Day 1 You'll See:
- Nashville Shores Waterpark & Treetop Adventure Park
Day 2 You'll See:
- Adventure Science Center
- Opry Mills Shopping Mall
- Belle Meade Plantation
- Nashville Ghost Tour
Day 3 You'll See:
- Ryman Auditorium
- The Johnny Cash Museum
Your hard-working grads definitely deserve some time away to celebrate this important milestone in their educational career, and this 3-Day Nashville holiday promises to deliver plenty of good old- fashioned “Southern Style” distraction from the momentous task of planning a bright future! They’ll have a whole day of waterpark fun in the sun and zipline adventure, explore a world-class interactive science museum, enjoy a few hours of discount mega-mall retail therapy, tour a luxurious plantation, chase a few ghosts, visit the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and stop by the award-winning Johnny Cash Museum to meet “The Man in Black.”
1
Nashville Shores Waterpark & Treetop Adventure Park
A refreshing world of wet and wild entertainment awaits deserving grad groups on Southern holiday at this popular family waterpark/zipline adventure complex, situated on the scenic shores of 14,200 acre J. Percy Priest Lake. Buckets of cool amusements including no fewer than eight waterslides promise plenty of fun in the Southern sun, and jet ski, canoe, kayak, pontoon, paddleboat, and board rentals are also available by the hour or day – something for all inclinations and abilities. Just next door, Adventureworks, Nashville’s most popular zip lining outfitter, tenders a variety of invigorating zip tours and treks delivering those in search of the ultimate outdoor/fitness activity an exhilarating experience as they soar through the lush green Tennessee canopy or “rise” to the challenge of action-packed Aerial Trek obstacle courses. Special add-ons like Quantum Leap and Giant Swing are the sprinkles and cherry atop a perfectly satisfying multi-tiered treetop adventure! What better way to kick off your 3-Day Nashville holiday?
2
Adventure Science Center
As World War II rolled to an end and our nation was, once again, forward-looking and hopeful, Children’s Museum of Nashville opened in the old University of Nashville building. In 1954, the Center debuted the first planetarium in Tennessee; in 1974, it moved to Fort Negley Boulevard on Old Saint Cloud Hill. The name changed through the years, as well-most recently from Cumberland Science Museum to Adventure Science Center. Revisions and relocations aside, one thing remains the same: this beloved museum remains true to its mission focus of creating entertaining and amazing exhibits loaded with interactive learning opportunities for guests of all ages. Explore the world-class Sudekum Planetarium and take in a dazzling Cosmic Concert; experience the unmatched thrill of high-performance aircraft flight or go for a star walk thru deep space. Experience the terrifying-yet-fascinating phenomenon of angry solar flares, learn how to moonwalk, crawl through a beating heart – and more!
Opry Mills Shopping Mall
It’s time to get your shop on at Opry Mills - Tennessee’s largest outlet and value retail destination featuring 200+ stores including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Forever 21, Bath and Body Works, Hot Topic, Gap Outlet, J.Crew Factory Store, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Fuel your awesome shop-til-you-drop experience with your choice of favorite refreshment, food court or full-service dining options including Subway, Rainforest Cafe, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Rockets, TGI Fridays and Panda Express. Don’t forget a stop by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Marble Slab Creamery or Cinnabon for that perfect little “somethin’ sweet”!
Belle Meade Plantation
No Music City fabulous holiday would be complete without a stop by this magnificent Greek Revival plantation mansion, formerly home to one of the largest slave populations in Nashville history. A character-guided tour of the exquisite 1853 home and plantation highlights including a dairy, mausoleum, stable, massive carriage house, garden, and log cabin is a true “Southern Experience” not to be missed! Hear the fascinating account of the plantation’s rich past through the eyes of the aristocratic Harding and Jackson Family and the skilled laborers who invested heart and soul in the collective vision of making Belle Meade America’s Premier Thoroughbred Horse Farm. Afterward, a sumptuous lunch at The Harding House will charm your hearts with “Southern Plantation-Style” hospitality while tempting your taste buds with enticing menu offerings of regional favorites including Overnight Caramel rolls, Fried Green Tomatoes, Candied Pecan Spinach Salad, and Low Country Shrimp and Grits all served up with trademark Belle Meade flair. Warm, whipped-cream-topped Pecan Fudge Pie for dessert? Perfect.
Nashville Ghost Tour
What could be better after a full day of scientific discovery, good ol’ retail therapy and historic sightseeing than a little ghost hunting? An awesome menu of intriguing Ghost Tour options gets you and your group a firsthand look at the mysterious and macabre side of Music City! Hop into a converted hearse and explore some of the area’s most infamous “haunted” sites, thrill to a narrated lantern-lit hike through the city’s most notoriously “spirited” landmarks, visit Nashville’s oldest-and spookiest-cemetery, get acquainted with the ghosts of Union Station and discover the eerily sordid details of a “Murder on Music Row.” There’s nothing like the spine-tingling excitement of wandering documented haunts – be prepared to catch some seriously creepy vibes!
3
Ryman Auditorium
You and your grads will kick off Day 3 with a self-guided tour of this fabulous Music City attraction built by riverboat Captain and Nashville businessman Thomas Ryman to celebrate his new-found salvation; the auditorium debuted in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle but was renamed after his death in his honor. The impressive Gothic Revival-style building was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974, when a larger venue was constructed at the Opryland USA theme park; a five-foot circle was cut and removed from Ryman’s stage floor and inlaid into the center of the new stage in an effort to maintain a connection with the Opry’s rich musical past. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001 and named Theatre of the Year four times in one decade, the Ryman has appeared in its share of memorable movie scenes over the years and hosted scores of notable events from political rallies, ballets and fantastic operas to popular live television shows and grand theatrical productions; many fine talents and distinguished guests have taken the stage and recorded live works at this grand old auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music” and “the Birthplace of Bluegrass.”
The Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum recently unveiled a temporary exhibit, “The Legends of Sun Records” which features artifacts that spotlight Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and drummer W.S. Holland. This list-topping museum, the recipient of the coveted AAA GEM rating, is steadily racking up the accolades, including The Tennessee Association of Museum’s 2014 Award of Excellence, and is ranked “#1 Must-Visit Museum for Music Lovers” by Conde Nast, one of “5 Nashville Must-Sees” by Forbes, and touted by the Huffington Post as one of “22 Reasons You Should Visit Nashville.” Rolling Stone magazine places it in the Top 10 Tennessee Spots for Music Lovers and Money Magazine tags it the “Best Culture Stop in Nashville.” You and your grad group will see for yourselves why this captivating museum, hosting a world-class collection of unforgettable displays and memorabilia detailing the story of “The Man in Black’s” life – consistently ranks among the top attractions ANYWHERE.