(This article may or may not contain affiliate links. What does that mean?)
Nashville is an 8-hour road trip from our home in Metro Detroit. If you’ve ever traveled with a teenager, you know it’s a mix of eye-rolling, charger-negotiating, and I’m-hungry-pleas every couple of hours.
But, Nashville is worth it.
Between the festive lights on Broadway, the excitement of a Predators game, and some perfectly timed mom-approved stops, we turned a chilly winter break into a fun-filled adventure.
[lwptoc]
NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT OR BOOKMARK IT FOR LATER!
Broadway Street: Where Mom Embarrasses Herself and Son Feigns Ignorance
Broadway during the holidays is like two-stepping into a country music snow globe. The street is decked out in twinkling lights, and the air is electric—filled with crooning country stars and wailing guitars.
Of course, my son pretended he was too cool for all of it. But let me tell you, watching street performers while devouring chili dogs from a food truck is all kinds of magic.
There is something kind of important that we need to talk about though.
Here is the deal, moms- as the night wears on, Broadway Street is going to be inundated with drunken women in rhinestone ensembles that would make even Dolly Parton blush.
The last official count had more than 30,000 bachelorette parties taking place in Nashville. Why? Cowboys and Honky Tonks is my best guess.
Anyhow, my son and I found ourselves in the thick of it after a Predators game on a Saturday night. I’m talking bumper-to-bumper open-top busloads of bachelorettes shaking their stuff, hooting and hollering while we walked back to our hotel.
If you find yourself in this situation, you have two options: feign ignorance or embrace it. I chose the latter.
Pro tip: If you happen to break into an impromptu dance on the corner of the street at the bachelorette’s prompting, your teen will absolutely deny knowing you. But, it is going to be so worth it.
Get your boots ready! ©Photo by Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash
Smashville Fever: The Predators Game
Hockey games in Smashville aren’t just games; they’re full-on productions. It’s hockey meets Taylor Swift concert energy. And we were so here for it!
In our larger-than-life foam cowboy hats, we cheered, we ate pretzels that were bigger than our faces, and I think I’ve officially learned what hooking is. (And it has nothing to do with anything that happens on Broadway Street!) Anyhow, the fun atmosphere with the friendly fans who chanted, “He shoots. He scores. You suck!” with the seriously sweetest southern twang (that had me second-guessing if I really heard that last bit right) made it feel like a winter wonderland.
Don’t even think about wearing anything other than yellow (or a little blue). ©Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
Mom’s Retreat: Parnassus Books
I told my son I needed “just a few minutes” at Parnassus Books, which, if you’re a book-loving mom, you know is code for “I’ll see you in an hour.” After all, Parnassus is owned by the PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author Ann Patchett. If anyone knows how to cultivate a bountiful garden of books, it’s this woman!
The shop felt like a holiday movie set, with its cozy shelves, wandering pups, and carefully thought-out displays. While my son played on his phone in the corner (we call this compromise at its finest), I browsed to my heart’s content.
I left with a nose-high stack of books and absolutely zero regrets.
Lucky for my son, he scored a giant burrito at Chipotle next door right afterward. Win-win.
Hatch Show Print: A Dose of History and Hands-On Fun
For a teen who generally sees museum exhibits as napping opportunities, Hatch Show Print was a hit. The hands-on printmaking workshop had him engaged (shocking, I know), and he even made a poster that he proudly declared “not terrible.” The shop itself was bursting with holiday vibes, and I snagged a festive print to bring home. Plus, watching my son operate a printing press made me briefly imagine he was a turn-of-the-century craftsman, which is hilarious because he can barely operate our microwave.
Printmaking magic at Hatch. ©Photo by Marcus dePaula on Unsplash
By the end of the trip, we were both exhausted and happy. Nashville has a way of blending electrifying fun with cozy holiday charm. It was an ideal place to spend a weekend with my 13-year-old. Sure, there were eye rolls and moments when I seriously questioned my sanity, but seeing my son light up at the Predators game wearing that ridiculous foam cowboy hat was worth every bit of it.
So, if you’re thinking about taking your teenager to Nashville, just go. You can thank me later.
DON’T MISS! Fun Things to Do in Vegas with Teens
When You Go
Planning Your Trip
Packing for a winter trip to Nashville with a teen is all about balancing comfort and style to explore the city. Think layers—light sweaters, a warm coat, and a hat for chilly nights on Broadway or at a Predators game. Comfortable shoes are a must. There is guaranteed to be lots of walking (because there just isn’t a lot of parking). Toss in a festive outfit for holiday events or a nice dinner, and definitely don’t forget a backpack for carrying snacks or souvenirs. With Nashville’s unpredictable winter weather, an umbrella or rain jacket could save the day.
Getting to Nashville from LA
Getting to Nashville from Los Angeles is easiest by air, with multiple daily direct flights that take about four hours. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is just a 15-minute drive from downtown, so you’ll be in Music City in no time.
Where to Stay
The Grand Hyatt in downtown Nashville is as close to perfect as it gets for a mom-and-son duo. This iconic Broadway Street hotel has the tallest rooftop lounge in the city, which means the views are hard to beat. My son was obsessed with the luxury sports cars constantly parked out front, and I was obsessed with the fact that the hotel had a Starbucks in the lobby.
This hotel’s lobby is enormous and decorated with comfy seating warmed by a fireplace, live music, and a welcoming staff. The concierge was particularly helpful in creating a sensible itinerary for us, and he even set us up with matching umbrellas so that a rainy Saturday morning wouldn’t ruin our plans. From our hotel, we were within walking distance of all of the city attractions that would’ve cost money to park at, so we were more than happy to foot it.
After an eventful day exploring Nashville, I loved lounging in the hotel’s plush white robe in my super cozy bed while my son enjoyed piping hot room-service french fries. We slept easy and well here.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER PINNING IT OR SHARING IT!
