Christmas at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel
Christmas is approaching and many families feel the need to get away from the hustle and bustle of it all for some family time. In southeast Nashville is an excellent family get away. There is a lot of holiday festivities to keep your whole family entertained from kiddos to grandparents.
If you have the means to stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel you are sure to have a magical experience, but if you can’t stay the night, you can still visit. Visiting the hotel is always a pleasure, but it’s especially alive during the holidays. The lavish resort includes 9 acres of indoor gardens and waterfalls, all gorgeously decorated for the holidays with 2 million twinkling lights! There are 17 restaurants within the resort so plan ahead; you might want reservations, otherwise there are some quick service options as well. If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, don’t worry, there are shops galore within the hotel! I recommend walking around the hotel at night if possible, the lights and decorations are definitely more fun at night.
Kids with ice sculptures
The resort is also home to the Arctic Plunge Snow Tubing & Glacier Glide Ice Skating! If you have never been tubing with your kids, it’s a total blast! You will also want to visit ICE! which is a walk-through ice sculpture exhibit of more than 2 million pounds of ice. Ice displays revolve around the story of the nutcracker and there is also a stunning ice nativity display. The kids will love the ice slides! It’s a chilly 9 degrees in the exhibit, but upon entry, warm coats and gloves are provided. It’s so amazing you’ll forget about the cold.
I recommend getting the all-day pass which will allow you to spend an entire day having fun in a winter wonderland. The all-day pass gives you access to ICE! featuring The Nutcracker, Arctic Plunge Snow Tubing, Glacier Glide ice skating, Santa’s Snowball Toss, Gingerbread decorating, and the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt.
My son on an ice slide!
When we went to Nashville we saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes, but that show has been discontinued. Starting this year the Grand Ole Opry House will have a production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. If you want to see the show, you will want to grab tickets in advance! Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Christmas Dinner Show, an award winning trio bringing all your Christmas favorites to the stage, will get you in the Christmas spirit.
Another dinner and entertainment option is Christmas on the General Jackson. This 300-foot-long paddle wheel riverboat is a gorgeous ride down the Cumberland River with an amazing tour of Nashville. The Heart of Christmas Dinner Show features a stage filled with colorful costumes, lights, and outstanding performers. You’ll enjoy all of your Christmas favorites, a tasteful meal, and a wonderful cruise.