Find out why Nashville is one of BabyZone's Top 10 Family Travel Hot Spots:

Music City has long been considered The Place to Be for aspiring musicians and music lovers. But Nashville, Tennessee, is also a great travel destination for families.

Middle Tennessee is bursting with outdoor family activities. Attend festivals and concerts at the Cumberland River Walk, shop, dine, and stroll in the Historic District of Franklin, or enjoy one of the area's treasured parks. There is a city, county, or national park just around the corner no matter where you are in Nashville, and you'll find many with activities and programs for children. Most have picnic areas, green space, and large playgrounds suitable for children from toddlers to grade-schoolers.

Children will have fun while expanding their minds at one of Nashville's many great museums for kids. The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring and Adventure Science Center offer hands-on exploration for toddlers and preschoolers. You may even catch Mom, Dad, and the occasional teenager having a blast. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is quickly becoming one of the premier zoos in the country, and they take special care to include activities for young children. The zoo features an animal carousel ride, a cool bird habitat, and one of the largest playgrounds in the country.

If you are on a budget, enjoy walking along the streets of Nashville and visiting its many shops, restaurants, or local attractions. Downtown Nashville is located along the Cumberland River, where you can visit Historic Fort Nashborough or check out the Nashville Farmers Market and Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park—all within walking distance of one another. For lunch, grab a bite to eat at the Wildhorse Saloon, a surprisingly kid-friendly establishment with great food, life-sized horse statues dressed in silly attire, three floors to explore, and a huge dance floor.

Just planning to spend a day in Nashville? Set your sights on the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort. More than a hotel, this place is an experience! You could spend all day enjoying the shops, eateries, rides, and views the hotel offers. Kids ages three to 12 will love the Kids Station Resort, a drop-in, on-site childcare facility where children can play while Mom and Dad explore Nashville. The resort offers a variety of themed vacation packages with prices ranging from $85 to $400 per night. Also, the hotel is only a few short steps from Opry Mills, a large outlet center complete with a huge movie theater, Imax, several great sit-down restaurants, and of course, tons of shopping.