October 1, 2022
Hotel Near Nashville Historic Attractions
Any stay at The Union Station Nashville Yards is a historical experience, given the rich backstory and architectural heritage our grand building on Broadway represents. After all, this standout Nashville landmark—with its eye-popping Richardsonian-Romanesque architecture, including the stunning four-story lobby topped by a stained-glass ceiling—dates back to 1901, when it opened as a terminal along the L&N Railroad.
But in placing you close to the very heart of Music City, we also provide a convenient (and luxurious) springboard for exploring a slew of other incredible history-drenched locales, from Downtown Nashville to the countryside beyond.
What follows is no kind of exhaustive list of top historical sites to enjoy as a guest of ours here at The Union Station Nashville Yards, but rather a sampler pack featuring some representative locations. (So definitely bear in mind we’re leaving off many remarkable attractions, not least world-famous performance venues such as the Ryman Auditorium, easily reached from our hotel!)
Explore the imposing, 1819-built Greek Revival mansion, the late 18th-century farmhouse, and other long-standing structures of The Hermitage, which U.S. President Andrew Jackson called home (on and off) from 1804 to 1845. The tomb of Jackson and his wife, Elsie, lie on the property as well. The Hermitage offers tours, educational exhibits, and special events, plus wine tastings courtesy of Natchez Hills Winery and Vineyard.
Built as the home of Adelicia and Joseph Acklen between 1849 and 1860, the Belmont Mansion stood as the largest house in Tennessee prior to the Civil War. The property also housed African-American slaves, the lives of which you can explore with a visit to the site, situated in the center of the campus of Belmont University. The Belmont Mansion was also significant for serving as the headquarters of the Union Army of the Cumberland during the Battle of Nashville in December of 1864.
Belle Meade dates back to 1807, when its 250 acres were purchased by John Harding. The grounds include well-preserved and meticulously restored historic structures, with much information on the slaves whose legacy is—as at The Hermitage and the Belmont Mansion—an intrinsic part of the site. Belle Meade also functions as a winery.
A vibrant modern non-profit arts-and-culture institution only about two miles from The Union Station Nashville Yards, the Belcourt Theatre has a long and rich history. It opened back in 1925 as the Hillsboro Theater, showing silent films, and even did a stint as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1934 to 1936.
Historical Sightseeing on a Nashville Getaway to The Union Station
Come delve into Nashville-area history on a pampered stay here at The Union Station, where your sightseeing can lead from Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage right to our own celebrated grand lobby.