The Hermitage

The Hermitage, home to President Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, went through three stages of building beginning in 1821. Other additions were added in 1831 and again when it reached its final appearance in 1836. This classic Greek Revival mansion retains its original architecture and much of its furnishings. It became a museum in 1889.

Your ticket to the museum and tour through the mansion will set you back $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, students $11, children $7. The tour includes slave quarter cabins, the tomb and cemetery, gardens, and you are welcomed to drive about a half mile to visit the Tulip Grove Mansion and Colonial Church which are not open for visitation and not mentioned in the ticket sales booth or brochures. There is another half-hour tour by wagon for an additional $7. I rated this expensive based on what you get for your admission.

Cameras or recording devices of any kind are not allowed inside the mansion, and no food or drink are permitted also. Backpacks are searched. Multiple docents are with each groups at all times inside the mansion and although each one only speaks about one room they are replaced by others who watch and move you from outside of each room to the door of the next room.

You are not allowed entrance to any rooms, only the hallways. The doorways to the rooms are covered with a glass or a clear plastic door so no entry is possible. Groups the day we were there were toured when the number reached fifteen. This meant that you will not get to see into the room the docent was telling you about for more than a few seconds.

We found this tour to be the worst tour of our entire trip and would not suggest it to anyone.