travelbuff127

Where to stay with 10 yr old who loves to swim OUTDOORS? (not too expensive), where to find good BBQ downtown? We have a car. Celebrity hang outs? Celebrity shops? (heard Miranda Lambert opened one) Sights to not miss that would capture a 10 yr old girls heart. HELP

travelbuff127

Anyone???

spirobulldog

Las Paletas for popsicles is an expensive treat.

spirobulldog

oops, inexpensive*

travelbuff127

thank you Spirobulldog

starrs

Nashville for a 5 days seems like a lot of time.
Ideas for a 10 year old for 5 days seems like an overwhelming request. I'd start with a guidebook or the destination guide here on Fodors.

The tour of Ryman is great, but will it appeal to your 10 year old?
http://ryman.com/tours/
The Parthenon is interesting and may appeal if she's seen Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief - or watch it before you go if she hasn't.
http://camphalfblood.wikia.com/wiki/The_Parthenon
It doesn't sound like Miranda's store is permanent in Nashville -
http://tasteofcountry.com/miranda-la...ore-nashville/
Here are some tour ideas -
http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/Nas...villeTours.cfm
That reminds me that a friend and her son enjoyed a visit to the Hermitage recently -
http://www.thehermitage.com/visit/

Why 5 days? Are you interested in traveling to Chattanooga or the Smoky Mountains for hiking, etc?
You could also drive to the Ocoee for rafting and/or zipline -
http://wildwaterrafting.com/locations/wildwater-ocoee/

travelbuff127

Thanks Starrs! All advice helpful. Although we did rent a car, we are not inclined to venture to far from the city. We don't mind seeing A little, but we also need some pool time as well. Ow about places to eat, I.e. get good BBQ and some southern seafood?

starrs

Stay at the Gaylord Opryland. They have a great waterfall pool and there's so much to see and do without going offsite. I don't have recent restaurant recommendations but check out urban spoon recs.

stumpworks73

Edley's BBQ on 12th, about 10 minutes from downtown is excellent.

jent103

You mention barbecue downtown; the only barbecue that I know of in the downtown tourist area is Jack's on Lower Broadway. There's better barbecue around, though: Edley's (two locations, 12 South and East Nashville), Witt's, Jim & Nick's are all better, in my opinion. Martin's Barbecue just opened a branch on Belmont Boulevard in town - I haven't been there yet, but their original location in a suburb is a local favorite.

Normally I tell people to not stay at the Opryland because it's not near the downtown tourist attractions, but it's certainly a destination itself, and it's walking distance to Opry Mills, which has plenty of shopping, a movie theater/IMAX, and lots of restaurants. With five days and the waterfall pool it might be a good choice for you.

What did you have in mind for southern seafood? Nashville's pretty landlocked, so that's not something we're known for really. Try some hot chicken, though - try Hattie B's or Prince's. There's the Loveless Cafe for quintessential southern food.

LBloom

The Hermitage (Pres Andrew Jackson's home) would be a fun place for a 10 year old to visit. Also the West End galleries, shops. Combine that with a tour of Vanderbilt U. Start with breakfast at Pancake Pantry.

Lunch or dinner at a good "meat n 3" would be fun. I am not up on what is the latest fad.

starrs

link to the Opryland's pools -
http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/b...-activities.mi

travelbuff127

Thanks to all. Starr's: Gaylord Opryland was an option until I read the reviews. We opted for a property closer to town. Definitely adding the Hermitage to our "must see" list. Heard several people speak about Pancake Pantry . Also curious about J. alexander. I figured seafood was a long shot. Thanks all.

starrs

"Also curious about J. alexander."

I have no idea what J. Alexander is. But it made me look for a J. Christopher - and there is one in Nashville. I can highly recommend for breakfast/brunch.
http://www.jchristophers.com/find-a-j-christophers/

starrs

For seafood, it's another (small) chain...but the best lobster I ever had was at a Bonefish in Florida.

I checked and there's one in Franklin -
http://www.bonefishgrill.com/locator...ngs-tennessee/

And the town of Franklin, TN is a great town. It also won a Final Four style voting for Greatest Southern Town!
http://gardenandgun.com/blog/you-voted-and-winner

Yes, it's by Garden & Gun magazine, which isn't as bad as it sounds. It's really a high end, glossy Southern Living style magazine with more coverage on bourbon and country estate living.

Here are a couple of Southern Living links about Franklin -
http://gardenandgun.com/blog/you-voted-and-winner
http://livability.com/franklin/tn/li...st-places-list

jent103

J Alexander's is a small chain that's headquartered here. It's mainly "American" food - steaks, pastas, burgers, that sort of thing. Nothing particularly Nashville about the food, but it's good. The closest one to downtown is on West End near the Vandy campus. There's also one in Cool Springs, near the Bonefish that starrs mentioned. Downtown Franklin is another 15 minutes or so from that area.

travelbuff127

any comments about Brentwood or Belle Meade? like dislike...good bad...not worth the trip