Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn., is Disneyland, a Caribbean cruise and a spectacular resort and convention center all rolled into one. It is the perfect destination for the entire family looking for a little break during the holidays. Nine acres of botanical gardens, 50,000 tropical plants, a quarter mile-long indoor river and cascading waterfalls are all maintained inside the giant atriums at 72 degrees year round. That means you can escape the chill of winter as soon as you check in.
The tropical temperature controlled resort will still give you the authentic thrills of the holiday season. In fact, Gaylord Opryland Resort’s “A Country Christmas” was named as one of the “Ten Great Places to Catch up with Santa” by USA Today; the hotel was named “The Most Christmassy Hotel in the Nation” by the Travel Channel’s Extreme Christmas; “One of the top 10 places to spend Christmas in the world by Travel + Leisure and a “Nashville treasure” by Southern Living.
With more than two million twinkling lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, acres of stunning decorations and exclusive holiday events and attractions, Gaylord Opryland offers many activities to capture the minds of the young and the old.
“A Country Christmas” runs from November 15, 2012 through January 1, 2013 and puts on a dozen shows and attractions including Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas Dinner and Show; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes; ICE!, featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek the Halls (carved from 2 million pounds of ice); Holly Jolly Town Square; Treasures for the Holidays craft show and more.
The little ones can have interactive experiences starring favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. films such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar. The Christmassy DreamWorks Experience features the resort’s popular ShrekFeast Interactive Character Meal, “Character Passport” meet and greets, Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating, DreamWorks-themed scavenger hunt and Holiday Shrektacular street party. Now, that’s a lot more fun than unwrapping toys!
The festivities continue with Holly Jolly Town Square, a step back in time to a nostalgic 1950’s town square, complete with shops from Main Street, a holiday kids’ train, story time with Mrs. Claus at the library and live entertainment.
For adults, there are amazing restaurants, a spa, a pool, shopping and concerts. Couples can enjoy a romantic afternoon strolling along the shops at the Italian-style Magnolia pavilion, taking a boat ride down the river or watching the water fountains dance to a sound and light show at the Delta Atrium at night. Being home to country music, a number of live performances and entertainment are held daily at Opryland. Really, there is no need to leave the premises.
Deciding where to dine may be more difficult than you had originally thought. Twenty restaurants offer everything from British pub, Italian, Mexican, sushi and contemporary fast food to an upscale steakhouse that has its own sommelier and maître fromager. The food is prepared by some of the best chefs in the country and the service is exceptional.
Gaylord Opryland offers the most captivating holiday resort entertainment, decor and food in America, and the perfect venue to make family memories this season.