Get in Tune with Nashville’s Only Resort Water Experience!

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of Gaylord Opryland Resort.

SoundWaves, the nation’s first truly upscale indoor/outdoor resort water attraction, set the stage for summer travel during its outdoor grand opening celebration on May 16 just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

John Adams, VP and General Manager of Gaylord Opryland Resort, and Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, introduced the outdoor portion of SoundWaves and spoke about how the attraction is leading a change in the way travelers perceive tourism in Music City.

“The complete opening of SoundWaves, a water resort that differentiates the property from its competitors, solidifies Gaylord Opryland Resort’s status as the premier entertainment destination in Nashville for both business and leisure travelers alike,” said Adams. ”Our seasoned team has designed and brought to life a next-level entertainment concept that blends adrenaline-inducing attractions, relaxing amenities and upscale dining experiences with the highly sought-after graciousness and luxury design of the overall Gaylord Hotels brand.

Making waves throughout Nashville since its indoor opening in December 2018, SoundWaves continues to hit all the right notes with an additional 106,000 square feet of outdoor water amenities. The water resort creates an experience unique to Music City by enhancing each attraction and amenity with paired musical instruments. The outdoor portion of the facility features a 315,000-gallon wave pool with giant LED movie screen, 45-foot slide tower, kids pool and multi-level play structure, adults-only pool and bars, private cabana rentals, food trucks and more. Adrenaline-inducing attractions include the Beat Drop, a near-vertical drop into a tunnel and looping waterslide; and the Bass Drop, an open-flume free-fall into water.

True to the aesthetic and overall brand of Gaylord Hotels, SoundWaves offers adults, young children and families a modern oasis in the heart of Nashville. A clean, modern design and sleek finishes blend together with various living walls and lush plant beds (over 40,000 single potted plants throughout the indoors and outdoors) to create an alluring ambiance spread across four acres of indoor and outdoor recreation zones.

Adult guests have exclusive access to adult-only indoor and outdoor pools, bars, and lounging areas throughout the water resort. Elevated (three-level) dining experiences with local offerings and signature cocktails, along with kid friendly fare, ensure each palate is satisfied.

The outdoor pool is a great way to cool off during hot temperatures, and during the winter, the indoor section is maintained at 84 degrees year round. The rooftop has been designed to allow guests to sunbathe indoors even though it may be snowing in Nashville.

How to book the SoundWaves Experience Package

Guaranteed access to SoundWaves is available to those who select the overnight SoundWaves Package when booking their stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort.

Three party rooms (for 10, 16 or 30 people) are available for 4-hour rental including complimentary parking passes and all-day access to SoundWaves. This amenity provides a unique experience for birthdays, graduations and bachelor/bachelorette parties and can be purchased without the overnight package. For more information or to book SoundWaves packages, visit www.SoundWavesGO.com.

Year-round indoor attractions

• Opened December 2018

• 111,000 square feet of upscale water attractions and activities

• Multi-slide tower

• FlowRider Double indoor surfing

• Rapid and lazy rivers

• Activity pool with rock climbing, obstacle course and basketball

• Restaurants

• Exclusive adults-only indoor pool, bar and lounging areas; beautiful patio with garden lighting

• Private cabana rentals

About Soundwaves

SoundWaves sets the stage as Nashville’s premier upscale water experience, featuring four acres of combined indoor water attractions and seasonal outdoor water amenities. The upscale hybrid water resort fuses music and water to create an exclusive experience for guests of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, the flagship property of Gaylord Hotels, part of the Marriott portfolio of brands. SoundWaves offers sleek finishes and furnishings, diverse dining options, eleven thrilling water slides with dedicated indoor and outdoor recreation zones for adults, young children and families.

Seasonal outdoor features

• Opened May 17, 2019

• 106,000 square feet of outdoor water amenities

• Multi-slide tower

• 315,000-gallon wave pool with a giant LED movie screen

• Kids pool with a multi-level play structure

• Multiple dining options

• Exclusive adults-only outdoor pool, bars and lounging areas

• Private cabana rentals: great for couples and girlfriend getaways

About Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, located at 2800 Opryland Drive in Nashville, TN, is the flagship property of Gaylord Hotels. The 2,888-room hotel offers “everything in one place”—diverse dining options, a full-service spa, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping, an award-winning golf course and more. For more information, visit www.GaylordOpryland.com.

dB Fizz & Cocktail Program at SoundWaves

Waves are breaking through Nashville’s ever-evolving cocktail scene with elevated experiences at SoundWaves, the recently debuted luxury water attraction at Gaylord Opryland Resort. Tasked with bringing innovative poolside mixology to the modern oasis, Gaylord Opryland’s Director of Beverage Trudy Thomas created a cocktail menu that evokes a tropical-themed watering hole situated in the heart of Music City. The tiki-inflected house cocktail list is well rooted in rum, but swiftly moves on to destinations unknown, such as the dB Fizz made with Ole Smoky Moonshine, Cointreau and a cold-pressed lime juice. A refreshingly light thirst-quencher, the cocktail channels the sultry South with an authentic Tennessee classic base blended with citrus elements to bring home the funk. The decibel symbol in its name references the unit used to measure sound levels, while also alluding to SoundWave’s indoor/outdoor dining concept Decibels. Whether soaking up the sun outside or catching some rays indoors where the temperature is maintained at a tropical 84 degrees, guests are tempted to let their year-round summer days unspool with a dB Fizz in-hand. It’s also available by the pitcher for those really thirsty.

dB Fizz

1 oz. Ole Smoky Moonshine
1/2 oz. Cointreau
2 oz. Agave mojito
Splash of club soda
Mint and orange wheel garnish

Build all ingredients in shaker with ice except for the club soda. Shake and strain over ice in a glass before topping with club soda and garnishing with mint and orange wheel.