Becoming a Tourist with Kids: Nashville
You may be wondering, why is she giving me tourist tips?
Kinda field left, don’t ya think, Ry?
Yes, I know. BUT. Part of In-Between Mama is stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s doing the things that I kinda fall in-between in. I love the city, but I also like to stay home. I love exploring new places, I also really don’t like the uncertainty that comes with leaving my house and going somewhere I’ve never gone before.
So when I walked out of my house to new places not once, not twice, but THREE times in the span of a few weeks, I had to write about it.
I am a planner. I don’t like being a tourist. I want to know where I’m going and I want to feel like I fit in there. This series is going to be about the process of learning how to explore and go with the flow. We’re learning how to be in-between two extremes, okay? Especially with kids. That’s a whole other ballgame. Welcome to this series and join me in Nashville to start!
Also, it’s rare to find honest reviews about taking your kids out and about. So I’m doing that! I’m not as amazing as Frecklefaced adventures. If you’re in the local Nashville/Franklin/Murfreesboro/Spring Hill/Columbia, Tennessee area, for SURE check her out. She's amazing and shares so many great resources. She’s also just super real on Instagram and I love that.
Anywhoosies, let’s talk Nashville, in the fall, with 2 toddlers. 😆
CUMBERLAND CHILDREN’S PARK - 5/10
We started the day off just walking broadway and then crossing the pedestrian bridge. It was more of a hike than I realized up to the actual bridge from the Broadway side. It might’ve just been worse because I had the baby and the wagon. FGL allowed us to use their bathrooms but I was told it wasn’t the most pleasant experience.
Crossing the bridge was lovely, although I don’t think standing at the edge of a bridge is ever a truly enjoyable experience, especially with toddlers. At the other end of the bridge, the Nissan Stadium side, we took the elevator down, immediately took a left and that’s where Cumberland Children’s park is. It’s a spray-scape in the summer, although it wasn’t this summer due to “hazardous conditions”. 😟 If you watch the full video you’ll see clips from playing in the park. It was definitely run down and my kids were a little too young so they got bored quickly. I would skip this next time.
I will note that there were public bathrooms at the bottom of the elevator, if you go to the right. They were very clean, although wide open. I checked the stalls to make sure there wasn’t anyone hiding in them because it was definitely an easy place for a predator to wait and get away with something. The spot in general is isolated so I wouldn’t go there without a group of people.
ASSEMBLY FOOD HALL - 10/10
We then made our way back across the bridge and down Broadway to Assembly Food Hall. We got food from Pharmacy Burger, Saffron Indian Kitchen and a donut place. I don’t remember the name of the mini donut shop, I just know they were devoured in seconds and they were extremely sweet. The Samosas from Saffron were very good! I definitely want to go back and sample more small plates from more of the restaurants, there was so much to choose from. I definitely recommend this spot to eat with kids. It’s a cafeteria style, there are employees who walk around and clean up tables and there are so many options to choose from. It’s a fun environment for them to be in and there is bound to be something that everyone will like.
12 SOUTH - 8/10
At this point I was over Broadway and we decided to head to 12 South for coffee and a bit of shopping. Frothy Monkey was my safe space when I first moved to Nashville. Although I don’t fully align with a lot of their stances, especially from years 2020-2021, I had to be on a break with them, I do love their coffee and it has a special place in my heart as it was the spot where Dustin and I had our first date. We did a quick stop into Imogene + Willie and Madewell and then headed to Centennial Park. The kids napped in the car with Dustin while we grabbed coffee, they definitely needed it. I love 12 South, I love being a tourist there, it’s always a great time. Parking, on the other hand, is a pain and there was a lot of construction when we went this time. It kind of killed the vibes. It’s also not the most kid friendly area.
CENTENNIAL PARK - 10/10
Centennial Park was honestly my favorite stop of the day.
I personally don’t think, from what I’ve seen online, that it’s worth it to pay to go inside the Parthenon so we walked around the outside and then explored the ponds, gardens and walking paths in the park. It was incredibly peaceful and gave me Bethesda Fountain Central Park Vibes. Which if you know me, you know there is no higher compliment. My kids loved getting to run free after having to stay in the wagon or extremely close by all day. There were rocks to climb, trees to play peek-a-boo, steps to explore at the Parthenon and Hayden loved the ducks and the fish in the ponds.
Overall, this was definitely a very touristy day but it was fun and really at the end of the day, nobody cares.