Broadway - Must SEE spot whether you just do a drive-by or take a stroll. Kids are allowed into most every honky tonk, while some restrict by age at a specific time later in the evening. I’ve found it easiest to go during a weekday for lunch when taking Ivan and we usually end up eating lunch at Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk, Blue Sushi or 12/30 Club. There is also a food court/outdoor mall area between Eddie V’s and 12/30 Club across from Bridgestone Arena that has various food options including the famous Hattie B’s Hot Chicken.
If he must venture to Broadway, Ivan does love getting ice cream at Savannah’s Candy Kitchen and a DELICIOUS sugary local treat Goo Goo Chocolate Co. Parking is $$$ so best to Uber if you can. While living in Nashville if I ever went to a Preds game or show I’d eat dinner at Etch - they have complimentary valet and you can leave your car there until the end of the evening!!
And of course there are TONS of other establishments to visit and explore! If you can catch a show at the Ryman Auditorium you won’t be sorry! Stroll down Printers Alley and get a steak at Sid Gold’s Request Room, or nearby take a tour of The Country Music Hall of Fame. There’s defiantly something for everyone.
The Gluch has many shops and restaurants among the most interactive for active children include: Putt Shack, Pins & nearby Old Smokey Distillery.
Putt Shack - Upscale tech-infused mini golf, bar & restaurant. Best way I can describe it is, putt putt Vegas style! On weekends, best to book online. It can get quite busy and over stimulating during busy times. We are usually done after 2 rounds of 9-holes. If you go earlier they have a 2nd round for 50% off.
Pins - Fun destination for kids & adults! Duck pin bowling, FREE arcade games, pin ball ($), ping pong, patio pong, bocce, giant jenga and more. Some activities require a fee and ID (to check out ping pong paddles, etc) while others are FREE like arcade games, jenga, a tube slide from the 2nd story & outdoor swings. Bring in your own food (or have it delivered) or they have a daily food truck parked out front. Sunday’s kids bowl & drink FREE.
Old Smokey & YeeHaw Brewing - very unique Old Smokey Moonshine, whiskey and YeeHaw Brewing tastings… think indoor/outdoor sports bar with LARGE TV’s and screens; many FREE activities for kids to do: pop-a-shot, corn hole, ping pong, vintage arcade games, trash can sized “beer pong” and more. For food options they offer White Duck Taco’s and Daddy’s Dogs. The only alcoholic beverages they offer include: Old Smokey moonshine, whiskey & YeeHaw Brew (no vodka, tequila, etc).
Tennessee State Museum - free admission & parking. Next to the Farmers Market that has permanent shops and food vendors indoors. The museum has impressive exhibits! Not Ivan’s favorite spot to visit, but offers TONS of information about Tennessee and it’s history.
Marathon Motor Works - MUST SEE for all my gear-head friends! You can arrive via the Old Town Trolley as one of it’s stops.
Adventure Science Center - children’s science museum - closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Ivan likes it but probably best for kids under 12yrs
Opreyland Hotel & Soundwaves water park - If you’ve never been, you should go! It’s hard to explain and WOW’s me every visit! 9-acres of indoor gardens & atriums. Take a boat ride through one of the atriums and learn a-lot about the hotels history and fun facts about creating such an attraction. They offer seasonal scavenger hunts, activities and attractions year round. The winter holiday season is the most remarkable!
Ivan’s favorite things to do while visiting: getting gelato and walking around the atriums, visiting the arcade, boat ride, visiting the toy store & getting a slice of pizza while watching the massive water fountain show & tossing pennies into the water features. Depending upon the season there’s always some scavenger hunt or seasonal attraction for kids. Don’t miss the waterpark at the property, Soundwaves. Only way to gain admission is by booking a room that INCLUDES Soundwaves passes OR by booking a private party. Locals or those not staying at the property can book a party to gain access - when we did it for Ivan’s birthday the minimum was 8 ppl package which included 2 parking passes & pizza. Soundwaves offers a restaurant that has pizza, burgers, salads, etc. Parking at Opreyland is $37 and $50 for valet. If you are just visiting the property you can park like a local for FREE in the parking lot adjacent and walk to the Delta atrium entrance.
Belle Meade Plantation - Always a favorite spot to take our friends when they visited us. Upon each tour I learned new things as they change up the tours per season. It’s a fabulous place to learn how the immediate area was established and grew. They also have a winery with themed wine labels if you are seeking a souvenir from the area.
Adventure Park - Zip line and tree top trails! Close to Ford Ice Center, Bellevue.
Radnor Lake - need some fresh air, beautiful trees and want to spot a bald eagle family? Radnor lake is waiting for you! There’s a paved path that welcomes your 4 legged friends and also hiking trails in the woods (no dogs allowed). Spot the eagles nest, turtles, beavers and more. Close to Brentwood hotels.
Our other MUST SEE attractions and spots include: The Listening Room, 3rd and Lindley, Cheekwood, Owl Sanctuary, Radnor Lake, Downtown Franklin & The Factory, Kayak on the Harpeth River and of course the zoo!
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens - tour the mansion and art gallery and/or just enjoy the gardens and seasonal exhibits. Not far from the Bellevue ice rink.