What Should We Do This Year?

Brigid Day - Nashville
January 24, 2012

January is the time of year for list-making. Some of us like to make lists all year long, but the beginning of the year provides a wonderful time to set goals. Here are ten things to check out this year while living in or visiting Nashville:

The Martin ArtQuest Interactive Gallery, located in the upper level of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, beckons to children and adults alike. Visitors to ArtQuest are treated to stations of visual and textural activities that encourage sketching, painting, and exploring art. Stations change as the exhibits in the museum change, so there is always something new. Children younger than 18 enjoy free admission to the museum, and the cafe downstairs has a special menu just for the little ones.

Kids seem to never run out of energy. Fresh air and exercise are key to a good night's sleep. Just because it's winter doesn't mean your family can't enjoy a hike at Radnor Lake. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, listen for various animal sounds, and check out the native plant life year round.

Want to make a special day even better? Pack your lunch for a courtyard picnic to enjoy after a Wishing Chair Productions show at the Nashville Public Library. Anansi the Spider will be weaving his tale on Fridays and Saturdays from Jan 27 through Feb 16th.

The Pied Piper series provides an interactive and education outing for families during the four Saturday-morning performances by the Nashville Symphony. Where else can you see an Instrument Petting Zoo? On February 18th, Noise and Silence battle each other while Music tries to bring back harmony to the orchestra during the performance of Music, Noise and Silence.

If you haven't visited yet, plan to spend a morning at the beautiful Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum. The Tuesday for Tots program offers a new hands-on art project each week. Backpack Adventure offers a way for children to get more involved during their visit. Pick up a backpack at the beginning of your visit to find activities like the Cheekwood Challenge card game and clues to discover the patterns in the Japanese Garden. The Wild West Weekend on March 3-4th is just icing on the cake. Activities abound, but there are plenty of grounds to find a quiet spot for a family picnic.

Nashville Children's Theatre celebrates 80 years by featuring Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type from April 3 through May 13. Free pre-show activities and entertainment take place one hour prior to  the opening Saturday show on April 7th.

Free tours of the Nissan Manufacturing plant are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 615-459-1444. Guests must be five years of age and the tour lasts about an hour and a half. Cell phones, cameras, flip flops, and sandals are not permitted, but safety goggles are provided. See firsthand how robotics are used on the assembly line and learn ways that Nissan is going green.

Nashville Shores Waterpark is the place to go to cool off from the crazy summer heat. From the treehouse filled with water sprays, to the wave pool, wading pool, and beach front, Nashville Shores has something for all the water lovers in your family. Just don't forget your sunscreen.

Summer brings a plethora of outdoor concerts to Crockett Park and Centennial Park as well as movies in the park, art festivals, craft fairs, and Earth Day festivities. Shakespeare in the park will be performing Much Ado About Nothing from August 16 to Sept 16 at Centennial Park.

Nothing says summer like a good baseball game. A Nashville Sounds baseball game is the perfect place to take the whole family for an afternoon or evening of old-fashioned fun. Sit back and watch the greatest American past time combining reasonably priced tickets and seats close to the field for a winning outing.