Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Day 3 You'll See:
Day 4 You'll See:
Reward your students for a job well done with this sweetly Southern holiday featuring historic plantation tours, a trip to the zoo, a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and a fabulous showboat luncheon cruise in the grandest “ole Nashville” fashion!
1
Nashville Zoo
Sunny Music City isn’t just the home of country music! It’s also where you’ll find a fabulously progressive and dynamic, conservation-oriented zoological park! The ever-expanding Nashville Zoo opened in 1991 and has become the area’s #1 attraction, hosting over three-quarters of a million eager visitors each year; its demographic is comprised of thousands of fascinating furred, feathered, finned and scaled residents – almost 400 species - all thriving in healthy and happy, daily-enriched environments. While you’re there, check out the Soaring Eagle zipline - the Zoo’s newest attraction that takes TWO zippers at a time on an exhilarating two-way tree-top trek! Zoofari is hard work; a variety of dining options scattered throughout the park ensure a well-fueled expedition, and a spin on the carousel or a train ride through uncharted Zoo territories affords a perfect opportunity to relax, regroup - and recharge. All aboard the Wilderness Express!
Escape Game
Ready, set, ESCAPE! Nashville's very own escape adventure awaits your group next, the Escape Game being the perfect attraction for thrill-seekers, quick thinkers, and those in need of some serious excitement. The Escape Game provides guests with 'an escape from ordinary life that allows you to live the stories you love', so instead of spending time watching a screen full of heroes escaping close calls and impressing audiences with thrilling stunts, you will get to do the escaping yourself! There are two locations in Nashville, one on 3rd Avenue and one on Iris Drive. The location on Iris Drive offers more game options, though both are the exact same quality of unique entertainment and fun. So get ready for an interactive adventure like no other, one full of teamwork, quick thinking, urgency, and determination!
2
Nashville Farmer's Market
The Nashville Farmer’s Market is THE place to go for the best, freshest and most creative of everything under the sun! NFM is home year-round to hundreds of farmers and ranchers, artisans, restaurateurs, shop-owners, crafters and flea merchants; you’ll discover prime locally raised/grown meats, seasonal produce and live plants, flowers and herbs, handcrafted soaps and candles, cheeses, honey, baked goods, special events, live entertainment, and great eats right here!
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
The Southern Sun is shining down on your 2nd day in Music City, and you’re off to tour the historic plantation home of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Guests of the meticulously restored and impeccably maintained Hermitage Plantation, once Jackson’s refuge from life in the public eye, are afforded a glimpse of the seventh president’s time on the “farm” (as he called it) where he pursued a comfortable, self-sufficient existence with his wife and their adopted family as well as his life’s true passion of raising racehorses. Wander the breathtaking acreage and gardens, ponder the enslaved memorials and slavery-related artifacts and visit what remains of the original historic log home – dissembled and repurposed by Jackson after moving into the Mansion – as well as the stately tomb where he and his beloved Rachel are buried.
General Jackson Showboat
The magnificent 300 foot General Jackson – the largest showboat in the world – regularly ferries guests past natural and man-made landmarks and points of interest on Nashville’s scenic Cumberland River, treating them to unmatched views of the Tennessee countryside from her four massive decks. On this relaxing mid-day luncheon cruise, you’ll enjoy the sumptuous flavors of a Southern buffet followed by Nashville Live – a country music variety spectacular featuring a world-class cast including two rising country artists, down-home comedy, and a live country band. The show’s repertoire spans the classic hits by Patsy Cline, George Jones and Tammy Wynette for a quintessential showboat experience in the grand ole Nashville tradition!
3
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Rise and shine, sleepyheads! You’re kicking off Day 3 with a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This premier Music City institution, where Country Music’s biggest names – from Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins to Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and George Strait - are honored in grand Nashville fashion, recently revealed an impressive 210,000 square foot expansion nearly doubling the iconic Museum’s size with fresh and exciting updates including additional exhibit space, innovative retail, entertainment and education areas and a beautiful new Event hall affording guests breathtaking views overlooking Nashville’s dazzling skyline. The Hall of Fame’s permanent chronological exhibition has been refreshed as well, to include scores of exciting new artifacts from some of today’s hottest Country talents, including Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, and Carrie Underwood.
Wildhorse Saloon
See the latest in live entertainment, learn the newest dance steps and dine on award-winning Southern smokehouse foods all under one roof! 66,000 square feet of good ole fashion southern music, dancing, food, and fun awaits your group at Wildhorse Saloon, one of the most iconic Nashville restaurants and dance halls around. Wildhorse Saloon provides guests with 3 full floors of entertainment and has been doing so since 1994, seeing an average of 1.5 million guests come through its massive doors annually. As a part of a student group, you will be guaranteed your own reserved seating area altogether, no waiting in line and no cover charge. Your food is ready upon arrival. Each package is inclusive of food, beverage, any noted additional entertainment, line dancing, and tax/gratuity.
Lunch Programs for Student Groups: Star for a Day (in conjunction with the Country Music Hall of Fame. You will book and do the recording session at Studio B and then come to us for the lunch where we will play your CD over our sound system! Please book Studio B directly through the Hall of Fame. Exceptions can be made if you prefer to do this package at dinner instead of lunch)
Belle Meade Plantation
You’ll wrap up your Music City-fabulous getaway with a trip to a magnificent Greek Revival plantation mansion, formerly home to one of the largest slave populations in Nashville history. This character-guided tour of an exquisite 1853 home and plantation highlights including a dairy, mausoleum, stable, massive carriage house, garden, and log cabin is an absolutely immersive “Southern Experience” not to be missed! Hear the fascinating account of the plantation’s rich past through the eyes of the aristocratic Harding and Jackson Family and the skilled laborers who invested heart and soul in the collective vision of making Belle Meade America’s Premier Thoroughbred Horse Farm. Afterward, a sumptuous lunch at The Harding House will charm your hearts with “Southern Plantation-Style” hospitality while tempting your taste buds with enticing menu offerings of regional favorites including Overnight Caramel rolls, Fried Green Tomatoes, Candied Pecan Spinach Salad, and Low Country Shrimp and Grits all served up with trademark Belle Meade flair. Warm, whipped-cream-topped Pecan Fudge Pie for dessert? Perfect.
4
Tennessee State Capitol
Appearing much as it did when it first opened in 1859, after 14 challenging years of construction, the Tennessee State Capitol serves as a commanding tribute to the people of Tennessee and the crowning achievement of noted architect William Strickland, who died unexpectedly during the project and was buried in the north façade. Inside the impressively appointed building, guests will find marble columns and elaborate light fixtures a range of fascinating artwork and artifact of the day on display. The building itself is a fine example of 19th-century renderings as well as a testament to our growth as a nation. Magnificent statuary honoring Sam Davis, Sgt. Alvin York, and Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson, as well as the tombs of President and Mrs. James K. Polk, are situated on the Capitol grounds as well.
Parthenon
Welcome to the centerpiece of Centennial Park in downtown Nashville, the Parthenon. Located in Nashville’s premier urban park, this art museum/architectural wonder is the world’s only full-size replica of the Parthenon and houses the tallest indoor sculpture in the nation, of the Greek goddess Athena. The re-creation of the 42 foot Athena is an authentic Ancient Greece full-scale replica that was originally created in 1897 as a featured piece of the Centennial Exposition. Your group can also see photos, memorabilia, and souvenirs from the original Centennial Exposition inside. Make sure you stop by the gift shop and visitors center and feel the full experience of the "Athens of the South."
Milky Way Farms
On your way home stop just an hour south of Nashville in Pulaski, Tennessee. Here your group will find one of the most unique historic attractions in the area, Milky Way Farms. Known as the 'Tennessee Chocolate Estate', this 1930's Tudor Mansion belonged to chocolate magnate Frank Mars, leader and namesake of the wildly popular confectionary brand Mars Chocolate. Milky Way Farm serves as an event venue, historic tour headquarters, outdoor adventure hotspot, and popular student field trip stop. Delicious country breakfasts and group lunches are available during your visit, as are hayrides, treasure hunts, bonfires hiking, and games. There are various trails, pastures, and Richland Creek paths to explore amid the 1100 acre property, with several local animals scattered about such as deer, turkey, sheep, and horses.