The Gentle Barn is an animal Sanctuary 45 Minutes from Nashville.

The Gentle Barn is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Located in Christiana, Tennessee down I-24, the Barn is about a 45-minute drive from Nashville and on Sundays, you can visit from 11 am-1 pm. 

Founded as a resting spot for barn rescue animals, the Barn is a temporary (or permanent) home for animals who have had a hard go at life. Some of the residents include a goat with prosthetic legs, genetically modified unnaturally obese chickens, and a crippled miniature horse.

The owner and founder greets you upon arrival and shares why she founded the barn and how she believes that all animals communicate to us and the importance of loving all creatures great and small. She gives you a few basic rules – don't chase the animals – and then you're free to spend the next two hours roaming the property, petting cows, hugging (!!!) 600-pound pigs, holding chickens, and petting horses, goats, and turkeys. There are a few tents in some of the farmyards, but be prepared to be out in the sun – especially during the summer months. 

We bought our tickets in advance – proceeds go to keeping the Barn's animals happy and healthy.  My children asked a lot of questions and it was a good life lesson about how all creatures deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and love. We'll be back again, for sure.

Very clean porta-potties can be found on the property. And there's a store that sells branded "The Gentle Barn" merchandise along with some snacks and water.