7-Hour Civil War Guided Tour From Nashville to Franklin
Visit Franklin’s key Civil War sites, including the Carter House
Duration
7 Hours
Includes
Guided tour, Historic sites
Highlights
Travel from Nashville to Franklin to explore Civil War history through the stories of local residents and those caught in the fighting. Visit major sites and spend free time in the town of Franklin.
- Tour the Carter House, ground zero of the Battle of Franklin
- Explore Carnton Plantation, used as a Confederate field hospital
- Visit the Lotz House and learn about the battle’s aftermath
- Spend time in the town of Franklin to shop, eat, and see sites on your own
- Depart from the Riverfront Train Station in Nashville
Things to know
Meals and beverages are not included. Optional gratuities are not included. ADA-compliant vehicles may be available with 48-hour notice; confirm availability before booking.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
FAQs
Arrive at the Riverfront Train Station 15 minutes before your departure time.
ADA-compliant vehicles may be available for most tours if you provide 48-hour notice, but availability is not guaranteed.
Yes. You spend time in the town of Franklin to shop, eat, and view historic sites on your own.
More about Carnton
Carnton stands as one of the most poignant landmarks in Franklin, Tennessee, a plantation home that became a field hospital during the brutal Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. The McGavock family opened their doors to thousands of wounded Confederate soldiers, and the wooden floors of Carnton still bear the dark stains of that desperate night. Visiting Carnton on Franklin's Civil War Tour offers a chance to walk through history at one of the most consequential sites of the entire Western Theater, where the human cost of the war is preserved in every room and across every acre of surrounding ground.
On the tour, you will explore the grounds of Carnton and stand at the edge of the McGavock Confederate Cemetery, the largest privately owned military cemetery in the country, where nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers were laid to rest by the McGavock family after the battle. Your guide brings the events of that November evening into sharp focus, describing the chaos of surgeons working through the night, the families who searched these fields for missing sons, and the decisions made in the days that followed. The quiet of Carnton today stands in striking contrast to the violence it once witnessed, and walking the property alongside stops in downtown Franklin and the Carter House helps connect the broader story of the battle into one continuous narrative.
This experience is perfect for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, genealogy researchers, and thoughtful travelers who want more than a surface-level look at the South. Families with older children studying American history will find Carnton especially memorable, as will anyone drawn to stories of resilience, loss, and remembrance. The tour balances detailed historical context with reflective moments, making Carnton feel less like a museum stop and more like a place where the past speaks directly to those who take the time to listen. For anyone visiting middle Tennessee, a guided journey through Franklin with Carnton at its heart is an unforgettable way to understand a defining chapter of American history.
