Need a scenic and historic Southern getaway near Nashville? Head to Gallatin! Located on Old Hickory Lake, this growing Tennessee town blends rich history, waterfront charm, and a walkable downtown with easy access to Music City. Whether you're boating, antiquing, or enjoying Southern eats, Gallatin offers small-town warmth with big-time character.
Gallatin, TN Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Paddle or fish on Old Hickory Lake – Kayak, boat, or cast a line in one of Middle Tennessee’s top lakes.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Historic Rose Mont Mansion – Greek Revival home offering guided tours and insight into 1800s life in Sumner County.
- For Shoppers: Explore downtown boutiques and antique shops – Hunt for vintage finds, gifts, and Southern-made goods in Gallatin’s charming square.
- For Couples: Catch a concert at The Palace Theater – Enjoy live music or classic films in this restored 1913 movie house.
- For Families: Play at Triple Creek Park – Splash pad, sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails make this a local favorite.
Best Time to Visit Gallatin, TN
The best time to visit Gallatin is during the spring and fall months (April–June, September–October) when the weather is ideal for exploring parks, enjoying lake activities, and attending seasonal festivals. Summer is warm and great for boating, while winter is mild but quieter.
How to Get to Gallatin, TN
- If you are traveling by car: Gallatin is located off TN-386 and US-31E, about 40 minutes northeast of downtown Nashville.
- By Air: Fly into Nashville International Airport (BNA), just under an hour away by car.
- By Bus: WeGo Public Transit and other regional shuttles serve the greater Nashville area, though a car is recommended for flexibility.
Where to Stay in Gallatin, TN
- Recommended for Families: Hilton Garden Inn Gallatin – Modern amenities, indoor pool, and close to parks and dining.
- For Couples: The Legacy Inn – Quaint, locally owned lodging with Southern hospitality and cozy rooms near downtown.
- For a Budget Stay: Baymont by Wyndham Gallatin – Affordable comfort with free breakfast and easy access to major routes.
Best Things to Do in Gallatin, TN
⮕ Bledsoe Creek State Park
Hike wooded trails and enjoy peaceful lake views on an easy weekend trip.
© vvoe/stock.adobe.com
Bledsoe Creek State Park is a 169-acre state park near Gallatin, in Sumner County, Tennessee. The park includes the west shore of the Bledsoe Creek embayment of Old Hickory Lake. The lake is an impoundment of the Cumberland River, created as the result of building of Old Hickory Dam in 1954. Bledsoe Creek State Park was developed as part of the Old Hickory Dam project, mostly for recreation. The park maintains two boat ramps, a 57-site campground, two picnic pavilions along and several playground areas. Old Hickory Lake is regularly stocked with bluegill, crappie, catfish, and bass and is very popular with fishermen. The park has several wildlife observation points and organizes various environmental programs. There are about six miles of hiking trails that wind through the forest and along the lakeshore.
400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-452-3706
⮕ Douglas-Clark Hous
Explore Civil War history and admire unusual architecture on a quiet, educational outing.
© Douglas-Clark House
Douglas-Clark House was built around 1786 as a home for Elmore Douglas and his family. Between 1788 and 1790, it was used as one of Sumner County’s earliest courthouses. Many area’s earliest residents visited the house for court hearings. In his early career, between 1789 and1790, Andrew Jackson, who later became president, tried several cases in this courthouse. In 1831 the house became home to the Clark family. The Douglass-Clark House documentation listed enslaved persons living at the property as early as 1790. .The house is today a house museum that tells the story of families that lived in it and shaped the history of the area. The house is open to the visitors.
2115 Long Hollow Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-991-5119
Romantic Attractions
⮕ The Palace Theatre
Catch a live show and enjoy an affordable night out with family or couples.
© The Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre in Gallatin, Tennessee is the oldest silent movie theater still in its original location in the State of Tennessee. The Palace Theatre thrived as a community theater from 1913 until 1977 under the ownership of Bill Roth. During all these years, the Palace was a dominant point on the historic downtown square. After Mr. Roth’s death in 1990s, the theater was purchased by Johnny and Sonny Garrott who later donated it to Greater Gallatin, Inc., now named Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. In November 2000, the renovated Palace Theatre opened the doors once again with the movie Kid and continue to function to thisday as a family theatre. To this day The Palace Theatre is a local favorite, showing movies, concerts and stage productions.
146 N Water Ave, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-452-5692
⮕ Historic Rose Mont
Tour a pre-Civil War mansion and admire romantic Southern charm on a relaxing trip.
© Historic Rose Mont
Historic Rose Mont is a Greek Revival style house in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee. It was built in 1842 for Judge Josephus Conn Guild and his family . The location of the house was once the site of the largest thoroughbred horse farm in the area. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1993 the house and the property were purchased by the City of Gallatin and the Rose Mont Restoration Foundation. The house historic significance is in its architecture. It is a blend of Greek Revival and Palladian styles not commonly seen in Middle Tennessee homes of the era. Judge Guild was influenced in his house design by the Creole-style houses in Louisiana. Creole elements he incorporated in Rose Mont are loggias and galleries that connect separate wings, wide porches, large windows, open-air halls and staircases, a raised basement, and an overhanging roof. The house is open to the public for guided tours from April 15 through October 31.
810 S Water Ave, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-451-2331
⮕ Sumner County Museum
Discover local history and explore unique artifacts on a cheap, educational family outing.
© Sumner County Museum
The Sumner County Museum was founded in 1975 in Gallatin, Tennessee, in a historic 19th-century building. It is home to Native American and African American displays, antique toys, cars and trucks, quilts, period clothing,, military and gun collections, music and entertainment items and more. Over the years, many people have donated various items to the Museum. Some are unique to the area, such as the first pumper fire engine of Gallatin, a full tinsmith shop, a blacksmith shop, a music exhibit, the military area that covers War Between the States, WWI, WWII and Vietnam, and much more. The museum also had the travel trunk project, bringing the exhibits to the Sumner County school kids.
183 W Main St, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-451-3738
⮕ Starr Ranch Grill
Savor Southern-inspired dishes and enjoy an easy, romantic dinner in a stylish setting.
© Starr Ranch Grill
Located in the heart of Gallatin, Tennessee, north of the Historic Downtown Square, Starr Ranch Grill is a spacious, rustic spot with a friendly family vibe and cattle skulls on the walls. Renowned chef James Lampley focuses on contemporary southern cuisine, combining traditional favorites such as Fried Green Tomatoes with superb cuts of meat and his own twist on traditional comfort food such as meatloaf wrapped in bacon and Smokestack, house smoked pulled pork on “hot from the griddle” corncakes, served with hand cut cider slaw and BBQ sauce. Full bar offers just about anything guests desire, innovative cocktails and ‘create your own mule.” There is live music every Friday and Saturday night.
170 N Water Ave, Gallatin, TN 37066, Phone: 615-451-6961
Recommended Activities for Families
⮕ Trousdale Place
Walk historic grounds and explore Tennessee heritage on a quiet retirement or weekend visit.
© Trousdale Place
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Trousdale Place is a beautiful house in Gallatin, Tennessee that was once the home of Governor William Trousdale. Visitors can take a tour of the historic home whenever there is enough staff or visit during one of the Open House times that usually take place four times during the year in November, April, July, and September. While the Trousdale Place house itself may not always be open to the public, the grounds are open every day from dawn until dusk. The house is situated two blocks from the Gallatin Public Square.
183 W Main St, Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-452-5648
⮕ Triple Creek Park
Play sports or stroll trails and enjoy a fun, kid-friendly day outdoors.
© Subbotina Anna/stock.adobe.com
Triple Creek Park is the largest park in the city of Gallatin, Tennessee, measuring approximately 185 acres in size and featuring several playgrounds, walking trails, dog parks, softball fields for both adults and youth, soccer fields, tournament-worthy sports complexes, and more. The park also features an 18-hold frisbee disc golf course that’s considered to be one of the area’s most technically challenging disc golf experiences. The greenway of Triple Creek Park connects to Gallatin’s Town Creek Greenway.
1333 Touchdown Dr, Gallatin, TN, 615-451-5911
If you are interested in local events:
- For Families: Gallatin Main Street Festival (October) – Food, music, crafts, and fun activities for all ages downtown.
- For Music Lovers: Third Thursday on Main (Summer) – Free live concerts on the square every third Thursday night (May–August).
- For Holiday Cheer: Christmas Parade and Festival (December) – Celebrate the season with a festive parade, lights, and Santa sightings.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Gallatin, Tennessee:
- For Nature Lovers: Bledsoe Creek State Park (10–15 min) – Hike lakeside trails, rent kayaks, or camp under the stars.
- For Music History Buffs: Hendersonville (20–25 min) – Visit the final resting place of Johnny Cash and enjoy scenic Old Hickory Lake views.
- For Shoppers: The Streets of Indian Lake (Hendersonville) (20 min) – Open-air shopping center with retail, restaurants, and events.
- For Historic Explorers: Cragfont State Historic Site (15–20 min) – Step inside the 1802 mansion of a Revolutionary War general.
- For Scenic Views: Old Hickory Lake (10–20 min) – Access other marinas, picnic spots, and fishing areas along the shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Question: Where is Gallatin located?
Answer: Gallatin is a city in Sumner County, Tennessee, on the banks of the Cumberland River.
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Question: What is Bledsoe Creek State Park known for?
Answer: Bledsoe Creek State Park, located on the west shore of Bledsoe Creek, is popular with fishermen and hikers.
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Question: What is the historical significance of the Douglas-Clark House?
Answer: The Douglas-Clark House, built around 1786, was used as a courthouse between 1788 and 1790.
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Question: What is the Palace Theatre's claim to fame?
Answer: The Palace Theatre is the oldest silent movie theater in Tennessee and is now a movie house.
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Question: What is Rose Mont, and when was it built?
Answer: Rose Mont is a Greek Revival-style house built in 1842.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit |
Places to Stay |
Tips for Visiting |
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming flowers. |
Hilton Garden Inn Gallatin – A comfortable and modern stay with great amenities. |
Explore Bledsoe Creek State Park – Hike scenic trails and enjoy wildlife viewing along the water. |
Summer (June-August) – Warm and perfect for lake activities. |
Hampton Inn Gallatin – A well-rated hotel near the downtown area. |
Spend the day at Old Hickory Lake – Enjoy boating, fishing, and waterfront relaxation. |
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air, fall foliage, and local festivals. |
Historic Rose Mont – Stay at a charming historic bed & breakfast. |
Attend the Sumner Harvest Festival – Enjoy live music, craft vendors, and seasonal treats. |
Winter (December-February) – Cool temperatures with festive holiday events. |
Legacy Inn Sumner – A cozy and budget-friendly stay. |
Visit Historic Downtown Gallatin – Explore boutique shops, restaurants, and seasonal decorations. |
Map:
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