cheekwood botanical gardens & museum of art

Zeek82

Beautiful gardens, but expensive for what you get. Worth a visit late spring though, even if just for the pictures alone. Try to go a bit earlier to avoid the crowds.

LEllen12

We did not find the house that interesting or the exhibits but the gardens are lovely. We especially enjoyed the sculpture trail. We went at the change of the leaves in November. It was a memorable afternoon. Everything is very well preserved!

joyces682

I've been an area resident for 12 years, and we've been to Cheekwood a number of times, on our own and with visitors. We keep going back because the experience is so enjoyable. Most of the exhibits are outdoors, so you might not want to go if it's going to be muddy outside. If you've been there before, you might want to check to see if there is a new exhibit, otherwise things stay pretty much the same. The best we've seen there was the Chihuly exhibit, and it was magical at night. Parking is easy and tickets are reasonably priced. There is a gift shop on site, as well as a restaurant. Service is generally kind of slow in the restaurant, and unless you're near the windows, there isn't much ambiance, but the food is great. It's a great way to spend an afternoon as a tourist, or with out of town visitors.

PraisinPeg

Cheekwood offers a serene environment to visit, walk around and just "ponder life". Special events are always enjoyable and done with excellence.

resbread

During the warm months of the year this is a great destination to see flowers, herbs, and outdoor sculpture. The art can be inspiring depending upon the exhibit but the permanent collection is a mishmash of styles, periods, and quality because the museum fails to define what it is or represents. Go for the gardens and hope the art matches up. The estate and grounds are also worthy of exploration. Hopefully upkeep of the sculpture garden will improve over time.

CayceCleveland_Ohio

I've been here at least twice, and would go again in a heartbeat. Has a terrific onsite restaurantthat isn't too expensive. Super gift shop, with some good bargains and great merchandise (near the restaurant). The Japanese Garden herein is by far my favorite segment, but the whole place is special.There are meandering streams, gentle rolling acres to cover....brilliant garden design...gorgeous in many seasons. Memorable, healing, sanctuary.

EJISK

Along with most of the other reviewers, I would have to say that this is one of Nasheville's great treasures. The grounds are beautiful and the mansion of great interest (especially its permanent display of porcelain through the ages). It can be a bit pricey, though, so find a coupon. Well worth the visit for a relaxing stroll through the gardens and to see the art, etc.

Piter92604

We enjoyed walking the grounds up to the Mansion, the art was great, and then back to a wonderful lunch at the Garden Cafe next to the gift shop.

796lilys

Worth a visit to see whatever is on display. Even if you don't like the latest exhibition, the building is gorgeous and the grounds are filled with beautiful greenery and flowers. Don't miss the little railroad and model train.

Saf128

This is a wonderful place to visit especially in the spring. The tulips are gorgeous! And also do visit the mansion on the grounds. A lovely place when the weather is nice.

phishlover

Located outside Nashville this old mansion is on beautiful grounds. Interior preserved as model of the Old South. The volunteers are helpful and informative. There is a children's area which has an outdoor train set which was really neat. Artwork in the mansion house is different. Local artists display work on paths along the gardens as well as within the mansion. Grounds also have an educational element for school children. Enjoyed our visit on a beautiful Fall 2014 day. Winter or rainy weather might be entirely different. Would recommend this attraction.

dbcrim

For all the hype I was rather dissatisfied. I had taken my daughter, mother, and niece. I didn't feel here were enough people to help explain some of the artifacts as other places I have visited. The price is quite high because there weren't that many things offered. I am a local but my mother had never been. We have been in the past and we're pleased but the Christmas fare was quite disappointing.

WeirdEl

The house itself at Cheekwood is okay. It is set up more as a gallery than a home. You can't see the way it used to be back in it's glory days, but the architecture is beautiful and the displays are great. The gardens are amazing. The traveling displays are worth the trip. We have been lucky enough to see Andy Worhol's art and climb on outdoor giant bug displays. Christmas with the reindeer is so much fun, and the train exhibit outside is great for kids. We also check out a free backpack full of art supplies and kids' activities when we go. The Pineapple Room is nice for lunch, but it is served very leisurely. Allow a lot of time if you plan to eat there.

Sethmanand54

We have been when there were great exibits and times when it was just the gardens. I think it definately worth the money and time when there is an awesome exibit to be seen. There is a great gift shop, good restaurant, easy to park.

sherryw216

Visited cheekwood during the Christmas season (1st time). It's a little more crowded during this time of year, so parking sometimes lands outside the paved lots. Get there early for a closer spot. Note that during Christmas you have to get an armband from the visitor center to walk around the grounds (like a special event). We walked around the grounds and it was very peaceful because most people are up near the mansion with all the Christmas festivities. They have "the bird's nest" tree limb sculpture out by the lake. The mansion has decorated Christmas trees (in different rooms) along with the normal art showings. There is a restroom on each floor and also an elevator. If needed, there is parking directly at the mansion - just let the security staff know. Just outside of the mansion (and down the hill) there are "cookie decorating" classes, live reindeer, Santa's sleigh, and Santa (picture line was pretty long). They still have the two toy trains running on the outside track (one is Thomas the tank). The grounds were not as pretty as in the spring and summer months, but it was still a very peaceful nature walk.