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Tucked away among the rolling hills of Nashville, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of the city’s most beloved places to experience art, nature, and history all in one afternoon. Spanning 55 acres, the estate combines botanical gardens, woodland trails, seasonal art installations, and a historic mansion that feels like stepping into another era.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we made the drive up to Nashville to finally explore Cheekwood for ourselves. Between the blooming gardens, whimsical troll sculptures hidden among the trees, and elegant rooms filled with art and history, it quickly became clear why so many people return here again and again.

Cheekwood feels like part botanical garden, part outdoor museum, and part fairytale forest hiding giant trolls among the trees.

1. Plan Your Visit to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
   1. Best Time to Visit
   2. Parking & Arrival
   3. How Much Time You’ll Need
   4. What to Expect
   5. Tips for Visiting Cheekwood
2. Exploring the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
3. Thomas Dambo Trolls at Cheekwood
4. Family Friendly Spaces & Hidden Corners
5. Touring the Cheekwood Historic Estate
6. Cheekwood Art Museum & Rotating Exhibits

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Plan Your Visit to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

If you’re planning a visit to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, a little preparation goes a long way in helping you make the most of your time here. Between the sprawling gardens, woodland trails, art installations, and historic estate, this is the kind of place where you can easily spend a full afternoon without realizing how much ground you’ve covered.

Best Time to Visit

Cheekwood changes beautifully with the seasons, and the experience really depends on when you go.

• Spring is one of the most popular times to visit, with gardens in full bloom and vibrant color everywhere
• Summer brings lush greenery and full gardens, though it can be hot and humid- our visit definitely came with the soundtrack of cicadas filling the air
• Fall is ideal for cooler temperatures and seasonal events, making it one of the most comfortable times to explore on foot
• Winter is quieter, but often includes seasonal displays and holiday lights that give the estate a different kind of charm

Parking & Arrival

Parking at Cheekwood is on-site and straightforward, with clearly marked areas near the entrance. Once you arrive, it’s an easy transition from your car into the gardens, and signage helps guide you toward the main paths and exhibits.

If you’re visiting on a weekend or during a special event, it’s worth arriving earlier in the day to avoid heavier crowds and to give yourself more time to wander at a relaxed pace.

How Much Time You’ll Need

While you can do a quick walk through of the highlights, Cheekwood really rewards slow exploration.

• Quick Visit: 1.5-2 hours (main gardens or a focused stop)
• Recommended Visit: 3-5 hours (gardens, trails, estate, and museum)
• Extended Visit: half a day or more during festivals, seasonal exhibits, or special installations

We found that time moved quickly once we started exploring the trails and art installations- it’s the kind of place where you keep saying ‘let’s just see what’s around the corner’.

What to Expect

Cheekwood is a mostly outdoor experience, so expect a fair amount of walking on paved paths, gravel trails, and gentle inclines. There are shaded areas throughout the gardens, but depending on the season, sun and heat can be a factor—especially in the summer months.

It’s also very family-friendly, with interactive spaces for kids, open lawns, and plenty of spots to pause, explore, or simply sit and take in the surroundings.

Tips for Visiting Cheekwood

• Wear comfortable shoes since the property covers a large area
• Plan to spend at least several hours exploring both the garden and museum
• Summer visits can be hot and humid, so bringing water is a good idea
• Seasonal exhibits and festivals often change throughout the year, making repeat visits worthwhile
• Families with children should make time for the children’s garden and iteractive spaces

For current exhibits, seasonal events, and ticket information, visit the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens website.

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Exploring the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

We began our visit wandering through Cheekwood’s seasonal plant sale while my husband admired the endless possibilities for adding even more flowers and greenery to our yard. As the gardener of the family, he is always studying new plants and landscaping ideas, so this quickly became one of his favorite stops of the day.

Not far away, the Rose Study Garden was overflowing with heritage roses in nearly every color imaginable. Walking through the rows of blooms felt peaceful and timeless, especially with the warm summer sun lighting up the gardens around us.

Throughout the botanical gardens, art and nature blend together in unexpected ways. Modern sculptures and installations appeared around nearly every corner, turning the walking trails into something that felt both creative and immersive.

We crossed a glass bridge over a small creek, listened to the soft hum of the harmonic chairs strung with guitar cords, and explored winding paths surrounded by towering trees and the constant soundtrack of buzzing cicadas.

Further along the trails, we discovered giant rabbits peeking from the woods, glittering metal trees sparkling in the sunlight, stone tablets climbing the hillside, and even an echo chamber that sent voices bouncing in every direction. Every section of the gardens felt designed to encourage curiosity and exploration.

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Thomas Dambo Trolls at Cheekwood

One of the highlights of visiting Cheekwood Estate & Gardens was seeing the larger-than-life troll sculptures created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The trolls were created as part of an art installation designed to inspire people to reconnect with nature and care for the world around them.

Each troll had its own name, personality, and story. Our favorite was Ibbi Pip, who decorated the trees with colorful birdhouses hanging overhead. Hidden throughout the gardens, the trolls made the experience feel a little like a scavenger hunt as we searched for each one along the trails.

We also came across Sofus Lotus, who rested with one eye open and an ear pressed to the ground as though listening carefully to the world around him.

Other trolls greeted visitors near the exit, including Basse Buller sitting peacefully beside his picnic bucket, Kamma Can collecting discarded trash to transform into something beautiful, and Ronja Redeye, the smallest troll of them all.

The trolls added a playful sense of wonder to the gardens while also carrying an important message about creativity, sustainability, and protecting nature.

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Family Friendly Spaces & Hidden Corners

Beyond the formal gardens, Cheekwood also includes plenty of interactive spaces designed for families and children. Some of our favorite moments came from simply wandering and discovering hidden areas tucked throughout the property.

The children’s garden featured hidden passageways winding through the trees, a tiny tea house ready for imaginative play, and a large bell that echoed through the gardens whenever excited little visitors rang it. One especially unique area was the living library, where stone seating areas were surrounded by books and boxes filled with objects meant to inspire curiosity and learning.

These small details helped make the gardens feel welcoming for all ages rather than simply a place to quietly admire flowers.

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Touring the Cheekwood Historic Estate

After exploring the gardens, we finally made our way into the historic estate itself. Originally built in 1929 as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek, the mansion is a beautiful example of the American country place era. In 1960, the estate was transformed into an art museum while still preserving much of the home’s original elegance and character.

Walking through the rooms felt like stepping back into another time. Ornate gold trim framed the doorways while tables were set with delicate china and cabinets displayed collections of crystal and silver. Every room reflected the grandeur and sophistication of the early 1900s.

My favorite space was easily the library. The dark wood walls, shelves lined with books, and quiet atmosphere made it feel warm and timeless. I could easily picture myself sitting there beside the fireplace with a book in hand or writing letters at the desk overlooking the gardens below.

Seeing early editions of beloved classics like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Pride and Prejudice, and the works of Shakespeare made the room feel even more magical.

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Cheekwood Art Museum & Rotating Exhibits

The second floor of the estate houses Cheekwood’s art museum, which features both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions throughout the year. During our visit, a special exhibition featuring the work of Edgar Degas was on display.

While Degas is best known for his paintings of dancers, the exhibit also showcased some of his lesser-known portraits and horse racing artwork. The museum itself featured a wide variety of artistic styles and periods, adding another layer to the overall experience at Cheekwood.

Because exhibits rotate throughout the year, every visit offers something a little different.

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By the end of our visit, it was easy to understand why Cheekwood Estate & Gardens has become one of Nashville’s most treasured destinations. The combination of botanical gardens, public art, history, and creative spaces makes it feel far more immersive than a typical museum or garden visit.

Whether you come for the flowers, the art exhibits, the woodland trails, or simply a peaceful afternoon outdoors, Cheekwood offers the kind of experience that invites you to slow down, explore, and rediscover a little wonder along the way.

Thanks for coming along with us on this visit to the Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Garden. May you find beauty in movement and color in the trees.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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