We all love our home of Knoxville and East Tennessee, but sometimes you might want to visit some other great places our state has to offer. Only about 2 1/2 hours away is the state’s capitol of Nashville. Nashville is known as Music City and the home to country music. But did you also know it’s great place to take a family trip?
Recently I had the chance to stay at the massive Gaylord Opryland Hotel. I remember as a teenager, my high school friends stopped to just take prom photos on their staircases. The Hotel is literally a place that you could not leave if you wanted to just stay — it has so much to offer and do! One comment was made that it doesn’t matter the weather outside because it’s always the perfect temperature at the hotel!
The hotel was constructed in 1977 and has grown tremendously since then with sections such as the Garden Conservatory (features 10,000 tropical plants), the Cascades, and the Delta. During the summer they have a family-friendly SummerFest that includes a scavenger hunt for the kids. This year’s theme was “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, and the hotel was decorated throughout to keep the theme and featured themed food at many restaurants. This event runs usually Memorial Day to mid-September, and soon they will be announcing the theme for next year.
Additional activities for families:
- Free nightly fountain shows
- Year-round boat rides on-board the Delta Riverboats (1/4-mile-long indoor river)
- Family-friendly films
- Splash Party (a poolside experience)
- Build a furry friend at the resort’s Build-A-Bear Workshop
Other activities to enjoy:
- A show at the Grand Ole Opry
- A ride on the General Jackson Showboat (one of the largest in the U.S.)
As summer comes to a close, they will be moving to all things Christmas! This is a spectacle that you don’t want to miss! With 15,000 poinsettias, the 48-foot decorate tree, and larger than life ice sculptures. Check out their amazing Christmas schedule!
No matter if you are shopping during the holiday season, Opry Mills is a great place to get all your shopping done and also dine out with the kids! They have fun restaurants with the Aquarium Restaurant and The Rainforest Cafe, both of which are true to their names. During my visit, I was able to enjoy both of these restaurants, and I’m happy to report that my food was delicious. The service was on point, and it’s such a fun eating area to take your kids — and it helps keep them entertained at the same time!
After lunch at The Rainforest Cafe, it was shopping time! Opry Mills has such a great mix you can really get all your shopping done. Since I’m expecting my first baby girl in November (boy mom who has no cute girl clothes!), I took the opportunity to shop for her and the upcoming winter season. They have everything from Baby Gap, Carter’s, Janie and Jack Outlet, Justice, The Children’s Place, Gymboree, and MANY MORE!
Of course, after I did shopping for her and my boys, I decided to hit up Starbucks to keep my energy going, and then to some of my faves: Banana Republic, Off Broadway, LOFT, Francesca’s, and H&M. This just brushes the surface of the stores at Opry Mills — trust me you’ll need that coffee!
{Be sure to grab a Saving Passport since you are visiting from out of town from a Simon Center booth; it has discounts to enjoy throughout the whole mall.}
Another interesting fact is that Opry Mills has Smith Creek Moonshine in the center! They do taste samplings of all kinds of different flavored moonshines from peach, apple pie, and sweet tea! Since I couldn’t partake in the tasting, I did smell all the flavors in the candles they offer.
I was super excited to visit the new city’s attraction Madame Tussauds Nashville (resort guests receive a discount). I had seen the photos from the one in Vegas, but I literally had no idea how life-like they were, even down to the hair. The one in Nashville takes you through the history of music, and it’s really neat to see the progression. Of course country music is a huge part of this exhibit! I also wasn’t aware of the history of Madame Tussauds and her struggle, and how she came to have a wax museum. Also another cool place to take the kiddos!
If you decide to visit Nashville for your family trip, be sure to visit www.visitmusiccity.com to plan your visit! You can get a Visitors Guide which allows you to visit four attractions for only $75! Check out this link to plan family fun.
Music
Country Music Hall of Fame
Musicians Hall of Fame & Grammy
Honky Tonks
Bluebird Cafe
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville Symphony
Grand Ole Opry
(Most honky tonks allow kids until 6pm.)
Arts & Culture
Lane Motor Museum
Belle Meade Plantation
Cheekwood Botantical Gardens & Museum of Art
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Martin ArtQuest Gallery
Nashville’s Children Theatre
Historic Attractions
Hermitage
Belle Meade Plantation
The Parthenon
TN State Museum
Adventure
Adventure Science Center
Jungle Gym
Nashville Zoo
Paddleboarding
Nashville Shores
Titans/Predator games
