After being remodeled due to the May 2010 flooding in Nashville, Opryland is back and better than ever. Yes, it's a pricey hotel but it is worth it when you want to splurge. Honestly, there's nothing like the Opryland Hotel because it isn't just a hotel; it's like a mini-city inside. You can ride a boat inside, even! Unfortunately the adjacent mall (Opry Mills) has yet to be repaired from the flooding.

Castleton Square Mall is the largest mall in the state of Indiana. It has 4 major department stores, a food court and a play area for kids. There are also 130+ specialty stores, including Justice, Build-a-Bear and The Disney Store. They have all of the "hip" stores for the tweens and teens in your life, as well. Castleton is an excellent mall for shopping!

Wildwood Preserve is a beautiful park! It's great for family portraits or just for using the walking trails. Because it used to be a family estate, there is a house (called Manor House) on the property. This Georgian Colonial style home is open for free tours and hosts many events througout the year. You can also rent the house for weddings and other events.

The Toledo Zoo is one of the best zoos around. Most of it is flat, making it easy for strollers, wheelchairs, etc. They have a ton of animals to see, including polar bears and others that you dont' see at smaller zoos. During the holidays, you can go at night to see over 2 millions lights at the zoo - a wonderful tradition. Just dress warmly!

Ten, or even five, years ago I would have told you to not waste your money at the Nashville Zoo. However, they have taken great strides to improve this zoo over the years. There are more animals to see than ever before including elephants and giraffes. Your kids will LOVE the giant playground area, which is sturdy enough for you to play on as well. A great spot to visit!