Cheekwood Gardens – Nashville, TN

Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee is an absolute natural treasure. Without a doubt, travel in 2020 definitely had some challenges for all of us, right? Social distancing, masking up, and quarantining. What a year! Thankfully, I found several opportunities to visit and go hiking all outdoors and have a little “safer outdoors” fun!

This Botanical Gardens in Southwest Nashville is definitely a MUST-SEE. When I visited in July, I was fortunate enough to be there during a Dale Chihuly

This blog is a no-nonsense itinerary for a full day at the park. I hope you enjoy it!

Tennessee is filled with gardens all around the state but being so close to the Alabama border, this Nashville delight is an easy day trip from Huntsville, Alabama.

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History of Cheekwood

Cheekwood Gardens can be found in the Belle Meade area of Nashville and the love story that surrounds this family is sweet and fun and kismet meeting on a train.

This stately manor is now a museum where you can see annual and seasonal exhibits.

The family has ties to the Maxwell House Coffee Company and a story about President Teddy Roosevelt. It is really cool. As you walk the grounds and stately manor you will be impressed with the designed as an American Country Place Era Estate that was designed by famous architect Bryant Fleming, who built houses for Andrew Carnegie, Roy Chapin among others.

The estate has eleven bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, a hidden staircase, and a ton of books. In 1957, Huldah (Cheek) Sharp, daughter offered the estate as a public garden and fine arts center for Nashville. In 1960, Cheekwood Gardens opened to the public.

Walking around the Garden

One of the MAJOR TRAVEL TIPS about Cheekwood is it is walkable for any fitness level. However, to complete the gardens in one day, I would recommend comfy shoes.

Throughout the gardens, there are fantastic art sculptures and renditions from artists that are just fantastic. Take a look.

It is handicap accessible and there are restrooms dotted throughout the botanical garden. There are also play areas for children of every age.

Do this!

Please visit the Cheekwood Gardens website before you go! This will save you so much time if you PLAN your trip before you go.

The gardens are massive and we really only touched the surface of “seeing it all.” On my next visit, I will study the map more intently.

Hours, Parking & Tickets

When you plan your visit to Cheekwood be sure to check out the website. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday (so don’t head there on a Monday) and tickets range from Members to Non-Members – Garden only or Garden and Estate.

You decide. There are a few places to grab a bite to eat but since I was there in the middle of COVID we ate at my FAVORITE VEGAN restaurant in Nashville.

Sunflower Cafe🌻

If you like Vegan food and have thought about giving it a go, I can’t recommend them enough. If I am heading in that direction, I make sure I stop in at Sunflower!

What’s happening NOW at the Gardens!

The Gardens always have something going on! Definitely check out the website before going. You wouldn’t want to miss anything or budget enough time. For the next few months, Cheekwood in Bloom is incredible and I can’t wait to check it out!