Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
4.5
Speciality & Gift ShopsSpeciality MuseumsHistoric SitesArchitectural BuildingsSightseeing Tours
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
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Falcon Rest is the Victorian mansion where history is fun. Built in 1896 by Gorilla Pants manufacturer Clay Faulkner, it's been called "Tennessee's Biltmore" by PBS. Some say it's presided over by a friendly ghost. Open Wednesday thru Sunday year round for guided tours, tea room lunches, Victorian Gift Shop, and history-based entertainment and meals for group tours. For nearby overnight lodging, see our listing for Falcon Manor B&B at Falcon Rest, the four guest suites on the mansion's grounds.
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Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
100 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Nashgirl1997
Nashville, TN43 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
This place flies “under the radar”, probably due to its limited electronic marketing. However, it is worth a visit if you enjoy historic homes and gardens, and want to hear the stories that make these tours so interesting. The couple who own Falcon Rest do a great job making you feel “at home” in this Victorian home. We also enjoyed the basket lunches too! I had the chicken salad and it was delightful!
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad you found Falcon Rest and that you felt at home here. That's the idea. TripAdvisor is a great way to let folks know about the mansion, and kind reviews such as yours are always appreciated.
Written August 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark M
Centreville, VA182 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Decided on a day trip from Fairfield Glades/Crossville and this place popped up. A Very unique and inspiring tour was provided by the couple/owners’. From their initial purchase some years back to their present, mostly restored gem, the tour was fascinating. My wife and I marveled at the restoration and furnishings. It reminded us of other homes we had visited, ie Stetson house in Deland, Fl. and Ringlings in Sarasota. They have a small gift shop and cafe that provides a delicious but limited menu. Plenty of parking, reasonable admission cost and even an opportunity to stay overnight. We definitely enjoyed our visit and highly recommend this place.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How kind of you to recommend Falcon Rest so enthusiastically, folks. We have visited both Florida mansions you mentioned. The Stetson Mansion, like Falcon Rest, is privately owned and obviously a labor of love for its owners. The scale of the Ringing is at the other end of the spectrum. With not only the Ca' d'Zan Mansion, but also an awesome miniature model circus and an art museum filled with masterpieces, it one of our favorites. We are complimented by both comparisons!
Written December 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer B
7 contributions
Apr 2021
This was an awesome hour well spent. The lovely couple that renovated and tour this property go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. The history of the mansion is woven with an interesting mixture of storytelling. A must see when in the area!
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much, Jennifer. Every visitor is important to us, so it is great to hear that you had a good time.
Written December 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
chancellor1
Loudon, TN51 contributions
Oct 2021
The pictures on the website are not an accurate representation of reality. The food was inferior, poorly prepared, presented and uneaten. A huge disappointment for the wedding shower for my granddaughter. Cannot recommend to anyone for any occasion. Caveat emptor....let the buyer beware!
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just came across your review, and I was so sorry to hear that your tea was not what you had visualized. Some of your criticism is justified. As with many venues, we had been shorthanded. The staff was doing a valiant job trying to stay ahead of tasks, but a lot was going on at the same time the day of your shower. That was not your fault, of course. I was the one who underestimated the time it would take to prepare for your shower, so we were a running late serving, and the tea trays were arranged hurriedly. Not my usual standards over many years of events ...
As for pictures being misleading, you may not have realized that the location for smaller events like your tea for 16 (as I recall) is the tea room, not the Victorian Carriage House. The tea room is pretty, but not as formal or as large as the banquet hall. And while the trays were not as carefully arranged as I would have liked, the tea menu is the same one we advertise and always serve. Most people really seem to enjoy it. I realized the young ladies in your group hardly tasted anything, but I thought it was that was because it wasn't the type of food they preferred. Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk with you before you left.
I can't do over your event, but I do hope you will accept my apologies. Best wishes to your granddaughter as she enters a wonderful new phase of. her life.
Written December 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johannah Lansing
Chattanooga, TN2 contributions
May 2020 • Friends
Stopped here for my mother’s birthday, and loved the tour of this beautiful place. The owners were so sweet. They put so much work into the fixing this Victorian house and it shows! Jessica was an amazing guide. She knew her history of the place along with some amazing stories and jokes. The only thing I wish I had done was to set up the high tea style lunch in advance and bring cash to tip our guide.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're honored you chose to celebrate your mom's birthday with a tour of Falcon Rest and lunch in our tea room. We welcome walk-ins every day for tours and lunch. Our formal Victorian tea does require a few days' advance notice. Hope you can come back sometimes for the tea. Maybe another birthday celebration?
Written August 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris M
Murfreesboro, TN3 contributions
Sep 2020
My wife and I enjoy taking day trips to small towns and exploring what the town has to offer. Falcon Rest was on our to-do's for McMinnville and it did not disappoint. If you enjoy history, this place should be on your bucket list. The tour guide and owners made us feel like family as they gave us the history behind the mansion. The gift shop alone with its memorabilia is worth the drive.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We like to think folks become part of the "Falcon Rest family" when they visit -- glad you felt it. We appreciate the kind words.
Written September 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rodney M
28 contributions
May 2020
It was a pretty drive from Huntsville, AL, the owners have done a nice job of restoring the mansion. There is still some work going on but the trip was worth the time to experience the mansion. It would have been a very impressive place when it was built in 1896. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the house and the owner were interesting to talk to about the restoration and the history.
Written June 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're delighted you came up from Huntsville for a tour, Rodney. With a 10,000 square foot, 120+ year old mansion on 5 acres of grounds, there is always some kind of work going on. You got here in the midst of a project we started during the COVID shutdown in April. We removed all the upstairs window sashes to repair, reputty, repaint, and rehang them. Ended up taking all summer, but we are very proud of the results.
Written August 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathryn J
Nashville, TN20 contributions
Sep 2020
I love the Victorian era. The decor, architecture, clothing, all of it! I recently moved to the area and was excited to check out the local history. Falcon Rest was at the top of my to-do list. We parked in front of the gift shop and were welcomed by a friendly gentlemen who we later learned owns the establishment with his wife, Charlene. The gift shop is a thoughtful, spectacular collection of quality items to interest all ages. We toured the mansion. Charlene was a wonderful guide. She answered all of our questions and was so knowledgeable about every detail. I adore this couple's passion for history. It's admirable that they've done all of this work themselves. I highly recommend taking an afternoon to spend at this gorgeous landmark.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much. Y'all were so much fun to meet! Welcome to the area, and we look forward to seeing you often.
Written September 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carrie R
Bee Spring, KY95 contributions
Mar 2022
My husband and I were in the area on business and decided to spend an afternoon at Falcon Rest mansion, as we love historic homes. After the tour, we decided to have tea on the patio outside the gift shop. The house is a victorian home that has seen many transitions including to a hospital in the mid 1900s. The couple who now own the home bought it and rennovated it in the 80s. Though the transformation from its condition at the time to its current state has been incredible, it does reflect the personal design style of the 80s with little attention to period preservation. That said, our tour was very good, given by a knowledgable, friendly guide. The house is lovely with many antiques and worth a stop for the opportunity to sit on the beautiful porch and take in the peaceful view of the yard, if nothing else. The owners are a nice couple who are doing their best to keep up with the demands of running a business during challenging times. We enjoyed visiting with them. One can tell that, for them, this home has been a labor of love.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly H
Nashville, TN3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Off putting!!! The home is completely surrounded by impenetrable hedges and tiny openings for guests are blocked with a “Do not enter” sign. One cannot observe the home prior to paying to tour so we left.
Written November 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry you didn't take the time to do the tour and see the mansion. We think you would have really enjoyed it and known more on which to base a review.
As is stated on our website, the mansion is completely surrounded by the hedge and not visible from the road. It shuts out the modern world and makes the gardens a retreat to the 1890s. We also state that access to our gardens is restricted to tour ticket holders, overnight guests in the B&B accommodations on the grounds, and participants in large events.
Written April 27, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.