rfrank1031

We are road tripping and one of our stops is Nashville. We love good, local food and culture and I love country music! We will be traveling with 3 little ones (8,6, 2) and am wondering if any of the honky tonks will let us in? Could use recs on what to do with the kids that won't bore them to pieces. I would love to stop at Loveless cafe ( we will be there on a Monday so hoping it won't be terrible crowded) and have heard Ryman auditorium might be a good stop for them. Any other musts and a rec for. Place to stay would be so appreciated. Thanks!

musicfan

The Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame is quite well done, and while you probably won't be able to linger for a long time at most of the displays and exhibits, overall, it should be distracting enough for your kids that it would be worth a visit, especially if you love country music.

As for the honky tonks (i.e. Lower Broadway), as I recall, if you visit during the day (yes, some of them are open), those under 21 are allowed in.

bettyk

We loved Jack's Barbecue down on Broadway. It is quite well known and usually pretty busy. But the barbecue sandwiches are wonderful.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express down across from the Union station Hotel on Broadway. It was just a short walk to the Ryman and all of the bars and restaurants as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame.

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress...bw/hoteldetail

spirobulldog

Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson Home)

wtm003

Kids that age would probably like the horse-drawn wagon tour at The Hermitage.

We saw a couple of young teens at Robert's Western World in the late afternoon. They looked a little bored but it is an easy place to drop in for a short time and leave.

They will definitely love the Savannah Candy Kitchen on Broadway!!

jent103

Downtown hotels are most convenient, but they can be pretty expensive. Since you'll have a car anyway, you could save a little by staying in one of the suburbs, maybe at a place with a pool for the kids? Just make sure you add in the cost of parking downtown - it can be expensive. Staying in Brentwood (one of the nicest suburbs, just south of Nashville) would put you at a 20-minute drive downtown, where you could park once and walk to CMHOF, the Ryman, and Lower Broadway. Brentwood has a large office park with plenty of hotels in the area.

I can't remember where you ended up - are you still going to Memphis after Nashville? If so, it makes a lot of sense to do the Loveless on your last day, since it's on your way out of town, and staying in Bellevue (another suburb, west of town) might make sense too.

rfrank1031

Thanks all. Jent103, heading to GSMNP from Nash. Thinking one night camping in Garlinburg area, one night in Cherokee area. Just booked the Hilton Garden Inn downtown in Nash. Getting excited!

jent103

Is that the HGI near Music Row? That's close to downtown, but it's an awkward walk, especially with the kids (you have to cross a major interstate exchange, for one). Google Street View will give you an idea. It's still a great location especially if you don't mind driving and parking, but wanted you to be aware!

If you want an easy walk to the main sights, I'd stay east of Rosa Parks/8th and between the CMHOF/convention center and the Capitol.

spirobulldog

Take your kids Ziplinning in Gatlinburg. I like Climbworks Canopy Tour Company. Good short hike are Clingmon's Dome, Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls. For a bit longer hike, but nothing to bad try Abram Falls.

Your kids might like Zorbing in Gatlinburg. That's not for me, but my nephew liked it. Parrot Mountain is pretty cool, but kind pricey(it's a refuge for birds that people no longer want, so the money is to a good cause).