What types of things do families do for fun in the Nashville area? (Franklin: HOA)

[RenaissanceMom4]

We are considering a move from Chicagoland (Naperville) to the greater Nashville area. We've visited a few times but it's hard to get the flavor of the town with only a few days' stay. We're wondering what families do for fun, specifically in Nashville itself (we've done the tourist-y things and visited the honky tonks, but I doubt that's what residents with young families are doing on the weekends). Here in Naperville, our family has a list of several local recreational things we love to do and, if all else fails, we just walk downtown, get ice cream, people watch, and throw crackers at the ducks on the Riverwalk. Oh, and the bike trails are numerous here in our area. So what do families do for fun in Nashville? And what about out in the Brentwood/Franklin area?

Thanks for any info. We want to fall in love with the area but so far, we haven't seen anything to rival Naperville. We love it here but the weather and COL have got us interested in seeing what else is out there. Job is a non-issue bc hubby works from home.

If any of you are familiar with Naperville, could you tell me what part of Nashville would most closely compare with Naperville? TIA.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Don't move here expecting it to be Napierville. It's Nashville and you need to be open to changes if you really want to move here. I'm just being honest. If you have not found anything here to "rival" Napierville it might not be the place for you?

[WanderingFar]

There's tons to do here with kids:

-an abundance of parks, including Dragon Park
-free music concerts in Centennial Park
-festivals galore, from Franklin to Centennial to East Nashville
-Nashville Zoo
-Adventure Science Center
-the children's theater
-hiking at Radnor Lake
-going to the pool or playing tennis
-the "night" Farmer's Market
-ice cream at Pied Piper and Jeni's

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

[septimus]

Our life revolves a lot around our kids.

We do the zoo (which is getting a huge expansion), we go to local parks (Pinkerton in Franklin, Natchez Trace, Warner Parks, Radnor Lake. During the summer we spend a lot of time at our HOA pool, evening concerts, going to downtown Franklin for ice cream (Sweet Ceces) but a new ice cream place looks like it about to open too.

During the school year a lot of weekends are taken up with soccer, birthday parties and such. Just daily life. We try to go swimming at the Y on Sunday afternoons, etc.

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by NYCtoBNA

There's tons to do here with kids:

-an abundance of parks, including Dragon Park
-free music concerts in Centennial Park
-festivals galore, from Franklin to Centennial to East Nashville
-Nashville Zoo
-Adventure Science Center
-the children's theater
-hiking at Radnor Lake
-going to the pool or playing tennis
-the "night" Farmer's Market
-ice cream at Pied Piper and Jeni's

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Great suggestions...especially the children's theater. They really do an exceptional job there.

[RenaissanceMom4]

Good suggestions. And by "rivaling Naperville," I apologize that that sounded snobby. Didn't mean it that way. Just meant to imply that we have built a nice comfortable routine of family activities here and we have favorite things that we love about this community. Spending a few days visiting a new town is not enough time to figure out what new activities we would grow to love in a new place. So I was just hoping that those of you who live there already can share your favorite things. And hopefully some of the things that my family loves about Naperville could be found in a new place. Just not sure which of Nashville's areas is the best fit for us.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Christine

[bspray]

This magazine is a good resource for things to do with the family in the area. It comes out monthly and you can find it at any grocery store in town for free as you walk out. Of course, not living here yet, you are going to have to settle for the online version.

For the record, there is a ridiculous number of things you can do with your family on any given evening or weekend. I don't expect you will have a hard time finding a routine here or keeping yourselves active and entertained...

Nashville Parent - Events and Parent Resources for Middle Tennessee.

[El Passeaux]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMom4

We are considering a move from Chicagoland (Naperville) to the greater Nashville area. We've visited a few times but it's hard to get the flavor of the town with only a few days' stay. We're wondering what families do for fun, specifically in Nashville itself (we've done the tourist-y things and visited the honky tonks, but I doubt that's what residents with young families are doing on the weekends). Here in Naperville, our family has a list of several local recreational things we love to do and, if all else fails, we just walk downtown, get ice cream, people watch, and throw crackers at the ducks on the Riverwalk. Oh, and the bike trails are numerous here in our area. So what do families do for fun in Nashville? And what about out in the Brentwood/Franklin area?

Thanks for any info. We want to fall in love with the area but so far, we haven't seen anything to rival Naperville. We love it here but the weather and COL have got us interested in seeing what else is out there. Job is a non-issue bc hubby works from home.

If any of you are familiar with Naperville, could you tell me what part of Nashville would most closely compare with Naperville? TIA.

That sounds sort of like Hendersonville, except the downtown part. I lived in Naperville for a year and love Nashville.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMom4

Good suggestions. And by "rivaling Naperville," I apologize that that sounded snobby. Didn't mean it that way. Just meant to imply that we have built a nice comfortable routine of family activities here and we have favorite things that we love about this community. Spending a few days visiting a new town is not enough time to figure out what new activities we would grow to love in a new place. So I was just hoping that those of you who live there already can share your favorite things. And hopefully some of the things that my family loves about Naperville could be found in a new place. Just not sure which of Nashville's areas is the best fit for us.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Christine

Don't apologize. There's nothing snobby about it.

I'm sure you realize that Nashville can't compare to the Chicagoland area. Yes, I'm from the area.

That said, Hendersonville is a favorite of mine. It's also home to Windy City Pizza. :-)