Nashville with two teens
 

We are going to Nashville in August with two teens. We will be staying at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel while my wife attends a conference. Any suggestions on things to do or place to visit to keep my teens entertained? <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Ray

Opryland is great fun for all ages. The rides range in thrill capacity from a simple sky gondola ride across the park to some chilling roller coasters. We enjoyed a circular raft ride where someone was guaranteed to get wet. You can also spend the entire day just going to the various shows held thru out the park. Beware of the hotel - found the food to be mediocre and overpriced. We were there for a convention and had a car. Across the vast parking lot you will find a Cracker Barrel Restaurant and further in back, a Bob Evans. Both serve reasonably priced family food and are very popular chains. Downtown Nashville has a few interesting places but not a lot to see. We missed out on the place where country dancing is filmed, but visited during the day. You can also drive to some surrounding towns just to have a nice place to walk, enjoy a few shops and poke around. The buildings are very interesting. Have fun. <BR>

Visted Nashville at Christmas a couple of years ago. We stayed at the Opryland Hotel. It's nice, but we couldn't take the humidity inside hotel due to indoor atriums,etc.!! Food there is very overpriced. <BR>Theme park was not open during Christmas--I've heard it's fun. Not a whole lot downtown. <BR>There's a shop in Nashville where you can make your own music video--we did it for fun and still enjoy watching it for a good laugh!! Cost $25. <BR> <BR>Have fun!!

Our family also thorougly enjoyed Opryland. Unfortunately, it is now permanently closed and will be replaced by a shopping complex. While we very much enjoyed Nashville, we will not be returning with Opryland gone.

I'm a native Nashvillian. I'm glad someone mentioned that the Opryland Theme Park is now closed. It's hurt tourism here tremendously. <BR>There's a new place - I think it's called Nashville Shores - that's a big water park. Haven't been there yet, but I did years ago when it was called Hermitage Landing. <BR>Since your at Opryland Hotel, you might consider taking the hotel's river taxis into downtown. Also, they have the General Jackson Riverboat. The District (mainly 2nd Ave and Broadway)has lots of great spots. There's Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood. You might get lucky and catch Dancin' in the District on Thursday nights before they stop at the end of summer. Also, you might try the Old Spaghetti Factory. For a really good sit-down experience, I recommend the Melting Pot. But make reservations and plan to spend well over an hour there. It's fondue. <BR>Two other options - check with the Nashville Visitors and Convention Bureau. They should have a schedule of who's playing at the Nashville Arena (everything from country to rock and rap). And the Tennessee Oilers will be playing some preseason games this month at Vanderbilt Stadium. <BR>Have fun!