Nashville, Tennessee, is home to country music and the Grand Ole Opry. It's also a great destination for historic southern plantation homes. You can plan a trip to visit several plantations, all within an hour's drive of Music City.
Six miles west of Nashville, Belle Meade Plantation has a mansion dating to 1853. Tours are available daily. John Harding, Belle Meade's first owner, bred horses there. Today, in addition to tours, there are a variety of educational programs and it is a popular venue for weddings and events.
Fifteen miles northeast of Nashville, in the city of Goodlettsville, you'll find the Bowen Plantation House, built around 1787. Captain William Bowen was awarded land grants for his military service in the Revolutionary War; he eventually owned 4,000 acres of land. The home is one of the oldest residences in Tennessee.
In Franklin, Tennessee, 20 miles south of Nashville, you can witness Civil War enactments or take a candlelight tour, depending on the season and schedule of events. The house was built in 1826 and, in addition to tours, is available for weddings and events.
