Timeline
06:27
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Arrive at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art grounds. The 55-acre estate is quietest at dawn, allowing you to walk the paths alone and find a quiet vantage point to watch the sun break over the horizon. The morning light reflects beautifully off the gardens and the historic mansion.
06:57
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Watch the sunrise. On January 15 the sun rises at 06:57, casting a soft glow. In April it rises earlier at 06:14, and by July the day starts even sooner at 05:42. The early light offers a serene view of the architecture and landscape before the day's heat and visitors arrive.
07:57
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Head back to the main house or entrance area to grab a coffee or light breakfast. Since there are no listed food or drink shops in the immediate vicinity for this early hour, check if the museum cafe or nearby vendors on the estate perimeter are opening. If not, plan to visit the museum interior (opens 9:30 AM Tue-Sat, 11 AM Sun) or head to a nearby café in the city once the gardens are closed or after your morning walk.
Local tip
The garden opens at 9:30 AM on weekdays and 11 AM on Sundays, but the grounds are accessible for early morning walks before opening hours. Check the specific opening times for the museum if you plan to enter the building. The estate is closed on Mondays except for holidays, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Check before you go
- Cheekwood opens at 9:30 AM Tue-Sat and 11 AM Sun. The grounds are open earlier for sunrise viewing.
- Admission is $10 for adults, with a family cap of $30.
- Check if any on-site cafes are open before sunrise, as most local shops will not be open at 6:57 AM.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Nashville (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).