Friday Night Lights
If you ever get the chance to check out Cheekwood Botanical Gardens here in Nashville, I definitely recommend it. It’s an oasis in the midst of a city with beautiful gardens, green spaces, and fountains that’s wonderful to explore on a sunny day.
I had been to Cheekwood two times prior to my most recent trip last Friday. The first was for free during my first year at Vanderbilt (the free trips they offer to first years are the best, take advantage of them!), during the Chihuly exhibit. The glass art was amazing, and it was incredible to see how it was displayed throughout the park. I enjoy art galleries, but getting to see art that is incorporated into a more natural environment is especially fascinating to me.
The second time I visited, I went during the day for a picnic with a group of friends. There wasn’t any exhibit in place at the time, so it was fun to see the park as it is normally and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and a beautiful sunny day.
This third time was special because I went at night. The exhibit currently on display is called “LIGHT“, and it consists of various outdoor light installations throughout the park. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, Cheekwood stays open until 11pm and also has live music throughout the gardens. A few friends and I decided to check it out, and it was definitely worth it.
We got a student discount, which made it even better and then wandered through the park to find each of the exhibits. The pictures definitely do not do them justice, I truly recommend checking it out. At the end, we found a jazz band that was playing at the park and sat and listened to their last few songs. It was a fantastic evening and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone, but especially couples–as one of my fellow admissions student workers put, “This is the best date I’ve never been on!”
Another fun and inexpensive activity checked off of Caitlyn’s and my list? For sure.