Water You Doing for Spring?

~by Evan Markley

As the snow melts away and the redbuds bloom, visitors flock to Brown County to escape the stress life brings in 2022. For some, this is their first vacation in years. What better way to relax than to take a dip in a pool?

You wouldn’t be able to last long in the many ponds, lakes, or outdoor pools, during the unpredictable Indiana spring days, but Nashville has several great indoor aquatic options. Those featured here include the Brown County YMCA, the Abe Martin Lodge, the Brown County Inn, Hotel Nashville, and the Quality Inn.

YMCA

While it may not be the first indoor pool that comes to mind, the YMCA has one of the most unique pools in all of Nashville. It is a beautiful 25 meter long, saltwater pool with a brand new, bright blue liner. Its temperature stays between 82 and 84 degrees, and it also features a sauna as well as a steam room. The steam room and sauna are some locals’ favorite spots to relax.

The pool is great for weak swimmers as the deepest point is only 5ft, and there is a lifeguard on duty during pool hours. If you ask them, they will set up a basketball goal for you or your kids. For those who would like to exercise, there are lanes for lap swimming. The locker rooms are clean and have warm showers for after your swim.

The Brown County Y is free for any member of any YMCA in the country. For those without a membership, the Brown County YMCA offers a reduced entry fee of $5 for adults and $12 for families of three or more for guests staying in a local hotel. This will also get you access to the entire facility, not just the pool.

Abe Martin Lodge

The Abe Martin Lodge boasts a dazzling indoor water park. It offers a water slide, splash pad, hot tub/whirlpool, lazy river, as well as a basketball goal and volleyball net for you and your little athletes.

The water slide is a fun for all ages with its moderate intensity. There are always multiple lifeguards on duty. Two of them watch the slide closely, giving guests the green light to slide when it is safe. It has become legendary for being an excellent setting for a birthday party. Contact the Lodge directly for booking events.

Upon checking in, guests of the Abe Martin Lodge receive wrist bands for the number of guests staying in their many rooms or cabins on property. For anyone else (locals, park guests, or visitors of Nashville) it is $15 per person to receive a wrist band to the water park.

The lighting and the large windows, peering out into the woods, give the aquatics center a warm, homey feel. The whirlpool has a waterfall to relax under while young ones swim. This clean facility is fun for all ages and has something everyone can enjoy.

Brown County Inn

The BCI’s pool is one of the smaller pools of Nashville, but it makes up for it in personality. Access to the pool is free for anyone staying at the BCI.

The Inn hosts the only pool that can claim to be indoor and outdoor in the area because it has garage doors surrounding it on all sides. These doors can be opened and closed depending on the weather. The doors open to 10 acres of grounds that include an extensive garden and a mini golf course.

No lifeguards are on duty and the maximum depth is 8ft, so you will have to watch out for your weaker swimmers.

Outside of the pool, there is access to the Salt Creek Trail that runs all the way down to the YMCA. You could stay at the BCI and enjoy their pool, then walk over to the YMCA for a second pool experience, and then head back to the BCI’s pool before calling it a day. You might develop gills, but you could go between the pools all day long (as long as the pools are open).

The pool is charmingly simple. The ferns hanging from the ceiling add color to the wooden backdrop. The deck provides a nice spot to lay out and sunbathe.

Hotel Nashville

Hotel Nashville’s pools is a bit dated, but it will satisfy anyone craving that water vacation. Sometimes, that’s all you really need. Its most endearing quality is its hot tub.

This is one of the least expensive hot tub experiences you can get with your stay in Nashville. The hot tub is always soothing, and great for recovering after a full day of shopping. The pool is free to access if you are staying at the hotel; or, if you are a local that wants to visit regularly, Hotel Nashville offers a pool membership for $20 per month.

Quality Inn

The first thing you see when you walk into this hotel is its pool. It sits right in front of the lobby with its windows tempting you to swim. The pool itself isn’t very big, posting a max depth of only 5ft 6in.

This is another one of those pools that will satisfy your need to get wet on vacation. It is also a pleasant place just to hang out or read a book. The green tile on the walls surrounding the pool match the branding in their logo perfectly. The pool will have you wanting to swim each time you enter the hotel.

Water You Going to Do?

Wherever you decide to spend your spring break, Nashville has your answer for swimming. Remember to stay safe, swim with a buddy, and have fun.