INSIDERS’ GUIDE® to Nashville

No doubt about it, Nashville is a kid-friendly place. Ask new Nashvillians why they chose to live in Music City, and more often than not, the answer is the same: “We thought this would be a good place to raise children.”

That's not idle hyperbole, either. Nashville's diverse arts, sports, education, and religious communities offer a wealth of opportunities for kids of all ages. Nashville's abundant creative energy has given rise to some unique youth-oriented activities, as well. The city is proud home to the country's oldest children's theater and the world's largest community-built jungle gym.

Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly activities and fun spots. Keep in mind that in a city growing as rapidly as Nashville, some attractions will have closed or moved, and others will have taken their place. Remember to call first to check hours of operation.

ARTS & MUSIC

ARTQUEST, FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 244-3340; fristcenter.org; free. This museum is a showpiece for everyone, to be sure. But museum officials were particularly concerned about making this a relevant and engaging place for young people, thus education is a key part of the Frist Center's mission. The result is ArtQuest, a hands-on gallery filled with more than 30 activity stations designed to bring the visual arts alive for kids of varying ages. Three- to five-year-olds can take part in simple arts-oriented activities like drawing, painting, and paper sculpture making; older kids can explore multimedia stations that address more advanced topics like the creative process, art and space, printmaking, and more. The Frist Center's various exhibits also come complete with kid-friendly education materials. In addition, a wide variety of programs, workshops, and other education offerings are available throughout the year. As if that weren't enough, the Frist Center demonstrates its commitment to kids at the cash register: Ages 18 and under are admitted free, always. You can't beat that. The Frist Center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN & MUSEUM OF ART, 1200 Forrest Park Dr., Nashville, TN 37205; (615) 353-9827; cheekwood.org;$$.Education also plays a key role at Cheekwood, Nashville's other art museum. Weekend art classes, workshops, and summer art camps are offered at the Frist Learning Center (yes, it's the same folks who are behind the downtown Frist Center), located adjacent to the Cheekwood mansion. Programs are available for ages as young as 4 on up to teens. The Frist Learning Center includes art studios and classrooms, and art classes and workshops are held here.

NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE, 25 Middleton St., Nashville, TN 37210; (615) 254-9103; nashvillechildrenstheatre.org; $$$. The acclaimed Nashville Children's Theatre offers a variety of productions and programs for children ages 3 to 18. It puts on about 6 shows a year. The regular season runs Sept through May. Nashville Children's Theatre offers creative drama classes on Sat during fall, winter, and spring, and holds summer camps during June and July.

WEIRD SCIENCE

Nashville offers several attractions for the budding astronomer, scientist, or archaeologist of the family. Fun is the name of the game at these places, and sparking a child's natural curiosity is the rule. No stuffy classrooms here—it's all about imagination and entertainment. If a little education happens along the way, well then, that's just gravy.

ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER & SUDEKUM PLANETARIUM, 800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 401-5092; adventuresci.org; $$. A world of hands-on activities designed to stimulate young minds awaits at the Adventure Science Center. The first thing visitors notice is the museum's centerpiece, the Adventure Tower. Rising from the ground floor and stretching all the way through the roof, the 75-foot-tall Adventure Tower is packed with hands-on, minds-on experiences that bring science to life. The tower has 6 concept areas, each an introduction to the rest of the museum. At the tower's top is a giant model of Earth, from which you get a breathtaking view of the Nashville skyline. Adventure Science Center is open daily except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Be sure to check the museum calendar for special events and kids’ festivals, which occur periodically.

NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE, 3777 Nolensville Rd., Nashville, TN 37211; (615) 833-1534; nashvillezoo.org; More than 6,000 animals and 339 species of animals from around the world can be found at the Nashville Zoo, an animal park that is rapidly becoming a world-class facility housing such endangered species as white Bengal tigers. The zoo continues to expand and recently opened its Entry Village, where hyacinth macaws and gibbons greet visitors. A trip to the zoo is a fun day for the entire family, but the zoo has made itself especially appealing to little ones by offering several unique attractions and programs. The zoo's Jungle Gym is a favorite with local kids. There's also Critter Encounters, a petting zoo where young ones can get up close and personal with camels, sheep, goats, and other animals. For a more in-depth experience, programs such as Junior Zookeepers allow kids ages 10 through 14 to spend an afternoon with the zoo staff, learning how the animals are cared for. The Nashville Zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

VANDERBILT DYER OBSERVATORY, 1000 Oman Dr., Brentwood, TN 37027; (615) 373-4897; dyer.vanderbilt.edu; free. Vanderbilt University's observatory is located in the heart of an upscale residential neighborhood, just south of Radnor Lake. Free public observing sessions are held the second Fri of each month from Mar through Nov. The observatory has an impressive 24-inch telescope for viewing the night sky, an extensive astronomy library, a computer center featuring astronomy software, and a mission control center where telescopes around the country are controlled robotically. Vanderbilt professors also lead Q&A sessions. The observatory is open from Mar through Nov. Call for exact program information and times.

PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & ADVENTURE

BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK, 600 James Robertson Pkwy., Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 532-0001; tnstateparks.com; free.There aren't too many places where you can get soaking wet while absorbing some fascinating lessons in state history, geography, and culture. But Bicentennial Capitol Mall is just such a place. This 19-acre park just north of the Tennessee State Capitol opened in 1996, and its fountains—31 of them, designating major state rivers—quickly became a cool place to play during a sultry summer. Nearby on the plaza, a 200-foot granite map of Tennessee lets you walk from Memphis to Knoxville in record time; smaller maps provide details about various facets of the state. There's much more, including clean restrooms and a visitor center. Visit the adjacent Farmers’ Market, along with the State Capitol, and you've got one nice (and cheap) afternoon.

CENTENNIAL PARK, 2500 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 862-8400; nashville.gov/parks; free. The centerpiece of Centennial Park, built to celebrate Tennessee's 100th birthday in 1897, is a full-size replica of the Greek Parthenon that houses an art gallery. Children, however, are more likely to be interested in the abundant outdoor activities at the park. There's a small lake populated with ducks and (in season) pedal boats, and you'll also find a band shell, picnic tables, a steam engine and fighter plane, and lots of green grass. Centennial Park is the site of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, concerts by the Nashville Symphony, various arts and crafts fairs, and other annual events.

THE DRAGON PARK, 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212; (615) 862-8400; nashville.gov/parks; free. Its official name is Fannie Mae Dees Park, but this highly popular area just off the Vandy campus, at the corner of Blakemore and 24th Avenue S., is usually identified by its dominant feature: a huge sea dragon or serpent covered with brightly colored tile mosaic. The dragon, which seemingly snakes above and below the “surface,” is decorated with animals, flowers, rainbows, musical instruments, historical figures, and countless other fanciful scenes. Its tail doubles as a bench where parents can sit while their children play. In addition to the dragon, there's a tunnel through a “mountain” of rocks topped by a sandy “mesa,” with a swinging bridge connecting the mountain to a fort with a slide. The park also contains 3 tennis courts, swings and other playground equipment, wooden benches, picnic tables, a shelter, and 2 covered tables inlaid with chess and checkerboards. A fun addition to Dragon Park is Lily's Garden, a playground for all children designed to accommodate those with special physical or learning disabilities.

THE JUNGLE GYM AT NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE, 3777 Nolensville Rd., Nashville, TN 37211; (615) 833-1534; nashvillezoo.org; $$. Lions, tigers, and bears? So what! Nashville kids love the zoo's Jungle Gym so much, some parents bring their children here for this attraction alone. And no wonder: The 66,000-square-foot playground is a massive affair that can accommodate up to 1,000 kids at a time. The Jungle Gym was designed by world-renowned playground architect Robert Leathers and built by volunteers from the community. The playground's centerpiece is the 35-foot-tall Tree of Life tree house. Kids can also explore the sculpture garden, where they can crawl through a giant snake tunnel, explore a bat cave, climb aboard concrete hippos, bounce through cargo netting, or tear through the Jungle Village. The Jungle Gym is a popular spot for birthday parties, and it's available after hours for such events. Otherwise it's open during regular zoo operating hours.

RED CABOOSE PLAYGROUND, 656 Colice Jean Rd., Bellevue, TN37221; (615) 662-2737; free. Dubbed the “pride of Bellevue,” this popular park and playground offers a wide variety of activities for the entire family. The park's community center is home to a comprehensive after-school and summer program for kids, while a summer concert series and other special events frequently fill the 8-acre site on weekends. Built in 1994 in partnership with the community and the Metro Parks Commission, the park has also become home to Bellevue's annual community picnic. The community center has a game room, gym and weight room, and basketball courts, plus a ceramics and pottery studio. The playground is regarded as one of the city's best, with swings for toddlers and other play equipment for older kids, plus a paved walking track for the grown-ups. Three gazebos are ideal for picnics.

SEVIER PARK, 3021 Lealand Ln., Nashville, TN 37204; (615) 862-8466; nashville.gov/parks; free. Located on the south end of the up-and-coming 12 South commercial district, Sevier Park is a welcome expanse of green space in an urban-residential area. The park is easily recognized for the pre—Civil War Sunnyside Mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the park's dominant feature. The park's playground and picnic pavilions are frequented by local families. A summer concert series and Friday-night dances have brought music and good times back to Sevier, and the park's rolling hills and meandering creek make it a favorite spot for local dog owners. The park contains tennis courts, basketball courts, and a community center that offers various programs. Community center hours vary depending on the season, so call for availability and a program schedule.

WARNER PARKS, 7311 Hwy. 100; Nashville, TN 37221; (615) 352-6299; nashville.gov/parks; free. On a late-afternoon summer drive through Percy Warner Park, we once saw three deer and two rabbits within minutes, and we weren't even looking for them. Percy Warner Park, the largest municipal park in Tennessee, and its neighbor, Edwin Warner Park, span more than 2,700 acres, much of which is rugged, scenic woodland. There's a nature center, picnic areas, playground equipment, hiking trails, bridle trails, and a steeplechase area, as well as 2 golf courses. The parks are open daily from sunrise until 11 p.m., and the nature center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues through Sat.

WATER FUN

There's nothing like a good dose of watery fun to bring out the kid in you, as these attractions attest.

METRO AND YMCA POOLS, YMCA corporate office, 1000 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 259-9622; ymcamidtn.org.

METRO PARKS AQUATICS OFFICE, 222 25th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208; (615) 862-8480; nashville.gov/parks. YMCA of Middle Tennessee operates 37 pools at 23 recreation centers in the area. About half are indoor pools. The Metro Parks department operates more than a dozen pools, including Wave Country (see below). For more information see our Recreation chapter.

NASHVILLE SHORES, 4001 Bell Rd., Hermitage, TN 37076; (615) 8897050; nashvilleshores.com; $$$. Sandy shores, luscious palms, cool breezes—Nashville's answer to a beach vacation is definitely here. Located on Percy Priest Lake, Nashville Shores offers a wealth of water fun. Eight giant water slides with thrilling names like the “Tennessee Twister” and “Tsunami Raft Ride” beckon the adventuresome; for sunbathing and pool play there are 3 pools, each targeted to a different age group; and families can thrill to the raft ride Big Kahuna. There's a real beach—white sand is hauled in to the Priest lakeshore—and lake cruises, or even cabins on the shore available for rent. Opened in 2010 is the 25,000-square-foot wave pool Breaker Bay. Dry fun activities include mini golf, games like Frisbee and horseshoes, volleyball, and live entertainment. Personal watercraft and boats are also available for rent at the marina. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Nashville Shores opens in early May and runs through mid-Sept.

SHELBY PARK, Shelby Avenue and South 20th Street, Nashville, TN 37206; (615) 862-8467; nashville.gov/parks; free. This park in east Nashville is known for its golf course, but its lake is also a popular fishing spot for kids as well as senior citizens.

WAVE COUNTRY, 2320 Two Rivers Pkwy., Nashville TN 37214; (615) 885-1052; nashville.gov/parks; $$$. Wave Country, just off Briley Parkway, lets you visit the ocean without leaving Nashville. Hold on tight as you ride the wave pool's simulated surf. There are also 3 water flumes and 2 speed slides, plus a kiddie pool with water dropping features. Wave Country is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

FUN & GAMES

GRAND OLD GOLF & GAMES/VALLEY PARK GO KARTS, 2444 Music Valley Dr., Nashville, TN 37214; (615) 871-4701; grandoldgolf.net; This granddaddy of Nashville mini-golf attractions is located near Opry Mills and offers much more than just golf: Go-karts and a video arcade round out the family fun. Four mini-golf courses—3 outside and 1 inside—can provide an entire afternoon's worth of putting pleasure. Hours vary by season. Group rates are available for birthday parties and corporate outings.

LASER QUEST, 166 Second Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37201; (615) 256-2560; laserquest.com; $$. You've seen all the Star Wars movies. Now it's your turn to be Luke Skywalker. Laser Quest equips you with a laser gun and sensor pack and turns you loose in a dark maze for a game of high-tech shoot-'em-up. Points are gained or lost depending on number of foes hit and number of times hit by foes. It's kind of like cowboys and Indians in outer space, and it's a harmless way for the kids to release some energy. Be sure to check out Laser Quest's video arcade after your game. Laser Quest's hours vary according to the season and the day of the week.

TIME MACHINE

History is a funny thing. Depending on your outlook, it can make you feel old or make you feel young. Here's hoping these selected historical sites will bring out the inquisitive little kid in you and other members of your family.

FORT NASHBOROUGH, 170 First Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37201; (615) 862-8400; nashville.gov/parks; free. This is where it all got started in 1779, when James Robertson and his fellow settlers established a settlement on the banks of the Cumberland River. This reproduction of the original log fort, which withstood attacks from natives, is open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, for a free self-guided tour.

THE HERMITAGE: HOME OF PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON, 4580 Rachel's Lane, Nashville, TN 37076; (615) 889-2981; thehermitage.com; $$. Andrew Jackson was a brave and adventurous man who was influential in the early expansion of our country. In addition to being seventh president of the United States, he was a military hero, lawyer, planter, statesman, and true romantic (he once shot a man who said bad things about his wife). The Hermitage, 12 miles east of Nashville off Old Hickory Boulevard, is where he made his home. The 1800s mansion, a mixture of Federal and Greek Revival styles, is open daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the third week of Jan). A family admission package is available, and students and senior citizens receive a discount.

HISTORIC MANSKER'S STATION FRONTIER LIFE CENTER, Moss-Wright Park at 705 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville, TN 37072; (615) 859-3678; cityofgoodlettsville.org; $$. The Frontier Life Center at Historic Mansker's Station offers a look at the lifestyles of the area's early settlers through a reconstructed 1779 forted station. You'll see and hear people in period costumes as they perform activities such as cooking, spinning, and blacksmithing. Special events and festivals are held throughout the operating season. (For more information, see our Attractions chapter.)

TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM, 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 741-2692, (800) 407-4324; tnmuseum.org; free. Tennessee State Museum, at the corner of Fifth and Deaderick Streets, offers exhibits ranging from prehistoric Nashville through the early 1900s, with a large Civil War display. Popular artifacts include a Conestoga wagon and an Egyptian mummy that a Tennessee explorer brought back from overseas several decades ago. The museum is closed on Mon and on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

TRAVELLERS REST PLANTATION & MUSEUM, 636 Farrell Pkwy., Nashville, TN 37220; (615) 832-8197; travellersrestplantation.org; $$. Nashville's oldest plantation home was built in 1799 by Judge John Overton, a prominent early citizen and friend of President Andrew Jackson. Over the years the plantation has seen many changes; today it's owned by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. Visitors can tour the plantation, museum, and grounds and get a glimpse of early Nashville life. The plantation's education department has radically expanded its slate of special events and educational programs; everything from plantation holidays to slavery through the eyes of a child to scavenger hunts to an in-depth look at the Mound Builders is now offered. Music events are also on the calendar. Travellers Rest is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Kids under 6 are admitted free.

STORYTIME

NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Main Library, 615 Church St., Nashville, TN 37219; (615) 862-5800; library.nashville.org; free. Former Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen once declared that a “city with a great library is a great city.” With that in mind, the city went out to improve its outdated and dilapidated library system. The result: Several glittering new facilities were built, while many existing ones were renovated or expanded. Nashville now has 21 public libraries located throughout the city, and all of them offer free storytimes for children of different ages several times a week. Nashville's main library, called the Downtown Library by locals, offers storytime for preschoolers on Tues at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m., and for young children on Wed at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m. Group storytime by reservation is available on Thurs. The Downtown location also offers marionette shows on Fri and Sat mornings. Other branches offer services such as homework help and after-school reading programs. Library hours vary by location; call the branch nearest you for information or visit the comprehensive website.

SPORTING LIFE

CENTENNIAL SPORTSPLEX, 222 25th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 862-8480; nashville.gov/parks. Located next to Centennial Park, the 17-acre Sportsplex is operated by the Metro Board of Parks & Recreation. The year-round family sports and recreation complex has facilities for aquatics, fitness, and tennis, plus a 2-sheet ice arena where youth hockey and figure-skating clubs practice (as well as Nashville's NHL Predators). Sportsplex facilities are open to the public on a pay-as-you-go basis, or you may purchase season passes at a discount. For kids, the Sportsplex offers a full complement of lessons, clinics, and sports camps. A complete list of classes is available on the website. Sportsplex facilities are open 7 days a week, but hours vary widely because of all the team practices; be sure to call first to ensure the facility you want is open.

JEWISH GORDON COMMUNITY CENTER, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205; (615) 356-7170; nashvillejcc.org. The Jewish Gordon Community Center's pool and gym are popular with all ages; for kids, the center has a full slate of programs, including drama and ballet. On the recreation side, there are lessons in swimming and kids’ yoga. A variety of sports leagues are also available here, such as soccer, T-ball, summer basketball camps, Little League, and the Tiger Sharks swim team. Membership is open to everyone.

Goo Goo

If there were a candy hall of fame, Nashville would have a place in it. Music City is where the first combination candy bar was invented, and it's still made right here at the Standard Candy Company.

The historic candy—the Goo Goo—has been satisfying sweet tooths for more than 8 decades. As they say on the Grand Ole Opry radio show, which Standard has sponsored since the early 1960s, “Generations of Southerners have grown up on them.” Dozens of people—Southerners as well as non-Southerners—from as far away as California and Canada are gaga over Goo Goos. They write the company each week requesting orders of the chewy, gooey candy. But you don't have to write for it; you can find Goo Goos in just about every part of the country, in stores like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Safeway. They're most plentiful in Music City, however, and tourist attractions and gift stores here usually keep a good supply on hand for visitors who want to take home a taste of Nashville.

Standard, today operated by Jimmy Spradley, sells about 25 million Goo Goos (approximately $8.5 million worth) each year. The Goo Goo was invented by Howell Campbell, who, in 1901 at the age of 19, founded the Standard Candy Company. The company's first products were hard candies and chocolates, but Howell and original plant superintendent Porter Moore developed a recipe combining fresh roasted peanuts, caramel, marshmallow, and milk chocolate. The recipe became a classic. Today the Goo Goo comes in three varieties—the original Goo Goo Cluster, the Peanut Butter Goo Goo, and the Goo Goo Supreme.

The candy bar didn't have a name at first because no one could decide what to call it. Stories of how the candy got its name vary. Campbell's son, Howell Campbell Jr., says his father took the streetcar to work each morning and would discuss the matter with fellow passengers. One passenger, a schoolteacher, suggested Goo Goo. But some people say the candy was given the name because it's the first thing a baby says.

In its early days the candy bar's circular shape made it difficult to wrap, so it was sold unwrapped from glass containers. Later the Goo Goo was hand-wrapped in foil and advertised as a “Nourishing Lunch for a Nickel.” While it wouldn't pass for a nourishing lunch today (the Goo Goo Cluster in the silver package has 240 calories, 11 grams of fat, and just a smidgen of calcium, protein, and iron), Nashville's Goo Goo is still a delicious treat. To learn more about Goo Goos, visit www.googoo.com.

YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 1000 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 254-0631; ymcamidtn.org. Part of the Nashville community since 1874, today the YMCA has 23 centers in the Nashville area and surrounding counties. All provide a full complement of programs fulfilling the YMCA's mind-body-spirit credo; youth sports programs such as spring/fall soccer leagues, baseball, and basketball leagues for all ages are a Y mainstay. The majority of Nashville Ys have indoor and outdoor pools, separate gyms for kids, even nurseries—after all, the Y is the largest child-care provider in Middle Tennessee. A financial assistance program ensures that all youth can take part in the Y's programs, regardless of financial status. The website is thorough and offers a good overview of what each facility offers. Or call the YMCA's main office in Nashville.

YOUTH INC. ATHLETICS, 1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 320, Nashville, TN 37217; (615) 865-0003; youthincorporated.org. Youth Inc. has operated in Middle Tennessee since 1945. Programs and activities include sports leagues such as basketball, bowling, rifle, and in-line hockey. YI also operates the Circle YI Ranch, an ACA-accredited summer camp for boys and girls located on 170 acres at Percy Priest Lake. The ranch houses the organization's football training facility, where high school football camps are held. YI also has state-of-the-art football and hockey facilities in La Vergne, Bellevue, and Spring Hill. Boys’ and girls’ basketball programs are offered for ages 5 through 14; YI has nonathletic programs as well, including an employment service.

LITTLE LEAGUE, littleleague.org. The national pastime is alive and well in Music City; there are dozens of Little League teams operating in the city, providing baseball and softball play for kids 5 to 18 years old. City leagues include Charlotte Park, Paul Lawrence Dunbar (ages 10 to 20), McCabe Park (5 to 13), West Park (10 to 20), and North Nashville (10 to 20); these leagues operate dozens of teams—at last count, McCabe had more than 35 teams in its roster. In addition, the Sounds, Angels, Whitts, Tennessee Patriots, and Nashville Demons operate youth and adult baseball teams. The Triple-A Nashville Sounds, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are also very involved with area youth baseball and softball leagues, offering clinics, sports camps, and other special programs. For information call the Nashville Sounds at (615) 690-4487, or visit the team's official website at milb.com.

BELLEVUE STEELERS, bellevuesteelers.com. This football and cheerleading program serves youth ages 5 to 12 in the west Nashville area. The Steelers are a charter member of the Mid-State Youth Football league, which operates in Nashville and the surrounding counties and determines regional championships. The program provides instruction in contact football and cheerleading, plus camps and minicamps. The Steelers field Triple and Double A, B, and C teams, plus Pee Wee and a Varsity team. Organizers are volunteers, so contact information may change; visit the group's website for the most current contacts.

TENNESSEE YOUTH FOOTBALL ALLIANCE, tyfa.org. This organization serves boys and girls ages 5 to 14 in football and cheerleading. TYFA has about 15 communities throughout Middle Tennessee, which together sponsor more than 140 teams. Part of the TYFA's mission is teaching kids the values of fair play, teamwork, and competitiveness. Visit the website for more information about TYFA and for information about individual communities and teams, including contact numbers.

GREATER NASHVILLE AREA SCHOLASTIC HOCKEY (GNASH), gnashhockey.com. While Nashville didn't get its NHL team until 1998, ice hockey has been a presence among the city's youth since 1965, when the nonprofit, all-volunteer NYHL was launched. Today NYHL games are played at the Centennial Sportsplex, with registration beginning in August for the fall/winter season. The NHL Nashville Predators assist the league with fund-raising, organizing youth hockey clinics and camps, and such. NYHL age divisions and teams are Termites (4 through 7), Mites (8 and 9), Squirt (10 and 11), Peewee (11 and 12), Bantam (13 and 14), and Midget (16 and 17). GNASH, Middle Tennessee's high school hockey league, is aptly named for the Predators’ lovable saber-toothed mascot, Gnash. Visit the NYHL website for current names and phone numbers.

NASHVILLE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION, 3135 Heartland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214; (615) 268-6349; nysa-soccer.org. Founded in 1972, the nonprofit NYSA has fall and spring soccer programs for boys and girls in 6 different age groups. The group also hosts soccer camps and special events in conjunction with the Nashville Metros, the city's major-league soccer team. The NYSA is affiliated with the US Soccer Foundation (USSF), the Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA), and the Federation International Football Association (FIFA). Games are held at Heartland Soccer Park, located just past Opryland. This is an all-volunteer organization, so check the website for current contact and registration information.

ULTIMATE GOAL, (615) 500-4860; ultimategoal.net. Ultimate Goal is an evangelical Christian ministry/soccer club that takes boys’ and girls’ teams to soccer games overseas and around the United States. Ultimate Goal sends teams to Sweden's Gothia Cup, the world's largest youth soccer tournament; other trips have taken teens and young adults to Mexico, Costa Rica, France, and England. US trips to Florida and Colorado are regularly on the schedule, and there are also soccer programs at home in Nashville. Ultimate Goal is a national organization, and teams generally consist of youth assembled from around the country.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TENNESSEE, 1900 12th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 329-1375; specialolympics.org. The Special Olympics offers athletic training and competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. There are more than 10,000 participants in Middle Tennessee with more than 100 competitions annually on area, regional, and state levels. Special Olympics Tennessee hosts 8 state games and tournament competitions each year. These events encompass 32 official sports, including softball, aquatics, volleyball, horseshoes, tennis, power lifting, and even bocce (though not all sports are available in all locations). Nashville competitions are held at Vanderbilt and Lipscomb Universities, with aquatic events held at the Centennial Sportsplex.

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