We recently trekked across the ocean for a family reunion on both sides - in lovely (but freezing) Nashville, TN. Over 10 days, we explored the city, bonded with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and even managed a very cold game of freeze tag outside.
Following, some tips on your trip to Nashville!
Day 1:
We stayed in 2 airbnbs over the trip, and I could highly recommend both. One, full disclosure, belongs to a friend - and both are in charming city neighborhoods. The first was walking distance to activities in 12 South; the second close to a number of shops and eateries in East Nashville.
Start your day with breakfast at Box - Bongo + Bakery. The bright cafe has healthy treats, good coffee, and even a play corner (oddly placed right at one of the cafe entrances, where the playmat doubled as a doormat) for little ones. I enjoyed the pumpkin spice latte and a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin. The homestyle breakfast was tasty, too. Given the play area setup, I'd keep a close eye on kiddos when they venture over there.
We spent an entire day from 10 - 5, at the Adventure Science Center, with the kids. The smaller ones were happy to hang around the little kid zone on the ground floor (mine stayed at the train table for upwards of 3 hours!), and the older kiddos enjoyed exploring everything else. The planetarium was a big hit for the 3+ crowd, as were the hands-on games at the body zone. The only bummer is the cafeteria offers subway sandwiches and not much else - we brought our own picnic and would have liked a place to warm up our meals, given the light selection. In any case, there's a lot of space for picnic-packers to tuck in. The crowd really thinned out in the late afternoon, allowing us to revisit some favorite spots (the new VR area was great!) and hit the gift shop on the way out.
Dinner was often delivery from doordash or postmates, the first night we picked Woodlands, which was a big hit all around.
Day 2:
After a light breakfast at home, we headed out to the Parthenon for a very chilly visit outside. The museum is worth seeing, and it's worth bringing a ball or frisbee for tossing around the large grassy field outside.
We picked up Hattie B's for a really great lunch - and proved that the middle-of-the-road spice level (damn, or damn hot) was just right for most of us. While the kids snoozed, we planned the afternoon visit to the Gaylord Opryland resort. We happened to be there during the Christmas lights & festivities, so mostly explored the convention center section. From a train ride to watching ice skaters twirl, it was a good time pass (though had it not been so cold, we probably would have done something outside instead). The hotel puts on a lovely water fountain musical show - check times on the website - worth seeing if you're there.
Tip: if you go, park near the Regal Cinemas across the street. It's free and only a 5-minute walk.
We ate an early dinner out at Graze, which offered really tasty vegan food at startlingly reasonable prices... followed by Jeni's. Yum. Another good day in the city.
Day 3:
Would you believe day 3 started at the mall? Cool Springs Mall had a solid selection of stores and sales, and was conveniently near a Newk's - where we took a break for lunch.
There are lots of ways we *could* have spent our time - Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Zoo (I hear it's great but it was too darn cold!)... we played board games instead. I can highly recommend Telestrations, Spot It, and a bunch of card games. Then for dinner, another delivery day from Five Points Pizza, which was universally enjoyed - even the pickiest eaters liked it.
It was a cozy stay in Music City, and I can't wait to go back!
Following, some tips on your trip to Nashville!
Day 1:
We stayed in 2 airbnbs over the trip, and I could highly recommend both. One, full disclosure, belongs to a friend - and both are in charming city neighborhoods. The first was walking distance to activities in 12 South; the second close to a number of shops and eateries in East Nashville.
Start your day with breakfast at Box - Bongo + Bakery. The bright cafe has healthy treats, good coffee, and even a play corner (oddly placed right at one of the cafe entrances, where the playmat doubled as a doormat) for little ones. I enjoyed the pumpkin spice latte and a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin. The homestyle breakfast was tasty, too. Given the play area setup, I'd keep a close eye on kiddos when they venture over there.
We spent an entire day from 10 - 5, at the Adventure Science Center, with the kids. The smaller ones were happy to hang around the little kid zone on the ground floor (mine stayed at the train table for upwards of 3 hours!), and the older kiddos enjoyed exploring everything else. The planetarium was a big hit for the 3+ crowd, as were the hands-on games at the body zone. The only bummer is the cafeteria offers subway sandwiches and not much else - we brought our own picnic and would have liked a place to warm up our meals, given the light selection. In any case, there's a lot of space for picnic-packers to tuck in. The crowd really thinned out in the late afternoon, allowing us to revisit some favorite spots (the new VR area was great!) and hit the gift shop on the way out.
Dinner was often delivery from doordash or postmates, the first night we picked Woodlands, which was a big hit all around.
Day 2:
After a light breakfast at home, we headed out to the Parthenon for a very chilly visit outside. The museum is worth seeing, and it's worth bringing a ball or frisbee for tossing around the large grassy field outside.
We picked up Hattie B's for a really great lunch - and proved that the middle-of-the-road spice level (damn, or damn hot) was just right for most of us. While the kids snoozed, we planned the afternoon visit to the Gaylord Opryland resort. We happened to be there during the Christmas lights & festivities, so mostly explored the convention center section. From a train ride to watching ice skaters twirl, it was a good time pass (though had it not been so cold, we probably would have done something outside instead). The hotel puts on a lovely water fountain musical show - check times on the website - worth seeing if you're there.
Tip: if you go, park near the Regal Cinemas across the street. It's free and only a 5-minute walk.We ate an early dinner out at Graze, which offered really tasty vegan food at startlingly reasonable prices... followed by Jeni's. Yum. Another good day in the city.
Day 3:
Would you believe day 3 started at the mall? Cool Springs Mall had a solid selection of stores and sales, and was conveniently near a Newk's - where we took a break for lunch.There are lots of ways we *could* have spent our time - Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Zoo (I hear it's great but it was too darn cold!)... we played board games instead. I can highly recommend Telestrations, Spot It, and a bunch of card games. Then for dinner, another delivery day from Five Points Pizza, which was universally enjoyed - even the pickiest eaters liked it.
It was a cozy stay in Music City, and I can't wait to go back!
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