Road Tripping to Nashville and Chattanooga Tennessee

If you have read my Summer Break Plans post, you have seen that I was going to stay local during summer break.  Well, it didn't happen that way. However, it was going to or at least remain in Georgia, but Mr. M didn't want to spend his holiday weekend at Jekyll Island.  He thought this Georgia island would be too much like Hilton Head, South Carolina that we visited last summer.  He wanted to see something different, you know, find new roads somewhere else.

Priceline is My Go-To for Booking Travel Deals

So, I hopped on Priceline to see prices of hotels in surrounding states.  In the running were Chattanooga, TN, St. Louis, MO., and Nashville, TN.  Nashville was the clear winner when I saw a deal with Gaylord Opryland of $150 a night, instead of regular price $450!  I snatched that deal up so quick!  I always wanted to stay in a Gaylord resort after seeing other bloggers write such awesome things about the ones in Orlando and Texas.  I heard it was quite the experience.  A must-see, and stay resort, especially during the winter when the place turns to an Ice Wonderland.

Gaylord Opryland will Have You Lost, In a Good Way!

We packed our bags and headed north to the capital of Tennessee, Music City, home of the Legendary country music venues which includes the Grand Ole Opry House located next to Gaylord Opryland.

Stepping into the Gaylord all of our mouths dropped in amazement!  The resort is massive! The Gaylord is inside a large temperature controlled, dome-like structure housing almost 3,000 rooms with tranquil lush gardens, nearly 20 restaurants, convention center; it's like a city within a city.  Honestly, no need to leave the resort, everything you need is there.  Also, although you're inside a massive dome, when you step outside your room you feel like you stepped outdoors, but without the uncomfortable heat, Nashville was currently having.

Even though I paid $150 a night on Priceline, I did upgrade my room because I found out that the room they were placing us in didn't have a balcony.  So, I paid an extra $50 a night.  Also, I like to mention that this resort does have resort fees and parking fees, so the price did add up quickly, more than other hotels around Nashville.

Room with a Gorgeous View! 

Our room was basic, two queen beds with a 50-inch tv that had Netflix, cable, Pandora, and other stuff.  Also, the room had a desk, vanity mirror, and bathroom.

And man, the walk y'all!  Gaylord had us walking for miles getting to our room.  Every day we were lost trying to find it, but we didn't mind because during our excursions we would discover new places inside.  Plus, we needed to get our steps in for the day anyway.  According to Michelle's Fitbit, we would walk over 15,000 steps daily!

Also, our room had the garden view, so at nights we would sit on the balcony gazing down at all the luscious greenery while listening to the relaxing sounds of the waterfalls.  The string lighting gave the perfect fairy garden touch, getting us in relaxing zen winding us down in the evenings.

Many Dining Places to Choose From at Gaylord Opryland

As for dining inside the hotel, we only did two places Stax, a build your own burger joint, and several times we visited the 24 hour Delta Marketplace which was more for on-the-go guest.

But, what I didn't like was the fact that even though there are almost 20 different restaurants, they all open at different times.  So, when we were interested in dining at certain eateries they were closed, so we found ourselves walking around trying to find places to eat that were open.  That's why we mainly ate at the Delta Marketplace since it is 24 hours.

Foods that we had at Gaylord were okay, meals we could have had anywhere. If only we were able to dine at their sit-down restaurants, I could have had better meals.  But, oh well!

Never a Dull Moment at Gaylord

As for amenities, there is a lot!  Indoor/Outdoor Pools, riverboat ride, nightly water fountain show, spa, shopping, golf, huge gym.  And speaking of pools!  Coming this fall 2018, Gaylord is opening a massive 4 acre, 3-level upscale indoor/outdoor waterpark with dedicated recreation zones for adults, young children and families!  I saw the construction, and they are half way there to the finish line.  Another reason for us to come back to visit.

Even though we didn't need to step foot off of Gaylord's property, we did do a bit of touring in town.

I'm Disappointed with Downtown Nashville

We did a quick drive to Downtown Nashville to see what the city had to offer, unfortunately, nothing family-friendly.  Just a bunch of bars.  And that hot sticky heat!  So disrespectful!  Had us sweating like we ran marathons with the heater turned on full blast!   Quickly we left downtown returning to Gaylord.

Thank You for Being a Friend!

Guess what!  I got to reunite with my blog bestie Alisha from Wineingmomma.com!  We met online when I first started Product Review Mom and met in-person at Type-A Mom Blog Conference back in 2014.  We have been talking to each other online regularly ever since!  She is such a great supporter, have me rolling in tears of laughter, and I'm happy to call her a friend!  During this blogging journey, I didn't think I would come across great people like Alisha, but I'm glad I did.  Hopefully, it won't be another four years we see each other again.  Make sure to stop by her blog and show her lots of love.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is Full of Country Stars

Another place we visited and explored was the Opry Mills, an indoor outlet mall similar to the one I have close to me, Sugarloaf Mills.

Inside the mall, there is the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Nashville. I have been to a couple of these wax museums, Hollywood and Las Vegas, and the Nashville one made me a bit disappointed since it is smaller than the other two.  Madame Tussauds Nashville is more catered to country music stars, with some soul, rock, and pop sprinkled in the mix.  Since I'm not into country music, a lot of the singers I didn't know.  And I was bummed not to see Dolly Parton; she played a huge part of country music, she needs her own wax figure too.

If you stay at the Gaylord, you receive a special entry discount at Madame Tussauds Nashville (visit the concierge desk at Gaylord), also paying on the wax museum's website they provide discounts too.  Never pay at Madame Tussauds front desk, you'll pay the highest price.

Eating Good

Although we were eating basic foods at Gaylord, thanks to the recommendation from Kita at ItsReallyKita.com, we had some southern homestyle meal at Monell's at the Manor in Historic Nashville.   Food is served Sunday-style, dishes are already prepared and at the table being passed around amongst strangers.  We were there for lunch, so two different types of meat were served fried chicken and meat-of-the-day which was pot roast the day we went, several hot southern vegetables, salads, drink, dessert and biscuits.  I thought the food was fulfilling, tasty, good down-home comfort foods.  You can't visit Nashville without having a southern feast!

Monell's at the Manor is a historical, Colonial-style Mansion, with old southern charm.  When you step inside, you feel like you time-warped back to Gone With the Wind days, just beautiful.

Nashville was kind to us the four days we were there.  Definitely will be returning, especially to Gaylord for the new waterpark and see the winter wonderland.

But Wait!  That's Not All!

You know we always go out with a bang when we end our trips!


On our drive home, we stopped in Chattanooga, TN to visit Ruby Falls to see the 145-foot high underground waterfall located within Lookout Mountain.

Since it was the 4th of July when we went, Ruby Falls was packed with visitors descending 260 feet into historical Lookout Mountain by elevator.  Tour guides lead herds of people through the narrow paths through the caverns to explore the many unique geological formations inside, then to the breathtaking wonder of Ruby Falls.

I'm not going to lie; I was scared at first!  Will we get trapped inside?  Were there creatures that will pop out and attack?  What if we get lost?  So many worries were going through my head.

I thought Ruby Falls was just okay; highly priced to be cramped inside mostly waiting for other groups to past through.  Different color lighting of purple, blues, and reds was unnecessary taking away from the natural beauty inside the cavern.  Also, the grand finale of the Water Fall at the end was overshadowed by the dramatic music and different colored lights the guide turns on with a timer.

 

For those that are into walking through caves/caverns, you will feel disappointed by Ruby Falls, however, if it's your first time you may like it, especially kids.

I was told that they do have tours without the colored lighting, just flashlights, getting more of the authentic feel of being inside a cavern.  You may want to request that, unsure if it cost more though.


Another family vacation going down in history books!  Mr. M said this trip ranks one of the best we had; he came home feeling refreshed, not feeling he needed a vacation from his vacation.  I felt the same way too.

See you again soon Nashville and Chattanooga!

Check out more things to do in Nashville.

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