Top 5 Historical Sites Every Tourist Should Know
Nashville’s more than bachelorettes and boots.
When most people think of Nashville, they picture honky tonks, hot chicken, and hordes of bachelorettes in matching boots. But peel back the rhinestone curtain, and you’ll find a city steeped in rich Southern history—stories of pioneers, presidents, and pivotal moments that helped shape the South.
Whether you’re a Nashville native or just tired of fighting the crowds on Broadway, here are 5 must-see historic places in Nashville that every local should have on their radar.
1. Fort Nashborough
📍170 1st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
Keywords: Fort Nashborough, early Nashville history, Cumberland River settlers
Before it was Music City, Nashville was a rugged frontier town. Fort Nashborough is a faithful reproduction of the 1780 stockade built by James Robertson and a handful of settlers who braved the Cumberland River’s dangers. This site tells the story of early life in Nashville—complete with log cabins, muskets, and stories of survival.
Why Tourists should care: This is where Nashville literally began. Plus, it’s right downtown and free to visit.
2. Tennessee State Museum
📍1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
Keywords: Tennessee State Museum, Nashville museums, Civil War exhibits
Think history is boring? The Tennessee State Museum begs to differ. With immersive exhibits covering everything from Native American history to the Civil Rights Movement, this museum is a hidden gem that locals often overlook. It’s also free, which is a pretty sweet deal for a crash course in Tennessee’s complicated past.
Insider tip: The “Tennessee Transforms” exhibit covers the era of Prohibition and the roaring ‘20s—right up your speakeasy-loving alley.
3. The Hermitage – Home of President Andrew Jackson
📍4580 Rachels Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076
Keywords: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Nashville presidential home, plantation history
Whether you love him or loathe him, Andrew Jackson is one of the most influential (and controversial) figures in American history. His plantation, The Hermitage, offers a deep dive into the life of the seventh U.S. President, complete with preserved buildings, lush grounds, and sobering exhibits about slavery.
Local perspective: It’s one of the most visited presidential homes in the country—right here in your backyard.
4. Historic Germantown District
📍Germantown, Nashville, TN 37208
Keywords: Germantown Nashville, Nashville historic neighborhoods, Victorian homes
Take a stroll through Germantown, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a charming Southern time capsule. Founded by European immigrants in the mid-1800s, this neighborhood is packed with Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and Nashville’s oldest public cemetery.
Bonus: It’s also a foodie haven, so you can follow your history lesson with a gourmet donut or a craft cocktail.
5. Belmont Mansion
📍1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
Keywords: Belmont Mansion, Nashville antebellum home, historic homes in Nashville
Located on the beautiful Belmont University campus, the Belmont Mansion is the former home of Adelicia Acklen—a woman so wealthy and powerful, she makes modern-day influencers look like amateurs. The mansion showcases 19th-century opulence, complete with original furnishings and tales of Southern high society.
Why it matters: It’s one of the few grand antebellum homes left standing in Nashville, and it’s open for tours.
Final Thoughts: Be a Tourist With Layers
There’s nothing wrong with loving Broadway and rooftop bars. But if you want to truly say you know Nashville, take a step back in time. These top historical sites in Nashville give you a deeper understanding of the people, stories, and struggles that shaped the city into what it is today.
Who knows? You might even impress your next out-of-town guest with something beyond hot chicken trivia.