Nashville Travel Tips

[toobie75]

We live about 4 hours from Nashville and have gone several times. However, in the past (without the kids) it was more bar crawling and saloon fun than anything

My oldest daughter plays rugby and they have a tournament in Nashville every year at Vanderbilt. Me, DH, and my 5 and 6-year-olds will be going along this year because it happens to fall on the weekend before their spring break starts, and I thought we'd just go ahead and stay for the week. We'll be there March 12-19.

We know our way around pretty well but I'm just not real sure about fun, kid-friendly (preferably cheap or even free) activities. I have Cheekwood and the Parthenon bookmarked and I'm sure at some point we'll hit the mall. Not really interested in the zoo or the Hermitage again this time. The riverboat is too expensive for 5 and I don't think they would really want to do that anyway. So, let's see I've come up with ummm basically nada so far. Any help?

 

[SamiL]

We're planning a trip to Nashville this Summer. Here's what we're looking at:

http://www.themonkeystreehouse.com/index.php

We'll also probably spend part of a day at the Opry Mills Mall http://www.simon.com/mall/malldirectory.aspx?id=1259

Of course we'll hit the zoo. Since we're members of our local zoo we get half priced or free admission to most other U.S. zoos.

My son isn't into inflatables yet, but your kids might like this place: http://www.pumpitupparty.com/tn/brentwood/home-p1q43.htm

Also, ice skating looks like a good value for school aged kids: http://www.nashville.org/sportsplex/ice.asp

It seems like unless you're a big country music fan there's not a lot more in Nashville than there is any other larger city. We've got friends there, though so that is a big part of our reason for visiting. We'll do most of the same things we can do it at home, but with them. (And no worrying about work!)

You can order a packet from the Nashville and Tennessee tourism sites (visitmusiccity.com and tnvacation.com).
This site also has some activities: http://www.alphamom.com/hotspots/2008/06/activities-with-kids-nashville.php

And WDW is only about an 8 hour drive, so if you could fit that in...

I'm looking forward to seeing what others suggest. I'd love to get more ideas myself.

 

[SamiL]

Also, does anybody know if the Tennessee Central Railway Museum is worth visiting? It's hard to tell from their website.

tcry.org

My son loves trains, but if it's just walking around and looking at them it might get old fast.

 

[justinjenn]

Nashville in general is a great city to visit. There are always going to be different activities for different age groups! FREE: check out Opryland Hotel--simply amazing. In the Opry Mills plaza you can see where the Grand Ole Opry is taped and take in the gift shop.
Hopefully our weather SHOULD be warming up a bit--so check out the parks--I see someone has already mentioned the Parthenon--the park surrounding it is beautiful!!! Lots of good places to take pics!

Hope this helps some
Jenn

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

We did a weekend there this fall with our kids (10, 5, 2) and we went to the Lane Motor Museum (coupons in the Ent. book) and the Science Center.

http://lanemotormuseum.org/

http://www.adventuresci.com/

If it's warm enough you might check out: http://www.grandoldgolf.net/ It was pretty chilly when were there so we passed on this, but it looks like fun.

We also dined at the Calypso Cafe and the kids really liked it. Cheap and laid back. http://www.calypsocafe.com/home.htm

 

[MSSANDRA]

A week is a long time in Nashville.

Most things are not free. Visit the Opra Land Hotel. Just fun to walk around and the boat rides were a few $'s.

Opry Mills is fun. They have a build a bear and a Rain Forest Cafe but that is $ too.

 

[Ed J]

I know you asked about Nashville but for kids Nashville is a drag. I've been a few times (work) and if you don't like country music there's not much to do. I liked Jacksons house, but I can't see the kids enjoying that as much as the adults.

It's about a 2 hour ride depending on where you will be at in Nashville, but Ruby Falls is worth the 2 hours ride IMO. We toured Rock City and ruby falls the same day on a trip last fall to Nashville (work) and I want to figure a way to get the family down there, cool kid friendly places.

 

[Leeanne]

They have a science center.

http://www.adventuresci.com/

They have a planatarium and some pretty cool exhibits.

Nashville Shores http://www.nashvilleshores.com/ is a pretty snazy water park from what I have heard. Several of my friends have gone and taken their kids. Its no BB or TL but its kinda cool. But in March it may be super cool!! (pun intended!)

Opryland hotel is pretty cool with all the indoor gardens and rivers. They do have a boat ride that cost but you could just watch and its cool. Also Opry Mills mall is super cool and they have a theater and imax if you just can't take it anymore! lol Also if you kids like guitars stop off at Gibson in Opry Mills and let them watch them make one. I don't think they do all the time but usually they are there. Also at Apple Barn they can watch them make pies, turnover, ect. The Great Outdoor Store has a big fish tank with fish, probably the size of your kids as well as lots of mounted animals. Use your judgement....a stuffed bear might be the thing that makes your child freak!

Also check the Sommet Center...they have concerts, shows, ect and you might find something there. They have a children's theater so if your kids are into that kinda thing and they have a show that might be good.

Unfortantly, its a bit futher to WDW than 8 hrs but only like an hour to Chattanooga and they have Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Ruby Falls.

Good luck!!

 

[mary0305]

I have lived in a town just 20 minutes south of Nashville my whole life. All of the things that are listed in the "alphamom" website are great things to do.

If you go to Opryland Hotel to walk around, park in the Opry Mills parking lot and walk through the back way into the hotel. This will save you the $ 18.00 parking fee from the hotel. The mall is also ok for the things listed above (Bass Pro Shop, Gibson, Apple Barn, IMAX). If you are in the area, eat at Caney Fork Fish Camp. It is directly across from the main entrance to Opryland Hotel.

Nashville Shores doesn't open for the season until May 22nd. The Adventure Science Center is great fun for all. They have just updated the Planetarium and added lots of new space exhibits.

Even if you are not a big country music fan, the Country Music Hall of Fame downtown is extremely interesting.

There are several smaller towns on the outskirts of town that would be worth visiting. Franklin is great to walk through downtown. Also several Civil War sites here if you are into history.

Nashville Children's Theatre is a great place for children's theater. Your children might be too young for the Parthenon, but Centennial Park which surrounds it will be fun for them. Take bread to feed the ducks in the park.

As another poster said, Chattanooga is a 2 hour drive (and Orlando is 10.5)from Nashville and is lots of fun for kids. The Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway are all great sites to visit.

Huntsville, AL is also just a 2 hour drive from Nashville and they have the Space Center.

Hope this helps with your visit to our area. I will be glad to answer any questions!!

 

[Lisha1979]

Opry Mills also has an indoor Glow Golf in the mall. It's not cheap tho =( http://www.opryglowgolf.com/lo_nashville.htm Maybe there's coupons out there for it.
Also there's a Grand Old Golf down the road from Opry Mills http://www.grandoldgolf.net/
The science center ROCKS! U can climb up to the top (with the kids) and see the downtown skyline. This place will keep your kids busy for an entire day!
The Zoo rocks too! If u have a zoo membership in your area check and you may get into the Nashville zoo for free or half price. (Same with the science center if u have a membership with them)

There's a farmer's market downtown that might be nice to visit.
I wonder when the Bicentennial mall fountains are turned on? Lots of Kids love it!

The last time I was at Opryland Hotel the boat ride was $20 a person. I'm not sure if it's because it was Christmas but it was high!
Also sometimes at Opryland Hotel they have Ms Devine, a lady who is dressed like a vine, she's on stilts and moves so gracefully!
Opryland hotel is pretty but there's honestly not much for kids to do there unless they do like flowers and love to walk, if so they will be in heaven =)

The Nashville library does a WONDERFUL marionette show on Friday's and Saturday's. http://www.library.nashville.org/kids/kid_show.asp

The Vandy area is a wonderful place in Nashville! They have a park called Dragon Park that has a large metal dragon in the middle that the kids play on. Also they have lots of boutiques and cool shops!
You HAVE to eat at the Pancake Pantry! It's yummy and a must do when in Nashville.


I wish WDW was 8 hours away, if so I'd be in Heaven!

 

[Lisha1979]

Oh! I forgot about Centennial Park! It's so Beautiful! They have ducks on the water that you can take bread and feed!