Middle Tennessee Field Trip List (Nashville, etc.)

Over the last few years I have crawled the Internet, networked with other moms, and interrogated tour guides to create a field trip list for Middle Tennessee. Started because we had family visiting from out of the country, the list has grown and continues to grow with an addition once a week. We have joined almost every field trip group in our area from the Baptists to the Unschoolers and we are looking for more!

I would love to organize this list further - making it beautiful, rating our favorites, and noting the ones we have not yet visited. If anyone would like to kudos their favorites, feel free to leave comments so others can glean from your experiences. If anyone wants to copy the list and post it elsewhere, I much approve. I don't know what I would have done without all my fellow moms, homeschoolers, researchers, tour guides, and bloggers who share pieces of the lives with me. Keep the information moving!

The most awesome part about going on field trips is learning more about our incredible Creator. He weaves all things together and does it all with everlasting love.

To Him who made the heavens with skill,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the great lights,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
The sun to rule by day,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
The moon and stars to rule by night,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting...
To Him who smote great kings,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And slew mighty kings,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting...
Who remembered us in our low estate,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And has rescued us from our adversaries,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
Who gives food to all flesh,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 136:5-9,17-18,23-26


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HISTORICAL/CULTURAL
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HOMES
The Oaklands Museum - http://www.oaklandsmuseum.org/
Belle Meade - http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/ - 615-356-0501
- Homeschool Days - http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=75
Governor’s Executive Residence - 615-741-2784 - http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/Residence.do, http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/governors_executive_residence/
Belmont Mansion - http://www.belmontmansion.com - 615-460-5459
Historic Cragfont - (Castalian Springs, TN -7 miles east of Gallatin) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/historic_cragfont/, http://www.cragfont.com/index.html -615-452-7070
Hermitage - http://www.thehermitage.com/ - 615-889-2941
Sam Davis Home - http://www.samdavishome.org/
- Spring 1800's days
The Carter House - http://www.carter-house.org/ - 615-791-1861
Carnton Plantation - http://www.carnton.org/ - 615-794-0903
Travellers Rest Plantation - http://www.travellersrestplantation.org/LC/index.htm
Cheekwood Home
Bowen Plantation House - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/bowen_plantation_house/ - 615-859-3678
Nashville Zoo
- Croft House
Lotz House (Franklin) - http://www.lotzhouse.com/

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Leiper's Fork Village - http://www.leipersforkvillage.com/
Tennessee State Capitol, 615-741-0830
Parthenon
Cannonsburgh (Murfreesboro) - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/government/parks_rec/cannonsburgh_events.htm#tours
Old fashioned water powered mill - (Belvedere)
I Spy Franklin - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/113359
- http://www.franklinonfoot.com/
McLemore House African-American Museum ($5)- http://nashville.metromix.com/museums/history/mclemore-house-african-american-franklin/527816/content
Fort Nashborough - 615-862-8400
Rock Castle - (Hendersonville) - 1700's home - http://www.historicrockcastle.com/thesitearchitecture.aspx - 615-824-0502
Shakers at South Union - http://www.shakermuseum.com/events/
Manskers Station - (Goodlettsville) - Pioneer Village http://www.cityofgoodlettsville.org/index.aspx?nid=110 - 615-859-FORT (3678)
Constitution Village (Huntsville, AL) - http://www.earlyworks.com/the-museums/constitution-village
Fort Loudon (Vonore, TN - over 3hr) - http://fortloudoun.com/

MUSEUMS
Tennessee State Museum - http://tnmuseum.org, http://www.nashville.com/attractions/tennesseestatemuseum/
(awesome free museum under TPAC - just took family there)
TC Railway Museum - http://www.tcry.org/whoweare.htm
Military Museum - http://www.tnmuseum.org/exhibitions/military.htm
Ellington Agriculture Museum - http://tnagmuseum.org/ - 615-837-5197
Williamson County Archives and Museum (FREE) - http://www.williamson-tn.org/co_gov/depts/archives/default.html

NATIVE AMERICAN
Natchez Trace- http://www.natcheztracepowwow.com/
- Powwow
Dunbar Cave State Park (Clarksville, TN) - http://www.stateparks.com/dunbar_cave.html
- Ancient Native American site

MISCELLANEOUS
Global Education Center - http://www.globaleducationcenter.net/
- arts/music/dance multi-cultural classes (African, Polynesian, etc.)
Kingdom Academy of the Arts (camps and pioneer/indian days) - http://www.kingdomacademyofthearts.com/
Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/jack_daniel_distillery/
Bicentennial Mall - http://tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/index.shtml
- fall history festival
Stones River National Battlefield - http://www.nps.gov/stri/planyourvisit/lh.htm
Lane Motor Museum - http://lanemotormuseum.org/cgi-bin/search.pl/news?
Amish community - http://www.amishwelcomecenter. com/

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SCIENCE
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ECOLOGY
The Farm - (Summertown) http://www.thefarm.org/general/visit.html


VEG/FRUIT/DAIRY FARMS & VINEYARDS
Farmer's Market - http://nashvillefarmersmarket.org/visit_the_market/
Arrington Vineyards - (Arrington outside of Franklin) - www.arringtonvineyards.com
Hatcher Family Dairy - http://www.hatcherfamilydairy.com/default.aspx?tabid=475
MTSU Dairy -
Local Farms - http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?map=1&lat=35.928406&lon=-86.805538&scale=10&zip=37067
Sumner Crest Winery - (Portland, TN) - August Grape Stomp - http://www.sumnercrestwinery.com/events.php
Morning Glory Apple Orchard (Nolensville) - http://www.morninggloryorchard.com/tours.htm
Golden Bell Blueberry Farm - http://www.agriculture.state.tn.us/Marketing.asp?QSTRING=DETAIL&DISPLAY=30
Forgies Fruit Farm - (Lewisburg) http://www.forgiesfruitfarm.com/
- peaches

NATURE
Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga) - http://www.tnaqua.org/KidsTeachers/Homeschool.asp
Service Opportunities for Small Groups in Murfreesboro - 893-2141 or ajackson@murfreesborotn.gov
Murfree Spring (Discovery Center, Murfreesboro) - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=126&id=4168 - 615-890-2300
- http://www.discoverycenteronline.org/groups.html
Warner Nature Center - http://www.nashville.gov/parks/wpnc/
Rangers at State Parks
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Ellington Ag Ctr, educational programs
Nashville Nature Centers
- Warner Park Nature Center
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Bells Bend Outdoor Center
Beaman Park Nature Center
Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park - (Murfreesboro) http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=126&id=3286&terms=wilderness+station
- WOW!
- camping $5/person (tent provided)
Murfreesboro Greenway System - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=316&id=6328
Natchez Trace click on info, http://www.nps.gov/natr
- Ranger programs
Aquarium Restaurant - behind the scenes tour - www.aquariumrestaurants.com
- http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumnashville/education.html
- Marine Biologist for a Day ($25) - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/115855
- Aquarium Restaurant - 615.514.FISH
- http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumnashville/events/marineBio.html
Cheekwood - 615-356-8000
Kid's Adventure Cruise (Ashland City) - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/111515
Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary - http://www.owlshill.org
- Homeschool Days: http://www.owlshill.org/homeschool
Creation Museum (Petersburg, KY) - http://www.creationmuseum.org/
Dunbar Cave State Park (Clarksville, TN) - http://www.stateparks.com/dunbar_cave.html

ASTRONOMY
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/103079
-Kid's Exploration Nights
-astronomy roadshow
Space Ctr in Huntsville
- free with Adventure Science Membership
Sudekum Planetarium
- http://www.sudekumplanetarium.com/

ANIMALS
Peachtree Farm (Arrington) - http://www.peachtreefarms.com/
Harlinsdale Farm - http://www.franklin-gov.com/parks/harlinsdale.html
- horses/public park/museum? - TN walking horses
Dinosaur World (Cave City, KY) - www.dinoworld.net
Cripple Creek Farm- exotic animals - http://www.boropulse.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=120&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1911&hn=boropulse&he=.com
Nashville Zoo - http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education_programs_detail.asp?eduID=15
- Homeschool Education classes Thursday and Friday afternoons during school year
Alpaca Farms http://www.tnalpaca.org/TAA4Visit.html
- Mistletoe Farm Alpacas Tom & Leanne Butchko Franklin TN 37064 3.73 http://www.ideal-alpaca.com/alpaca-farm/-319.htm
High Meadow Alpacas, Llc Michael & Charlotte Goldston Franklin TN 37064 11.90
Hickory Bluff Farms Bill & Ruth Fuqua Mount Juliet TN 37122 29.22
Kozy Kountry Alpacas Richard & Konnie Miller Milton TN 37118 30.48
Alpaca Creek Farm Jacki Robert & Richard Kensky Hendersonville TN 37075 33.79
Long Hollow Suri Alpacas Karl & Jan Heinrich Gallatin TN 37066 34.98
Island Overlook Farms Lisa & Barry Hertan Lebanon TN 37087 47.77
Music City Alpacas - (Antioch) http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M7785
http://www.musiccityalpacas.com/
Hidden Springs Farm - http://www.hiddenspringsfarms.com/
Fiber and herb farm
New Era Fiber - http://www.newerafiber.com/
Fiber Alpaca farm and mill
Wildlife Rescue
Raccoons, Fawns, Squirrels, Hawks, Owls
Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Fairview)
Carol Burgess
615-799-8712
Possums, Squirrels, Groundhogs, Adult Songbirds
Creekside Wildlife (Fairview)
Jennifer Varden
615-799-5418
Small Mammals ONLY
Lisa Butler (Franklin)
615-790-7809
Hummingbirds
Deborah Dorsey (Madison)
615-865-2941
Any Wild Creature
James R. Talbott, DVM (Nashville)
615-662-1700
OR
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (Nashville)
Richard Schwartz
615-833-1534
OR
Walden's Puddle - Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (Joelton) 299-9938 http://www.waldenspuddle.org/index.html
OR
TWRA (Nashville)
781-6500

MISCELLANEOUS
Discovery Center (Murfreesboro) - http://www.discoverycenteronline.org/
Adventure Science Museum - http://www.adventuresci.com/ 615-862-5160
Nashville Airport ? - (615) 275-1675


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ARTS
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MUSIC
Steinway - http://www.steinwaynashville.com/contact/saturdays.php
Fiddle and Pick - http://fiddleandpick.ning.com/
Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee (Pegram)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 615-416-2001
Ryman Auditorium - http://www.ryman.com/
Schermerhorn Symphony - tours, children's programs, rehearsals

DRAMA
Nashville Children's Theater - http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/ - 615-254-9103
- homeschool workshops: http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/orange/homeschl.htm
TPAC HOT series

CREATIVE ARTS
Parthenon - art collection, Greek architecture, etc.
Tennessee Fiber Festival (FREE - Fee for workshops - Dickson and Cannonsburgh in Murfreesboro) - http://www.tnfiberfestival.com/
Arts Center of Cannon County - (Woodbury, TN) - http://www.artscenterofcc.com/school.htm
Frist Art Museum - (615) 244-3340
The Renaissance Center - (Dickson) - http://www.rcenter.org/Home/FieldTrips/default.asp
- Referred by Mandy Ray-Jones
- state-of-the-art facility utilizing the latest technology to promote a variety of educational programs and initiatives
Camp Tandy (Nashville) - Leatherworking - 615-833-1635 or toll free 877-833-1635
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/home.aspx?navlocation=top
nashville@tandyleat her.com
Kingdom Academy of the Arts - (Bell Buckle) - http://www.kingdomacademyofthearts.com/
- art camps and party options


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MISCELLANEOUS
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SCUBA party - http://www.mtss.net/pool_parties.html
Centennial SportsPlex - http://www.nashville.gov/sportsplex/ice_home_school.htm
Pool party
The Monkeys Tree House ($7/kid) - http://www.themonkeystreehouse.com/
Nashville Superspeedway - (Lebanon) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/nashville_superspeedway/
Nissan (Smyrna) - must be over 10 - http://www.rutherfordchamber.org/cvb/visitors/what-to-see/what-to-see-detail.php?PRKey=12


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LISTS OF PLACES TO VISIT
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http://www.tennesseetreasures.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=92
http://www.rutherfordchamber.org/cvb/visitors/what-to-see/index.php
http://www.leisuresouth.com/tennessee-travel-events.php
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/events/ (state park events)
http://www.tnvacation.com/
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Tennessee/field+trips/

Map Skills - Understanding Everyday Maps and Labeling Continents

On recent outings we have collected maps - most recently being the zoo map and botanical gardens map. The kids (7 and 5) do not seem interested in pausing to look at the map while we are visiting the attractions, but once we get home they love to trace their route on the maps. I show them the route and then leave the maps on the kitchen table for viewing at their pleasure. Usually they want to review the route with me several times and asks lots of questions. Thank you Lord for lesson plans!



Does anyone else out there have to rely on a map since they have zero sense of direction? I count myself a decent navigator, but without a map I am clueless. Having a daughter who seems to have an even WORSE sense of direction, I honestly worry about her safety as she gains more independence. So let's work on those map skills!



We purchased a continents foam map puzzle from the Dollar Tree. I like it because it's cheap and simple but the sturdiness of the puzzle leaves much to be desired. It would probably work better if I glued it to a piece of cardboard. Since the puzzle itself was a tad frustrating, my 7-year-old decided to lay out the continents on the table in their correct places. Then of course my 5-year-old wanted to do it. I was glad they found a way to enjoy the puzzle without getting frustrated with it.

MAPPING GAME ONLINE
* Click on Continents and Oceans
* Choose to solve as a Puzzle, with Clues, or with Labels

Recently, I read a blogger's post about painting cheap globes she found thrifting - one color for each continent. I thought it was a marvelous idea - though i have no extra globes. So what I would like to do (and probably never will) is just cut out the continents in colors that match my puzzle and stick them on the globe short term.

My 7-year-old has no trouble grasping the fact that the multi-colored North America on the globe is one continent, but my 5-year-old is having some issues. And I'm not sure the 5-year-old understands that the 2-D puzzle matches the globe at all. Too much color variation (he's always been good at order and matching colors.)

For the LORD is a great God
  And a great King above all gods,
In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
  The peaks of the mountains are His also.
The sea is His, for it was He who made it,
  And His hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us worship and bow down,
  Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalm 95

Continent Study at the Zoo

Sweet Daddy took us to the zoo today. It was a spur of the moment trip and my 7 yr asked if i could make the trip into a scavenger hunt (a GREAT teaching tool we've used previously). Instead of making a list for her, we grabbed a piece of paper, a pencil, and our world continents map and went on our way.

Our zoo has a continents map on each animal exhibit. The kids (7 and 4) have been hearing alot about South America - its animals and the rainforest and Amazon river. So first we decided to make a list of all the animals at the zoo that were from South America. There were only three, so it was an easy assignment. And then we decided to tally the number of animals from each continent on the continent map. The race was close between Africa and Asia, but Africa won in the end.

We only spent a little over an hour at the zoo before it closed and we practically ran to the different exhibits, but the kids had a blast and we only skipped a few exhibits due to time. I can't wait to see what God will teach us on our next visit to the zoo!

So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.
Genesis 7:15-16

States 101

The kids (7 and 4) fight over our interactive globe and like to be quizzed on states, countries, and continents that they know. Inspired by Montessori map studies, we ventured into the realm of pin-pushing a state (from the U.S.) to learn some new states in a fun fashion.

My 7 yr old picked Iowa which I of course knew NOTHING about and so began the hunt. Found some fun stuff. And 7 yr liked most of it - except the part where I mistakenly thought she might like to read a Wikipedia page about Iowa (I liked it) - gotta stick to the "living books" as Charlotte Mason would call them.

The best sites we have found for doing history research are museum websites. Many times they will have interactive games and booklists for children. The following games were a hit for my 7 yr.

INTERACTIVE IOWA SITES
President Hoover Hats - Interactive with Fun Facts
Iowa State Symbols and Facts Quiz
Historical Iowa Farm Picture Quiz

GENERAL STATE INFORMATION
State Symbols Pictures

BACKYARDIGANS DVD with W-IOWA Episode
Amazon

MONTESSORI PIN PUSHING
MONTESSORI Journey - Continenet PIN PUSHING
Montessori Journey - United States Pin Pushing

PRINTABLES
State Nomenclature and Abbreviations - Pictures of Flag, Bird, Flower, etc.
United States Maps

LIBRARY BOOK
Numbers in a row:an Iowa number book / written by Patricia A. Pierce

FUN FACTS
* Laura Ingalls Wilder who wrote "Little House on the Prairie" lived in Iowa with her family for a short time.
* Corn Palaces (yes, miniature palaces made of corn) were built in Iowa to celebrate the corn harvest in the late 1800's.

Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:9-10

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MY FAVORITE BLOGS ADDITION
Montessori-Work
Teacher blogging about her Montessori classroom.

FREE PRINTABLES WEBSITE ADDITON
enchantedlearning

Freed Slave and Pioneer

Many of our field trips have included trips to former plantations since we live in the southern United States. These former plantations provide a wonderful opportunity to teach our children about slavery. Today we read a book about a freed slave who bravely searched the country for her daughter who had been sold apart from her when she was 10 years old. As usual, I could barely finish reading aloud to my daughter. We live in such a cushy world with our field trips and soccer. May we not forget what has gone on before us and what still goes on today.

Aunt Clara Brown Offical Pioneer

Apology from a Racist

O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name
Nehemiah 1:11

ADDED TO FAVORITE BLOGS
Montessori Spanish
Wide range of topics in a Montessori education.