Want to Go Somewhere with Your Little One? Head to Nashville

by Sachel Harris
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Wed November 28, 2018

Image: PHOTO: Nashville, Tennessee skyline along the Cumberland River. (photo via pabradyphoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

I love to travel. I mean...LOVE to travel. And now as a mom, being able to explore the world with our little one has made traveling even more fun.

Now with a nickname like "Nashvegas," Nashville, Tennessee doesn't exactly sound like a kid-friendly place to visit. Known for its nightlife and late night live music scene, it's definitely a city where adults go to let their hair down and get loose. After all, it is the #1 destination for bachelorette parties. However, that didn't stop me from bringing our toddler to Music City and after our trip, I can say confidently that I can't WAIT to take him back.

Though we were only there for 48 hours, we made sure to hit a lot of the must-see places. So if you plan on traveling with your little one to the Music City, here are a few places you don't want to skip:

Lucky Ladd Farms

This place is super adorable! Between the Petting Zoo and the Pony rides, I see why this place is such a kid-favorite! Lucky Ladd is home to the largest petting farm attraction of it's kind in Tennessee, featuring hundreds of friendly farm animals and exotic livestock.

We especially loved feeding the animals, which you can do when you buy a feedbag for $1. There are also expression slides, huge slides and a barrel train that will for sure put a smile your little's face.

The Parthenon

As someone who is in love with ALL things Greece, this feels really weird for me to say: You haven't really seen the Parthenon until you've been to Nashville, Tennessee. Located in Centennial Park, The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens and guys...it is STUNNING. The detail that went into making this replica is amazing!

Inside there is a huge statue of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and a nice art museum. And if art isn't your little one's thing, there is tons of space in Centennial Park for them to enjoy, run around and explore.

The Nashville Zoo

I have to admit, I was surprised at how big this place was! The Nashville Zoo is a beautiful park with a huge variety of animals to view and interact with. Being able to interact with the animals is a guaranteed win for both the little and big people.

There are several areas which specialize in the various types of animals from fish to giraffes and everything in between. But our favorite? The kangaroos. Definitely the kangaroos.

The BlueBird Cafe

So thanks to husband, who I affectionately call "husbae," I'm a forever Nashie. From the moment he introduced me to the show, I was hooked. Needless to say, the moment I knew we were visiting Nashville, visiting the BlueBird Cafe was the VERY top of my list. It's a very quaint venue, with roughly 80-90 seats that are available on a first-come, first served basis.

I was actually surprised to find out it was kid-friendly place! Just be sure to plan in advance to attend an early show, which usually starts at 6:00 PM. Your young toddler will thank you.

The Grand Ole Opry

Listen...you do NOT go Nashville and not visit the Grand Ole Opry. Even if country music isn't "really your thing," to go to the home of country music and not stop by this place is just downright disrespectful.

While we didn't stay for the concert, we did take the tour, which was roughly 45 minutes long (a.k.a. the perfect amount of time for an active little toddler.) On the tour, you learn about the history of the Opry and get to see where the performers enter from and what their dressing rooms look like. Of course, for me, the highlight of the tour was actually going on stage and standing on it. To stand where so many music greats have stood was very humbling.

Where to Stay

While there are tons of lodging options, we stayed at the TownPlace Suites in Goodlettsville, just outside of the city. The brand, which just celebrated its 21st birthday, is known for bringing the comforts of home to their hotels. I particularly enjoyed the full-sized refrigerator and kitchenette, which allowed me to make and store meals for our picky little eater during our stay. They even have grills on the property for you to use and grilling tools for you to borrow so you can unleash your inner grillmaster.

The closet, created by The Container Store, also made it super easy for us to unpack and really get comfortable during our stay. Plus it's pet-friendly, so it's the perfect place to stay for the entire family.

"What this hotel does is provide you a home away from home," said Paige Sheedy, Director of Brand Management for Town Place Suites by Marriott."So whether you're a frequent business traveler or traveling with your family, our goal is for you feel comfortable, supported and happy."

Even though Nashville wasn't on my radar when I thought of traveling with a little one, I'm so glad we gave it a chance because we had a ball and we didn't even get to see half of what the city has to offer.

But I'm not worried...because we will definitely be back.

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