WHO: Mom Reporter Kristi and kids Wesley (4), Audrey (8) and Cobyn (11)
WHAT: GLOW
WHERE: First Tennessee Park (19 Junior Gilliam Way, Nashville)
WHEN: Thru Tuesday, Dec. 31: Tue – Sun (plus Mondays, Dec. 23 & 30) 4 – 10 p.m.
TICKETS: $29.99 adults, $19.99 ages 3 – 12, $89.99 family pack (two adults, two kids), $79.99 VIP experience (discounts on Tue & Wed)
PARKING: $15 in the park's garage
INFO: glowholiday.com
On Friday, Nov. 22, my family had the opportunity to attend the opening night of GLOW at First Tennessee Park! GLOW is the ultimate winter wonderland with countless holiday activities that are perfect for all ages. From the world's first digital Salvation Army Angel Tree to ice skating while surrounded by 4 million lights, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Be sure to download the app before your visit to save you time signing waivers, buying tickets and keeping you informed on all the activities GLOW has to offer.
As a mother, my favorite details are the photo opportunities and the dozens of “Elf Helpers” who are circulating the venue offering to take photos for you! I was able to finally make it into multiple family photos without awkwardly tracking down strangers. The elves make this a great place to get a good Christmas card photo of your whole group! Every employee is extremely helpful and genuinely wants to make sure you are having the best time possible.
Something else my husband and I both enjoyed are the cozy, adorable "igloos." There are a handful of them located on the concourse in the baseball stadium's mini golf area that are furnished with couches, candles and big fuzzy blankets. It's the perfect place to get out of the cold and relax with a drink. Nearby, the Winterfest Market features vendors selling holiday goods, including crafts, music, ornaments and sweet treats.
The kids were all able to find their own special experiences as well. My oldest son, Cobyn, loved the tube slides that had him racing his sister over and over again. Audrey was mesmerized by the walk-through tunnels that were covered in thousands of tiny twinkling lights that made you feel like you were stepping into a dream. Then there’s our youngest, Wesley. We had a hard time getting him to leave after we stumbled upon his heroes, Santa and Mrs. Claus, inside their workshop. They all truly had a magical experience, and I got the joy of not hearing anyone tell me they were bored for more than four hours! There's also an ice-skating rink at the bottom of the three-story Frozen Fortress.
HELPFUL TIPS
I did learn a few tips I would apply for our next visit. The first being to dress appropriately for the weather. While we were all dressed to keep warm, I was the only one wearing waterproof shoes. Since it had rained earlier in the day there were a lot of small puddles around which soaked through the kids' tennis shoes. Another is to make sure you plan your visit ahead of time. There is a lot to do, so having a plan and reserving your time slots and tickets will ensure you will get to see and do it all on your visit. Also be sure to get in as close to opening time as possible to secure a spot in one of those coveted first-come, first-served igloos! Lastly, make sure you have a fully charged camera with plenty of storage space. The atmosphere is so beautiful, you will be taking photos all night!
We had such a memorable family night out at GLOW. It was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season and get us all in the holiday spirit. We will certainly be back before it closes for the season in January.
