Planning and then actually going on a family vacation can be overwhelming and stressful, so much so that some families shy away from the experience altogether. We try to embrace the chaos of traveling with little ones, although we do refer to these vacations as “trips,” because they’re often not the epitome of a relaxing vacation.
However, we recently had the opportunity to enjoy a little getaway to Nashville, Tennessee: SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort.
After a fairly painless four-hour drive to reach the resort, I knew we had found some place special and the ultimate getaway destination for families in Cincinnati.
If you’ve ever heard of or been to a Gaylord Resort, then you know they are larger than life. The Opryland in Nashville is no exception and I don’t believe we picked our jaws up from the ground until we checked out and left. We have visited Disney World as a family, and the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, and I can honestly say the beauty and wonder of the Gaylord Opryland ranked right up there with both. My two young children were equally as impressed and after a smooth check in process, we headed to our room.
Our room overlooked the Garden Conservatory and you could take it all in from the charming balcony. After admiring the view, we headed back out into the resort to explore. The Gaylord Opryland is a destination in Nashville that truly stands on its own, and while our two night’s stay allowed us to experience a lot of it, we could have stayed an entire week and never been bored. And that doesn’t even count any time spent in downtown Nashville (which you can get to from the resort via shuttle).
As stunning as the property was, my kids were anxious to check out what has become their new favorite place on the planet – SoundWaves. Gaylord Opryland recently opened the indoor portion of this incredible waterpark this past December, and we were lucky enough to be some of the first guests to splash around in the impressive outdoor expansion. In total, there are 4 acres of indoor and outdoor water attractions, including several slides, lazy rivers, the most beautiful wave pool, and a boogie boarding experience that is as fun as it looks. Imagine all of your favorite waterpark attractions, which your kids will love, but in an environment that’s visually stunning, relaxing, and accommodating to all of your family vacation needs.
What sets the Gaylord Opryland and SoundWaves apart from other resort experiences is that both parents and children will feel spoiled. There is so much for young guests to do here, and while it is an elegant, refined hotel, it is also full of laughter, whimsy and southern comfort, perfect for a family getaway. My young, rambunctious children were welcomed with open arms by all of the staff, from the servers at restaurants to the young lady who taught my son how to boogie board on the Flowrider. And adults will feel equally catered to with exceptional food and drink options, top notch service, and adult-only areas, if you’re able to sneak away.
If you’ve ever considered planning a family getaway from Cincinnati for a few nights, and wanted something close to home, you’ll want to consider the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Nashville is such an exciting city for families, and there’s no better place to call home base than this incredible resort. This summer, Gaylord Opryland is hosting SummerFest, the ultimate family party with a fun Smurfs theme! You’ll find these beloved blue characters all over the resort and there are a number of family-friendly events planned now through September 2nd. And if you visit this summer, you can also take advantage of the outdoor portion of SoundWaves! Or plan a visit in the colder months and splash around in the lazy river that winds through a cave, boogie board on manmade waves, and make countless family memories.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort offers special packages for families who want to stay in the hotel and include time at SoundWaves during their stay. If you plan a trip with your family, this is a must! The hotel does cap the number of people who can visit SoundWaves each day, so you’ll want to purchase your wristbands when you reserve your room. You can learn more about these packages here. Also keep in mind that this one-of-a-kind resort would make for a great romantic getaway, a girl’s weekend away, or any other type of vacation that will transport you to an enchanting place that has something for everyone.
