“As hot as Nashville is as a vacation destination, it’s a seven-hour drive to the closest beach. If you’re looking for aquatic entertainment, winters are too cold and summers are too oppressively humid to comfortably to hang out poolside.That’s all changing with the opening of SoundWaves at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, a property so sprawling you could probably spot it from space. The indoor section is already in operation, but when SoundWaves fully opens this summer, it’ll have more than 200,000 square feet of water-based fun. Think water slides and tube flumes lined with LED lights, a 315,000-gallon wave pool, plus a gigantic movie screen and speakers throughout the space. It’s not all shrieking kids, either — there will be designated adults-only areas like bars, lounges, private cabanas, and party rooms perfect for bachelorette parties. Right now it’s reserved for resort guests who purchase the special SoundWaves Water Experience Package, which includes two admission wristbands and overnight accommodations starting at $239. You’ll pay more for a Saturday night at the Hampton Inn downtown, so that’s a pretty good deal for some fun in the sun. — Chris Chamberlain”

Learn more about the Gaylord Opryland SoundWaves project today!