The Hermitage

Another must-see for me was The Hermitage, the home of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. I read a great biography on Rachel and curious to see their famed home for myself. Photos aren’t allowed in the house, so I took some whilst wondering around the property.

Address and location

The Hermitage sits about 20 minutes outside Nashville at 4580 Rachel’s Lane in Hermitage, Tennessee. Parking on-site is free.

Cost

The Hermitage offers tiered options for guided tours that vary in price. We opted for the General’s Tour. This tour costs $20 per adult, $17 for seniors (62+), $15 for youths (ages 13-18), and $10 for children (ages 6-12). Admission is free for military members (and kids under five). Depending on your family size, the $54 family pass may be a good option.

What to do

After parking, you can head in to the gift shop or purchase tickets for the tour. Be sure to explore the museum located behind the ticket office. It has a good mix of exhibits that cover the times and lives of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. They had some interesting military history displays, as well.

From the museum, you walk across the house grounds to get to the Hermitage. Our General’s tour included an audio headset with a programmed tour of the grounds and gardens. Be sure to pack bug spray if you visit in the spring or summer. I would recommend listening to the tour on your way to or from the house. Once you reach the Hermitage, you join a guided tour of the house. The tour does include several staircases. Before you leave, you can pay your respects at Andrew and Rachel’s graves behind the house.