Most of us, if not all of us, have sweet experiences and memories stored up from our time at the zoo as children. It was a magical thing to see lions and tigers and bears, slurp up ice cream cones on our way to the petting zoo, or shiver our way through a reptile show. It's such an exciting experience to find yourself smack dab in the middle of the animal kingdom. Here in Tennessee, though, it's not just limited to the daytime. One of our favorite annual events is the Zzzoofari Slumber at the Nashville Zoo. Read on to learn how you can stay overnight here with the animals!
The Nashville area features some wonderful family-friendly establishments.
One of them is the Nashville Zoo. It has long been renowned for its fantastic layout, gorgeous animal exhibits, and kind employees. It has only grown in popularity and charm in the last decade, attracting families from all over the city and state.
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The zoo hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists every single year for its neat local experiences with some of the most renowned animals in the world.
Whether you're looking to view a red panda, Caribbean flamingo, the famed Masai giraffes, or any other exotic animal, the ever-expanding zoo makes for a great day trip.
The zoo may be known for its fantastic location and exhibits ...
... but we're here to chat about the Zzzoofari Slumber. The event gained popularity a few years ago when the zoo made public that it was going to host an exciting camping experience for kids from four to 12 years old.
During it, escorted children along with their families have the chance to experience the zoo after-hours, taking part in activities that range from a zipline to hayride.
The animal show is one of the most popular events, as well as the marshmallow roast!
For the full night of activities, folks need to bring necessities like a sleeping bag, toothbrush. and flashlight. In the morning, breakfast is served to all attendees.
Members will pay $40 a person to attend, non-members will pay $60 a person and toddlers (ages 2-4) are $20 and $40, respectively. All registered kiddos also get a souvenir gift, too!
Would you dare to stay overnight in this magical place?
Check out some more of the Zzzoofari Slumber fun here:
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If you're looking for more fun experiences in Tennessee for kids and family, you should check out this pick-your-own peach farm, right in the heart of the South.
Ride a Christmas Train, Then Stay in a Christmas Decorated Inn for a Holly Jolly Tennessee Adventure
Discover the enchanting North Pole Christmas Train in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and enjoy a festive holiday adventure with family-friendly activities and scenic views.
There's something enchanting about Chattanooga, and no time is that more obvious than during the holidays. The lights on the pedestrian bridge, the hint of magic in the air — spending the holidays in this corner of Tennessee is an obvious choice.
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This Christmas, grab your family and take a trip where the magic of the holiday is alive and well. Invoke that child-like wonder again and experience the splendor of the season. Our holly jolly adventure begins by boarding a train, but it's not just any train; we're talking about the North Pole Christmas Train in Chattanooga. There is something just so nostalgic about hopping on a train and going for a ride. So tap into your imagination and get ready for an amazing weekend itinerary.
Chattanooga City Skyline along the Tennessee River at Night
With such a rich history of railroad travel, it should come as no surprise that Chattanooga is a go-to location for some amazing train rides. For yet another season, the Tennessee Valley Railroad is rolling out the red carpet for the most anticipated train ride of the year: the North Pole Limited Christmas Train. The adventure starts with an imaginary trip to the North Pole.
Once on board the train, you will see elegant decorations and lights setting the mood for this joyful train ride. Guests will be treated to a fresh homemade cookie and hot chocolate to enjoy while listening to a story along the way. Spontaneous Christmas caroling has been known to happen from time to time. Either way, you will be immersed in a nostalgic Christmas tradition.
Make sure to keep your eyes out the window because you will be passing by several decorated light displays. Then before you know it, you will arrive at the North Pole. Of course, one cannot simply show up at the North Pole during the holiday season without seeing Santa himself. One thing's for sure: you'll want to bring your camera with you to record these priceless memories!
When the train gently comes to a halt, the doors will open to the sight of the jolly man greeting each child. Spend some time with Santa before returning home from your long journey to the North Pole.
Blue Defocused Lights
The train ride is filled with so much fun that you will want to extend your stay in Chatanooga. And after your exhilarating train adventure, we can think of no better place than the Mayor’s Mansion Inn. This historical Victorian bed and breakfast will be decking the halls for the season. Not only is the whole mansion fitted with Christmas decorations but it also hosts a nightly hot cocoa bar.
Retire to a luxurious room for the evening and have sweet dreams of dancing sugar plums. Then awake fresh the next morning to an array of holiday-inspired breakfast items and treats.
Winter in Tennessee is sounding quite magical, isn't it? Spend a weekend inspiring your imagination to take you on a magical journey on a North Pole Christmas Train in Chattanooga. This enchanting event is sure to inspire you and get you in the Christmas spirit and rest in a beautifully adorned mansion. Grab your tickets for the North Pole Limited Christmas Train in Chattanooga then book a night or two at the Mayor’s Mansion Inn.
While you spend your weekend in Chattanooga, find your way to one of the best views in the whole area — Snooper Rock. Just be sure to dress warmly! Here's a list of some of our favorite cold winter gear.
Pumpkins, apples, fall foliage, and fall festivals in Tennessee! Autumn is upon us and it's time to switch gears from the dog days of summer to the crisp air of fall. With the changing of leaves, there is a shift in get-togethers and events which gives us Tennesseans a great excuse to once again meet our wonderful neighbors. From farm festivals to city-wide events, we know how to put on a good seasonal celebration, leaving many of us wondering “Where are the best fall festivals near me?” Well, friends, wonder no more, because I've put together a list of the 10 best fall festivals in Tennessee:
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1. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Gatlinburg - Mid September through late November
Just take a look at that picture for a second -- that's why the Smokies are one of the best places to go in the fall in Tennessee! The little town of Gatlinburg is nestled right into the mountains and it made the list because they really know how to embrace the fall season. This isn’t just one event; rather, fall in Gatlinburg is a city-wide celebration to welcome in the changing of leaves with events and special offerings across three months! Every business is doing something different and participates in their own unique way and the best way to experience it is to go and see for yourself. Oh and while you're at it, do yourself a favor and explore the Smoky Mountains in all their fall glory. For more information, please visit the town of Gatlinburg website.
2. Cheekwood Harvest, Nashville - Mid September till the end of October
When it comes to stunning decor and seasonal displays, Cheekwood might simply be the best in the state. So it should come as no surprise that they also put on one of the best pumpkin celebrations too. If you can only make it to one fall festival near Nashville, make sure it is this one. This is a must-see out of all the Tennessee fall festivals for those who are located anywhere near Music City. Taking place for several weeks, expect live music, food trucks, and many other festive treats. Their ever-popular pumpkin village will make its return this year along with a scarecrow walk and many other beautiful places to explore. For more information, please make sure you check out the Cheekwood website.
3. Fall Family Fun Festival, Eagleville - September through October
Nothing says “It’s fall Y’all” like going to a farm here in Tennessee. If you are looking for fall events near Nashville or just looking to get out of the city, this is a great place to go -- especially if you have little kids. Lucky Ladd Farms is designed to be just as much a working farm as it is a fun park for families. There is a petting zoo, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, and so much more. Make sure to head to the Lucky Ladd Farms website for a full schedule of events for this year's super fun celebration.
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4. Dollywood Harvest Festival, Pigeon Forge - September through October
Dollywood is viewed by many as the top theme park in Tennessee and I would have to agree with the masses on this one. It also has gained the honor of holding the “Most Beautiful Park in the World” award for a couple of years now. Alongside your standard theme park offerings like big thrill rides, kiddie sections, and live entertainment, Dollywood goes through a dramatic makeover for each season. In the fall, you will find pumpkin decorations and autumn decor everywhere you look. A massive pumpkin tree, a giant pumpkin guitar, and so much more will be on display with unique seasonal fare and live music. This is one of the longest celebrations on this list, but you can attend any given day to be blown away by the immense decorations and enjoy everything this theme park already excels at. For more information, please visit the Dollywood Harvest Festival website.
5. Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest, Jonesborough - September
The charming and friendly town of Jonesborough gets transformed when fall rolls around. The town is decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins, and corn stalks and serves as a picture-perfect backdrop for an autumn celebration. The Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest hosts several local vendors that make specific fall festive dishes to sample. You can walk up and down downtown and try a wide assortment of baked goods, unique treats, and wild fall fusions that are truly one-of-a-kind.
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6. Autumn in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge - Starting in September
When you are looking to do a little leaf peeping in Tennessee, there is no better place than the Great Smoky Mountains. And when you'd like to partake in some fall events near the Smokies, make sure to head on over to The Island. The whole place is filled with classic Appalachian fall decor and is the perfect place for a fun fall photo ops. While you visit, make sure you also peruse the seasonal selections offered at each of the restaurants and stores for a taste of autumnal goodness. For more information, please visit The Island website.
Things start to get a little spooky around this river city come fall. The whole city gets in on the fun for some creative and fun events all throughout town. You can take a fall hike on Lookout Mountain, take a ghost tour, or go on a kid-friendly Halloween train ride. There is so much to do and see throughout the whole month of October, you are bound to find a perfect fit for you.
8. Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin - October 4-5, 2024
This annual event isn't just a great kickoff to the fall season, it's a tried-and-true tradition in East Tennessee. Taking place in the quiet little town of Erwin, the whole place is completely covered with vendors, music, food, and games for a great two-day celebration. And yes, there will be apples... lots and lots of apples! For more information, please visit the Unicoi Apple Festival website.
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9. Hatchie Fall Fest, Brownville - October 19, 2024
Hatchie Fall Fest is a highly anticipated annual event to celebrate all things fall! Taking place in Brownsville, this fall event near Memphis allows visitors to enjoy a small-town gathering over this one-day festival. Guests can expect to see plenty of vendors, delicious food, tons of kids' activities, excellent live music, and much more! For more information, please visit the Hatchie Fall Fest website.
This highly anticipated annual event near Nashville just radiates good, old-fashioned fall fun. Not only is this small town filled with autumn decor, but the air is abuzz with sensational seasonal joy! There will be a plethora of vendors, tasty food, and live music. There is also a custom contest where people go all out each year trying to win the gold. If adorable families dressing up in themed costumes wasn’t enough for you, make sure to stick around to see the cutest doggies dressing up in their Halloween finest. For more information, please visit the Pumpkinfest website.
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From west to east, these are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee. How many of them have you been to and which ones are your favorites? One thing is sure we will have plenty to do while we wait for the leaves to change colors. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to strap on my hiking shoes and take off into the mountains. We have so many great places to visit in the fall in Tennessee, so I would recommend getting my favorite hiking app that I use; AllTrails. You can save a whole list of hikes you want to do in the fall so when you get a free day just pick one and hit the trails!
For more "Fall-spiration" check out this OnlyInYourState video to see more breathtaking autumn places to travel to.
