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There’s more to the music city than just music. If you take a 35-minute drive outside of Nashville, you will find Old Hickory Lake. Located 25 miles upstream from Nashville in north-central Tennessee on the Cumberland River, it sits on a body of water with much to offer someone looking for a lake home close to the city but not quite in the city. Old Hickory Lake is a man-made reservoir formed by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam. The lake spans five counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Trousdale, and Smith, and was named after President Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was “Old Hickory.” He lived in the vicinity of the lake at his home, The Hermitage, where it served as his final resting place.
Big City, Small Towns
The Old Hickory Lake area provides all the convenience of being located near Nashville, with the perks of living in a big city while living in a small town. Nashville always has something to do. Local concerts range in genres, professional sports are popular, and many community-based events keep the city lively.
Old Hickory Lake is also only a 40-minute drive from Nashville’s International Airport, allowing easy access to national and international travel.
Hendersonville is located along the shores of Old Hickory. Known as the “city by the lake,” many celebrities have called Hendersonville home. Johnny and June Cash called this area home for over 35 years. Another country music great, Conway Twitty, and his house, “Twitty City,” were also located in Hendersonville. Trinity Broadcasting Network now owns the home and has changed the name to Trinity Music City.
Landlocked Lakelife
Although Tennessee is a landlocked state, it is in no short supply of bodies of water. Among the many lakes in the state, Old Hickory Lake is often overlooked due to the popularity of J. Percy Priest Lake, which has more visibility in the Nashville market. That makes Old Hickory a hidden gem for families and those who love adventure.
Outdoor Recreation
Old Hickory Lake is known for fishing, boating, and camping. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming satisfy the healthy activity set. There are many places to rent equipment for participating in all these activities. Higher Pursuits offers kayaking and canoeing classes for various skill levels. You are paired with an American Canoe Association-certified instructor; the sessions are three hours long, and you will learn how to navigate the boat and discover which type of kayak fits you best.
If you are into a peaceful and Zen way of life, Nashville SUP & Yoga offers stand-up paddleboard yoga. You can book classes, and they encourage you to use their rentals, but you can bring your personal board. The classes take place rain or shine unless the conditions are not favorable to the safety of all. You must be able to swim, and children can tag along. Kids under the age of 13 must wear a life vest, and those who are under the age of 9 can share a board with a parent.
At Shady Cove Resort and Sweetwater Pontoon Rentals, you can rent canoes, Jon Boats, and Pontoons. There are also many full-service marinas located on Old Hickory Lake. They offer services like annual dockage, covered wet slips, and dry storage. Many of the marinas have restaurants, ship stores, boat ramps, gas docks, and various hookups. There are 41 access points for boats, which makes it easy to enjoy the lake with friends and family.
Dining for Every Occasion
While on the lake, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many waterfront restaurants. The Rudder is located in Hendersonville and offers a menu featuring American Eats, a tiki bar, and weekly live music. Moby Dicky’s is a relaxed seafood restaurant and sports bar. This restaurant provides lots of TVs to enjoy various sporting events and patio seating so you can enjoy the vista. Sam’s Sports Grill at Blue Turtle Bay offers multiple TVs for your viewing pleasure and is never in short supply of a beautiful view of Old Hickory Lake. Their made-from-scratch menu features hand-battered chicken tenders, various pizzas, Angus burgers, slow-cooked ribs, and the best wings in town.
Classical Music with a Twist
Not only is Old Hickory Lake a great place to spend time on the lake, but Old Hickory offers many events that are either on the lake or take place in local towns. You can discover the nearby history, hear local artists, and shop and eat locally.
During the summer months, the Nashville Symphony hosts a concert on the banks of Old Hickory Lake at the Historic Rock Castle. Rock Castle is a stately home completed in 1796, which was also the same year that Tennessee became a state. The concert is part of the Symphony’s Free Community Concert Series. Vendors sell food and beverages, but attendees are welcome to bring their own. The family dog can also attend! Local boaters enjoy this event as well! Large speakers are placed on the bank so attendees can enjoy the show from their boats! There is also a petting zoo set up for all to enjoy. Several local musicians and singers perform as warm-up acts to the main stage show by the Symphony.
Retirement Benefits
Tennessee’s Department of Revenue does not collect property or state personal income tax, which is a significant draw for retirees. However, residents are still liable for paying local property taxes. The average age of those shopping for a home in Tennessee ranges from 55-64, which correlates well with Tennessee’s affordable living standards.
In Sumner County, located along Old Hickory, you can experience the old and the new. Sumner County is located only minutes away from Nashville and offers many appealing aspects for retirees. The county experiences all four seasons; the summer months of July and August are usually the warmest, while the winter months have an average low temperature of 46 °F. Spring offers many blooming flowers and trees that provide colorful vistas that those who love the outdoors will appreciate.
Sumner County offers the convenience of being near TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center, which is only 15 minutes outside of Nashville. The hospital is the first accredited Chest Pain Center in Sumner County, a certified Primary Stroke Center, and one of the only community hospitals in the area with an accredited Joint Center. Also located close to Old Hickory Lake is Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas, which offers a wide range of services to the community.
Wondering who is looking for homes in Tennessee? It might surprise you to learn that 72% of potential buyers come from outside the state. Chicago is the number one metro area for those searching for homes in the Tennessee market, followed by Atlanta.
If you’re looking for more than the average lake home, Old Hickory Lake has it all!