Experience a Summer of More at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee

It is no exaggeration to say that Gaylord Opryland is one of my family’s favorite places to visit. This family-friendly hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, has nine acres of indoor gardens and is an all-in-one resort: It offers basically everything in one place. You’ll find an upscale indoor/outdoor water attraction SoundWaves, restaurants and shops, a full-service spa, events and entertainment happening all day and much more.

Gaylord Opryland is amazing all throughout the year, but it really shines during the summer. This summer, we visited for the Summer of More, where guests are invited to enjoy more adventure, more aquatic fun, more exploration and relaxation, as well as plenty of fantasy-filled fun in Pirates & Princesses-themed activities.

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SoundWaves Indoor and Outdoor Waterpark

I only need one word to describe SoundWaves, the upscale aquatic attraction located inside Gaylord Opryland: Wow! This indoor and outdoor waterpark has lots of attractions, including Nashville’s only FlowRider®, eleven waterslides, rapid and lazy rivers, a wave pool, a water playground for young kids, water obstacle courses, and lots more.  

If you’re looking to relax and unwind with your family, there are plenty of opportunities to do that at SoundWaves. Gaylord Opryland has lots of neat features throughout the waterpark that make your visit comfortable, like human dryers (pod-like dryers that surround you with warm air to help you dry off), and a snack bar with lots of food options for kids. Guests can also rent one of the several indoor or outdoor cabanas located throughout SoundWaves, which offer a private place to relax. Cabanas are equipped with a refrigerator, TV and a designated food and beverage attendant.

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The fun at SoundWaves doesn’t end in the water. There is also an arcade with virtual reality games, a rock-climbing wall, game tables and more.

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Pirate and Princess Themed Fun

Gaylord Opryland is great for families with kids because there is always something fun happening throughout the year. This summer, the theme is pirates and princesses! Young guests can look forward to special events and activities, like:

  • Pirate & Princess Academy | Step into a fantasy world to experience the story of Princess Magnolia during a live interactive show.
  • The Captain’s Hidden Treasure Escape Room | Solve puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers, and hunt for clues to escape.
  • The Shiny Stash Scavenger Hunt | Searching throughout the resort for treasure hidden by the Princess! This interactive  scavenger hunt challenges guests to solve riddles and puzzles that lead them to the kingdom’s riches. 
  • Treasure Trove Art Studio | Let your inner artist shine while creating pirate and princess-inspired arts and crafts.
  • Royal Tots Tea & Treats | Indulge in tea and treats while interacting with Princess Magnolia.  
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Delta Riverboat Ride

One of my family’s favorite features of Gaylord Opryland is the river that winds its way throughout the resort’s Delta Atrium. During our visit, we climbed aboard the Delta Riverboat, which was transformed into a themed ride: Battle for Blue Diamond Boat Ride. We got a show filled with pirates and sword mistresses as they “invaded” the Delta River!

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General Jackson Showboat

There is so much to do and see at Gaylord Opryland, you could definitely spend your entire vacation never stepping foot outside of the resort. But if you want to experience the city of Nashville, one very popular and family-friendly way to do that is by stepping on board the General Jackson Showboat. This famous 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat offers scenic views as you cruise down the Cumberland River.

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Our evening cruise also included dinner, which was a three course Southern meal, as well as live entertainment in the two-story Victorian Theater on the boat. It was a unique way to see the beautiful downtown Nashville skyline as the sun set on a lovely day.

Guests staying at Gaylord Opryland can take a free shuttle to and from the General Jackson Showboat, which makes it easy to relax and enjoy your excursion. 

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More Info

Summer of More activities are happening at Gaylord Opryland now through September 5. For more information about Gaylord Opryland Resort and to book an overnight stay, room package, or events and activities, visit GaylordOpryland.com.  

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