Spend a spring day in city of Nashville

It’s that time again- time for planning road trips to the beach, relieving homesickness and making preparations for a stress-free, fun-filled week with friends. Yes, spring break is right around the corner, and while some get excited for trips to Florida or home, others see spring break as just another boring week with nothing to do in Nashville. But this year, it doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of things to do around this town that don’t cost much money or gas mileage. If you’re staying in town this year, here are some ideas that will get you off the couch watching daytime television, and into the city and the sunshine.

1. Spend a day in the park. Who says you need to be on the beach to get a tan? The sun can be just as bright here in Nashville, and spending a day at Centennial Park can give you that fresh-from-Florida tan (weather permitting). Grab a Frisbee and a friend or a significant other and a picnic basket, and spend some quality time out in the sun. If you need to take a break from the heat, check out the Parthenon, with full-size replicas of the originals in Athens, Greece. A tour is only $6, and people come from all over the world to see it. Southern Living calls it a “must see,” and since Belmont is so close, why not? For info: www.Nashville.gov/parks/

2. Spend a day with the animals. You’re never too old to go to the zoo, and the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is right around the corner for those who long to be a kid again. For $13 per person, you can experience a day surrounded by animals from all over the world, or play on their giant jungle gym, the largest community-built playground in the United States. You can also stick around for a “keeper talks,” where you’ll get an inside look at a day in the life of a zookeeper, and learn some interesting facts about the animals as well. Whether you choose to stay indoors with the reptiles, feed the birds at the aviary, crane your neck looking up at a giraffe, there’s never a dull moment at the zoo, and Spring Break is the perfect time to visit. For more info: www.nashvillezoo.org

3. Spend a day at the mansion. Sure, we walk by it every day, but have you ever really been inside the Belmont Mansion? The tour is really pretty neat. Learn all about Adelicia Acklen, one of the wealthiest women in the south, and take a look at the elegantly furnished rooms, and check out the art and architecture. This tour is great for those who love history, art, or who have a real appreciation for architecture. The gift shop is also a neat place to visit (and a good place to get cheap souvenir presents for parents and family members). Admission is $10, and it’s a piece of Belmont’s history worth having. For info: on the mansion: www.belmontmansion.com

So, now you have a few ideas of some fun, cheap things to do over spring break. If you’re still struggling, look into the different mission trips Belmont offers during this time, or go downtown to listen to free music, or google Nashville attractions for more places to visit. You may be surprised at how much cool, cheap, fun stuff there is to do in the city after all. Who needs the beach, anyway?