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We just moved to Nashville a couple weeks back and my 2 sisters are coming to visit with their kids. There are going to 9 kids total for the weekend ranging in age from 3-12.
They have never been here and want to have a good "Nashville Experience" but we have not had time to really scope out the area as much as we would have liked yet. Need some good recommendations for Labor Day Weekend that we can take kids to as well.
Will they allow kids to go into the honky tonk bars on Broadway during the day time?
Thanks in advance!
I don't know about the age limit for the honky tonk bars but not sure there's enough room for 9 kids and accompanying adults in any of them except maybe at 9AM? Particularly on Labor Day Weekend. The Wildhorse Saloon is a restaurant with a stage. Their claim to fame is fried pickles. But they often do free line dancing lessons that 9 kids might get a kick out of starting at 5PM. It's downtown at the end of the Honky Tonk strip:
You could go to a Nashville Sounds baseball game. They play Memphis over the weekend. Friday there is fireworks and Monday is Dollar Hot Dog night. They play Saturday and Sunday night too. Very family friendly.
I'd go to Cheekwood - it's an outdoor botanical garden with an exhibit of treehouses. You can easily bring a picnic lunch, let the kids run around and blow off steam, and see the treehouses!
Last but not least, the Frist Museum is downtown . . . it's an old post office right next to Union Station which is an old railway station turned fancy hotel. They have a hands on art center for kids and kids under 18 are free.
CountryGirl makes great suggestions. I don't have kids so am not in the know on that part of N'ville but I like to take my visiting relatives, including kids, on a drive through Percy Warner Park. It's very scenic and unlike any park where I grew up so it's a nice novelty for my visitors. It's free and easy, and it might be a good thing to do right before nap time because it's relaxing. Takes 20 (?) minutes to drive through the Main trail (not Scenic trail, that's only very short). We love it.
Rent a pontoon on Center Hill Lake or Percy Priest Lake?
There's a water park on PP Lake. Not sure of details.
The kids and adults might like a wander through the downtown farmer's market and chance to run around the adjacent Bicentennial Mall? I haven't been to the Mall so can't say for sure.
Centennial Park is a good place to go. There's a snack bar place that sells food/treats and a playground, along with the Parthenon and museum within.
Driving through college campuses was de riguer on any family vacation when I was growing up. Maybe a trip through Vandy, Belmont, Lipscomb? I know, it's short and takes multiple cars for your gang.
Seems like I've heard of a planetarium somewhere around here. And there's the kids' science museum.
I've heard it's possible for tourists to rent a studio on Music Row and records their own song. Kids might love that!
Sorry I'm not more help. Have fun!
One more thing, after trying to play tour guide for my many visitors, making up the (stressful, terrible) driving route as I went along, I finally figured out to grab the Greyline trolley tour hop on/off flyer showing the route the trolley takes. I now just drive this route myself when I have visitors. Easy peasey. The flyers can be found in any visitor/tourist type location and I got mine at the kiosk at the trolley pick up site next to the Hard Rock Cafe on 2nd & Broadway.
Hike in Radnor, the zoo, fireworks Labor Day Weekend Fireworks on Nashville Shores
I haven't been to Nashville Shores, and have heard differing opinions.
I second renting a pontoon. I know there's a marina off LaVergne that rents them as well Elm Hill Marina.
You should be okay with kids at any of the downtown bars as long as they are also restaurants. You can hear the honky tonk all over the place, so perhaps outside seating at Big River.
Oh yes, renting a pontoon to toodle around Percy Priest would be good fun! Although lake will most likely be crowded and expect to pay a couple hundred bucks for the Holiday Weekend privilege. Here is a link:
Check out the schedule for puppet shows at the Downtown Library for Saturday mornings... then head over to Panera on Commerce for scones and coffee... then head down and wander around lower Broadway and see if you want to check out any of the Honky Tonks later (after dark). Then you may be inclined to head over to the Bicentennial Park and see if the wading pool is open. Then check out the Farmers' Market for fresh veggies to add to a cookout... or check out any of our local culinary contributions, such as Prince's Hot Chicken or Loveless or Margot, depending on your tastebuds and budget. Head over to Vandy and Centennial Park and see the Parthenon. There's a playground there and then head up to Love Circle to take photos of your trip to "NASHVILLE!!!"
Of course, you can go over to the Opryland resort and the mall (yuk), but some people like malls. Not sure about boat rides, but that might be something you'd like to do (General Jackson via Opryland). Then... being from Texas, they might like to just drive around our lush, green countryside... heading out Belle Meade Blvd. to the Warner Parks and have a picnic.
Oh yes, renting a pontoon to toodle around Percy Priest would be good fun! Although lake will most likely be crowded and expect to pay a couple hundred bucks for the Holiday Weekend privilege. Here is a link:
shinestx has great suggestions. i had no idea there were puppet shows at the downtown library! how fun. one thing i'd do is swap Panera for Provence Breads & Cafe, which is a pretty darn authentic French bakery and coffee shop attached to the library. The fabulousness of Provence will be lost on the kids but the adults will love it. Provence and the library will validate parking passes for the deck attached to the library.
For scool agers you may try the Adventure Science Center & the planetarium sky shows. Near Ft Negley & the Sounds stadium. There is a nice play area in the Nashville Zoo if you don't mind the heat.
It does appear you may have to watch if we get any or some showers from Isaac. Hopefully you can spend more time outdoors & just come in to get out of the heat.
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