Visiting as a group · Compare
Visiting as a group in Old Hickory: how it compares to other indoor days out
An honest look at where it fits.
Four machines and one big crate spread a group out. So does a rink - there is no single queue for the whole party to stand in.
If you are coming from Old Hickory, treat it as a cross-town outing rather than a day trip. Go with a return time in mind and the day stays easy.
What it does differently
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Photograph the machine as well as the child. In two years you will have forgotten what the room looked like.
Where other options win
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
How to decide
Four machines and one big crate spread a group out. So does a rink - there is no single queue for the whole party to stand in.
Tell a nervous child what is going to happen in the order it will happen. Surprise is the thing they mind, not the activity.
The short version
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
Questions parents ask
How many children can come at once?
Call ahead with your numbers and arrange it: +1 (615) 968-4925.
Where is New Life Entertainment?
Two centres: 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214, and 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027.
What are the opening hours?
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
Planning your visit in Old Hickory
The drive back to Old Hickory is where you find out what they actually thought. Children review an outing about twenty minutes after leaving it, never during.
Take the phone out of your pocket before they start rather than after. The moment worth filming is usually the first one.
Bring a spare layer even in summer. Malls are air conditioned, rinks are colder than that, and a cold child is a child who wants to go home.
The nearest of the two centres to Old Hickory is the one to aim at - Opry Mills in Nashville - and the drive is the ordinary sort rather than an expedition.
The practical details
- XCAV ZONE — 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214: four child-operated machines over a ball pit.
- ICE PARK — 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027: a real rink with bumper cars on the ice.
- Opening hours — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
- Phone — +1 (424) 387-6232 · +1 (615) 968-4925
- E-mail — info@newlife-entertainment.com
If a visit needs planning around a date, a group or a long drive, the centre is easiest to reach by phone: +1 (424) 387-6232 or +1 (615) 968-4925.