Tucked just outside of sprawling downtown Nashville is the wealthy and prestigious neighborhood of Belle Meade. Home to the historic plantation, fine-dining, and the lush gardens at Cheekwood, Belle Meade is an idyllic spot to visit or stay.
Start your day off in with a leisurely stroll through Belle Meade's picturesque Percy Warner Park. The park's thick vegetation and well-cared for hiking trails are a great way to say hello to any morning. And be sure to take time to witness the happy furry friends of Percy Warner at their designated dog parks.
Next scoot on over to Bruegger's Bagel for the finest in breakfast sandwiches and flavorful cream cheeses. Once you've restocked your energy supply, it's time to drive a short jaunt over to historic Belle Meade Plantation. 
At Belle Meade Plantation — Photo courtesy of Flickr
At Belle Meade Plantation — Photo courtesy of Flickr Belle Meade Plantation is one of the premier plantations in Nashville. Stately, elegant, and pristine, this antebellum mansion rests on 30 acres of land just south of Nashville in upscale Belle Meade. Charming and authentic, the quaint grounds are impossible to turn down for a stroll, while the columns of the house still bear bullet scars from the Civil War.
The plantation includes eight historic buildings, including Dunham Station's cabin, which dates from 1790. The Victorian-style manor home, completed in 1853, is now a museum dedicated to preserving the Harding family's rich legacy. History is preserved and brought back to life for the thousands that discover and return to Belle Meade mansion every year.
The gardens at Cheekwood — Photo courtesy of flickr Continuing on this historical ad enchanting outdoor adventure, head over to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens for lunch in the Pineapple Room before exploring its outer grounds. A world of its own, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens offers visitors a chance to escape, discover, and be amazed. The estates grounds offer such mesmerizing sights as the reflection pool, Japanese garden and their nature sanctuary.
This 55-acre botanical garden and art museum, located on the historic Cheek estate, exists to celebrate and preserve its landscape. Be sure to visit the Georgian-style museum which features national traveling exhibitions, ranging from Early American to European decorative art. Cheekwood provides hours of pleasure set in a breathtaking backdrop. If your muse is awoken, it's the perfect location to sit with a sketch pad, notebook, or camera and document or create. 
Reflection Pool at Cheekwood — Photo courtesy of Flickr
Finally, after an exuberant day out, make your way to Sperry's for a Music City tradition in great food. For over 30 years, Sperry's has been a staple for Nashvillians. With its friendly staff, quality food, and reasonable prices, this steak and seafood restaurant is consistently a crowd pleaser.
