Visiting as a group · Guide
Visiting as a group in Smyrna: a parent guide
This is the practical version - what it is, who it suits, what to bring, and what usually happens in the first ten minutes.
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
The nearest of the two centres to Smyrna is the one to aim at - Opry Mills in Nashville - and the drive is the ordinary sort rather than an expedition.
What it actually is
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 two adults are coming, split up rather than shadowing the same child. One at the rail, one free, and everybody has a better hour.
Who it suits
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.
What to expect
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
If it is the first time, do not also make it a birthday. Learning a place and celebrating in it are two different visits.
Before you go
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.
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.
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.
How do I get in touch?
By phone on +1 (424) 387-6232 or +1 (615) 968-4925, or by e-mail at info@newlife-entertainment.com.
Planning your visit in Smyrna
From Smyrna the practical question is timing rather than distance. Arriving in the first hour after opening is worth more than shaving minutes off the drive.
Tell a nervous child what is going to happen in the order it will happen. Surprise is the thing they mind, not the activity.
Check the day of the week against the closing time before you leave. Sunday finishes earlier than the rest of the week and catches people out.
The drive back to Smyrna is where you find out what they actually thought. Children review an outing about twenty minutes after leaving it, never during.
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.