Tips for Beating the Heat at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
July brings us to the dog days of summer. With highs consistently in the 90s and heat indexes of 100 or more, Nashville is definitely a hot city this time of year. While spending much time outdoors may not be on your agenda, visiting Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, home of the 7th President, should be—even in the heat. So, how do you beat the heat while experiencing our National Historic Landmark? Read on for several tips and tricks on how to stay cool.
Visit Earlier or Later in the Day
Because the hottest part of the day happens between noon and 3 p.m., we encourage our summertime visitors to plan on stopping by either in the first part or in the last part of their day. Between March 15 and October 15, we open daily at 8:30 a.m., well before the blazing heat is in effect. We also sell our last ticket of the day at 5 p.m., and the site closes at 6 p.m. During this part of the day, the sun is no longer overhead, and the day’s high temperatures have dipped to something more comfortable. So whether you are a morning or a late afternoon person, we recommend either timeframe for your visit to our historic site.
Spend Time in the Museum and Exhibit
The Andrew Jackson Center is home to our museum, which houses hundreds of artifacts from Jackson’s life and time. Each artifact displayed has been thoughtfully selected to help us further tell the story of the Jacksonian Era. The Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm exhibit is also a must-see. This state-of-the-art, $1.1 million exhibit brings the rich story of Andrew Jackson’s meteoric rise from his humble beginnings to his presidency through bold visuals and a series of interactive displays. The exhibit focuses on the three pivotal stages of Jackson’s astonishing life: his modest origins as an orphan, his resiliency as a general and his visionary leadership as a President. The Andrew Jackson Center also offers a powerful, informative 18-minute film entitled, Jackson. And bonus: The center is air conditioned, meaning you can stay cool while learning more about the man whose property you are visiting!
Find Shade Under the Trees
Our site sits on 1,120 acres in the rolling hills of beautiful Middle Tennessee and is a certified level 1 arboretum, home to thousands of trees. From ash and winged elm to white pine and hickories of multiple varieties, you are sure to find plenty of spaces under shade. Many are perfect for spreading out on a blanket and enjoying a picnic. Our picnic tables are available for your use, too.
Refresh with a Cold Treat
This summer, we are proud to partner with Kona Ice, purveyors of gourmet tropical shaved ice. The shaved ice truck is located right off the walkway behind the mansion and serves up tasty treats every day*. This is a fun way to stay cool and beat the heat!
Even with the hot summertime temperatures, there is no better time to experience Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Ranked the 3rd most visited presidential home in the nation and as one of Tennessee’s top historical sites, The Hermitage should be on your to-do list while in Nashville. We hope to see you soon!
*weather permitting