Family-friendly Fall Weekend in Nashville

Arrive in Nashville and check into your hotel. After settling in, head out to Denim, the rooftop bar at The Joseph, for happy hour. If your family is staying at the hotel, the kids will love the rooftop pool (just keep in mind it has a "relax and unwind" vibe) and the adults can enjoy an expertly curated cocktail by the pool that overlooks downtown Nashville. The "Out of Office" cocktail is a particular favorite.

When stomachs start growling, get your group together and enjoy the easy walk to Assembly Food Hall. There is literally something for everyone here with over 30 eateries and bars. No matter how picky of an eater you may be at your party, this place will have something to satisfy every appetite! From hot chicken to tacos to pizza to sushi to desserts and more... Assembly Food Hall is on the do-not-miss list!

After dinner, take a nighttime stroll down Broadway. Yes, it may be crowded and the music coming out of each venue can be a bit loud, but the kids will enjoy the excitement of being in the heart of the action. There are lots of stores and boutiques to visit with varying souvenirs, hats, boots and belt buckles and Savannah's Candy Kitchen is not to be missed — the array of goodies is irresistible!

Start your day with a sugar overload! You are on vacation, right? I highly recommend Parlor Doughnuts for a quick, easy and yummy way to get your day started. The kids will be in awe at the size and the many flavors to choose from.

After breakfast, our group headed out on the short walk to Nissan Stadium to see a football game but if sporting events are not on your list of things to do, there are many other family-friendly activities to take advantage of. Head over to the Frist Art Museum, where admission is free for visitors under the age of 18, or The Parthenon, which boasts that it is the only detailed and exact-size replica of the temple in Athens, Greece, in the world! Another family-friendly favorite is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum which also includes the Taylor Swift Education Center which features hands-on activities and is open during the museum hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm daily. Plan on spending about 2 hours at the museum and know ahead of time that the museum has a timed ticketing system. I highly recommend enjoying lunch at Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint after your morning activities. It's tasty, all made-from-scratch and has plenty of seating.

Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. There are lots of mural spots throughout Nashville which make for great photos and memories!

For a unique, seasonal and authentic fine Italian dining experience at dinner, I recommend making reservations at Yolan. Michelin-starred chef Tony Mantuano curates the menu. He and wine expert Cathy Mantuano create an unforgettably distinctive and special evening. This dinner experience would not be ideal if the children in your group are younger, however for older teens that are adventurous eaters, it would be a very special treat.  Keep in mind that Nashville is an amazing foodie town and there are loads of choices. Make sure to check menus ahead of time so you know if it will work for everyone in your group. Here are a few other restaurants I would recommend: Audrey, Urban Cookhouse, White Duck Taco Shop, Etch, Husk and Sunflower Cafe.

Enjoy brunch at Pancake Pantry. The line outside can get long at times, but it is worth the wait for a made-from-scratch breakfast! The blueberry pancakes are divine and enjoy a brunch flight if you can't decide between a bloody mary or a mimosa.

After brunch, gather your group together to head out in an Uber or rental car to Game Terminal. I cannot recommend this place enough for groups with kids. The cost of entry is $10 for each child, but then all of the arcade games are free. The pinball machine tokens are $1.00 each and the outside area has cornhole, jenga and shuffleboard games for all to enjoy. Game Terminal houses one of the biggest selections of pinball machines and arcade games in the country. It is definitely a place where the kids can be kids and the adults can enjoy being kids as well!

Enjoy your afternoon at your leisure.

For dinner, enjoy sophisticated Mexican recipes at Calacas Mexican Cuisine. The concept for the restaurant is inspired by Día de los Muertos and celebrating family, friends, cuisine and culture. I recommend ordering the salsa and guacamole tasting and don't forget the churros! Yummy!

Depending on the time of your flight, enjoy your morning at your leisure before heading to the airport or getting on the road.

Sadly, another travel experience has come to a close. So, where should we go next?