fee. read more

Had an absolutely great time at Cheekwood for the Fleur de Villes exhibit in the mansion! I have been to Cheekwood many times before - for the tulips in spring, the dog days of summer, summer Fridays, pumpkins in the fall, lights at Christmas, and other special exhibits - and I truly enjoy every visit I've made over the years. This was my first time going into the mansion and im disappointed in myself for having never gone before! The house is huge and has incredible displays in every room. There's even a great view of downtown from the top floor. I recommend becoming a member at Cheekwood if you want to visit more than once a year. It's a great gift for friends and family as well. Parking is always available in a paved lot or in the overflow during busy times. read more

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I have been a member of Cheekwood for two years. My family and I love to go for their exhibits, but more than that, the peaceful strolls through their gardens are relaxing. We especially love going in the Spring, Fall and of course, Christmas! If you've not been, I highly recommend that you go! read more

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The tulip show is gorgeous, and I really enjoyed the Japanese zen garden. The shops are great if you want to get some trinkets from Nashville! I recommend getting a map and asking a park ranger what their favorite route is. I would also recommend paying an extra $3 to see the mansion. There's a lot of history and beautifully kept art. read more

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We visited Cheekwood to see the Christmas decorations and Holidays at the White House Exhibit. We met Linda at the mansion entrance. She was very friendly and helpful in recommending that we take the guided tour. My daughter has done the self guided audio tour before. She said it was ok. Leanne was our wonderful guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable. There was only one couple with us. We learned so much about the family history and details of the mansion's design. My daughter enjoyed it much, much more than the audio. The tour ended upstairs where we started with the exhibits. It was a cold weekday so visitors were few and spread out. We were often by ourselves in each room. It was so nice to take our time admiring the decorations and artwork. Taking pictures was easy without waiting for people to move out of view or from a popular spot. Because of the 10th anniversary, Laura Dowling was hired to decorate the mansion. She was once the Chief Floral Designer for the White House. She and her team did an amazing job. Every room was themed and just spectacular. We walked to the Holiday Market after the mansion, then through the garden, ending at the Garden Shop. Parking is free just a short walk from where the tickets are bought. They can also be purchased online with an added service charge. It was a beautiful, but cold day at Cheekwood. We hope to return in the Spring when the garden is in bloom. read more

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Cheekwood is honestly one of my favorite places in Nashville. I think it's because it's so close to everything, and yet a world away from honky-tonk row. This botanical garden is tucked into the Belle Meade(ish) neighborhood just southwest of downtown Nashville. It's a botanical garden, arboretum and museum all rolled into one. And it's especially great for families! The Bracken Foundation Children's Garden is where you will want to visit first if you have young children. This is a hands-on outdoor space for the whole family that invites kids to play and learn at every turn. The children's garden is perfect for younger children to explore nature, stroll along a storybook path, follow an obstacle course that weaves through the garden, and lots more. This is also where you'll find the Turtle Pond, with 20 native turtles swimming and basking in the sun. Follow the storybook path to the TRAINS! outdoor exhibit and the Enchanted Express, a space for train lovers to play. This garden features a train station that kids can play inside, and a huge model train track. Kids can climb through the children's tunnel to an observation dome for an up-close and immersive view of the garden and forest. They also have rotating outdoor art exhibits. When I visited, all along the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail were huge trolls. The "Trolls: Save the Humans" exhibit was installed here, featuring six giant trolls displaying good stewardship toward the earth and its resources. The property used to belong to the Cheek family, who lived in the huge estate that's still on the grounds. It's now a museum, and you can go inside and peek at all of the lovely furniture and artwork they amassed over the years. The upstairs area of the house/museum was being used as a gallery for permanent and rotating exhibitions. Cheekwood is a wonderful place to visit for the day. I had so much fun just wandering around the gardens and looking at the flowers and landscaping. It's really peaceful and beautiful, and I highly recommend visiting when you're in Nashville. read more

This place is truly magnificent. We could have spent the entire day here just wandering through all the differerent paths in the garden. My sister and I loved finding all the trolls on our walk! We also loved going through the art museum. Part of it was closed when we went because they were setting up for a new exhibit read more

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One of the best gardens I've been to. Going in October, before Halloween, the best time to go, I think...but it was my first time there! All the pumpkins, so beautiful! All the decor...Hello Fall!! Gorgeous colors everywhere... read more

Cheekwood - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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A hidden gem in a city full of fast paced living! Cheekwood is an oasis that provides a safe haven of life and history! There's not very many places you can go within city limits that you can find peacefulness in nature. I love Cheekwood because of the variety and range of things you can see, do, and experience! I highly recommend taking the tour of the mansion! I went during the fall harvest and the decor and everything going on there was amazing! All of the pumpkins were for purchase and there were great options for anyone and everyone! read more

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After living in Nashville for 3 years, we finally made our way to Cheekwood, and we are glad we finally did! We visited during the holiday light tour and also decided to check out the mansion to scope out the phenomenal work of Laura Dowling, the former White House Floral Designer who created this years displays throughout the home. The outdoor light displays were excellent - simple yet elaborate, with lights that stretched from the grass all the way up to the trees. Inside the mansion, the decorations were as beautiful as expected, and while we were captivated by the holiday touches, the history of the house was equally fascinating. The staff were exceptional, from the parking lot attendants to the ticket sales team, the guides, and the shop workers. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Oh and who doesn't love a boozy hot chocolate while wondering around looking at lights while it snows?! Overall, great experience and happy we decided to do the light and mansion tour. I recommend making sure to add the mansion to whatever event or tour you opt for when visiting! read more

Cheekwood is a lovely garden that has different events going on throughout the year. While the garden itself is not massive, it is generally well taken care of. Parts of the garden do have different kinds of flowers, while other parts have more greenery. The events here are the best part. They have music on Thursdays at certain times of the year with foods trucks. It's such a nice relaxing vibe. They also had a local plant sale before which was amazing - plants were labeled with what kind and their growing sunlight preference! read more

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is a site to behold. You could easily achieve your 10,000 step daily goal, here. The site has a beautiful mansion,, which you could tour, and there are plenty of staff members throughout the site, to answer any questions. When we arrived, Cheekwood was preparing for their Christmas season. Workers were stringing lights, as far as the eye could see. They do a great job at preparing different themes, as you make your way through each section of the gardens. I was impressed with the landscaping and their cleverness, with how they constructed areas so ornately. You definitely have to dedicate some time and visit Cheekwood. You will be amazed at the beauty, ingenuity, and charm of these gardens. read more

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I visited Cheekwood during the 2023 holiday season, and while some time has passed, I still wanted to share my experience. This historic landmark located in Nashville, TN was once owned by Mabel and Leslie Cheek, who amassed their wealth through the family's investment in the Maxwell House Coffee brand. I attended through a special evening event hosted by a local financial institution for their customers - a lovely holiday celebration that gave us access to this stunning property. The timing couldn't have been better - the crisp air was perfect for walking and touring the grounds, which were transformed with vibrant holiday decorations at every turn. The self-guided tour allowed me to explore the 1930s mansion, which now serves as a museum housing impressive artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries. From the moment you enter the foyer, you're greeted by remarkable paintings that continue throughout the home and a fabulous winding stairwell. The living room or parlor area was particularly captivating - a space where you could easily marvel for quite some time. Among the most memorable artworks located upstairs were a striking portrait of Andy Warhol and a beautiful painting of a young African American boy asleep in a huge armchair. The mansion itself was elegantly appointed for the holidays, with festive decorations thoughtfully integrated into the historic setting. The grounds, including the gardens, are beautiful during both day and evening, offering visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience something that is both spectacular and special at the same time. I would definitely recommend visiting the Cheekwood estate - it's a very important piece of history right in our backyard if you live locally. If you're from out of town, it's certainly worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you have a love for nature and art. For dining options, Café 29 is conveniently located right on the grounds and caters to both adults and children. If you're visiting from out of town, you might want to check out the Loveless Cafe, a well-known touristy spot for a nice meal. There are also several restaurants up and down Highway 70 or in the Green Hills area, both of which are not far from the estate. Pro tips: * Check the website for details on opening and closing times, admission costs, and information about special exhibits * Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking the grounds * There is a parking fee * While I didn't visit the gift shops during my trip, I'm sure they're worth checking out No matter where you go, make time to create special memories with the people you care about. If you find yourself in Nashville, Cheekwood is a wonderful place to do just that! read more

Cheekwood - Andy Warhol with his signature look! An iconic figure who's work continues to influence renown artists of today. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I was really excited to visit Cheekwood, all the pictures I saw online looked beautiful and I thought it would be nice to spend an afternoon walking around their gardens. It wasn't. Honestly, I don't even know how big this place is, we were there barely 40 minutes. Upon entering, directly to the right were some paths with "scarecrows" everywhere. They were all made by the local elementary school children. There were some flowers and plants along the paths, but nothing special. As we kept walking down these paths and passing hoards of kids, we decided to ditch this area and go somewhere else. I think there was a toy train at the bottom of the hill for kids to look at? We walked over to the pumpkin area, and while the pumpkin houses were cool, once you've seen them, there isn't anything else to do. This place seemed to be geared towards kids. Pretty much everybody there were moms or grandparents with their little ones running all over the place screaming. It cost $44 for us to get in, seemed like a total rip off to me. read more

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Cute little ( just kidding, massive) place to spend the afternoon. Lots to look at but bring your walking shoes! We went during October and they had a little pumpkin patch with pumpkins available for purchase. The prices seemed fair. If I was a local I would get a pass for here and walk it frequently like a zoo pass with kids. We enjoyed our time here and our workout lol. read more

Cheekwood - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Lots of construction and not very accessible parking. It was well maintained but I'm not clamoring to go back. It's probably a lot nicer when it's not summer. Not recommended for patrons with mobility issues. Team members were constantly around with golf carts ensuring guests could navigate the heat and wide property. read more

Interesting slice of history. Everything was very accessible. Quite a few events happening while we were there. The most interesting part of the property were the gardens, lush, vibrant and inviting. read more

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