Best Thing about Cheekwood,Nashville

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear…Nashville, Tennessee?

Country music, right.

I am a country music fan so I am not knocking country music, but…believe it or not, there really is more to Nashville than country music. One such attraction is Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art, located just on the western outskirts of Nashville.

What is the best thing about Cheekwood (the house that coffee built)?

There are acres and acres of beautifully landscaped gardens that are constantly changing colour with the seasons. Even with the plants being in “winter mode” when we visit, one is impressed by the design of the numerous gardens. Views that inspire surround us. Surely that is the best thing about Cheekwood. Surprising, no.

The mansion that houses the museum of art is impressive sitting at the top of a hill. As I look towards it  I envision wealth and a formal sophistication mixed with friendly welcomes. Surely such an impressive building would be the best thing about Cheekwood.  Impressive, but not the best thing.

Christmas is in the air as we visit so the interior of the house is beautifully decorated and is hosting a display of Christmas trees decorated to represent Christmas around the world. The African tree is decorated with grasses and feathers. England’s tree features peacock features and old carriage lanterns.

Beautiful, educational…perhaps  this  made it to the top of the best list. No.

Okay, it has to be the art hanging on the walls of the museum. Right? There even is a special exhibit of priceless Faberge (Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation’s collection of Faberge) that you loved. That must be the best thing.

I really thought it was going to be…but surprisingly, no.

Food. We all love food. Cheekwood’s restaurant with its delicious food and huge glass windows overlooking some of the gardens must have made it to spot number one.

Delicious it was…but no.

For me the BEST thing about Cheekwood is the sculpture trail. Even one of the volunteers at Cheekwood did not know where it was when we inquired so perhaps this is a gem not know to many tourists.  Officially it is the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail and is located on the gently sloping hill behind the mansion. Armed with a brochure detailing the sculptures scattered throughout the woods, we set off to find them. What a beautiful walk on a sunny day!

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Finding the statues became almost a game as we wandered around the trails. What was going to show up next? It should be around here somewhere according to the brochure, but where…oh, there it is! How creative!

The hand held audio guide we were issued before leaving the mansion added a lot to our enjoyment of the walk. It gave directions as to where to head and when we located a specific statue you pushed the appropriate button and heard the story behind the sculpture and its creator.

 Are all these trees real?

So the best thing about Cheekwood (for me) is the Carrell Woodland Sculpture Trail.

Just one person’s opinion.

 

How to Get to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art

1200 Forrest Park Drive Nashville Tennessee

(on the western outskirts of Nashville)

detailed driving instructions can be found on their official website

www.cheekwood.org

– Book a Nashville tour (let someone else do the driving)

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