Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Nashville
Get an inside look at the bloodiest hours of the American Civil War on this tour from Nashville to Franklin, the site of the famous Battle of Franklin in 1864. Learn from your knowledgeable guide about the war’s dark history as you visit the Carter House and Lotz House, which still bear bullet holes and blood stains. You’ll also tour the Carnton and learn about its role during and after the war, when it became the country's largest private Confederate cemetery.
Please arrive at the Riverfront Train Station located at 108 1st Avenue South 15 minutes before the departure time. Visit sites near where the Union and Confederate armies fought and hear stories from your knowledgeable guide about the Battle of Franklin, fought on November 30, 1864 and known by many as the five bloodiest hours of the Civil War.
Stop by the Carter House, located at the center of the Union position during the battle. The house and its outer buildings still show hundreds of bullet holes.
Next, enjoy free time in the quaint town of Franklin to shop, eat (own expense) and view other historic sites. You will then journey to the Carnton Plantation, ordered to be a Confederate field hospital by a Southern General and then made an eternal memorial to the Confederate soldiers by the mistress of the house. Now, the plantation is home to the largest private Confederate cemetery in the US. Tour the plantation with your guide and hear narrative descriptions about that fateful battle and the aftermath of the war. After your tour, you’ll be taken back to your Nashville hotel.
At the Lotz House, which became a hospital after the battle, see cannon ball holes and bloodstains on the floors and walls, which bear witness to the savage nature of this horrific conflict. After touring these houses, you will be able to imagine how the residents of Franklin felt when they emerged from their homes on the morning after the battle to find more than 9,500 casualties.
Civil War Tour with Lotz House, Carter House & Carnton Admission from Nashville lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
Prices start at $102 per person for this Nashville experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Tours depart from: Gray Line Ticket Booth at the Riverfront Train Station, 108 1st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201 (off 1st Ave S, across from Acme Feed & Seed). Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to tour start time.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 24 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible Accessibility: ADA-compliant vehicles are available for most tours if you provide us with a 48-hour notice. After scheduling your tour, please contact our Dispatch Office to confirm availability.
Tour is well worth it. Brings the civil war to life.
We’re thrilled to hear you found the Civil War Tour so worthwhile! Visiting the Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton brings the history of the Battle of Franklin and Middle Tennessee to life in a truly meaningful way. We appreciate you exploring this important part of Tennessee history with Gray Line Tennessee.
Our tour guide /driver was excellent and gave us a lot of good information. All 3 guides at the homes were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
The Franklin Civil War experience began in Nashville when we met Michael, our driver. Michael was born and raised in Nashville and it was obvious as he shared info as we traveled to Franklin. He was very courteous and professional along with being an excellent driver. Later, we discovered that it was his first time doing this particular tour, but you would not know during our time together. The tours were another experience compared to previous Civil War tours we have experienced. It gave us a different perspective on the Civil War from the viewpoint of the people involved, not as soldiers, but as homeowners and family members and what they witnessed in the aftermath of the sheer brutality of the battle. Needless to say, what we learned during the tours revealed a new appreciation of the total effect inclusive from the military and the civilians directly involved in this horrific battle at the end of the Civil War. I pray something like this will never happen in this country again.
We had so much run the guide was amazing!!!!!!!
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled you had such a fun experience on our Civil War Tour from Nashville. Exploring Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton while learning about the history of the Battle of Franklin makes for a truly memorable Middle Tennessee experience. We appreciate you joining Gray Line Tennessee and are so glad you enjoyed the day!
Beautiful tour. Easy ride from Nashville to the area. Very informative. My kids and I enjoyed every one of the houses we visited and all the information we received. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and kind. 100% recommended!
Thank you for taking the time to share such a wonderful review of our Civil War Tour from Nashville! We’re thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed visiting Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton while learning more about the history of the area. It’s especially rewarding to know the experience was engaging for the whole family. This Nashville Civil War tour offers a fascinating opportunity to step beyond Music City and explore some of Middle Tennessee’s most significant historic sites with knowledgeable guides along the way. We truly appreciate your 100% recommendation and are so glad Gray Line Tennessee could be part of your Nashville adventure!
Great tour - diving deeply into the Civil War experience. The bus tour was very comfortable and our guide for the day - Roger - gave excellent context and interesting tidbits about Nashville, Franklin and the three places we were going to see. The tours at the three homes were very well narrated and deeply moving. You felt the tension and terror that the Battle of Franklin brought with it. Don’t miss this!
Thank you for such a thoughtful review of our Civil War Tour from Nashville! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the comfortable transportation and the historical context throughout the day. Visiting Lotz House, Carter House, and Carnton offers such a powerful look into the Battle of Franklin and the Civil War history of Middle Tennessee. We’re glad the experience was both informative and moving, and we truly appreciate your recommendation!
What a wonderful tour! Very informative and inspired me to read more about the Battle of Franklin. Ed was our driver and he was absolutely delightful. Very funny.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re delighted our Civil War Tour from Nashville sparked an interest in learning more about the Battle of Franklin. That is exactly the kind of lasting connection to Middle Tennessee history we hope to create. We’re also glad you enjoyed the humor and personality along the way. Thank you for exploring this important chapter of Tennessee history with Gray Line!
The driver was professional and knowledgeable. The tour guides at the three houses all had unique perspectives on what to highlight in the houses (good mix of personalities). We learned a lot during the tours. Personally, we wish there was a bit more time at the Carnton House (to explore the grounds) and less time at the Lotz house. There were lots of restaurant options of where to eat in Franklin. The magnitude of the Battle of Franklin was evident through seeing actual bullet holes on walls and blood stains on the floors from a battle. Overall, a good historical tour.
Amazing experience. Wear great walking shoes. If its hot, bring a fan. This is an absolutely amazing tour.
Wonderful guide /driver - thanks Ed. Small group with lots of info.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil War Tour with Lotz House, Carter House & Carnton Admission from Nashville | 7 hours | 4.8 (556) | $102 | |
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