Donelson Hermitage Nashville pairs a quiet east side base with one of America’s most visited presidential homes, plus lake trails and greenways a short drive from downtown. Donelson sits west of Hermitage along the I-40 corridor, close to Nashville International Airport, while Hermitage holds Andrew Jackson’s 1,120 acre estate and the shore of Percy Priest Lake. Together they suit travelers who want calmer streets and easy day trips into the city.
Key Highlights
- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage covers 1,120 acres with a mansion, garden, museum exhibits, and trails.
- Donelson and Hermitage sit east of downtown along I-40, close to Nashville International Airport and the WeGo Star rail line.
- Two Rivers Park and the Stones River Greenway offer flat walking and cycling between Donelson and Shelby Bottoms.
- Long Hunter State Park on Percy Priest Lake offers trails, picnic spots, and quiet lake views.
- Spring and fall suit trails and gardens best, while summer is the season for lake swimming and water parks.
Getting There and Getting Around
Most visitors arrive by car. From downtown Nashville, take I-40 east and follow Lebanon Pike (US-70) into Donelson, then continue east into Hermitage. Briley Parkway and Donelson Pike connect the area to the airport and the Opryland area. Traffic on I-40 builds during weekday rush hours, so allow extra time for a morning trip downtown or an evening return. Parking lots at The Hermitage, the state park, and Two Rivers Park make day trips simple.
Public transit runs on a commuter pattern, so check schedules before you rely on it. The WeGo Star rail line stops at Donelson Station and Hermitage Station on its route between Lebanon and downtown Riverfront Station, with weekday service aimed at morning trips into the city and afternoon trips back out. WeGo buses also serve Lebanon Pike, but a car or rideshare gives far more freedom for a day that mixes The Hermitage, a lake park, and dinner. If you are comparing east side bases before you book, our Nashville neighborhoods guide sets Donelson and Hermitage beside the other areas to stay.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are the easiest seasons here. March through May brings mild days, blooming gardens at The Hermitage, and comfortable trail weather at Long Hunter State Park. September through November cools the humidity and thins the summer crowds.
Summer is the lake season. Wave Country and Nashville Shores both run on a seasonal schedule, and the lake draws boaters and swimmers from across the city. Expect hotter days, afternoon thunderstorms, and busier weekends at the water parks. Winter is the quiet season. The Hermitage stays open except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, while water attractions close for the season.
What to Expect in Donelson
Donelson feels like a settled suburb with a growing local scene. Lebanon Pike carries restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, while side streets hold mid century ranch homes and newer townhomes. Donelson Plaza, a revitalized shopping center on the Pike, gathers local shops and eateries in one stop. Locals call the area Hip Donelson, a nod to new restaurants beside long standing diners.
Hermitage, just east of Donelson, feels quieter and more spread out. Old Hickory Boulevard and Lebanon Pike carry its main shopping centers and grocery stores, while lake coves sit a short drive away. The area takes its name from Andrew Jackson’s home. Travelers who want more restaurants and a faster trip to the airport tend to pick Donelson, while travelers who want lake access and a quieter street tend to pick Hermitage.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the main reason most visitors come to this side of Nashville. The 1,120 acre National Historic Landmark holds the Greek Revival mansion where Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, lived, plus more than 20 historic buildings, a one acre English garden, the family tomb, and walking trails across the grounds. The mansion keeps hundreds of Jackson’s original belongings, and museum exhibits give context before you walk the house.
Plan two and a half to three hours for a typical visit, as the site suggests. Mansion entry runs in arrival order at the mansion door, so head there early if you want a shorter wait, then loop back through the garden, the exhibits, and the trails. The grounds also tell the stories of the hundreds of enslaved people who lived and labored on the property.
The site address is 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076. Official hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with last tickets sold at 3:00 p.m. and last mansion entry at 3:45 p.m. Holiday hours differ: the site closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and it closes early at 2:00 p.m. on the day before Thanksgiving. Check the official page before you travel.
Two Rivers Park and the Stones River Greenway
Two Rivers Park is Donelson’s main outdoor hub. The park sits where the Stones River meets the Cumberland River, with walking paths, picnic areas, playgrounds, a dog park, and a golf course. The Stones River Greenway runs through the park and links Donelson toward Shelby Bottoms by a pedestrian bridge, which makes it one of the best flat rides in the city. Walkers can pick a short out and back section near the park rather than the full route. Greenway riders can continue toward East Nashville for dinner.
Long Hunter State Park and Percy Priest Lake
Long Hunter State Park covers 2,670 acres on Percy Priest Lake in Hermitage, and it is the best place in the area for a quiet hike. The park holds more than 20 miles of trails, including the paved trail around Couchville Lake, about two miles through mature forest. Birders watch for bald eagles and winter waterfowl, and the cedar glades at Bryant Grove offer open, rocky terrain.
The park address is 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076, and the park office phone is 615-885-2422. The visitor center is listed as open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. Tennessee State Parks currently posts an alert that the boat house and fishing pier are closed until further notice, so check it before a boating day.
Prices and Tickets
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage charges general admission. The official page lists adults age 13 and older at $29.95, seniors age 62 and older at $26.95, veterans and active military at $26.95, youth age 5 to 12 at $19.95, and children age 4 and under free with a ticketed adult. A family pass for two adults and two youth costs $93.80. A 90 minute VIP guided tour costs $69.95, or $59.95 for members, with balcony access and photo permission inside the mansion. Buy tickets online to save time at the gate on busy weekends.
Long Hunter State Park lists no general entrance fee for day use; costs apply to rentals, programs, or reservations. Wave Country, by contrast, charges seasonal admission set by Metro Parks: the department’s published rates list adults age 13 and older at $12, children age 3 to 12 at $10, seniors age 62 and older at $8, and military visitors at $8, with children age 2 and under free. Wave Country rates are seasonal, so confirm the current rate on the Metro Parks page before you go. Wave Country hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed on Mondays. Nashville Shores, the water park and lakeside resort at 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, uses date based pricing, so check nashvilleshores.com for your visit day.
Nearby Things to Do
The Opryland area sits a short drive west of Donelson and makes an easy half day add on. The Grand Ole Opry stages its weekly shows at the Grand Ole Opry House, and Opry Mills next door holds outlet shopping, restaurants, and an aquarium restaurant that suits families. Gaylord Opryland Resort beside the Opry House offers indoor gardens and restaurants for a rainy day. Combine the Opry area with a morning at The Hermitage for a day that mixes music and history.
Nashville Shores gives Hermitage a second water option beyond Wave Country. The lakeside resort on Percy Priest Lake holds a water park with a wave pool, slides, and a lazy river, plus cabins, RV sites, a marina with boat and jet ski rentals, and a treetop adventure course in the woods. Families often pair a water park morning with a picnic at Long Hunter State Park, a short drive away.
Old Hickory, just north of Hermitage, adds another quiet stop. The former company town on Old Hickory Lake holds a small main street, a golf course, and lake parks that draw local boaters and anglers. Mount Juliet, east of Hermitage on I-40, offers Providence Marketplace shopping and chain dining. Both towns work as low key extensions to a lake focused trip.
Downtown Nashville is the obvious day trip from Donelson and Hermitage. The downtown Nashville guide covers Broadway honky tonks, the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the riverfront, all reachable by car or by the WeGo Star train on weekdays. Plan downtown for an evening and keep your east side base for a quieter night. One day can cover a morning at The Hermitage, an afternoon on the greenway, and an evening downtown.
Practical Tips
Book The Hermitage for the morning. Early entry means a shorter mansion line, cooler garden walks, and time for a lake park in the afternoon. Wear comfortable walking shoes, since the Hermitage grounds, the greenway, and the state park trails all involve uneven paths and open sun. Bring water in summer and a light rain layer for afternoon thunderstorms.
Pack for lake days with the same care. Sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle matter at Long Hunter State Park, where shade is thin at ramps and beaches. Check the Tennessee State Parks alert page before a boating trip, and save the park office number, 615-885-2422, on your phone.
Stay in Donelson for airport access and restaurant choice, and stay in Hermitage for lake access and a quieter street. Hotels cluster near the airport and along Old Hickory Boulevard. If you are weighing other east side stays, our Antioch neighborhood guide covers a larger, more affordable area southeast of Hermitage with its own lake access. Book summer weekends early, since water park crowds fill the closest hotels first, and check hours twice for seasonal sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from downtown Nashville to Donelson and Hermitage?
Driving is the simplest option. Take I-40 east from downtown, then follow Lebanon Pike into Donelson and on into Hermitage. The drive is short in normal traffic but builds during rush hour. The WeGo Star train also stops at Donelson and Hermitage stations on weekdays, with morning trains downtown and afternoon trains back.
How much time do I need at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage?
Allow two and a half to three hours for a typical visit. That window covers the mansion, the garden, the exhibits, and the grounds trails. Arrive early to shorten the mansion entry line, since entry runs in arrival order at the mansion door. Add an extra hour if you join a guided tour.
Is there an entrance fee at Long Hunter State Park?
No general entrance fee is listed for day use at Long Hunter State Park. Costs apply to rentals, programs, or facility reservations rather than gate entry. The visitor center can confirm fees for any specific activity. Check the Tennessee State Parks alert page before you go, since the boat house and fishing pier are closed until further notice.
Can I walk between Donelson and Hermitage?
Walking between the two neighborhoods is possible on some stretches but impractical as a full route. Lebanon Pike carries fast traffic and long gaps between sidewalks, so most visitors drive or rideshare between Donelson and Hermitage. Use the Stones River Greenway for recreation walks instead.
Where should I stay: Donelson or Hermitage?
Stay in Donelson for airport access, more restaurants, and a faster trip downtown. Stay in Hermitage for lake access, a quieter street, and the shortest drive to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage and Long Hunter State Park. Both sit along I-40 east of downtown, so either base works with a car.
Are Donelson and Hermitage good for families?
Yes, both neighborhoods suit families well. Two Rivers Park, Wave Country, Long Hunter State Park, and Nashville Shores give children trails, playgrounds, pools, and lake beaches within a short drive. The Hermitage adds a museum visit for school age children, and casual restaurants keep family logistics simple.
Donelson and Hermitage reward travelers who want Nashville without the downtown noise: a presidential home in the morning, a lake trail in the afternoon, and a quiet street at night. Book The Hermitage for your first morning, then build the rest of the trip around the greenway and Percy Priest Lake.