ECONOGAL

Recently members of our extended family gathered in Nashville for the weekend. Three generations enjoyed music, food, and horse racing at nearby Kentucky Downs. Most were veterans of attending the races, but a few experienced the excitement for the first time.

Scorching hot weather throughout the visit impacted activities to a certain extent. But plenty of options are available for those seeking relief from the sun. Furthermore, food, music, and shopping rivaled anyplace in the United States, including places such as New Orleans.

Much of the family stayed in the Gulch area of Nashville. The experience was terrific and I highly recommend the location, especially for families. The Homewood Suites was our headquarters and the new facility was top notch, especially with respect to customer service.

The Gulch is very walkable yet does not have the same vibe as Broadway. Although restaurants and bars are plentiful, the crowds are not as extensive, loud, nor quite as inebriated. Shopping areas lean retail clothing and household goods. Boutiques and national chains sit side by side. Paddywax Candle Bar offers group sessions as well as retail items. Keep this spot in mind if you want to schedule a group activity.

Just down the street, lines are often found at the Nashville What Lifts You Wings Mural. There is even a toddler sized set of wings for the photo op. Since it was the end of summer, flowers bloomed everywhere. I love shopping in areas like the Gulch.

Our first night in Nashville we ventured over to the Honky-Tonks downtown. Our destination; The Stillery. This outstanding restaurant serves great food in a relaxed atmosphere. Tyler Camp was performing that night and everyone from the toddlers to the grandparents enjoyed the experience. Fortunately, we are all in good shape because the dining area and stage were up a long flight of stairs.

The last night in Nashville offered another great meal. A short walk from the hotel The Gumbo Brothers is tucked in near The Lucchese Boot Store. The restaurant is a narrow bar in front that opens into a larger seating area at the back. Perfect for our small group. Everything was outstanding from the po’boy sandwiches and fries, to the red beans and rice and the exquisite Antoine’s Voodoo Pasta. No wonder so many of the locals hang out here.

Just up the interstate is Kentucky Downs, an all-turf racecourse for thoroughbreds. It also hosts a casino, but I’m not sure anyone wandered over there. This is a smaller track than either Churchill Downs or Keeneland and it has changed much in the last fifteen years.

The racing is European style with both left and right turns as well as hills to challenge the horses. The vibe is very friendly. The youngsters can play outside on grassy areas and get up close to the track. If you are attending on a very hot day, it is worth it to buy seats in the limited air-conditioned areas.

The best part of the weekend was the family gathering. Even though only about twenty-five members of the family were able to attend, celebrating family connections was a strong theme. Generation Four was great to watch. The two oldest were great role models for the rest. Gen 3 was represented by six of the cousins and their spouses or significant others as appropriate. The family is so large and spread out that large gatherings are limited to weddings. So, this get together was tinged with nostalgia.

Finally, the three siblings attending see each other more regularly. But it was nice to have kids and grandkids in tow. Please enjoy the slideshow and consider adding Nashville to your vacation travel plans.