United States
Tennessee (TN)
Franklin
Things to Do in Franklin
Carter House

Carter House, Franklin: Hours, Address, Carter House Reviews: 4.5/5

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Carter House

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Carter House
4.5
1,336
#5 of 54 things to do in Franklin
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Battlefields
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The Carter House was built around 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter. By the time of the Civil War it was a large agricultural operation. In the years leading up to the Civil War nearly thirty enslaved people lived and worked on the farm. The Carter home and property was consumed by the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. The house served as headquarters for the United States Army during the battle. One of the Carter sons was mortally wounded during the terrible fighting and died in the house two days later. Sixty minute Classic house tours are offered as well as Battlefield, Slavery, and Extended tours.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Carter House and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
155 within 3 miles
The Bunganut Pig Bar & Restaurant
374
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Triple Crown Bakery
41
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Kilwins Franklin
184
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American
Red Pony Restaurant
612
0.6 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Puckett's Gro. & Restaurant
2,295
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Merridee's Breadbasket
898
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Izzy's Feel Good Food
8
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse
317
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
55 South
684
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery
277
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Irish • Bar
See all
Attractions
41 within 6 miles
Lotz House Museum
3,215
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Battlefields
Downtown Franklin
1,441
0.2 miNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Carter Gin Assault Site Park
32
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Battlefields
McGavock Confederate Cemetery
388
1 miCemeteries
Gallery 202
87
0.7 miArt Galleries
Williamson County Public Library
4
0.4 miLibraries
Carnton
1,694
1.3 miSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
24
0.5 miChurches & Cathedrals
Williamson County Visitor Center
25
0.6 miVisitor Centers
McLemore House
14
0.6 miHistory Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,336 reviews
Excellent
1,036
Very good
230
Average
55
Poor
8
Terrible
7
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,661 contributions
Story telling made the tour
Aug 2020
There is parking at the visitors center where tickets are sold to both the house and for the Battle of Franklin tour. I got both because why not? House tour was a bit more than I was accustomed too, especial for the fact the house tour itself is only two rooms on the first floor (and the basement/cellar to close out the tour). That said the docent made the tour. Her ability to relate the family, the context of the war, the battle that took place, and the aftermath was insightful and compelling. I will add that the battle tour was worth the $25. The 90-minute tour covered the events leading up to the battle, what happened throughout, the family, key figures, and the aftermath. It is definitely worth going for the battle tour alone.
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Acescott
Evansville, IN41 contributions
Riveting, educational and emotional experience.
Mar 2022 • Family
The story of the Carter House is extremely important and compelling. To have original buildings exhibiting scars of war after over 150 years helps to picture the closeness and horror of the battle. Having a tour guide with the knowledge, strong voice and an ability to convey the emotional gravity of what took place is extremely important, and our guide- Bill Clark I believe was his name, did a perfect job.
Written March 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Greg F
2 contributions
Outstanding experience at the Carter House Tour
Nov 2020 • Friends
I have traveled to many significant Civil War sites and battlefields often taking tours with professional tour guides, writers of books, and Park Rangers. The tour that Kristi gave my group would rank very close to the best I have ever had.
She started the tour by giving a short but great overview of what set up this battle and how and where the troops for both sides were positioned. Throughout the tour, she brought to light the probable emotions of those involve as well as their actions.
Her information on the Carter Family brought a human element to the battle that made me wish the story she told was made into a movie.
I’m sure the other tour guides do a very good job at this site, but my recommendation to family and friends after my tour was for them to call in advance of visiting the Franklin Battlefield and find out what time Kristi is giving tours the day they plan to visit.
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Allan S
Phoenix, AZ214 contributions
Wonderful Glimpse Into Civil War History
Aug 2021 • Couples
We had planned on going to the Lotz House, but it wasn't open yet, so we went across the street to the Carter House. We arrived just as they opened and we were the only people there, so we signed up for the first tour.

Not being particularly knowledgeable about Civil War history, we read everything in the tiny museum before the tour. That really helped. Our tour guide, Will, was a wealth of information. He grew up in the area and was a huge Civil War buff. He took us through the Carter House, telling us about the family and about the Battle of Franklin and explained its significance in the Civil War.

Weather you are a Civil War expert or novice, you will enjoy this hour long tour.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jd2870
Union, NJ18 contributions
A worthwhile stop
Nov 2021
Well worth the stop. We were visiting relatives in Franklin and I had wanted to see parts of the battlefield. The tour guide was excellent and gave a great overview of the battle of Franklin. The house, outbuildings and grounds are captivating with the battle damage still visible. Evereyone had a great time.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Casper’s Travel
Prague, Czech Republic1 contribution
Marvelous experience
Dec 2020 • Couples
While spending some time in Nashville, my wife and I visited many historical locations. The most interesting and engaging tour was the Carter House. The tour guide Kristi, was remarkably engaging in discussions about the politics of the civil war era and she presented before - during - after stories of both owners and residents of the house. She also had done research on some of the enslaved members of the household and followed their lives after the civil war. It was a very interactive and thought provoking tour!
Written December 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JKDay
Kansas City, MO47 contributions
Interactive and Important
Mar 2021
Learning the history of the home and the battle that took place here was a wonderful experience. I had never heard of the battle of Franklin so feel like my knowledge of history was expanded in the course of a few hours. Our guide did an excellent job of setting the scene for the day of the battle complete with visual examples that were powerful. The place is well maintained and beautiful. It is an important place to visit and hear again about the issues of those times and the battles that were fought.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tnerrn02
Bolivar, TN41 contributions
The house and battleground tour are very much worth it if you are interested in the civil war...
Aug 2021 • Couples
We were exploring in and around Nashville and decided to visit Franklin because of its civil war battle. We were not disappointed at all! We did the Carter House tour followed by the battlefield tour. Trey was our guide for both and I thought he did an amazing job bringing the tour to life. He is very passionate about the history of the battle of Franklin and what happened in and around the Carter House. I learned so many things. If you are going to Franklin I highly recommend the Carter House tour and we thought Trey did a great job...you might ask for him to be your guide.
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thor
Omaha, NE1 contribution
Slavery and the Enslaved Tours at Carter House
Sep 2020 • Couples
This was a wonderful tour! Kristy, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and very kind. She led us through the human stories of the slaves that lived here, not just facts. She inspired us so much, we ended up visiting Calfurnia’s grave stone in Toussaint L’Overture Cemetery nearby.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lorijean1958
Nashville, TN9 contributions
A must see historic stop in Franklin!
Jun 2021 • Solo
Carter House is a must stop when visiting historical sites in Franklin. Tour guide was excellent, thorough, objective, and answered all of our questions. Reserve about 90-120 minutes total- the tour is about one hour but there are a few other sites on the farm worth seeing. I would also recommend the Lotz House and Carnton, as the connection will become obvious.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Carter House
Carter House is open:
  • Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Carter House tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Carter House tours on Tripadvisor