Belle Meade Plantation

Nashville seems like it would be a great place to visit, however, I really think it is geared to the 21+ age group. There were a lot of great little piano bars, and had a very starving artist/college feel to it. We started off in Nashville with a visit to the Belle Meade Plantation. Though we had already visited a plantation in Charleston, we thought we’d take in another one so we had something to compare it to. This one brought our trip full circle as we learned about Bonnie Scott – a thoroughbred who sired or has blood lines tied to numerous derby winners including Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, even American Pharaoh. It was fun to see our Lexington knowledge come to help us out in Nashville. We learned all about the Jacksons and the Hardings and all of the famous horses to go through Belle Meade. 

Quite the Southern Belle this girl is turning out to be. And her southern accent cracks me up!

Though Boone Hall was a far more beautiful plantation, Belle Meade had a far more beautiful house. Boone Hall presented a far better look at slavery and emancipation, whereas Belle Meade presented a far better look at 5 generations of history and war. Ms. Margaret started off our tour and then 6 other guides took us through the plantation to answer all of our questions. 

It was a great visit walking the grounds, smelling the magnolias in bloom, and doing a little wine tasting. While the girls had a little pretzel treat, Mark and I tasted a bunch of the Belle Meade Wines and, per tradition, bought our souvenir bottle of wine. Photo credit to Grace, she really loves taking pictures.

The horticulturist really came out in Emma on this trip. She loved the Magnolia trees, the little greenhouse, and has gotten pretty good at telling the difference between a lot of trees. She can tell you lots of stories about Spanish Moss as well!

The grounds at Belle Meade weren't as breathtaking as Boone Hall, but not too shabby!

The had a pretty impressive lot of civil war era artifacts in the carriage house. 

Emma hanging out under her favorite magnolia tree. She loved that the roots made the perfect seat for her...and the much needed shade for another 100+ degree day.