A Soulful RV Family Thanksgiving
So we finally did it! Our first holiday spent camping in the rig. We selected one of our favorite campgrounds in Nashville, Tennessee to host what may be our newest family tradition. The Nashville KOA on Music Valley Drive is just a stone’s throw away from the Grand Ole Opry. Yeah, yeah I know what you may be thinking… country music? Despite the fact that we are not big fans of country music (although, I must admit country music isn’t all that bad), the city of Nashville and the Nashville KOA were a perfect backdrop for a Soulful RV Family Thanksgiving adventure.
I was a bit nervous about how I was going to cook a major meal and host a few friends and family from the RV. I mean on Thanksgiving our families usually get together to cook up a feast and I certainly did not want to give that up. I mean let’s face it, the RV kitchen does not offer the space and gadgets that my home kitchen affords me! So my mother, my cousin and I went into “Operation Soul Food” planning, prep and execution. 
I must say it was easier than I thought and the Nashville KOA provided the perfect outdoor venue to keep my boys entertained.
While the ladies and I divided the work between two RV kitchens (my mom’s RV was included in this mission), my awesome husband was able to entertain the boys easily at the campground with a “modified” game of bowling, checkers, chess and just plain old fun…
Meanwhile, back at the RV the ladies were getting things done! If my grandmother could have made this trip, she sure would have been proud! Mission complete.
Thank you Nashville KOA for making our first Thanksgiving in our RV one of the best ones yet! Oh, wait, we are certainly not done yet….
Alright, well the meal has been eaten, I need to burn off some calories and the kiddos are ready to explore Nashville. It is time to see what type of family fun there is to be had here!
First stop will be the Adventure Science Center located within a short drive of the KOA. Our boys are very much into the solar system right now so this was an awesome little spot for them.
I must say that the adults were not left out of the fun either!
This place had a little something for every age to enjoy. Bonus! They are members of the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Center) Travel Passport Program. If your family has a membership to your local science center or museum then you may be eligible to enjoy free admission for your entire family to this and many other museums across the country.
This is definitely a place that you want to bring the family to.
Next up, a little history lesson and stroll through Fort Negley, the largest inland fort built during the civil war. This was a perfect stop to burn some turkey day calories.
The boys were amazed to learn how African-American men were utilized in the construction of this fort, but they were also confused by the reality of their treatment during this time.
The staff here in the visitors center was very knowledgeable and more than eager to supply the kids with historical information about the fort and its significance to Nashville.
What visit to Nashville is complete without stopping to enjoy a local staple, Hot Chicken at Hattie B’s. If you are brave enough to try the spicier selections on the menu like me, go ahead and ask for the extra slice of bread. You will be glad you did. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert at Gigi’s Cupcakes located conveniently next door.
Also, during our stay we heard about the Parthenon. It is a full-size replica of what the Parthenon in Greece originally may have looked like during its time.
This replica of the Parthenon, which was originally built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition, stands tall in the middle of Centennial Park. This was an awesome place to visit for the boys and the adults alike.
Are there any Commodores fans out there? No, not the Motown sensation, we are in Nashville remember. The Vanderbilt University Commodores are right across the street from the park.
On our last night, we decided to take the kids to a drive-thru Christmas light show that was being offered at a nearby campground. It was a stunning winter wonderland of Christmas lights, synchronized to music and the kids were just memorized. What a wonderful ending to an awesome long holiday weekend.
I have only one regret. Due to the holiday shopping frenzy that typically follows the Thanksgiving holiday, we were unable unwilling to battle the crowds to get into ICE at the Gaylord Convention Center. I am told that this is “a must” to experience with the kids during the holidays. This exhibit features over two million pounds of ice sculptures and ice slides to enjoy. This is one holiday attraction that may have us returning to the Nashville sooner than we thought!
Check out a bunch of our pictures here: Picture Gallery
Nashville has never disappointed us and the Nashville KOA will be seeing the Soulful RV Family again…real soon.
Soulful RV Family insider Tips about Nashville KOA
- Book a Deluxe or premium site. These patio Sites come complete with wood burning stoves and patio furniture. These spacious sites fit longer units with ease. There was tons of space and the cemented in fireplace was great to stay warm and of course for S’mores!. Note: in these sites, the fire pit was far enough away that the smoke didn’t get trapped in out awning. Don’t we all hate that?
- We have visited this KOA in both Summer and Fall. They are in the process of remodeling the pool and playground. Until it’s finished there is no kids playground. Once it’s complete in a few months, it should be a great place for the whole family to enjoy. UPDATE –The pool will be completed by April and will feature an expansive pool deck, in-pool seating, and a hot tub. It is going to be awesome and in line with Nashville KOA’s look and feel.
- Check with the front desk about the shuttle. They use a shuttle service that will take you into Nashville round trip in only $10 (current pricing). You don’t want or need to fight with Nashville traffic or worry about parking. Let someone else drive!
- Very friendly staff. All the other campers we have met have been fantastic people. Clean, safe RV park. But isn’t this one of the big reasons we choose KOA in the first place?
- The Nashville KOA will also be announced as a Resort property in 2016. You can find more details on what this means for campers here: http://koa.com/koa-resort-campgrounds. Trust us this is great news!
- Lastly, the campground in close to the main highway. We choose a site (L15) not directly next to the outer walls. Street noise was never a problem. We were more worried about the noise our boys were making!
