Nashville is a fantastic destination for a family Christmas vacation, especially with little kids. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Downtown, because we love the Hyatt points value and always attempt to stay there! For most areas, having a car will be helpful to conveniently get around the city.
Nashville December Activity #1: Gaylord Opryland
The Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville is a truly magical destination for little kids during December, and it feels like stepping into a holiday wonderland. Many people opt to stay at the resort (it’s actually a Marriott Bonvoy member), because there is also a waterpark at the resort. However, we only wanted one day with the Christmas oriented activities. Regardless, it’s worth it for at least a day. Here’s why it’s so special for families with young children:
Christmas Lights & Decorations: The entire resort is transformed into a festive holiday paradise, with millions of twinkling lights, enormous Christmas trees, and lavish decorations such as stunning light displays, magical indoor gardens, and holiday-themed setups. The Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise, where families can float through the indoor garden while surrounded by lights and decorations, is especially fun for little ones.
ICE! Exhibit: This is a must-see attraction at Gaylord Opryland in December. ICE! is an indoor exhibit where families can walk through intricately carved sculptures made from over 2 million pounds of ice. The experience is themed with beloved holiday characters or scenes (like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”), and kids can even slide down ice slides. It’s a magical, wintery experience that feels like stepping into a frozen storybook world. There is ice skating, ice tubing, other snow-related games, and hot chocolate available! You can also sign up for activities such as Gingerbread House decorating and a scavenger hunt.
Holiday Shows & Entertainment: The resort hosts several family-friendly performances, like the “LumiNights” light show, where you can enjoy a display of lights synchronized to music and performances like “A Country Christmas”, featuring live music and shows that capture the spirit of the season.
Overall, the combination of stunning decorations, interactive holiday activities, and family-friendly entertainment turns the Gaylord Opryland Resort into a holiday dreamland where kids can enjoy the magic of Christmas in a safe and exciting environment!
Nashville December Activity #2: Nashville Zoo
The Nashville Zoo is a wonderful place to explore in December, especially for families with little kids. While it’s always a great spot for animal lovers, in December, it offers a unique blend of winter fun, festive cheer, and interactive experiences. Here’s why it’s so great to visit with young children:
Holiday Lights & Displays: During the holiday season, the zoo hosts the Zoolumination Holiday Lights event, during which it is beautifully decorated with over a million dazzling lights, and the light displays are themed with animals, nature, and holiday scenes.
Kid-Friendly Animal Encounters: While the cold weather may mean fewer animals outside, the zoo still offers plenty of indoor exhibits where kids can get close to animals. The Adventure Crossings area has heated indoor spaces where children can explore and see fascinating animals up close. Kids can also participate in interactive experiences, such as feeding certain animals (depending on the exhibit), and they may even catch a glimpse of some winter-loving animals like the snow leopards.
Cultural & Winter-Themed Experiences: The zoo offers a blend of nature and holiday spirit. The light displays are often complemented by culturally themed displays (like lanterns or scenes inspired by different countries), which is a fun way for kids to learn while enjoying the festive atmosphere. The zoo’s open spaces are perfect for little ones to run around.
Visiting the Nashville Zoo in December provides the perfect combination of wildlife education, holiday magic, and family fun.
Nashville December Activity #3: Lane Motor Museum
Visiting the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville can be a surprising and fun experience for little kids, even in December! Though a car museum might not seem like the most obvious choice for young children, the Lane Motor Museum offers a unique and interactive experience that appeals to their sense of wonder and curiosity. Here’s why it’s a fun place for little ones to explore during the holiday season:
Interactive Exhibits: The museum is known for its collection of unusual, vintage, and concept cars from around the world. There are plenty of colorful vehicles with unique designs, such as cars shaped like airplanes or even a car with a bubble top! From classic cars to futuristic models, there’s something visually exciting for every little kid to discover and talk about.
Small-Scale, Kid-Friendly Size: The museum is relatively small, making it an easy and manageable space to explore for little kids. Parents don’t have to worry about long lines or big crowds, especially during the winter months, which makes it a more relaxed experience.
Small play area: There is a small play area for kids to play, while the parents get a chance to decompress and scroll through their phones.
In December, the Lane Motor Museum offers a unique mix of holiday cheer, interactive exploration, and fun visuals, making it a great destination for families with little kids who are curious about cars or just enjoy something different.
Nashville December Activity #4: Eat
There is an endless list of places to eat in Nashville, and fortunately, many child-friendly food options! We enjoyed the following places
It was a wonderful, cozy weekend in Nashville with our littles. Have you visited – what were your favorite Nashville activities?
