School’s out, school’s out, teachers let the monkeys out! I know that little ditty strikes fear in the hearts of some of my friends and is a soothing panacea to others. But, whether you relish the lazy days of summer or count them down until school starts again, there will always be days when you just need to get out of the house and DO SOMETHING! If you’re selling your home, this mission takes on a new urgency, especially when your Realtor® calls with a last minute showing and you must frantically vacate the premises. Fortunately, we live in a town chalk-full of fun things for the young and the young at heart and I thought I’d spend a few weeks sharing some summer-fun ideas with you!
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (in my humble opinion, one of the most gorgeous spots in Nashville) hosts a fantastic Family Night Out program. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy live, family-friendly entertainment on Thursday nights in June and July. Click here for a list of Family Night Out performances. Whether you are 9 or 99, spending an evening at Cheekwood should be on every Nashvillian’s summer-time bucket list!
Need to be away for the whole day, but don’t have time to plan an extensive itinerary? Plan a quick trip to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave. It’s only an hour and a half away and well worth the drive. Click here for a complete list of Mammoth Cave tours, expeditions and pricing. My personal favorite is the “Frozen Niagra Tour.” It’s short and sweet and full of amazing stalactites that will astound your little ones! Slightly older children will love the Historic tour, but be sure to take your hiking boots! You’ll be cave dwelling/walking for two miles and climbing 440 stairs!
I love, love, love Warner Park. Their nature center is 100% fantastic and kid friendly. Plan a day-trip to this delightful destination. The nature center will happily lend your kiddos a backpack stuffed with all kinds of things to make your nature hike a success. Trails are well marked and easy to navigate. If you’re visiting with really little ones, choose the “Hungry Hawk” or the “Little Acorn” trails. If you need to cool off, you’ve got two great options: the Nature Center is full of fun, educational and hands-on science activities and staff members are on hand to offer guidance and answer questions. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, send your sprightly munchkins to the mud playground, but be sure to pack a change of clean clothes for the car ride home!
This list should give you a great head start for some good, clean summer fun, but I’ve got several more ideas to share in the weeks to come! Have fun, friends and enjoy this special time of year in our gorgeous city!