Belmont Mansion
Belmont University campus corner of Acklen Avenue & Belmont Boulevard, 1901 15th Ave. South, Nashville, TN, 37212
Belmont Mansion offers Nashville visitors the chance to experience an antebellum-era home, complete with antique furnishings and period details. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian villa-style house was owned by Adelicia Acklen—one of the wealthiest women in 19th-century Tennessee. Tours of the mansion reveal the building’s history and offer insight into the lives of the free and enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property.
The Basics
Built in the mid-1800s, Belmont Mansion served as the summer home for socialite Adelicia Acklen, a college and seminary, and a temporary army headquarters. Most visitors join a historian-guided tour of the mansion to learn more about Acklen’s life and the troubled history of the antebellum South; a self-guided audio tour is also available. To save time at the entrance, buy your admission ticket online in advance.
Things to Know Before You Go
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the restored Belmont Mansion is a must for history enthusiasts.
Design fans appreciate the Italianate villa’s collection of 19th-century furniture, glassware, and silver.
Tours last about an hour. Arrive 10 minutes before the start time to find your guide.
The first floor of the mansion is accessible to guests with limited mobility, though the upper floors aren’t.
Children, young adults, college students, and seniors receive discounted admission.
How to Get There
A short drive from downtown Nashville, Belmont Mansion is most easily reached by car. There’s a parking lot adjacent to the mansion, and street parking is widely available. The mansion sits at the corner of Acklen Avenue and Belmont Boulevard, at the northern end of the Belmont University campus.
When to Get There
Belmont Mansion is open Monday through Saturday from 9:45am to 3:30pm, and on Sunday from 10:45am to 3:30pm. For fewer crowds, go on a weekday.
Where Music Lovers Should Go in Nashville
No music lover in Nashville—aka Music City—should miss the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, about a 10-minute drive from Belmont Mansion. Prebook your ticket online, then check out the museum’s galleries and interactive exhibits. Highlights include instruments, gold records, and even costumes worn by country performers.
Ways to explore
Many visitors prebook their admission to Belmont Mansion to avoid long lines and guarantee entry on their preferred date. Explore the exhibits at your own pace on a self-guided tour, with guides stationed throughout to answer questions. For a more in-depth experience, the museum offers two guided tours a day, plus specialized options including a grounds tour and a Civil War tour. If you want to combine your visit with other attractions, a hop-on hop-off trolley tour is a great choice, stopping near key Nashville landmarks, such as the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Accessibility
The main floor of the mansion is accessible to wheelchair users, and there’s a video tour of the second floor.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Refillable water bottle, small bag, contactless payment method
What to wear
Comfortable flat shoes, layered clothing
Not allowed
Touching antiques and displays, littering, disruptive behavior
Amenities
Restrooms, gift shop, nearby cafés on campus
Address
A short drive from downtown Nashville, Belmont Mansion is most easily reached by car. There’s a parking lot next to the mansion, and street parking is also widely available, making it a convenient and easy day out.
Driving
The mansion sits at the corner of Acklen Avenue and Belmont Boulevard, at the northern end of the Belmont University campus. From downtown Nashville, take Church Street and 17th Avenue South to Acklen Avenue.
Public transportation
From 8th Avenue South and Broadway, take WeGo Public Transit’s 7 bus to 21st Avenue South and Acklen Avenue; from there, it’s about a 9-minute walk to Belmont Mansion. Alternatively, you can opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Best times to visit
Coming in the morning, close to opening time, allows you to beat the afternoon crowds and enjoy a more peaceful visit.
Best days to visit
Aim for weekdays—such as Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays—in order to avoid the busier weekend crowds.
Best months to visit
March–May and October–November offer pleasant temperatures for wandering through the grounds.
Special events
There are special events throughout the year, so it’s best to check the events calendar before visiting.
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