Message: We're a family of four including teen boy (17) and 12-year-old girl. We're planning a driving trip from Indiana to Nashville for mid-March. We've never been to Nashville. An ideal holiday would include lots of music (of course), maybe some historical sites, and a VERY nice hotel with indoor swimming. Ideas?Many thanks! (PS: Does anyone know if it will be hard to get kids into music spots at night? Here in Indiana, bars are off limits to kids).

I was in Nashville, but w/o my boys, last year in April. I stayed in a great B&B in the historic neighborhoods so can't help you w/ accommodations. If you like BIG, there is always the Oprayland Hotel. However, make sure ya'll go see the Grand Ole Opray(sp?). I'm not a huge country music fan, but there were lots of families there, and it was great entertainment and an Am. classic! I also visited the Hermitage -Andrew Jackson's home for 1/2 day -before the show and had dinner at a local chain specializing in catfish -Uncle Bob's maybe. I don't particularly like catfish, but it was delicious! The Country Music Hall of Fame is a wonderful museum, and the whole family will enjoy it. There is a local bbque place on the main st. in Nashville - sorry, can't remember name. I also enjoyed Belle Meade plantation; they have a great place for lunch and then make sure you go to Loveless Cafe down the road for dinner. The Partheon was interesting, and it's located in a great park - take a picnic. Belmont House was an enjoyable tour at Belmont College along w/ the TN. capital building. There is a farmer's market - don't remember if it's just wkends. Monell's(sp again?) in located in Germantown and is a great family style southern dinner and very reasonably priced. Don't know if the kids will be allowed into the bars or have to leave at a certain hr. I went to the Blue Bird Cafe, and I know you have to be 18 or 21 to get in there. Nashville is very family friendly, and they also have a show on a paddle wheel boat - the General Jackson maybe. My kids wish they had gone w/ me. Have fun!

It's Grand Ol Opry and it should be a stop on your trip if you'll be there on a Saturday or Friday night. Be sure to log onto opry.com and get info on tickets before you go.

The restaurant she refers to was Uncle Buds and was a huge cesspool of grease...Uncle Bud's is no longer there, but if you're still wanting fried catfish, there is a Cock of the Walk near the Opryland complex on Briley Parkway that is very close to the Uncle Bud's experience.

There is also a fairly nice Holiday Inn on Briley that has an indoor pool. It's a business hotel in a business park near the airport so take from that what you will.

If you're into country, stops on Music Row as well as a tour of the new Hall of Fame will be must-dos.

Most of the "honky-tonks"/bars on Brodway will not let kids in. However, it's loud and the doors are open at all of them so you could do a sidewalk listen.

I will second the suggestions for the Loveless Cafe (go for breakfast), the Parthenon/Centennial Park, and a ride on the General Jackson (they will have music on the boat if the sidewalk listen doesn't suffice

My picks for family friendly cultural/historical sites in Nashville:

The Hermitage is a National Historic Landmark and was Federal style home of President Andrew Jackson. Good guided tour, you need to see this one.

TN State Museum, (was free 15 years ago and may still be) nice large Tennessee history/culture museum with Civil War artifacts.

Cheekwood Mansion and Botanic Gardens, fantastic gardens and art in former mansion home of the Cheek family (related to a coffee fortune I think). Activities for family per schedule.

Belle Meade Plantation, the Nashville Tara. I used to watch polo matches there.

Cumberland Science Museum, basic family friendly interactive science museum

As far as hotels go, the Embassy Suites by the airport was very nice. It has an indoor pool and a free full breakfast in the morning.
The Opryland hotel is a great place to visit even if you're not staying there. They even have a little indoor boat ride.