Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is one of those Nashville spots that does not immediately scream family destination, but it genuinely works with kids of all ages if you know how to approach it. Spread across 55 acres in the Belle Meade area, this former private estate combines botanical gardens, an art museum, and forested nature trails in a setting that feels miles away from downtown Nashville even though it is only a 20-minute drive.

The smartest move with kids is to skip the mansion and formal gardens first and head directly to the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail. This mile-long path winds through a forest with large-scale art installations placed along the route — think giant sculptures emerging from the trees, mirrored surfaces reflecting the canopy, and abstract forms that kids interpret as dragons, aliens, or whatever their imagination conjures. The trail is moderately hilly and partly unpaved, so strollers work but a wagon or carrier might be easier for very young kids.

The formal gardens are divided into themed rooms, and exploring them feels like walking through a series of outdoor rooms with different personalities. The Japanese garden has koi ponds and a wooden bridge. The herb garden has scents kids can identify.

The color garden changes seasonally with coordinated plantings. For kids who are used to running through a park, the structured garden rooms add a treasure-hunt quality to walking — what is around the next hedge?

The mansion itself is a 1930s Georgian-style home originally built by the Cheek family (of Maxwell House coffee fortune). The interior is now an art museum with rotating exhibitions. It is beautiful, but with young kids, 20 minutes is enough for a quick walkthrough before heading back outside. Older kids interested in art or history will find more to engage with.

Cheekwood's seasonal events are where the estate really shines for families. Cheekwood in Bloom (spring) features massive floral displays, often themed with millions of tulips, daffodils, and other flowers arranged in artistic patterns. The Holiday LIGHTS event in November through January transforms the entire property into an immersive light experience with over a million lights, interactive displays, and hot chocolate stations.

LIGHTS is genuinely one of the best holiday events in the Southeast, but it is also extremely popular — buy tickets at least two weeks in advance and expect crowds.

Budget about 2 to 3 hours for a standard visit. The grounds are large enough that kids will walk a lot, so comfortable shoes are essential. There is a small cafe on-site, but bringing a picnic is the better move — the great lawn near the mansion has space for blankets with a view of the gardens. Parking is included with admission and the lot is close to the entrance.

One thing to know: Cheekwood is closed on Mondays. If you are planning your Nashville itinerary, slot this in for a Tuesday through Sunday. And while it works year-round, the spring bloom season from late March through May is objectively the best time to see the property at its peak.