Memorial Day is known for being the unofficial start of summer. The three-day weekend usually involves backyard barbecues, parties and community events. While this year may be a little different with several events being cancelled due to COVID-19 the symbolism of Memorial Day remains. This Memorial Weekend take a moment to remember and give thanks to those heroes who have sacrificed and served, as well as those service men and women currently serving today. While many events have been canceled, we have gathered several activities you can do with your family this holiday weekend.
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens officially reopened its doors Friday May 22 after being closed due to COVID-19. Its 55-acre garden welcomed guests, as well as the gardens that had been closed prior to COVID for renovations- Blevins Japanese Garden and Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail. Cheekwood is the perfect place to bring the whole family for some fresh air, history and beautiful blooms. For the reopening, Cheekwood has set in place new policies to protect its staff and guests. All tickets will be sold online only and tickets must be purchased in advance of arrival. They are limiting theircapacity and strongly encourage CDC guidelines to their guests such as maintaining 6-foot distance and wearing cloth face coverings. Cheekwood will be open all Memorial Weekend and Monday, Memorial Day, is reserved for members only. 
Arrington Vineyards is a Nashville staple and perfect place for the whole family. The vineyard has reopened its 5-acre hillside picnic area where guests can bring their blankets and come relax overlooking the beautiful grape vines while maintaining an appropriate social distance. Arringtonis offering wine by the bottle, wine flights, frose, cheese, crackers and other picnic items, freshly prepared food from Simply Living Life, and guests can even pack their own picnic to enjoy. Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend guests can expect food trucks galore. On Friday night, Simply Living Life Food Cottage, Dough Box truck and Peach Cobbler Factory truck will be on-site and serving guests – even members of our team will be there, we never miss Dough Box! Saturday will feature Burger Republic, Smokin’ Buttz and Peach Cobbler Factory. Sunday, Music City Brisket and Burger Republic. All food can be ordered ahead of time on Street Food Finder.
Although they have not officially reopened their doors, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage has endless online resources available for all ages. Virtual tours, History From Home videos, interviews with the leadership team, online quizzes, audio tours including their General Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Poll the Parrot tours are available from your phone or computer. What better day than Memorial Day to gather the family and learn more about America’s history.
Bar-B-Que is a Memorial Weekend classic. Pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, mac-n-cheese – the works. BBQ restaurants reopened for dine-in include: Peg Leg Porker, Jack Cawthon’s Bar-B-Que, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint and HoneyFire BBQ. Take out BBQ options include: Whitt’s Barbecue, Edley’s Bar-B-Que, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, as well as all restaurants offering dine-in. Whether you decide to take the family on their first restaurant outing since the reopening or get your favorite pulled pork to go, BBQ on the weekend will not disappoint.
Another fun outing for the family is the Stardust Drive-In Theatre in Watertown, TN. Located just under an hour from Nashville, the drive-in is featuring classics and new favorites this holiday weekend. Movie lineup includes Grease, Forrest Gump, Dolittle and Trolls World Tour. Indulge in their famous concession foods such as their bacon cheeseburger or philly cheese steak sandwich or keep it simple with buttered popcorn or cotton candy from the comfort of your car. After the movie guests can check out the Stardust gift shop and even take home some merch.
We understand this Memorial weekend will be a little different than years past. It’s important to remember that this holiday is about so much more than what to bring to a cookout, it’s observed to remember those who fought for our freedom—the heroes who gave their lives to protect the prosperity of our country. We hope you’ll choose to pause and remember them this year.