Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort

Nashville Shores is the Nashville area's go-to summer destination for families who want a full day of water park fun without the multi-day commitment and expense of a destination resort. Located about 20 minutes east of downtown Nashville on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, it combines a traditional water park with lake beach access for a setup that keeps kids entertained from opening to close.

The water park side has a solid lineup of attractions. Breaker Bay is a 500,000-gallon wave pool that generates surprisingly legit waves — big enough for older kids to bodysurf but gentle enough in the shallow end for cautious little ones to wade. The lazy river is long and relaxing, wrapping around a good portion of the park.

For thrill-seekers, the Big Kahuna water coaster uses jet propulsion to push rafts uphill before sending them down a series of drops. It is the kind of ride where your 12-year-old will immediately want to go again.

For families with younger children, Kowabunga Beach is the star. This dedicated kiddie area has mini slides, spray features, dumping buckets, and shallow wading areas. It is fully fenced with its own seating area, so parents can relax while toddlers splash.

The water is kept shallower and warmer than the main attractions, which is appreciated when you have a nervous 3-year-old trying water play for the first time.

The lake beach side of Nashville Shores is often overlooked but worth exploring. The sandy beach on Percy Priest Lake has a swimming area, and you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and pontoon boats. This is where the experience diverges from a standard water park — there is something genuinely nice about transitioning from waterslides to a quiet paddle on the lake in the afternoon.

Here is the honest truth about costs: Nashville Shores adds up fast if you are not strategic. Gate prices for a family of four run around $170 before parking, lockers, and food. The food inside is standard water park pricing, which means $12 burgers and $5 sodas.

The single best money-saving move is bringing your own cooler. Nashville Shores is one of the few water parks that actually allows outside food and drinks (no glass containers or alcohol). Pack sandwiches, fruit, and plenty of water, and you will save $50 to $75 easily.

The park is open from late May through early September, with the core season running mid-June through mid-August. Weekdays are dramatically less crowded than weekends. If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday visit, you will walk onto rides that have 25-minute waits on Saturdays. The parking lot situation is manageable — the main lot is close to the entrance and costs $15.

One caveat: this is an outdoor facility in Tennessee summer heat. Sunscreen is not optional. Reapply every two hours, bring hats for breaks, and make sure everyone drinks water constantly. The concrete around the pools gets scorching, so water shoes save everyone from the hot-foot dance.