Recommended Day Trip: The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson’s home)
The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson’s home) is an easy half-day or full-day outing from Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center — it’s about 5 miles away and typically a 20-minute drive. Guests usually get there by rental car, rideshare or taxi; there is no confirmed resort shuttle to the Hermitage listed in the property dossier.
In this guide
Why the Hermitage fits a Gaylord Opryland day trip
The Hermitage is the historic plantation home and museum of U.S. President Andrew Jackson and is identified in destination research as roughly 5 miles from Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (about a 20-minute drive).
Because Gaylord Opryland places you near the Opryland area, the Hermitage makes a straightforward cultural stop that’s easy to pair with on-site time at the resort or other nearby attractions such as the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills.
- Distance from Gaylord Opryland: about 5 miles / roughly 20 minutes by car (source: thehermitage.com / dossier).
- Good for history-focused travelers and families comfortable with a short drive.
- No direct evidence in the dossier that the resort runs a scheduled shuttle specifically to the Hermitage.
| From Gaylord Opryland | Typical travel time |
|---|---|
| Hermitage (Andrew Jackson’s home) | About 20 minutes by car |
| Grand Ole Opry / Opry Mills | About a 10-minute walk |
| Nashville International Airport (BNA) | About 12–20 minutes by car |
Getting there from Gaylord Opryland
The dossier shows Gaylord Opryland provides scheduled shuttles to nearby Opry-area sites (Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills, General Jackson) but does not document a regular shuttle to the Hermitage. For the Hermitage, the simplest options are a rental car, taxi, or rideshare (Uber/Lyft).
If you plan to rent a car, confirm parking details at the Hermitage website before you go. If you prefer not to drive, request a rideshare or taxi from the Gaylord front desk or via the phone service listed in your booking materials.
- Drive: fastest and most flexible; about 20 minutes each way (traffic-dependent).
- Rideshare/taxi: convenient if you don’t want to park; ask the front desk for local guidance.
- Resort shuttles: listed shuttles serve Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills; no dossier evidence of a Hermitage shuttle.
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rental car | Most flexible; check Hermitage parking info before departure |
| Rideshare / taxi | Simple door-to-door option; allow extra time for pick-up |
| Resort shuttle | No documented regular shuttle to the Hermitage in the dossier |
Suggested timeline and what to expect
Decide whether you want a half-day visit (house tour + grounds) or a full-day visit (house, museum exhibits, and extended grounds/walking). The Hermitage is a museum and historic site; available programs and tour lengths can vary, so check the Hermitage website for current tour options.
Allow extra time for travel, parking, and any on-site orientation or exhibits. Spring and fall generally offer milder weather for walking the grounds; summer can be hot and winter weather may be cool.
- Half-day: quick house tour and a stroll of immediate grounds.
- Full-day: house tour plus museum exhibits and longer walks of the property.
- Check the Hermitage website for current tour scheduling and special events before you go.
| Visit type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Half-day | House tour + short grounds walk |
| Full-day | House, museum, and extended grounds exploration |
| Combine with Opry-area stops | Add Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills shopping, or a meal back at Gaylord |
Accessibility and practical tips
The dossier for Gaylord Opryland confirms accessible parking and wheelchair-accessible rooms at the resort; for the Hermitage, check directly with the site about accessibility features for the historic house and grounds since individual room and tour access can vary at historic properties.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking on lawns and historic paths. Bring water and sun protection in warm months; plan for potentially wetter weather in spring. If you want to return to the resort for dinner, Gaylord Opryland has nearly 20 dining options on site.
- Confirm accessibility details with the Hermitage before you visit if mobility is a concern.
- No outside food is allowed inside some historic houses or specific museum areas — verify site rules on arrival.
- Pack a camera, ID, and any required tickets; the dossier notes SoundWaves and spa access are separate paid experiences at the resort.
| Resort conveniences after your visit | Examples |
|---|---|
| Dining options | Old Hickory Steakhouse, Cascades American Cafe, Jack Daniel's, Ravello, quick-service cafés |
| Relaxation | Relâche Spa (book in advance) and indoor atrium walks |
| Pools & activities | Complimentary indoor/outdoor pools; SoundWaves requires a separate package |
Pairing the Hermitage with other local stops
Because the Hermitage is near the Opryland area but a short drive from downtown Nashville, you can combine the visit with either more Opry-area activities or an afternoon/evening in downtown Nashville.
Nearby choices that fit easily into the same day include the Grand Ole Opry (walking distance from Gaylord Opryland), Opry Mills (shopping/entertainment), or returning to Gaylord Opryland for dining and the indoor gardens.
- Morning: Hermitage visit, then lunch in the Opry area or back at Gaylord.
- Afternoon: Opry Mills shopping or a Grand Ole Opry tour/performance if timing allows.
- Evening: Dinner at Old Hickory Steakhouse or casual options like Stax or Cascades American Cafe.
| Nearby stop | Relative distance / note |
|---|---|
| Grand Ole Opry | About a 10-minute walk from Gaylord Opryland (good evening activity) |
| Opry Mills | Within walking distance for shopping and food |
| Gaylord Springs Golf Links | About an 8–9 minute drive if you want to add golf |
Returning to Gaylord Opryland: dining and wind-down options
After your Hermitage visit, you’ll find multiple dining choices at Gaylord Opryland close to guest rooms and atrium areas. If you want a formal meal, Old Hickory Steakhouse requires reservations and observes a business casual dress code; the resort also offers casual quick-service and family-friendly options.
For relaxation after a full day out, consider booking Relâche Spa treatments or taking a quieter stroll through the resort’s glass-roofed atriums and riverwalk. Check spa hours and availability in advance.
- Signature dining: Old Hickory Steakhouse (reservations required; business casual).
- Casual choices: Cascades American Cafe, Stax, Ravello, Jack Daniel's, and multiple grab-and-go cafés.
- Spa and pools: Relâche Spa (appointments recommended) and complimentary indoor/outdoor pools; SoundWaves access is a separate paid option.
| On-site spot | Why it helps after a day trip |
|---|---|
| Old Hickory Steakhouse | Sit-down dinner; reservations recommended |
| Cascades American Cafe | All-ages menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner |
| Relâche Spa | Book treatments to unwind; check age policy for body treatments |
