family trip nashville

35 Fun Things to Do in Nashville with Kids: The Best Family-Friendly Attractions!

By: Author William Cooper

Posted on Published: June 30, 2020  - Last updated: November 3, 2023

Nashville spans over 336,000 acres.

With that vast area, you’ll find a family-friendly attraction perfect for your getaway.

Still, with the many options at your disposal, it can be challenging to choose your destination with the kids.

I know because I’ve been in the same boat as you.

As a parent, I’ve planned numerous family trips to Nashville and encountered many challenges.

And I encountered the same challenges when planning my trips to the Tennessee capital professionally as a travel writer.

But I’ve learned from my experiences and my many trips to the Music City.

So, I’m here to share my tips and reviews so you can plan your epic family getaway.

I also ranked the attractions based on their educational value, fun factor, accessibility, affordability, and age compatibility.

Plan your trip now with my in-depth reviews of the attractions and fun things to do in Nashville with kids. 

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Fun Things to Do in Nashville with Kids Compared

From visiting music venues to touring Nashville on a bus, there’s no shortage of activities you can enjoy with your kids. Here are our top picks:

Editor’s Choice

Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour

Sure, the closest some of us may get to being rockstars is offkey renditions of Rockstar on a karaoke night, but at this attraction, you can get as close as standing on the very same stage your idol once stood on!

• Age Compatibility: Young Children (6-9 years)
• Educational Value: 4.5/5
• Fun Factor: 4.5/5
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Affordability: 4/5

#2nd Best Choice

Hop On Hop Off Bus

The popular Hop On Hop Off Bus is not only one of the most fun family attractions in Nashville but also an efficient way to see the city.

• Age Compatibility: Preschoolers (4-5 years) 
• Educational Value: 4/5
• Accessibility: 4.5/5

#3rd Best Choice

Music City Hall of Fame

Yes, Nashville is the Music City, but if you want a super-detailed look at all things “country music”, the Music City Hall of Fame is “the” spot to go.

• Fun Factor: 4/5
• Accessibility: 4/5

Here are fun activities in Nashville with kids.

1. Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour (Editor’s Choice)

2804 Opryland Dr Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 871-6779 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Ratings Criteria

• Gives glimpse into Nashville’s rich music history
• Knowledgeable guides

Here, guests experience a super-cool live radio concert and a tour of the Ryman Auditorium’s backstage areas, where you learn about the venue’s grand history and explore actual dressing rooms.

The concert is one of the top kid-friendly things to do in Nashville—a perfectly-timed show (45 minutes—just right), church-pew seating (freedom of movement!), and of course, popcorn!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Nashville, TN

2. Hop On Hop Off Bus

201 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201 (629) 208-0200 Visit Website Open in Google Maps

• Value for money
• Funny and friendly tour guides
• Can be crowded

This double-decker bus has an experienced guide on board who can point out things you may otherwise miss, such as the recording studios and certain sections of town, and all at a great price.

The constant inflow of attractions will also serve in keeping the tots engaged and manageable, so mom and dad can actually focus on the attractions instead of the kids!

Take Gray Line for the best overview of the city.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Aloft Nashville West End

Related: Best Restaurants in Nashville

3. Music City Hall of Fame

222 Rep. John Lewis Way S Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 416-2001 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Top-notch music artifacts
• With audio self-guided tour
• No parking on-site

Apart from the well-displayed exhibits that pack in the genre’s history, the museum has super-fun kids’ attractions, such as the Scavenger Hunt (prizes in the end!) and a kids’ area to keep the tots happy!

The undoubted highlight, though, is the recording studio, a crowd-favorite attraction where you can record, playback, and save your music, just as is done in an actual recording studio.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Indigo Nashville – The Countrypolitan

4. Madame Tussauds

515 Opry Mills Dr Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 485-4867 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

With its unique displays, Madame Tussauds Nashville is an excellent alternative to the Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour and the Music City Hall of Fame.

Undoubtedly the world’s most famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds has a branch in every major city around the world, and Nashville is no exception.

Get your pictures clicked with all your favorite stars; the tots will also be excited at the chance to see the celebrities that their generation idolizes.

The museum also serves as a great lesson into Nashville’s musical history, featuring statues of all its top stars.

Madame Tussauds shares borders with the Grand Ole Opry and is open until 9 pm every night (except for 7 pm on Sundays) so you can cover both attractions in one day.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Club Wyndham Nashville

Related: Best Things to Do in Nashville

5. Belle Meade Plantation

110 Leake Avenue Nashville, TN 37205 (615) 356-0501 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re visiting the south, you absolutely must visit a plantation and the Belle Meade is an excellent option, with interesting tours that’ll hold the tots’ attention and a treat for parents right at the end—wine tasting!

The former horse-breeding plantation features horse stables, carriage storage, and a great lawn.

The 45-minute tour takes you through the whole site; interesting as it is, the doors are locked when the tour starts and only open after, which means you’re left managing your tots and any “emergencies” the entire time unless you’re asked to be let out.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Green Hills

Related: Fun Things to Do Near Nashville

6. Frist Center for the Visual Arts Nashville

919 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 244-3340 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Sure, this doesn’t exactly sound like something the kids would dig, but wait till they try out the interactive activities on offer.

Visitors to the Frist Center can easily end up spending hours here—the art section features a brilliant photography collection that mom and dad will enjoy, whereas the tots may not want to leave the kids’ section!

The kids’ section offers an array of interactive kids activities based on fine art and building, such as sketching, building, water-color painting, and even stop animation.

Tots can unleash their inner Picassos and the whole family can make art together!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Nashville Downtown

Related: Fun Things to Do in Nashville at Night

7. Nashville Adventure Science Center

800 Fort Negley Blvd Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 862-5160 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Every city has a great venue that combines learning and fun, and in Nashville, it’s the Nashville Adventure Science Center, where science is as far away from “boring” as possible.

Head to the TinkerLab to build to your hearts’ content (you can take your creation home), or the super-cool climbing structure right in the middle of the museum; climbing all the way to the top rewards you with beautiful views of Nashville.

Last but not least is the Farting Slide.

Yep, this slide farts every time you slide down it, and yep, kids love it, even if the parents don’t!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Thompson Nashville

8. Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center

2800 Opryland Dr Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 889-1000 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Let’s admit it—who doesn’t like a freebie, right?

If you just agreed, you’ll dig this humongous resort and convention center in Nashville that can be enjoyed free of cost.

Visitors to the Gaylord Opryland Resort can explore many of the resort’s features, such as the delta river, the cascades, and the garden conservatory.

Relax by a waterfall while the tots run wild and free on the grounds.

You can even enjoy a boat ride on the river in the middle of the hotel, by Delta Island, or explore the many lovely shops and eateries here.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

9. Centennial Park and the Parthenon

2500 West End Ave Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 862-8431 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The lovely Centennial Park is a gigantic park, with park staples such as gorgeous ponds and velvety grass and also a unique feature—the Parthenon, a replica of the original Parthenon in Greece.

The replica even features the 24-foot statue of Athena found on the Greek Parthenon.

Going inside to see the statue will cost you a few dollars per head; however, the grounds come completely free of cost and can be enjoyed to your hearts’ content!

Centennial Park is almost on the outside of Nashville, so it may be a little bit of a distance to travel, depending on where you’re staying.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hutton Hotel

Also See: Fun Things to Do in Knoxville with Kids Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN with Kids

10. Musicians’ Corner

2500 West End Ave Nashville, TN 37203 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Come spring, the Nashville Musicians’ Corner comes alive, with a range of outdoor concerts and music festivals to enjoy.

The best part? They’re free-of-cost enjoyment .

Musicians’ Corner is also known for the food trucks that visit during the festivals, with an array of delicious food being served up.

In fact, you could try all of Nashville’s most famous street food in one go over here, from Snow Cones to grilled cheese.

Grab your food and head to the picnic tables; if you’re not too particular, sprawl out on the grass or the amphitheater’s steps and dig in!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown

11. Instagram Murals

Nashville, TN 37204 Open in Google Maps

The adolescents in the family must have definitely perked up at this one; with a name like “Instagram Murals”, you can rest assured that there are plenty of social-media-worthy photo opportunities here.

The angel wings mural is the most popular; so much so that you may have to wait in line to be able to get a photo with it.

Time your visit right to avoid funny shadows.

The other murals are also just as great; however, while some are located within walking distance of each other, some require you to drive around, unless you’re willing to walk long distances.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nashville Downtown

12. Cumberland Park and Walking in Downtown Nashville

592 S 1st St Nashville, TN 37213 (615) 862-8400 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The Cumberland Park is not one of Nashville’s mainstream attractions; if you weren’t looking for it, you’d probably never find it.

Visiting this cool park is one of the top things to do with kids in Nashville, TN, thanks to its fun slide, rock walls and gentle hills, all on the banks of the gentle Cumberland River.

You can also carry a picnic and relax at tables meant for eating and relaxation.

The park also has a walking bridge that’ll take you to downtown Nashville, so if the family tires of the park, head to musical downtown!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown

13. Nashville Zoo

3777 Nolensville Pk Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 833-1534 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

A visit to the zoo is an almost foolproof vacation idea; who doesn’t love looking at animals?

Whether you love animals or are looking for a family outing, visiting the Nashville Zoo is a great idea!

The zoological garden is a former plantation farmhouse, a few miles away from Downtown Nashville.

The zoo houses over 6,200 animals belonging to around 340 species.

There are also various activities that the tots will love, from petting baby kangaroos to seeing tortoises and getting to touch their shells.

There’s also a fun jungle gym and Wilderness Express Train that promises a fun ride.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Omni Nashville Hotel

Also See: Memphis Attractions for Kids What to Do in Pigeon Forge with Kids

14. Bluebird Cafe

4104 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 383-1461 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

This iconic cafe is just as huge a hit as the TV series it was a part of!

This for-all-ages venue is an excellent idea if you’re wondering what to do in Nashville with kids.

Bluebird Cafe opened its doors in 1982 and ever since the music club has become one of the best spots in Nashville for acoustic music.

Popular names such as LeAnn Rimes, and Garth Brooks are regulars; many received their break here!

The cafe offers two shows each evening, including an open mic event.

You can also take a tour based entirely on Nashville (the TV series).

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Residence Inn by Marriott Nashville Green Hills

15. Nashville Sounds

19 Jackson St Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 690-4487 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re visiting any time between late March and early September, do catch a baseball game where the Nashville Sounds are playing!

A Minor League Baseball team, the Nashville Sounds are named in tribute to the city’s vibrant music scene.

The city’s home team is a Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and the Pacific Coast League.

In addition to the thrill of a game and delicious snacks, super-fun baseball-related activities are organized for tots on special days.

Tickets are in the $10-41 range, depending on the type of seats, time of the visit, and where you book.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Union Station Nashville Yards, Autograph Collection

16. East Nashville

Nashville, TN Visit Website Open in Google Maps

East Nashville is beautiful and artsy; the local culture thrives here and visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining and shopping options.

Check out the Five Points area for some lovely street art, sophisticated fine-dining restaurants, and happening bars.

For beautiful tree-lined avenues, check out the Greenway in Shelby Park, winding along the glimmering Cumberland.

Fatherland Street is a great place if you’re in the mood for offbeat shopping, from unique souvenirs to hand-blended teas to quirky clothes.

Do check out the breweries for some excellent craft beer; there are several kid-friendly ones open.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Russell

17. Wildhorse Saloon

120 2nd Ave N Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 902-8200 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The Wildhorse Saloon has a ton of fun for families in the store, from an awesome dance floor to great food (kids’ menu included) to an infectious atmosphere that gets everyone moving!

This humongous bar and restaurant is right off of Broadway and runs quite an array of programs daily; check the schedule beforehand to avoid unnecessary (and expensive) cover charges.

Like the cover charge, the menu too is a bit expensive.

The dance floor is the main draw here; you can join in a line-dancing class or groove to country music.

The tykes have an exclusive session just for them, too!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Embassy Suites Nashville – at Vanderbilt

18. Pfunky Griddle

2800 Bransford Ave Nashville, TN 37204 (615) 298-2088 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re in Nashville with kids, it’s a given that you must visit the Pfunky Griddle, an eatery as funky as its name!

This unique restaurant features tables with griddles in the middle so guests can cook their own pancakes.

A variety of accompaniments are available to go with the pancakes, from M&Ms to fruit.

You can also make your own hash browns, eggs, and grilled cheese.

Oh, and to make the syrup on your pancake sweeter, the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat deal!

For once, the tots won’t hurry to leave the dining table; prepare for the sugar rush, though!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn Nashville / Vanderbilt

Also See: Kid Friendly Things to Do in Chattanooga Things for Kids to Do in Sevierville

19. Poole Knobs Campground

493 Jones Mill Rd La Vergne, TN 37086 (615) 459-6948 Open in Google Maps

Rent an RV (if you don’t already have one) and drive down to Nashville, instead of traditional modes of travel; with its array of campgrounds, Nashville is a pretty great place for camping families.

The Poole Knobs Campground is one such excellent camping site; it’s gigantic and looks out over the water, so you can wake up to beautiful water views and fall asleep to the sound of the water.

The campground is a bit of a distance away from main Nashville (45 minutes); ensure you account for travel time and plan out your schedule well in advance.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Home2 Suites By Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center

20. Seven Points

1810 Stewarts Ferry Pike Hermitage, TN 37076 (615) 889-5198 Open in Google Maps

Another one of Nashville’s gorgeous camping grounds, Seven Points is even closer to the water and right next door to a playground and more importantly, the beach!

The campsites are understandably huge; the property belongs to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so you can consider it quite similar to a state park.

Additionally, it isn’t an RV park.

This means that there are no hookups and you’re left to Mother Nature’s whims!

To add to its positives, Seven Points is only 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, making it more convenient to set up base than Poole Knobs.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Downtown/Convention Center

21. Fannie Mae Dees Park

2400 Blakemore Ave Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 862-8408 Visit Website Open in Google Maps

Just like music, lush green spaces also abound in Nashville, many of them unique yet all of them loaded with a ton of family-friendly fun, clearing any doubt of what is there to do in Nashville for families.

Fannie Mae Dees Park is an excellent example.

This family-oriented park also goes by the local nickname of “Dragon Park”, owing to the huge mosaic-tile-covered dragon that pops out of the ground.

Apart from this very cool display, you’ll also find a splash pad, a picnic shelter, and loads of play equipment, all enticing options for the tots!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Vanderbilt-Elliston Place

22. Nashville’s Children Theater

25 Middleton St Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 254-9103 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Visiting the Nashville Children’s Theater is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids; this non-profit organization runs a variety of fun kids’ programs, such as summer camps, acting classes, and the staging of enthralling children’s plays.

No matter what time of the year you choose to visit, there’ll be some kids’ stuff on offer here suited to different age groups and grade levels—you can check their website for the schedule.

Depending on your schedule and the day of the week, you can choose to either catch a matinee show or an evening show.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown

Also See: Things to Do in Johnson City for Kids Kids Activities: Clarksville Things to Do in Franklin with Kids

23. The Escape Game Nashville

523 Opry Mills Dr Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 647-8229 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re wondering what is there to do in Nashville for tweens, say hello to The Escape Game Nashville.

A unique escape game, this attraction is one spot where the tykes won’t be complaining about having to be indoors.

Up to 8 members are put in specially-designed rooms and participants have 60 minutes to figure out how, as the name says, escape!

Don’t worry; you have a variety of setups and props to help you along the way, and even hints when the going gets really tough!

Tweens are sure to dig the fun, mystery, and adventure on offer here!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown

24. Honky Tonk Highway

501 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203 (800) 675-6910 Visit Website Open in Google Maps

The music never stops at the Honky Tonk Highway, one of Nashville’s most popular streets.

Both Upper and Lower Broadway boast a seemingly infinite number of music venues (most of them free!), gastropubs and restaurants.

Some of the must-checkout spots here are the Whiskey Row gastropub, AJ’s Good Time Bar, and Alan Jackson’s Bar, all offering excellent live music.

Though some spots may admit only adults at night, many restaurants are open during the day to families, such as the must-try Savannah’s Candy Kitchen.

However, it’s a common sight to see kids out on Honky Tonk Highway, long after bedtime!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Tru By Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center

25. Biscuit Love

316 11th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 490-9584 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps

Founded by a husband-and-wife tandem, Biscuit Love is a restaurant that specializes in Southern fare.

But don’t think they’re your ordinary Southern plates.

The staff here gives those familiar flavors a unique twist.

Have you ever tried a chorizo meatloaf topped with fried shallot rings?

How does a good, old biscuit topped with your favorite spicy Nashville chicken sound?

Taste them, and you’ll see why Biscuit Love is a must-visit with the family.

Don’t forget to pair your dishes with freshly-squeezed orange juice, by the way.

The one served here is my favorite.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Homewood Suites Nashville Vanderbilt

26. Nashville Ghost Tour

NCC, 511 Union St Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 884-3999 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re a family of Bravehearts, you’ll probably enjoy the Nashville Ghost Tour, a guided tour through the Music City’s most haunted spots.

Groups are guided by tour guides dressed in historic costumes (lanterns included!) through Nashville’s landmarks such as President Polk’s Tomb, the Tennessee State Capital, and the Ryman Auditorium, accompanied by tales of Nashville’s spirits.

Many operators offer a combination tour, such as a ghost tour combined with a pub crawl or a ghost tour accompanied by sightseeing; for a truly unique experience, try the hearse tour, a 60-minute hearse ride around Nashville’s most famous sights.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

27. Treetop Adventure Park

4001 Bell Road Hermitage, TN 37076 (615) 889-7050 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you still weren’t convinced that the answer to “Is Nashville a good place for a family vacation?” is a resounding yes, the Treetop Adventure Park will probably convince you, and then some.

This adventure course is nestled in the Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort’s beautiful woods and features over 100 thrilling obstacles of varying difficulty levels, from zip lines to cargo nets to suspended bridges to Tarzan swings, to name a few.

There’s something for everyone in the family at the Treetop Adventure Park, so go over for a fun experience with lots of bonding opportunities!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Nashville Airport East, TN

28. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

4580 Rachels Ln Nashville, TN 37076 (615) 889-2941 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the former home of America’s 7th president, Andrew Jackson.

Not only do you get to explore one of Tennessee’s most historic, beautiful farms but the president’s life and times, too.

There are many different tours available, from 1.5-hour VIP tours that take visitors through the mansion and its sprawling grounds to a tour that takes gives you a sobering view of what life was like for slaves of the time.

The major draw, though, is the horse-drawn wagon tour that truly takes you back centuries to the lives of all those who once lived on this 1,000-acre cotton plantation.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel

29. Nashville Shores Waterpark

4001 Bell Rd Hermitage, TN 37076 (615) 889-7050 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Is Nashville kid-friendly?

With spots such as the Nashville Shores Waterpark, you can rest assured that it most certainly is.

The city’s biggest waterpark packs in a ton of fun, over 1 million gallons’ worth to be precise!

The park has 8 fun water slides, an enormous wave pool, a lazy river, and the super-fun Kowabunga Beach, featuring a cool treehouse and playground.

The waterpark is located on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, so once the all-you-can-play quota at the park is exhausted, you can soak in some rays on the beautiful beach!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Four Points by Sheraton Nashville Airport  

30. Adventureworks Zipline

1300 Narrows of the Harpeth Rd Kingston Springs, TN, 37082 (615) 297-2250 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Located on a 40-acre ridge top, Adventureworks Zipline is adjacent to the Narrows of Harpeth State Park, around 25 miles west of Nashville.

Surrounded by the Harpeth River, Adventureworks is one of the best spots in Nashville to catch gorgeous panoramic views of the Nashville countryside.

There are a variety of zip-lining tours on offer, from canopy tours to sweetheart tours to twilight firefly tours to even haunted tours.

What’s more, tots can even celebrate their birthdays here!

If you’re not up for the adrenaline rush, relax in natural settings while the tots get their fill of thrills!

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Green Hills

31. Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

201 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201 (629) 208-0200 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re still searching for things to do with kids, Nashville will take you on a ride.

Hop aboard the Old Town Trolley Tours in Nashville for a family-friendly exploration through Music City.

It’s a rolling history lesson with a dash of Southern charm.

The trolley makes it easy to explore key city spots like Centennial Park and the Gulch.

Kids love the novelty of riding a trolley, and parents love the convenience and educational value.

The trolley drivers are a wealth of knowledge, sharing fun facts and stories about Nashville.

It’s like a mobile classroom but way more fun.

So, if you’re on Broadway and searching for educational “things to do with kids near me”, visit this spot.

Plus, you can use it as a convenient way to hop on and off at popular attractions.

32. 5 Daughters Bakery

1110 Caruthers Ave Nashville, TN 37204 (615) 490-6554 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

5 Daughters Bakery is a donut lover’s dream and a feast for the eyes.

Famous for its 100 Layer Donuts, this bakery also scores high on the cute factor with its Instagram-worthy wall murals and outdoor play area.

Imagine a donut that’s also a croissant.

That’s the 100 Layer Donut, and it’s as amazing as it sounds.

Kids will be in sugar heaven, and let’s be honest, so will you.

Snap some family pics against the “I Love Donuts” mural, or let the kids loose in the play area.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor and indoor kids activities, Nashville, Tennessee and this bakery will give it all to you in a delicious way.

It’s a sweet spot in more ways than one.

33. Tennessee Central Railway Museum

220 Willow St Nashville, TN 37210 (615)-244-9001 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

All aboard for a trip down memory lane.

Forget the usual Nashville kids activities.

Step back in time at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.

Kids will be thrilled to ride on vintage-style passenger trains, complete with all the old-school bells and whistles.

During the holidays, the Christmas excursion is a must-do, transforming the ride into a winter wonderland.

Even if you skip the ride, the museum itself is a treasure trove of preserved locomotives that will fascinate young and old alike.

34. Riverfront Park

100 1st Ave N Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 862-8750 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Riverfront Park is a scenic oasis along the Cumberland River, featuring a playground, walking trail, outdoor amphitheater, and a beautiful ornamental garden.

This park is the perfect spot for families to unwind, after a day of exploring the fun things to do in Nashville for kids.

Kids can go wild at the playground while parents enjoy the walking trail or the amphitheater’s events.

The ornamental garden is a peaceful spot for a family picnic.

It’s a versatile space that offers a bit of everything, from active play to relaxation.

35. Bicentennial Mall Capitol Hill State Park

600 James Robertson Pkwy Nashville, TN 37243 (888) 867-2757 Social Media Open in Google Maps

Located near the Capitol building, this 11-acre park is rich in history and natural beauty.

It features memorials, gardens, and a unique “pathway of history.”

Rangers host regular events that make history come alive.

And these events make the park one of our favorite kid friendly things to do in Nashville.

The “pathway of history” is like a walkable timeline, and the 200-foot granite map of Tennessee is a geography lesson in itself.

Parents will appreciate the educational value and the beautiful setting for a family day out.

Activity Guide

Comparing activities: which one is right for you.

When comparing Nashville attractions, you must consider the educational value, fun factor, and budget.

Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour combine music and history to create a wonderful experience.

My family and I loved seeing the dressing rooms and the stages where many country greats used to sing.

Hop On Hop Off Bus offers a more comprehensive overview of the city’s history, not just its musical roots.

We got off to see the Belmont Mansion and The Frist Center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Meanwhile, the Music City Hall of Fame allows you to know more about the lives of country icons such as Patsy Cline.

My kids had a blast in the recording studio while I explored the museum’s three floors of gorgeous musical artifacts.

But if you’re more of an architecture buff, the Belle Meade Plantation is a great alternative.

We explored the 30-acre property and soaked in the lush greenery around us.

The museum was a hit with my family as well.

How I Picked The Activities

In curating these activities, I’ve leveraged my rich knowledge and seasoned experience as both a parent and a travel writer. 

Each selection is informed by firsthand encounters, family feedback, and exhaustive research, with a keen eye for fun, educational value, accessibility, affordability, and age compatibility. 

Trust me, I’ve been there, done that, and now I’m sharing it all to help you navigate Nashville’s kid-friendly delights. 

Our Rating Method 

I rate these activities based on the following criteria: 

• Age Compatibility: I use this criterion to assess the ideal age range for each attraction. Is this activity suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, or young children? Will teenagers and tweens enjoy this attraction? I ask myself these questions whenever I assess age compatibility. 
• Educational Value: This is used to evaluate the educational benefits that the activity offers. Does the activity provide learning opportunities to children? Does it teach them lessons in science and history? I ask myself these important questions when rating the activity’s educational value. 
• Fun Factor: This measures the level of excitement, engagement, and enjoyment that the activity offers. Is it engaging and enjoyable for kids? Will it create memorable and positive experiences for families? These questions are important whenever I rate the activity’s fun factor. 
• Accessibility: This measures how accessible the activity is for families. Is it wheelchair accessible? Is it easily accessible by public transportation? Does it have ample parking space? I consider these factors when evaluating the accessibility of every activity. 
• Affordability: This assesses the value of money provided by the activity. Are the admission fees reasonable? Does it offer deals or discounts for families? I use these questions to evaluate the affordability of every attraction. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nashville a family friendly city.

Yes, Nashville is generally considered a family-friendly city with a variety of attractions, parks, and events suitable for all ages.

Is Nashville A Good Place To Take Kids?

Yes, Nashville is a good place to take kids. It has kid-friendly attractions like the Music City Hall of Fame and the Hop On and Hop Off Bus.

Fun Things to Do in Nashville with Kids: Reddit User Recommendations

Kid friendly activities for this coming year? by u/trevorbfoster in nashville

It’s clear each of the most fun things to do in Nashville with kids has something unique to offer families.

The Hop On Hop Off Bus is the perfect way to get to know Nashville without the hassle of walking from one landmark to the other.

It was fun, and my family and I did get off in some spots to take pictures.

The Music City Hall of Fame gives you a glimpse into the lives of country icons.

I enjoyed the Patsy Cline exhibit while my kids tried to record their own songs in the studio.

They had fun, of course.

The Belle Meade Plantation, with its beautiful Greek Revival architecture, is worth visiting for art buffs.

I loved the wine tasting there, and my kids and I took a stroll along the landscaped property afterward.

But the Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour is still the best of the bunch.

After embracing Nashville’s myriad family attractions, the Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour stands out as a true winner. 

It’s a priceless convergence of music, history, and fun that captures the heart of Nashville. 

A must-experience, this enchanting journey is sure to resonate with your family, leaving memories to cherish.

19 Best Things to Do on a Nashville Family Vacation- 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON A NASHVILLE FAMILY VACATION?

As a seasoned travel expert and a parent, I’ve explored numerous cities with my kids, but our time in Nashville 🎸 holds a special place in our hearts ❤️. Famously known as “Music City,” 🎶 Nashville is the heartland of country music 🤠, offering a unique blend of musical heritage and vibrant culture. But what truly sets Nashville apart isn’t just its music; it’s the wide array of family-friendly activities that make it a perfect destination for a memorable family vacation.

During our stay, we discovered that Nashville is more than its musical fame 🎵. It’s a city brimming with history 🏛️, culture, and endless fun for families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. Whether you’re tapping your feet to the rhythm of country classics 🎤 or exploring the city’s scenic parks 🌳 and interactive museums, there’s something in Nashville for every member of the family.

In this post, I’m excited to share the 19 best things to do in Nashville with kids 👧👦, based on our personal experiences and the gems 💎 we uncovered. From iconic music venues to hidden local favorites, these are the activities that truly capture the spirit of Nashville 🌆 and promise an unforgettable family vacation 🎉.

19 Best Things to Do With Kids in Nashville

Ready to explore Nashville and see why it’s so much more than just a music city? We’ve got a whole lineup of fun just waiting for you and the kiddos.

Here are the 19 best things to do in Nashville with kids on a family vacation!

1. Walk Broadway

The Broadway area is a must-see when in Nashville. The best way to experience it is to get out, walk it, and see what you can find and what you can hear!

There are many restaurants, dessert spots, shops, and honky-tonk bars here. The Johnny Cash Museum is also in this area.

When in Nashville, you must go shopping for cowboy boots. Here on Broadway, you will find quite a few cowboy boot stores. Go in, browse, and have fun trying on boots. They have a wide selection for the whole family.

2. Listen to Live Music/HonkeyTonk

When in Nashville, you have to take in live music and experience a honkey tonk bar. I love live music and the Broadway area has no shortage of this.

Can you experience a honkey tonk bar with kids? Yes, even with kids you can go to a honkey tonk bar. Some of the honkey tonk bars close around 6 pm for kids. So your best bet is to eat lunch or an early dinner with your kids.

For lunch, we ate at BB King’s Blues Club. This is a great restaurant to take kids to. We enjoyed eating while listening to live blues music.

Later that night, we came back to Broadway and had dinner at the Wildhorse Saloon . The Wildhorse Saloon is a massive three-level restaurant/bar that also has line dancing and live concerts.

This place is so much fun! We all enjoyed watching the live concert and watching people line dancing. I was having so much fun singing to the live country music. My kids, however, were a little embarrassed.

3. Eat and Design Chocolate at Goo Goo Cluster Nashville

Also located in the Broadway area, Goo Goo Cluster Nashville is a must-stop on a Nashville family vacation. Goo Goo Cluster is known as America’s first combination candy bar.

If you’ve never had a Goo Goo Cluster you must come here and try one! A Goo Goo cluster consists of marshmallow nougat, caramel, and roasted peanuts covered in milk chocolate.

The inside of the store is amazingly designed! It’s made to look like a chocolate factory. Your kids are going to love all the interactive features.

A must-do here at Goo Goo Cluster is designing your own chocolate! I gave my kids the option if they wanted to buy chocolate already made, get ice cream, or make their own chocolate. My youngest decided to make his own!

This is such a fun thing for kids to do. You pick what ingredients you would like to add to the chocolate and it is rapidly frozen and ready to eat in about 5-10 minutes.

Fun ingredients you can add include sprinkles, fruity pebbles, mini marshmallows, pretzels, and cinnamon toast crunch.

Location: 116 3rd Avenue South, Nashville TN 37201 Hours: Open Daily from 10 am -6 pm

4. Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

When in Nashville you must go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . Even for those non-country music lovers, come here and get a feel for Nashville’s roots in country music.

The building is just beautiful! It’s a massive museum full of country music memorabilia. My daughter and I being Taylor Swift fans loved seeing Taylor’s clothing!

They also offer fun children’s activities for the kids to do. When we were there, they had a craft where kids could make and decorate a cowboy boot!

The wall of records was amazing! This wall shows just how much country music has influenced people throughout the years.

➡️To purchase your tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , click here!

If you are interested in visiting RCA Studio B, you could also purchase a combo ticket, which includes the Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B tour, and Hatch Show Print tour.

We didn’t visit Studio B, but I wish we had. Studio B is where famous music stars Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and many others recorded music.

➡️To purchase your Combo Tickets to Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, Hatch Show Print , click here!

Location: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203 Hours: Open Daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm

5. Walk the Music City Walk of Fame

The Music City Walk of Fame is located across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Visit this before or after visiting the museum.

The Music City Walk of Fame is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here though in Nashville, music artists are recognized from every genre that has some tie to Nashville.

Walk and have fun seeing who you can find! Some stars you can find recognized here include Kid Rock, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Jimi Hendrix.

6. Visit the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is such an iconic, historic place it just can’t be missed.

Buy tickets and see a show or take a backstage tour. Even if you don’t see a show or take a tour, stop and get your picture in front of the big guitar!

➡️To purchase your Grand Ole Opry Show admission ticket , click here !

➡️To purchase your Grand Ole Opry House guided backstage tour ticket , click here!

Location: 2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

7. Take Pictures with the Stars at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids! This place is so much fun!

Here you will find wax replicas of famous music stars from rock, pop, jazz, country, and more. Wax replicas here include Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Katy Perry, Elvis Presley, and many more! There’s also a fun backdrop where you can pretend you are on stage at the Grand Ole Opry.

To purchase your Madame Tussauds admission ticket, click here!

Location: Opry Mills; 515 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 Hours: Check Madame Tussauds for current hours.

8. Tour the Gaylord Opryland Resort

The Gaylord Opryland Resort is more than just a place to stay. It’s a destination in itself. Even if you’re not staying at the resort, you have to visit it.

This resort is massive! Yes! Let me say that again, MASSIVE!! You could spend a whole day just walking around in this place.

This resort is also absolutely gorgeous! There are nine acres of gardens and waterfalls with more than 50,000 tropical plants.

Since this resort is so beautiful, be sure to take advantage of the many wonderful photo opportunities!

There’s even a boat ride! Yes, a boat ride in the resort!

They also have a luxury waterpark, called SoundWaves . Soundwaves has more than 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor water attractions including waterslides, a lazy river, and more.

Other fun attractions at the resort include an arcade and a rock-climbing wall.

When you get hungry, there are several restaurants to choose from in Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you stay till nighttime, you must see the choreographed water, light, and music show. This happens nightly in the Delta Atrium.

As you can see there is so much to keep the whole family busy here. Visiting this resort is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids!

Location: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

9. Admire the Parthenon

The Parthenon , located in Centennial Park in Nashville was built as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

Not only is this a beautiful replica of classical architecture, but it also is an art museum. There’s even a 42-foot sculpture of Athena inside!

Even if you decide not to go inside to see the art museum, just enjoy walking around the exterior and taking in the wonderful views of this magnificent building.

Location: Centennial Park; 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 Hours: For current hours and ticket prices check their website

10. Walk the John Seigenthaler Bridge

Walking the John Seigenthaler Bridge was one of my favorite things we did in Nashville. It is a pedestrian and bike-only bridge. The area here is just beautiful. The views of the Nashville skyline are stunning!

After walking the bridge, we took the stairs down to Cumberland Park.

11. Play at Cumberland Park

Cumberland Park is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids. This place is amazing! This park is located along the riverfront next to the pedestrian bridge.

You can directly access the pedestrian bridge by taking an elevator or staircase!

The play spaces for kids are very unique! Fun things here for the kids include a splash pad area, slides, a climbing wall with climbing ropes, nets, and sliding poles, a maze, and a see-saw!

Parking is located here at the park.

Location: 592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213 Park Hours: Daily from dawn to 11 pm Splash Pad Hours: May 24-September 1: Monday-Saturday 9 am- 7 pm and Sunday 12-6 pm

12. Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

If you want to minimize driving time while in Nashville, I recommend the Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour . Not only is this is a form of transportation, but also a fun way to get around on with the kids.

This tour gives you a stress-free way of seeing the city and the most popular sites. It hits the main areas such as Broadway, Walk of Fame Park, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Centennial Park/Parthenon, and The Gulch.

➡️To purchase your Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour tickets, click here!

13. Go Mural Chasing

Nashville has many amazing works of art on the walls of its buildings. Many of these are located right next to each other. See how many you can find in Nashville and make sure to get your pictures.

I think we were inspired to go mural chasing as we had just recently come back from Miami and had explored the amazing Wynwood Walls.

Here are some of the top murals to see in Nashville with the kids.

-What Lifts You Mural

Probably the most popular and recognized mural in Nashville. Be prepared to wait in line for a picture here.

Location: 302 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203-4080 (The Gulch)

PRO-TIP: Come early and get your picture here….then eat at nearby Biscuit Love!

-The Nashville Walls Project

Nashville Walls Project is two beautifully, colorful murals located side by side next to each other.

Location: 11th Avenue South & Laurel Street (Located across the street from What Lifts You Mural )

For all your LEGO lovers, you have to find the Lego man. Small, but fun, this is located to the right of the colorful Nashville Walls Project

-I Believe In Nashville Mural

Another popular mural and fun spot to get your picture taken in Nashville!

Location: 2702 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

-Draper James Wall

The Draper James Wall is located right across from I Believe In Nashville . Its blue and white walls are a beautiful place to take a picture.

Take a walk in Draper James and browse the clothing store. It is owned by actress Reese Witherspoon!

– Looking Pretty, Music City

Looking Pretty, Music City is another fun mural, located close to the other two above. My picture doesn’t show the whole mural, but it is unique and fun.

Location: 2709 12th Avenue South

Mural Tour By Golf Cart:

Music City is filled with much more wall art than I mentioned here. These are just the places we went to. If you are interested in seeing more murals, a fun unique activity would be to take a mural art tour of Nashville by golf cart. The golf carts hold 5-7 people.

The minimum age is 5 and kids ages 5-8 must be in a booster or car seat.

➡️To book your Mural Art Tour of Nashville by Golf Cart, click here!

14. See Animals at the Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is a great place to go on a Nashville family vacation.

Some animals you will find here include flamingos, giraffes, tigers, kangaroos, monkeys, and white rhinos!

This is a great zoo on a hot day because there are many shaded walkways. This is nice because some zoos I have been to get SO hot.

Nashville Zoo also has rides for an additional cost. The younger kids will enjoy the carousel and the train ride. Older, brave kids might enjoy the adrenaline-rushing zip-line.

To purchase tickets to Nashville Zoo, click here!

Address: 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211-3324 Hours: 9 am-4 pm from mid-October -mid-March; 9 am-6 pm from mid-March-mid-October

15. Learn and Play at Adventure Science Center of Nashville

Adventure Science Center of Nashville is a great place to take the kids in Nashville. The kids will enjoy the interactive and fun exhibits. Some exhibits here include space and the human body. There’s also a planetarium show!

If anyone gets hungry, there’s a convenient Subway sandwich restaurant located inside.

To purchase tickets and to check hours at Adventure Science Center of Nashville, click here!

Location: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203 Hours: Hours fluctuate, click the above link to check the hours for your arrival.

16. Enjoy Nashville Shores Waterpark & Adventure Park

If you are in Nashville during the summer months, Nashville Shores Waterpark is a great thing to do with the family.

The whole family will enjoy the wave pool, waterslides, lazy river, and beach. The younger kids will enjoy the special kiddie pool with a fun play area including interactive water features and mini-slides.

To purchase tickets and check hours at Nashville Shores Waterpark, click here!

Nashville Shores also has an adventure park with zip lines, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, and suspended bridges. Treetop Adventure Park is open seasonally.

To purchase tickets and check hours at Treetop Adventure Park, click here!

Location: 4001 Bell Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076

Where to Eat in Nashville with Kids

The following restaurants are not just places to eat, but fun experiences for the whole family while in Nashville.

17. Biscuit Love Gulch

Biscuit Love is your breakfast/brunch spot! Biscuits, as you would guess are popular here! Biscuits with fried chicken, biscuits with sausage and gravy, biscuit french toast, and much more.

You have to get their “bonuts” appetizer! This is a fried biscuit dough, tossed in sugar and topped with lemon mascarpone, and served over the blueberry compote.

For those non-biscuit lovers, no worries they also have entrees such as oatmeal, eggs, shrimp and grits, and a roasted veggie bowl.

PRO-TIP: This is a very popular restaurant in Nashville. The line gets VERY long, so go early or be prepared to wait!

Location: 316 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 Hours: Open Daily from 7 am – 3 pm

18. Aquarium Restaurant

I just love restaurants that combine food and food and the Aquarium Restaurant falls under both of these! Walk into this restaurant and you will feel like you are under the sea! The atmosphere is amazing!

The kids will love watching all the fish in the massive aquarium while dining.

They have a wide variety of menu options for adults and kids. Adult entrees include items such as soups, salads, chicken, pasta, burgers, seafood, and steak.

Kids will enjoy a wide variety of entrees including mini cheeseburgers, shrimp-fried, grilled or popcorn, chicken tenders, mini hot dogs, a grilled cheese sandwich, pizza, mac & cheese, or pasta!

The Aquarium Restaurant is located in the Opry Mills Mall right across from Madame Tussauds.

Location: 516 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

19. Rainforest Cafe

Another restaurant big on food and fun is Rainforest Cafe . I just love Rainforest Cafe. This is the ultimate fun for restaurants with kids.

This restaurant has an amazing rainforest theme. Animatronic elephants and gorillas and real-sounding tropical thunderstorms!

Rainforest Cafe offers a huge menu! From soups, salads, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, chicken, and pork. They have it all!

You can’t leave here without getting the giant Sparkling Volcano Desert . You’re welcome! 😉😋

Just like the Aquarium, this restaurant is also located in the Opry Mills Mall. This is one of the best restaurants in Nashville to take kids.

Location: 353 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Getting to Nashville

If flying into Nashville, you will fly into Nashville International Airport. The airport is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Downtown.

Looking for ways to save money on flights. Subscribe below to see how I can save you money on flying!

To take in all the city has to offer, I recommend renting a car. It’s just the best way to get around Nashville with a family.

➡️For the best prices on renting a car, I like to book through Discover Cars .

Nashville is located in northern Tennessee. It is located about 3 hours from Birmingham, Alabama. About 2 hours from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and about 3.5 hours from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Where to Stay

Gaylord opryland resort and convention center.

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is the ultimate place to stay on a Nashville family vacation. They have it all here! Plenty of dining options, shopping options, a boat ride, an arcade, a waterpark, a rock climbing wall, and much, much more!

We stayed here and enjoyed walking around the resort and enjoying all its amenities!

Gaylord Opryland Resort is located near The Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills Mall.

PRO-TIP: Request a room in the Delta Atrium, so you can enjoy the nightly light show from your room!

➡️To book your stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center , click here!

Omni Nashville Hotel

Omni Nashville Hotel is an excellent choice for those wanting to stay in the heart of downtown. This location is amazing! You are within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame and all the wonderful dining and entertainment options that Broadway has.

You and your kids will love the rooftop pool!

➡️To book your stay at Omni Nashville Hotel , click here!

Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt

Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt is a great place to stay with bigger families or those wanting to spread out and have more space. It is located in a great location across from Vanderbilt and near Centennial Park and The Parthenon.

Suites here include a separate living area with a sofa bed and a full kitchen. Free hot breakfasts are offered daily. Your kids will enjoy the indoor pool.

A great amenity of this hotel is the free two-mile shuttle to downtown. This is great because you don’t have to worry about finding and paying for parking downtown.

We stayed here on our last night in Nashville and enjoyed the hot breakfast and clean, modern, and spacious rooms.

➡️To book your stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt , click here!

The Wrap-Up: Nashville Family Vacation

Nashville is an awesome city for families to visit! With a wide variety of activities plus the culture that only Nashville can provide, there is plenty to do!

I hope my guide has helped you fill your itinerary with lots of fun things to do. Enjoy Music City!

For other fun family vacations in the Southeast, check out :

Asheville or Gatlinburg? | Which One Should You Choose for a Mountain Vacation in the South

25 fun things to do in new orleans with kids, truett’s luau- a hawaiian-themed chick-fil-a you must visit, dwarf house chick-fil-a: review of the original chick-fil-a in hapeville, ga.

Kim Swanson, founder of Traveling Swansons, is a wife, mother of three and travel lover. Her love for exploration spans from the bustling streets of cities to the serene beauty of National Parks and her favorite destination, Italy. But that's not all – Kim's heart also belongs to all things Disney. Her special love for the magic of Disney has led her to become an expert in the field. Whether you seek advice on iconic destinations or a Disney adventure, Kim Swanson's expertise turns your travel dreams into reality.

29 Absolutely Enjoyable Things To Do In Nashville

There are so many fun and cool things to do in Nashville, TN! There are great tours, museums, restaurants, and food. You could spend days exploring everything this city has to offer. With so much to choose from it can be hard to decide what things to do in Nashville, Tennessee. Below we share the top 15 places you don’t want to miss.

If you are looking to extend your trip be sure to check out our Tennessee Road Trip post!

Table of Contents

Nashville Attractions

Grand ole opry and backstage tour.

The Opry was such a cool musical show. I would definitely recommend kicking it off with the backstage tour of the Ryman Auditorium!

The Highlights:

• History – On the tour you learn a lot about the history of the Opry and get to see where the performers enter from and what their dressing rooms look like.
• Going on Stage – Of course the highlight of the tour is getting to go out on state and stand in the circle where so many famous people have stood before. I got the chills multiple times when our guide was talking about the Opry and when we watched some of the moments where performers found out they were being inducted into the Opry.
• The Concert – The concert itself was an amazing experience and you could feel the energy in the room as each person came on stage. Not to mention it is a live radio show so that added a whole other element to it.

Things to Know:

• I love that you sit in old church pews – which is perfect for kids who want to walk around or snuggle with you. Plus they have a concession stand with popcorn. We all enjoyed dancing in our seats along to the music!
• When in Nashville go to the Grand Ole Opry – it will give you a much deeper appreciation of what Nashville is all about and how important country music is to the community.
• The tour is about 45 minutes so it is good length of time for kids. And they like kids on the tour – one of the security guards gave the kids suckers while we were on the tour!
• There is an intermission during the concert plus a concession stand.

If you do the backstage tour you will have a couple of hours between the end of the tour and the concert. Perfect time to walk over to Opry Mills and grab dinner at the Aquarium.

The kids will love watching all the fish and sharks swimming in the aquarium while they wait for their food. The food itself was just OK but the scenery made up for it.

Learn more about our Grand Ole Opry Experience .

Click here: To Get Your Grand Ole Opry Show Ticket Now Before They Sell Out!

Hop on Hop off Bus

As touristy as it sounds I really think the best way to start a visit to any city is to take a bus tour . I know, I know total tourist attraction . . . But hear me out.

When you go on a bus tour you usually have a guide who will point things out that you may have missed and will give you a good overview of the city with recommendations on places to go. Basically a guided tour of the city!

Plus the kids are contained (and usually you can bring snacks and drinks on the buses) so you really get a chance to look around and get the lay of the land of the new city you are in.

Every time we take a bus tour I leave feeling like I better understand the city we are in and then I am ready to go out explore even deeper.

In Nashville we did the Gray Line Hop on Hop off bus tour and it was a great way for the overview of the city. We saw some parts of the city that I know we would not have seen had we not done the tour – like where the recording studios are and some of the outlaying sections of the town.

Things To Know:

• You can hop on and off the bus which is great! But check the schedule since it stops running around 5 ish.
• It is a double decker bus so you can go up top which we highly recommend.
• You can bring your own food and drinks on the bus.
• You can get on at any of the stops but can only buy tickets at certain stops. Check their site for more info.

We recommend you do this when you first get to Nashville to get the lay of the land!

Belle Meade Plantation

I had been wanting to see a plantation since we had been down south so we figured we would try this one.

The highlights:

• It was a horse breeding plantation when it was in its prime.
• With your ticket you can walk around the grounds and see the slave quarters, horse stables, carriage storage, and just run in the grass.
• Then you get a 45 minute tour of the inside of the plantation house. It was very interesting but a little much for the kids. Once the tour starts the doors are locked and you have to ask to be let out. Knox did not make it through the whole thing – I tried giving him my phone but he kept finding the volume button and turning it up right in the middle of the guy talking. My parents were with me so my Dad took Knox out.
• The highlight of the trip is the wine tasting at the end! The Blackberry wine was my favorite!

Things to know:

• You can’t bring a stroller into the plantation house and the grounds are pretty rough outside. But you could use it if you were just checking out the grounds area.
• I would assume you can’t bring your own food. They did have crackers (expensive!) that you could buy to eat with the wine.
• They had a cute outside area where you could sit to drink any wine that you had bought. It looked like it would be really cool at night too.
• The house tour is 45 minutes and Carson (7), Cannon (5), and Melia (5) made it through it. And I thought it was worth it. But they also played on our phones for part of the time.

Recommend: If you have an extra day and some extra money or you are set on seeing a plantation I would recommend this trip. Or if you like wine tasting – then I would definitely recommend it! Other than that, with the kids it wouldn’t be one of my must see stops and we would not do it again.

The Escape Room Game Nashville

The escape game Nashville is a great indoor activity to do with your family! You and up to 8 people get put into a room and you have to figure out how to get out in 60 minutes. The rooms have unique props and setups and are filled with a variety of clues to help you figure out how to get out of the room.

Book Your Escape Room Adventure Now!!

We weren’t sure if this was going to be a kid friendly activity or not but it totally was! We highly recommend taking your family to The Escape Game Nashville. You can learn more about our time playing the game at our post: THE ESCAPE GAME IS A UNIQUE AND AWESOME ACTIVITY .

You can also check out The Escape Games newest attraction the Great Big Game Show ! Where you get to see what it is like to be on a game show and compete against another team.

Museums To Visit In Nashville

There are a variety of museums you will want to visit in Nashville. I know it is a music and party city but I promise these museums are worth it to visit!

Music City Hall of Fame

I wasn’t sure how the Music City Hall of Fame and museum would go over with the kids and since Craig and I aren’t big country music people didn’t know what we would think either. I am so glad we went!! The history was really cool to see and they did an awesome job displaying it.

Nashville is the music city so it made sense that we should come and learn more about country music!

• The Scavenger Hunt – The kids can do for a prize at the end. I think Craig had more fun doing it then the kids :). But definitely added to the experience for everyone. It also looked like there were working on a kids area which we will have to come back to check out.
• The Recording Studio – Our favorite part about the Music City Hall of Fame was the recording studio. We ended up not giving ourselves enough time and could have stayed here for hours! They have an interactive part of the museum where you create an account with your picture and then use that to record and save your music. The music was done in karaoke style but was so cool since you are in a recording studio when you are doing it and can then play it back to hear how you sound. This was a big hit with the kids and us! It is located in the back of the museum so make sure you seek it out.
• The History – You could spend hours reading all of the history, watching the movies, and checking out the old guitars and costumes.

• The building is huge so plan on doing some walking to see everything.
• There is parking right up the street (away from downtown and the river). There are 2 lots one is really expensive and the one right next to it is cheaper so be sure to check and make sure you are at the cheaper one!

We recommend you give yourself at least 2 hours especially if you want to do the scavenger hunt and have plenty of time at the recording studio. The place closes at 5pm so plan accordingly!

Get tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame Here!

If you want more check out this option: RCA Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame Combo tickets. This is a good option if you want to hear more about Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton.

Frist Art Museum

Art Museums and kids . . . per previous posts I have done I know that it isn’t always the best fit. But I knew this one had a hands on area so we gave it a try. We ended up spending hours there.

We quickly walked through the art section – the photography collection they had up was brilliant but the kids attention span was very short. After walking through we went straight up to the kids section.

The kids section was filled with a collection of hands out art activities and building activities for the kids. We did water color painting, sketching, building, stop animation and had a great time learning and making art! Now that is how you do an art museum with kids!!

The hands on area is upstairs. You can either go straight to it or walk through the art displays first.

We recommend you give yourselves a few hours if not more to just hang out in the hands on area and do all of the different stations that they have!

Nashville Adventure Science Center

• The Farting Slide – every time you went down the slide it farted! Yes the kids liked this :)!
• The Tinker Lab – you can go in and build with all of the wood, tools, saws, tubes, and anything else you can find. If it fits in a bag you can take it home!
• The climbing structure in the middle of the museum. You can climb all the way to the top and look out over Nashville. It is doable for adults but it is a tight squeeze!
• You cannot bring your own food in. They have a Subway restaurant on site, but if you bring your own food you have to bring it outside to eat. They do have picnic tables way in the back of the parking lot.
• I wouldn’t recommend a stroller because the place is not that big and it would be hard to maneuver the stroller around.

Recommend: The museum is only 2 levels so it isn’t somewhere that you would spend the whole day, but definitely worth stopping at for a 3 or 4 hours! You could literally spend at least 1 hour in the Tinker Lab – if there is a wait to get in – wait, it is worth it!

We highly recommend a Reciprocal Museum Membership to get in FREE or at a discounted price at Museums all over the country.

Old Town Trolley Tours Of Nashville

This hop-on hop-off tour has 14 stops and you have unlimited use of the Nashville Old Town Trolley. Or stay on the trolley for the whole 90 minutes for a live narrated tour of the top sights of Music City!

Visit Music Row, Ryman Auditorium, Music Row, Broadway and more! The trolley is an open air vehicle which makes it great for taking pictures and video.

Free thing to do in Nashville with Kids

Gaylord opryland resort & convention center.

This is a HUGE hotel right by the Grand Ole Opry and the Mall. The Gaylord Resort is also a great Christmas hotel .

**NEW** They just added an amazing water park to the hotel. You are NOT going to want to miss this it looks amazing and super family friendly!! You can learn more about it here: Sound Waves water park.

• You can walk around and check out each of their spectacular atrium areas. (The cascades, garden conservatory, delta river).
• It was fun just walking around on the paths. We found a waterfall that the kids could sit behind and big open areas where they could run.
• If it is a rainy day and your kids need room to run I would recommend coming and going over by the Magnolia section where the banquet halls are (assuming there are no events going on) there is a large area just to run.
• There are lots of cool shops and restaurants (Jack Daniels, Irish pub, boutiquey type of shops).
• You can take a boat on the river by Delta Island in the middle of the hotel!

• You will want to park in the Opry Mills mall parking lot, it’s FREE! This is not an easy parking lot to find and it seems like you are going the wrong way, but it is the right way.
• You want to get North on McGavock Pike (exit 11). Coming off of TN-155 take a left when you past the Holiday Inn Express (which will be on the right side of the road). You then take this road all the way back (stay on it this is right!). It becomes Opry Mills Dr. You will see the back of the Grand Ole Opry hotel. Park in the mall parking lot as close as you can and then cross the street and walk through the Grand Ole Opry hotel’s parking lot to get to the front entrance of the hotel. You should save money!
• DO NOT buy the large cookies (there is small bakery area by the garden conservatory entrance). Unless you are ok spending $5 on each cookie! I read the sign wrong and was very surprised at the total – with 4 kids it was over $20! And Knox dropped his 🙁
• I would recommend a stroller if you have little one’s that can’t walk for long stretches – the place is huge!
• Food – plenty of restaurants and places to stop to eat or get snacks (we did not stop anywhere (besides the cookies). Since we were trying to make this the free trip.

Recommend: You could spend hours just walking around the hotel and a whole day if you planned to eat and shop there too. Walking around the hotel is a great free thing to do in Nashville. When you get there make sure to get a map so you can find your way around! We got lost a couple times.

Centennial Park and the Parthenon

I still cannot say that right . . . Centennial park is a large park on the outside of town that has a pond, lots of grass, and the Parthenon. The Parthenon is a replica of the Parthenon in Greece and even has the 24 foot high statue of Athena in it. If you want to go inside to see the statue you do have to pay a few dollars a person. But running around the grounds outside is totally free!

Musicians Corner

When we have been to Nashville in the past it was always in the off season. This time we were there in spring which was perfect since there were a lot of outside concerts and music festivals going on! I am always up for free music and food trucks and the musicians corner totally delivered.

There is so much great free music Nashville has to offer so make sure to check out a free concert while you are there.

• There are picnic tables for sitting or you can sit on the grass/cement stairs that are part of the outside amphitheater.
• They had a large selection of food trucks which meant we could eat a variety of food that we had read about was worth trying here in Nashville all in one spot. It didn’t disappoint from Sno Cones with whip cream to delicious grilled cheese we all enjoyed it.
• It was busy but not to crazy.

We recommend going. Just do it. The music is great and so is the food! You could go and stay all day or just go for a few hours. Consider booking a Trolley Night Tour to experience amazing views after dark!

Instagram Murals

I couldn’t wait to check out all of the Instagram worthy murals especially the angel wings one! On the Hop on Hop off bus we drove by a lot of them so it was nice when we headed out to take some pictures that we knew right where we were going.

Our favorite was the angel wings and we spent a good 10 minutes there getting pictures of everyone with the wings on.

We also had fun posing in front of the other walls as well. These 3 murals were all located close by each other so we could walk and get pictures by each of them.

• There can be a line especially for the angle wings.
• Depending on the time of day there may be a funny shadow on the wings – see our picture . . . if you are particular you may want to plan around this.
• If you want to hit all of the murals you will have to drive around or do a lot of walking to see all of them.

Cumberland Park and Walking in Downtown Nashville

This was a very cool park that you would not know was there unless you knew where you were going! Definitely a fun little park to add to the list of things to do in Nashville with kids.

• It has a rock wall, hills to run on, a slide, and is right on the Cumberland river by downtown Nashville.
• You could either park in Nashville or you could park by the parking lot for the park (it says permit only parking – but we were ok – but if there is a Tennessee Titans game going on I am not sure where you would park).
• There is a walking bridge that connects the park area to downtown Nashville.
• Downtown Nashville is cool to walk down. Lot’s of things to look at and you can hear music almost everywhere! We were there until about 7pm one night and it was still fine with kids.

• There are tables and plenty of grass to bring a picnic lunch.
• It looks like they were building a concessions area under the bridge – but it was not done when we were there.
• Nashville Parking – on the weekend we found a parking garage on 2nd street right before the court house. During the week the cheapest we found was the Court house. It is a little bit of a walk but better then paying the higher prices!
• Here is a map of where Cumberland Park is and where the Courthouse Parking Garage is. There are a couple of Courthouses so make sure you pick the right one: Courthouse Parking Garage, 101 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37201. When we went to Cumberland Park we parked in the LP Field lot – we really couldn’t tell if it was ok or not and their were some construction guys that were there that said they had been parking there all week without any problems??

If there was a Tennessee Titans game you DEFINITELY could not park there. As you can see from the Map if you parked at the Courthouse it is about a 1 mile walk to Cumberland park over the bridge – then just take the elevator down – I think the blue dots take you past the elevator (I think it is new). You can also see where Wildhorse Saloon is on the map (2nd Ave).

Recommend:  Parking in any downtown is annoying but when you are in Nashville you have to come check out the downtown area! If you want to avoid small streets and tight parking lots then park in the Court House parking garage and just be prepared for a little walk.

Cumberland park was a great hidden gem that my sister found and was worth the stop. If you wanted to spend a whole day in downtown Nashville you could park by the court house, walk down 2nd street, cross over the the riverfront area – play on the grass steps, then head to the walking bridge – walk across – take the elevator down – play at Cumberland park – then head back and find somewhere for dinner.

A few other things to check out in Nashville:

Nashville zoo.

What kid doesn’t like a Zoo? So had to add the Nashville Zoo to the list!

Bluebird Cafe

I would have loved to go here – especially because I was a fan of the show Nashville. But I didn’t know that it was located so far outside of the rest of the things to do in Nashville. We will get here one day! They say right on their site that they are a venue for all ages so kids are welcome (they just can’t sit at the bar).

Nashville Sounds

Up for some baseball? Check out the Nashville minor league team.

If you are looking for some outside excitement check out the Treetop Adventure Park.

East Nashville

If you are looking for the artsy part of town head to East Nashville for local music, dinning and craft beer (it is OK to take your kid to a brewery – we do it all the time :)).

Nashville Farmers Market

A fun place to go to shop and enjoy local restaurants and products.

Madame Tussauds

If you want to grab some pictures “with” famous musicians at this world-famous wax attraction .

President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Visit this historical plantation and museum.

Johnny Cash Museum

Not specifically for kids. But if you like Johnny Cash you won’t want to miss it!

There are also a lot of great walking tours around Nashville so if that is more your style then check them out!

If you are looking to get out of the city for a few hours be sure to check out Radnor Lake State Park.

Not-so-kid thing to do in Nashville with kids

Wild horse saloon.

When we were in Downtown Nashville we headed over to the Wild Horse one of the top honky tonk highway locations (there are a lot of music venues here). It is a HUGE bar/restaurant right off of Broadway on 2nd street. We weren’t planning on eating so we talked to the hostess and you are able to sit at some tables off to the side where you can just get order drinks. Plus you are right by the dance floor!

When we first got there they were doing a line dancing class. Then once that was done they just had music playing so the kids could go out and dance. Dancing to country music is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids!

Our table was right by the dance floor so the kids kept running back and forth and then we all went out there to dance. The kids had cowboy hats that my parents had bought for them when we were walking on the streets of Nashville so it was perfect and really was a great place to go with our family.

• Great place to go with kids and to let them dance!
• The fried pickles were yummy.
• They have a lot of events and things going on here so make sure to check the schedule. We tried to go another time and they had a cover charge to get in.
• The drinks and food were pretty expensive or I guess typical for a downtown restaurant

Recommend:  If you want to experience a downtown Nashville restaurant with kids then I would recommend stopping here! You get the music feeling (even though it may not be live music) and if you time it right you can get line dancing lessons too. Any restaurant where kids have space to run and they have a dance floor works for us!

Have more time? Here are some great day trips from Nashville !

Where to Eat In Nashville with Kids

Pfunky griddle.

It is a restaurant that has a griddle in the middle of the table so you can cook all you can eat pancakes! You also get to pick what sides you want with your pancakes – sprinkles, m&ms, nuts, fruit, and about 10 other things. You can also do eggs, hash browns, grilled cheese.

It was a cool restaurant with a unique idea and it was pretty reasonably priced. The kids loved being able to cover their pancakes in syrup and add their own toppings! Usually when we go out to eat Knox is up and running after about 5 minutes. Not here! He was the last one at the table because he wanted to be sure he finished all of his pancakes!

• Choose your own toppings! So much fun for the kids!
• All you can eat pancakes!

• It is busy on the weekends so get their early.
• There isn’t a very good spot to wait for a table but there is a playground down the street and behind the restaurant.
• They have lots of fun flavored coffees you can order.

Recommend: Yes!! This was a really unique dining experience! We weren’t planning on going to another restaurant but when my Mom found this one and I saw that the prices were pretty good we had to try it. It was worth it!

Nashville is definitely known for its food scene from hot chicken to biscuits there are a variety of foods to try here . . . but with kids a restaurant experience isn’t always the best idea. My recommendation plan a date night to explore the food scene. Or hit a music festival with food trucks and try a variety of foods.

White Limozeen

Not a kid place but if you are a Dolly Parton fan you won’t want to miss this Dolly Parton inspired roof top bar.

Where to Stay In Nashville

Campgrounds/rv parks.

Have you ever considered taking an RV road trip to Nashville? It is a great place to camp and these are some pretty awesome campgrounds. Click here to rent an RV for your trip or check out our post: 18 Things You Will Want to Know When Looking For An RV Rental .

Poole Knobs Campground

We accidentally came across this campground when we made a last minute decision to head towards Nashville early. WOW what a great find! The sites looked out over the water and they were huge! It was a bit of a drive to get to Nashville about 45 minutes but totally do able.

Seven Points

Another beautiful campsite! We were right on the water and right next to the beach and playground. The campsites were huge! Now remember this is a US Army Corps of Engineers park so it is similar to a state park. There are not full hookups and you are out in nature. It is not an RV park. But totally worth it to stay here! It is also only 20 minutes or so from downtown Nashville!

This is an RV resort/campground – you can tent camp here. It means there were full hookups. It was nice enough. The sites were really close together and there was a lot of concrete – after coming from the water, trees and greenery of Seven Points!

If you want full hookups and good prices close to Nashville this is a good option. It is about 30 minutes from downtown but right off of I-24 so a pretty straight shot into the city.

Piney River Resort

Although we didn’t stay here, Piney River Resort is about 50 miles from downtown Nashville if you just want to drive in to the city for the day. It is a beautiful location on the Piney River!

If you want to be right in downtown Nashville there are a lot of options for hotels from expensive to decent prices. Just remember this can be a party town so if you are there with kids and want downtime at the hotel you may want to look a little outside of downtown.

We recommend checking out the Element Nashville Airport by Marriott .

VRBO options

There are no shortage of great VRBO properties in Nashville. This can be a perfect option if visiting with a large group or if you want to find the perfect spot near downtown.

Click here to browse some of the amazing properties in Nashville.

Recap:  There are a ton of things to do in Nashville with kids. We had friends there that had older kids and I know their kids really enjoyed the Country Music Hall of Fame and actually ended up purchasing guitars – through Craigslist – in Nashville – how cool is that!!

So if you have older kids I know there is even more that they can do. But we were very happy with the things we did and just the overall feel of Nashville is really cool and unique!

Let us know of any other cool things to do in Nashville with kids down in the comments. I’m sure we’ll be back real soon, y’all!

Check out more places to visit in Tennessee: ( Gatlinburg , Chattanooga , Falls Creek, Smoky Mountains National Park ).

Other great posts about things to do in Nashville With Kids:

35 Best Things To Do In Nashville With Kids On Your Next Vacation

15 Free And Cheap Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee

Other things to do around Tennessee State and the Southeast:

Top 4 Indoor Water Parks Tennessee

25 Exciting and Fun Things To Do In Myrtle Beach, SC

Florida Road Trip: 31 Amazing Places You Won’t Want To Miss

Florida Keys Road Trip: 29 Amazing Places To Visit [Map Included]

25 Best Things To Do In Destin, Florida [Plus Where To Stay]

29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama

9 Outstanding Places to Visit with Kids in Atlanta, Georgia

17 Exciting Things To Do In St. Augustine With Kids

27 Wonderful Things To Do In Kenosha, Wisconsin [Including Where To Stay]

7 Amazing Things To Do In Asheville With Kids

Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Congaree National Park  

The Best New Orleans Plantation Tours To Take With Kids

Top 4 Amusement Parks In Tennessee You Need To Visit 

9 Favorite Things To Do In Memphis With Kids  

Top 8 Fun Things To Do In Knoxville With Kids

Top 9 Things To Do In Pigeon Forge With Kids

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26 thoughts on “29 Absolutely Enjoyable Things To Do In Nashville”

Next time you are in Nashville, don’t miss going to Centennial Park and the Farmers market. You can find a lot of good value places to eat. Leave your car parked there and take the free shuttle bus to the down town area. It will let you on and off anywhere you like, walk for a while, see the shops and get back on. It runs about every 20 min and you can make as many rounds as you like (I do).

Thanks for the suggestions! It is hard to narrow down what we are going to do when we visit somewhere and I know we miss out on things so I appreciate the ideas for next time we are there!

Hi old friend! Just checked out your Nashville recommendations- we’re are seriously hoping to be there soon. I like the way you put in all the extra tips about strollers etc. and I will definitely be following your advice to avoid the $25 parking fee at Opryland – ouch! So question for you – do you guys tow a car/SUV behind that big RV for getting around once your ‘home’ is set up? I’ve just been wondering…

Hi! Glad you liked the post! Yes we tow a GMC Acadia behind the RV so we can visit places once we are settled and the RV is parked and all hooked up. There is no way we would want to drive the RV everywhere or that we could fit in a lot of the parking lots with it. When we vacationed with our RV in the past we didn’t have a car and it was fun finding places to go with the RV and to ride our bike to places. But when we decided to do this 24/7 365 we knew we wanted a car!

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Hi Bryanna! I love your posts, also have 4 kids and travel a ton, and have lived in Nashville for 20 years. Two things to add to the list for the future are the Nashville Zoo and Cheekwood. Besides the animals (of course), the zoo has an amazing playground plus a plantation home and brand new zipline. Cheekwood is the botanical gardens in town that our kids love to explore- there’s an indoor art museum but the kids love exploring the creek, various rotating outdoor exhibits, different gardens, and a super modern art nature hiking trail!

I would recommend going to the Tennessee state museum. It is completely free and usually you can find metered parking on the street in front of it. My daughter especially loves it b/c it has a mummy in there.

Thank you! We will be heading back this way in May so we will check it out!

UeH and it’s a really big museum. I lived it as a 21 year old male!

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Hey, great suggestions. I would add the I love Nashville mural and American Pickers store located at the old Marathon Motors area!

Thanks for the additions. We’ll add those to our list to check out next time!

Goodness – just stumbled on this post on your site and love it – as a Nashville native (ish – been there since I was 8), there were still some things on here I haven’t been to yet, and you also hit some of our favorites for “locals”. 🙂 Awesome list – I’ll be linking to yours on my on “things to do in Nashville for families” page for people to get more!

Awesome, thanks Ashley!

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Thanks for this post! For free Opryland parking It’s actually exit 12 (you have 11) you want for McGavock Pike and you go right off of that exit and then a left at the Holiday Inn!

Thanks for the info!

Amazing article. I was planning a trip to take my niece for a vacation trip so that she can enjoy her holidays and your post has helped me to choose the proper destination where she can enjoy. I would love to explore Nashville as even I have not been there. Keep sharing such interesting posts.

Thanks you! Glad it helped.

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I’m arriving late to the party, but I really appreciate all the fun ideas and comments. We live near Huntsville and are planning to go “do” Nashville with a teen for a quick, fun 3-day trip soon.

Very cool, have a great trip!

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16 Best Things To Do In Nashville With Kids

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Families can expect an exciting vacation with these best things to do in Nashville with kids! Lovingly called Music City, this southern hub offers a range of family-friendly attractions and activities that will appeal to kids of all ages. Tap into your musical interests at destinations like the Grand Ole Opry or visit exciting animals at the Nashville Zoo. Then, appreciate the beauty of nature by visiting local parks. Have extra time on your hands? We also suggest a few nearby day trips. From young kids to teens in search of adventure, we’ve got you covered with the best things to do in Nashville kids. Finally, we’ve also included where to stay in Nashville as a family.

Best Indoor Things to Do in Nashville with Kids

Nashville has plenty of indoor things to do with kids, from visiting museums to seeing a live performance. Whether you have little kids or teens, be sure to add some of these attractions to your itinerary. Keep reading to find out the best things to do in Nashville with kids! 

Look for discounted entries using the Nashville Sightseeing Pass. Get your pass here!

See Where Stars Are Born at Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry House

While parents may be more inclined to take in a show kid-free at Ryman Auditorium , any music lover can stop by to experience music history. This former home of the Grand Ole Opry offers self-guided tours to explore five star-studded exhibits, complete with artifacts, memorabilia, and clips from former shows. Families can even capture a moment on the famous stage and tap into their inner music star. No wonder this is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids !

Slightly further out of downtown is the current Grand Ole Opry House . Backstage tours give families access to some of the biggest moments in music history. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on the weekly show that made country music famous so many decades ago.

Use Getyourguide.com to book a self guided tour of Ryman Auditorium or reserve a seat at the Grand Ole Opry House here !

Tour Hatch Show Print Shop

Adjacent to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , Hatch Show Print has been a working letterpress print shop since 1879. Show and concert posters for the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry are printed by hand in the shop, among other colorful custom works. Families can get up close to the process through a print shop tour , open almost every day of the year, and see beautiful posters of contemporary and historical concert posters, advertisements, and other works of art. Tours are limited in size; advanced booking is recommended if you want to experience one of the best Nashville things to do with kids .

Reserve this tour of Hatch Show Print Studio Tour & Country Music Hall of Fame through Viator today!

Enjoy a Fun Performance at Nashville Children’s Theater

While some of the entertainment venues around Nashville are more geared toward parents, Nashville Children’s Theatre promises a family-friendly space to take in a show. Located right outside of downtown Nashville, it’s certainly one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids. Children will love seeing all their favorite shows come alive with catchy songs and dance moves! Past seasons have included titles like Peter Pan, Baby Shark, and SpongeBob: The Musical. In addition to fun performances that feature contemporary and classic characters, the theatre hosts drama camps in the winter and spring through the NCT Drama School . Families should purchase show tickets in advance online . 

Best of Nashville City Tour on Double Decker Bus! Book your time at one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids through Viator today!

Visit a Kid-Friendly Nashville Museum

Spend your day indoors learning something new at one of these kid-friendly Nashville museums! Here are our suggestions for a few of the best Nashville things to do with kids . 

Adventure Science Center

Adventure awaits at the Adventure Science Center ! Across 44,000 square feet of space and more than 175 exhibits, families can immerse themselves in biology, astronomy, physics, earth science, energy, weather, sound, and space. Playscapes, displays , and exhibits designed for kids 5 and under offer the tiniest visitors space to explore. Not to mention the 75-foot tall Adventure Tower , featuring an observation deck! The flight simulator, STEAM activities, and Innovation Incubator will surely captivate older children. Live science demonstrations complement the ongoing exhibits. For an added fee, the state-of-the-art planetarium offers a range of planetarium shows, laser shows, and concerts. Adventure Science Center is open Thursdays through Mondays and is free for children under two. 

Discover the best things to do in Nashville with kids at your own speed on this hop-on hop-off trolley bus tour through Getyourguide.com!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

One of seven Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in the United States, the Nashville location emphasizes connecting visitors with life-like statues of some of the greatest musical icons from the past century. Located near the Grand Ole Opry, it’s perfect to add to your music-themed Nashville family itinerary. Step into a recording studio with Elvis, rock out with Ozzy Osbourne, dance and sing with Taylor Swift or hang out backstage with country royalty. It’s all possible at Madame Tussauds! To guarantee entry during your desired date, book tickets in advance.

And if you get hungry before or after your visit, check out the Aquarium Restaurant next door to dine under the sea! Certainly, the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is one of the best things to do in Nashville with kids !

Book your ticket to Madame Tussauds in Nashville with Getyourguide.com here !

Best Outdoor Activities in Nashville for Kids

Families who want to enjoy the great outdoors in Nashville will love these things to do with kids. Here are our top picks for things to do in Nashville with kids! 

Say Hi to Furry Friends at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is open almost every day of the year. With nearly 3,000 animals across 350 species, it’s a must for any animal enthusiast visiting Nashville! Whether you love amphibians, mammals, or arthropods, the zoo has a combination of habitats to explore. Plus, daily expert talks about some of your favorite creatures, including some animal shows! Up for more fun? Check out the attractions including a carousel, zip line, and train, and grab a bite at one of several eateries. For true animal enthusiasts, the backstage pass gives families behind-the-scenes access to areas across the zoo. Ticket prices vary by day, and children under two are free. 

Explore the City of Nashville Tour by Golf Cart! Reserve through Viator here!

Explore Centennial Park and the Parthenon

Since the 1930s, the Nashville Parthenon has served as the world’s only exact-size and detailed replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece; the building plays off another Nashville nickname “Athens of the South.” The permanent collection inside includes 14 casts of the original Parthenon marbles that were purchased in the 1920s from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. But it’s the outside that first captivates families, including the surrounding Centennial Park . Aside from the Parthenon, the park features a walking trail, Lake Watauga, gardens, monuments, and centers for music and other public activities across 132 acres of land. Certainly, this is one of the best Nashville things to do with kids .

Reserve this Nashville Trolley Night Tour through Getyourguide.com which stops at the Parthenon.

Wander around Cumberland Park

Families looking for the best outdoor things to do in Nashville with kids can visit Cumberland Park . With 6.5 acres of fun alongside the Cumberland River, the public park features a play area with sand play, a bouncing pad, a maze, and a splash pad. It’s the perfect place to relax as a family and let kids run around too. A climbing wall and nature trail provide other activities for young explorers. The park is open from dawn until late at night, and the spray grounds are available during the summer through Labor Day. 

Embark on a Puppet City Tours

Whether your children are into music, animals, or history, a tour of Nashville’s iconic sites is sure to be a hit! And what better way to see the city than on a puppet tour? Puppet City Tours Nashville offers hour-long walking tours for families with children of all ages. This family-friendly tour features larger-than-life puppets that come alive right before your eyes, telling stories and making jokes along the way. Your kids will be captivated by the vibrant characters and scenery as you stroll through downtown Nashville, learning about the city’s history and culture. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos with the puppets! This is a great activity for kids of all ages, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce them to the wonderful world of puppetry.

Visit the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens

Once a private family estate, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens now provides families an opportunity to explore 55 acres of botanical gardens. This arboretum also hosts a museum on-site. The 1.5-mile-long sculpture trail will surely capture families’ attention, while the 13 distinct gardens will provide varied vistas to roam. For example, train aficionados will love the TRAINS! Exhibit with trains running through tunnels, around corners, and across bridges among the greenery, as well as playing on an adjacent playscape. Timed-entry tickets are recommended in advance, and you can choose to visit the gardens only or add on mansion access to explore the art exhibitions. Cheekwood is closed on Mondays. 

Book the Taste of Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour with Viator here!

Take a Tour of Broadway

Walking up and down Lower Broadway can be an experience all itself, as the historic district is a central place for music venues and tourist attractions. During the day, families can pop into music venues, shops, and restaurants as they venture along the main drag. Need a quick fuel up during your exploration? Mike’s Ice Cream and Goo Goo Clus t er provide kid-friendly treats. If you’re interested in checking out a music venue, most are family-friendly before evening. Wildhorse Saloon is one of the bigger venues, which serves food and an opportunity for line dancing alongside your music.

And if you’re looking for some exploration on the move, families can jump on the Old Town Trolley Tour , which starts and ends on Broadway. So many of the best Nashville things to do with kids happen on Lower Broadway!

Reserve this Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour through Viator today!

Plan a Family-Friendly Day Trip

Want to leave Nashville for the day? There are lots of kid-friendly destinations nearby for a family getaway! Stay tuned to learn about the best day trips from Nashville for families! 

Mammoth Cave National Park

Just over 90 minutes from Nashville, Mammoth Cave connects families to the world’s longest known cave system in neighboring Kentucky. Here, you can descend into thousands of years of human history, from wartime efforts to slavery. Tour routes and times change with the season. However, to go inside the caves, families must book a tour . There are several options to choose from, including short and long walking tours, wheelchair-accessible tours, and evening lantern tours, so pick what works best for your family’s unique needs. Outside of the cave tours, other ranger-led programs include ranger talks, junior ranger activities, and trail walks. Mammoth Cave National Park is open daily. 

Look here for top recommended homes through VRBO near Mammoth Cave!

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Two hours outside of Nashville is Fall Creek Falls State Park , featuring the namesake Falls Creek Falls , one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Families can hike the 3.4-mile roundtrip to the falls or meander other parts of the 56-miles worth of trails in this popular park. Additional activities include swimming, mountain biking, boating, and attending a program at the nature center. Kids ages four and up can also try their climbing and zip-lining skills at the Canopy Challenge Course , which features more than 70 obstacles. While there are cabins and campsites if you want to stay longer, most trails and activities are open daily for day-trippers, some as early as dawn. 

Looking for a stay near Falls Creek Falls State Park? Try VRBO!

Stones River National Battlefield

American Civil War and history buffs will love a visit to Stones River National Battlefield Park , a key battle site that gave important military and political gains to the Union. Around thirty minutes outside of downtown Nashville, it’s surely one of the best day trips from Nashville for families. Some of the popular places to visit include the remnants of Fortress Rosecrans, the largest enclosed earth fort from the Civil War, and Hazen’s Brigade Monument. Erected in 1863, it’s the oldest American Civil War monument still standing in its original site. For a deeper look at this historic site, park rangers and volunteers provide talks , walks, tours and reenactments .

Note : The park is open almost every day of the year and is free to enter. 

Need a larger place to stay near Stones River National Battlefield Park? Look for homes through VRBO!

Radnor Lake State Park

Escape the hustle and bustle of Nashville at Radnor Lake State Park. Located south of downtown, this nature-oriented destination is only 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, but it feels a world away. Not to mention, it is one of the best things to do near Nashville with kids . Families can make a day of nature exploration across 7.75 miles of trails in the park, along with water-based activities. Visitors can observe owls, herons, and waterfowl as well as many species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals such as mink and otter. Ranger-led activities include on-water exploration through canoe floats and land exploration ranging from wildflower walks to evening hikes.

Lucky Ladd Farms

From spring through fall, Lucky Ladd Farms boasts Tennessee’s largest petting farm and a 60-acre fun park featuring activities for the whole family. Kids can get up close with their favorite animals at the petting zoo, pony rides, and cow milking. Then, when they want more fun, try the ropes maze, tire swings, playground, and obstacle course. Looking for nature? They have that too with the cedar-glaze trails, fantastic for a short family hike. Seasonal activities – from berry picking to pumpkin patches and hayrides – make visiting during any season special. Ticket pricing varies per day, with reduced pricing if reserved in advance; children under two are free. 

Where to Stay in Nashville with Kids

With so much to do, families will want a perfect home base for their Nashville trip. Stay in downtown Nashville just steps away from the best attractions at the JW Marriott Nashville or Hilton Nashville Downtown . Or, take in Nashville’s up-and-coming art scene by staying at the Thompson Nashville in The Gulch. For more advice on where to stay in Nashville with kids, check out the best Nashville hotels for families . They offer a range of benefits, from walkable access to the key sites to family-friendly pools and even a waterpark. After checking out some of the best things to do in Nashville with kids , you’ll love resting your head at one of these hotels!

Find out more places to stay on our list of Best Nashville Hotels For Families .

Looking for more room? Book a home in Nashville through Vrbo!

Enjoy Music City!

We hope this list of the Best Things To Do In Nashville With Kids gives you plenty of ideas for a fantastic family vacation! There are so many family-friendly attractions to choose from; you’re sure to create the perfect getaway for you and your crew! Enjoy Nashville with your kids!

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the attractions, accommodations, or things to do on this list may be closed. Please ensure availability before making your decision. 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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The best things to do in Nashville with kids

The best things to do in Nashville with kids—like Pfunky Griddle and GamePoint—just might inspire a family vacation

We searched the city and found the best things to do in Nashville—with kids—that guarantee a successful visit...and that means finding activities that are both educational and entertaining, so that they're fast asleep for the whole trip home. Time to start figuring out  where to stay ! 

While the city screams country music and might inspire a Johnny Cash jam session or two, you don't necessarily have to embrace its musical roots (though, of course, we're all for a trip to the Grand Ole Opry). There are plenty of things to do in Nashville that satisfy all interests, after all.

Branch out with trip to local museums that boast interactive science exhibits and free family art programs. Grab a bite at some of the best restaurants in Nashville , one of which puts a quirky twist on breakfast that the kiddos will appreciate. And, when the temperatures begin to soar, head outside and cool off with a dip in J. Percy Priest Lake. 

As your trip down south comes to a close, make sure to enjoy the best brunch in Nashville before making your way to the airport. 

RECOMMENDED: Complete guide to the best   things to do in Nashville

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in Nashville with kids

1.  madame tussauds.

Taylor Swift, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and country stars galore are preserved for the ages in wax. Kids (and their adults) won't believe how lifelike these figures are. And it isn't just a museum. You can interact with the figures: sing with them on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry or record an album in the studio.

2.  Puppet Shows at the Nashville Library

Various puppet shows, and now a puppet truck, have been offered by Wishing Chair Productions and the Nashville Public Library since 1938. Different shows are for different ages, but most are a narrative that adults can appreciate as well, and the handmade puppets are objects of art in their own rights. In addition to the library, shows take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame, at the symphony and around town on the puppet truck, so it is easy to catch one.

3.  Adventure Science Center

Complete with live demonstrations and workshops, Adventure Science Center is an interactive children’s museum dedicated to all areas of the field. This is a place where visitors of all ages can explore science together. Perched atop a hill with amazing views of the city, the museum focuses on just about every topic imaginable—biology, astronomy, etc.—and offers a multitude of learning experiences. Don’t leave without first visiting the multistory climbing tower located in the center of the building. True to Nashville’s country roots, it boasts a giant guitar and other instruments.

4.  Tennessee Central Railway Museum

This museum is dedicated to all things railroad, with a model train set and actual excursions that depart from this station available for enjoyment. In addition to the model train museum fun, there are real restored train cars that you can explore, along with a volunteer guide who likely worked on the restoration and knows all about the history. Or, book one of the Thomas the train themed rides.

5.  GamePoint: A Board Game Café

A collection of nearly 400 board games that you can play—at no charge—inside the Bongo East coffee shop. A trained expert helps you pick out a game that you and your brood will enjoy, based on what you like and dislike. Then they'll teach you how to play, so you don't have to get bogged down reading the rules. You can buy a beer, a snack or dinner from the café while you play.

6.  Nashville Paddle Company

Nothing provides a better escape from the hot city than a day on the water. This lakeside waterfront boathouse offers paddleboard and kayak rentals, workout classes and a unique type of yoga class—one atop the paddleboards! Kids and parents alike will enjoy the many activities available (including a paddleboard session held under the full moon) at the scenic J. Percy Priest Lake. Certified professionals supervise the area, which is protected from motorized boats.

7.  Nashville Children's Theatre

Nashville Children's Theatre is the perfect place for young dramatics to channel their most curious self by way of transformative plays. Did you know it also holds the title of the country’s oldest children’s theater company? With six ongoing shows designed for various ages, every kid will be able to find a story that is enticing and worthwhile. Mom and dad should check out the  tip page  on the website to find the most appropriate show for the young theater-goers.

8.  Pfunky Griddle

Revel in the joys of flipping the perfect pancake without all the prep work and, more importantly, the messy cleanup. This family-friendly DIY restaurant lets y’all star as chefs of a pancake extravaganza. Choose one of the pre-made pancake batters and use the hot griddle in the middle of the table when cooking. With endless options for toppings, kids can get creative and make new combos of breakfast delights. Not the biggest pancake fan? Not a problem! You can also cook up some cinnamon French toast or crispy grilled cheese.

9.  Frist Art Museum

Not only will you find historical works of art in this museum, but you will (quite literally) be surrounded by history itself. The repurposing of Nashville’s post office offers the perfect spot to find inspiration in the vast display of pieces hanging on the walls. Be sure to take advantage of Family Mondays (10am-2pm on the second Monday of each month), when one adult admission ticket covers an entire family. 

10.  Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Take a 30-minute ride south of Nashville and you’ll stumble upon the ninth-largest zoo in the nation, which is home to a variety of inhabitants spread across 188 acres. Enjoy personal encounters with some of your favorite fuzzy friends at Kangaroo Kickabout, Lorikeet Landing and Shell Station. The zoo boasts an impressive number of animals as well as a tremendous, beautiful garden. Since the zoo’s mission heavily focuses on international conservation and its staff is involved in research and habitat protection, you’ll feel slighty better about making a visit.

11.  The Peanut Shop

This is one of only four former Planters Peanut shops still operating in the U.S. (Nothing to do with Charlie Brown and the gang, sorry.) Nestled in the Arcade downtown, this small store serves fresh nuts (roasted daily), chocolates, candy, ice cream and other stuff kids love. Nostalgia factor: the venue has been around so long (since 1927, to be precise) that, at one point, chocolate wasn't stocked on premise because the lack of air conditioning would have it melt in no time. 

12.  Parthenon

A life-size replica of the Greek Parthenon (which is one of the reasons they call Nashville the Athens of the South), complete with a gold Athena sculpture inside. Thanks to the fact that kids can climb on the giant columns outside and run to their hearts' content inside Nashville's best park, this historic replica has long been a children favorite. Since its appearance in a Percy Jackson movie, the Parthenon has enjoyed an even higher level of street-cred among the under-age set.

13.  Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar

Nashville’s legendary candy company, selling sweets for more than a century. This flagship red, white and blue shop serves its full array of sweets. In addition to the store-bought varieties, you'll find some only made in this open kitchen. Watch the dessert bar chef create something you’ll love (even if your dentist doesn’t) from floats to pies and cheesecakes.

14.  Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

The city's leading museum, an educational homage to all things country music, i.e. what makes Nashville Music City. The Taylor Swift Education Center is an interactive space upstairs in the museum where kids (and parents) can think creatively about songwriting and music making and, during scheduled programs, learn to play instruments, too. Check sched­ules for program times before you go.

15.  Lane Motor Museum

Are your little ones anxious to snag their license? Then you’ll need to make a pitstop at this Nashville hotspot. The car museum houses European automobiles as well as a range of bicycles, scooters, planes and motorcycles. Enjoy a vault tour and browse through all 580 vehicles on display. Led your kids go wild at the indoor play space complete with miniature vehicles and a racetrack. Buckle up!

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Family Fun in Nashville – Over 50 Things to Do in 2021!

It took careful planning, and lots of laughter, but we had great family fun in nashville on our nine day road trip this article provides you with information about more than 50 of the best family activities to do and see on your nashville vacation together.

I am going to share all about our family fun in Nashville in July 2021. You will learn about more than 50 activities, restaurants, and places to stay that are perfect for multigenerational family vacations! We had 6 people from four generations on this vacation! You’ll probably have some chuckles and learn a lot about Nashville, too!

Additionally, don’t forget that traveling is great for your overall wellness . It enriches your life by improving your mood and reducing stress; it helps you develop greater cultural awareness; traveling provides opportunities for more physical and mental activity; it enhances the quality and quantity of your life, and so much more.

Nashville is the perfect place for these wellness opportunities since it offers so much history, culture, and fun!

In our case, this vacation gave our family lots of opportunities for laughter and togetherness, as well as opportunities to practice patience and acceptance. We did a lot of walking and exploring together, and learned about the history and culture of this city!

Our Family Road Trip to Nashville

There were six of us ranging in age from 13 to 85 and we actually returned home to Southern Maryland with everyone! No one got left along the roadside anywhere! (Admittedly, I was the one most likely to have been in that situation!)

We traveled in a 2020 Tahoe Premier with our luggage in a cargo carrier bag (in case of rain) strapped to a hitch-mount rear luggage rack. No problems there, thankfully!

It’s nearly impossible to plan a vacation that will keep a 13-year old girl happy. You know, those hormones and moods can ruin any given moment?! But we managed to plan a vacation that kept our teenager pretty happy (most of the time)!

And then there’s the need for rest times in the hotel for our 85-year old great-grandma. We managed to plan some rest time most days. And as it turned out, we ALL benefitted from those rest times!

Our daughter has lower-back problems so we had to plan for her needs. Plus, we needed to plan how to celebrate her 37th birthday while we were on vacation! There are LOTS of places to celebrate ANYTHING in Nashville! But with serious back pain, it was a bit more challenging.

You might be curious about the other three of us – my husband is 62-years old and was our Uber driver for the whole road trip – a total of 9 days. Our son-in-law is 41-years old and goes along with pretty much anything.

And then there’s ME – the one who is most likely to be left behind, lost, or confused but having the most fun and learning the most about the city of Nashville!

Grand Ole Opry Dance the Magic! Event

This adventure began when our 13-year old granddaughter was invited to dance at the Grand Ole Opry Dance the Magic! Event . It was the first time the Dance the Magic! production has been presented in Nashville. It was quite exciting!

Individuals and dance teams from all over the country come together to put on a fantastic show.

So right in the middle of the worldwide pandemic, the whole family decided we would all go and make it our vacation.

Makes perfect sense, right? Especially since we had not traveled on vacation in quite some time because of the pandemic! We would just hope all would be okay in the world by July 2021.

By May 2021, the event was confirmed and we began finalizing plans for our family fun in Nashville, combined with the Dance the Magic! Event.

Our granddaughter would be busy with rehearsals and special events for 3 days so we had time to schedule around the actual dance event. Plus, we planned extra days… because why not?

That’s when I went to work to discover everything I could about Nashville so I could make a plan suitable for all six of us!

I won’t bore you with detail-by-detail planning for our Tennessee vacation but you will find lots of ideas for things to do in Nashville for multigenerational vacations! Now moving along…

Family Fun Hotels in Nashville TN

Nashville has just about every kind of accommodation you can imagine. You can choose from boutique hotels in and out of the city, rental properties in the heart of the night life or in the suburbs.

You can also choose chain hotels and motels with ratings from economy to luxury, as well as wilderness campgrounds. Some places provide shuttles to various places, others do not.

You will most likely pay significant daily parking rates at any hotel, and higher than usual Uber and Lyft rates in and around Nashville. So you should plan on extra money for parking and transportation wherever you decide to stay.

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Hotel

We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Hotel just outside of downtown Nashville. This was basecamp for the dance event. It is also one of the most family-friendly accommodations in Nashville.

You can find something at the Gaylord for everyone in your family to enjoy. It is like a theme park in itself with 9 acres of indoor and outdoor water attractions as well as gardens and waterfalls, shops, selfie-spots, snack shops, slushy, gelato, and ice cream shops, and restaurants. You can choose from Italian, Mexican, steak, southern food, and sushi.

You can also enjoy a beautiful waterfall light show inside the Gaylord.

Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens features lush and exotic plants, cascading waterfalls, and bubbling brooks. Natural light floods through the high glass ceiling, giving the impression of being outside.

You can take a guided tour on a Delta flatboat along the fish-filled river that winds through the resort. It’s quite a magical place to stay for all generations.

Right next door, you will find Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in the Opry Mills Mall , along with movie theaters, the Rainforest Cafe , and the Aquarium Restaurant where you can dine surrounded by a 200,000 gallon Under the Sea water experience.

You will also find the Grand Ole Opry within walking distance of Opry Mills and the Gaylord Resort.

Other Family-Oriented Hotels

The inn at opryland, a gaylord hotel.

Across the street is another family-friend hotel, The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hote l . This is a more economically-priced hotel that offers restaurants and an indoor-pool, close to the same attractions listed above. There are also more economically-priced restaurants and markets within walking distance and nearby.

Holston House

While we were in Nashville, my young-adult niece was visiting the city from Washington State. She was staying at Holston House on 7th Street. It was also a great hotel for families.

Trip Advisor lists it as the #2 hotel for family-fun hotels in Nashville. It is centrally-located just off Broadway in the city. There is a roof-top pool that has a great view of the city.

This hotel makes a great vacation home for families because it’s in the heart of downtown Nashville and you can easily walk or Uber to any attractions if you don’t want to move your vehicle. The location is considered safe.

Homewood Suites Nashville Vanderbilt

The Homewood Suites Nashville Vanderbilt is a more moderately priced family friendly hotel. You will find it on almost all family-friendly hotel lists for Nashville because of the cleanliness, location, and convenience.  

As an all-suite extended stay hotel, it provides stability and space for family travelers who want to be close to downtown, as well as Music Row and the West End area. It is located in an area that is considered safe.

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville – Green Hills

Typically, when we travel, Hampton Inn is our hotel of choice. Based on my research, we would stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville in Green Hills for a more economical vacation.

Fun Family Things to Do in Nashville

You will never have enough time for all the family fun in Nashville! There are simply too many cultural attractions, excursions, museums, historical attractions, water-park fun, southern foods, fine art attractions, sightseeing, parks, beer and brewery tours, stars’ home tours, and so much more.

You will have to decide what the members of your family will enjoy the most.

Animals? Then you will likely enjoy a trip to the Nashville Zoo.

Culture? Then you will probably enjoy some southern foods and country music attractions like the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.

History and culture? Then maybe you would enjoy visiting a plantation or the home of a United States president.

Remember, we had people aged 13-85 with us. That’s lots of interests and abilities!

I’ve made two lists of things we did on our vacation. I’ll have some explaining to do later!

Nashville for Families

Let me start with what we did for our family fun in Nashville! But I warn you ahead of time… we got a LOT done in a little less than a week in Nashville. These are all pretty major attractions:

• Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen (dinner)
• Grand Ole Opry (a traditional country music show and the Dance the Magic! Event)
• Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour
• Ryman Auditorium Backstage Tour
• Best of Nashville Bus Tour with * Tommy’s Nashville Tours
• Wildhorse Saloon and Country Line Dancing
• Legendairy Milkshake Bar (snack)
• Biscuit Love (breakfast)
• City Murals (approximately a dozen)
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Downtown Nashville (this will require some explaining… lol)
• Gaylord Opryland Resort (exploring and hanging out)
• The Gulch Neighborhood (walking and exploring)
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (lunch)
• Opry Mills Mall
• George Jones’ Grave (Garden of the Grand Tour)
• Printers’ Alley

*I highly recommend Tommy’s tours. We all LOVED it! Since we were visiting Nashville in the middle of the summer, it was HOT! Due to our multi-generations, I felt it best to secure an air-conditioned bus tour. After doing a LOT of research, I learned this was more challenging than it sounded. Tommy’s website says, “Great entertainment for the whole family – when you roll with Tommy you will laugh, you will learn and you will LOVE Nashville.”  After reading reviews, I realized this would be perfect! And it was! Check out Tommy’s before you plan the open-air, large vehicle tours! He has a small bus that makes the excursion intimate and friendly , entertaining, and comfortable!

More Highlights from Our Family Fun in Nashville

These were some of the specific highlights of our vacation that were part of our adventures around the city:

• Photos with the famous “ What Lifts You ” Mural by Kelsey Montague and other murals
• Lunch at Margaritaville Nashville (because it’s a family tradition to enjoy nachos and music in any Margaritaville where we vacation)
• Drinks and music in Case Rosa (Miranda Lambert’s new restaurant)
• Photos in front of the famous The Bluebird Café (they were filming inside so we couldn’t go in but Tommy made sure we all got photos)
• Drinks and snack in Ole Red (Blake Shelton’s restaurant)
• Drinks, music, and dancing in Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk & Rock ‘n’ Roll Steakhouse
• Peek inside Tootsie’s and Loser’s for the pure history of what has occurred in those buildings
• Legends Corner (where Keith Urban was discovered)
• John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge | Downtown Nashville over the Cumberland River to Residential Suburbs of Nashville
• Historic Union Station Hotel Nashville
• Houses of the Rich and Famous (part of our tour with Tommy)
• Music Row | RCA Records (where Elvis recorded) from our tour with Tommy

Downtown Nashville | Broadway

The first list probably made better sense than the second list, right? The first list are tourist attractions you will likely find mentioned in any article or list of things to do in Nashville.

You have probably heard about them on television shows, or read about them in researching what to do in Nashville, Tennessee. Or heard people talking about them.

Then you got to the second list where it looks like we hung out in bars all day! Well, we kind of did! Yes, all six of us!

Let me explain before you think we are being a bad influence on the 13-year old granddaughter and 85-year old great-grandmother!

Kid-Friendly Downtown Nashville

Downtown Nashville is primarily made up of the area known as Broadway. This is where every bachelorette party in Nashville hangs out to party late into every night! Especially Thursdays through Saturdays.

There are party buses all over the road and groups of young women celebrating marriages stumbling up and down the streets listening to music (and doing other things. too!)

Well, during the day, this area is different.

I know because my husband and I snuck out of the Gaylord one night (after tucking grandma in bed) and went downtown to witness the madness! We didn’t get out of the vehicle because everyone on the streets appeared to be in their twenties and were having quite the time!

But during the day, it is quite different.

During the day, you walk… and walk… and walk all over Downtown Nashville. Live music is blaring from every building you walk by.

People of all ages are enjoying themselves. Lots of cowboy and cowgirl boots and hats are being purchased. People just like you and me are buying souvenirs like glasses, magnets, tee shirts, and all the other novelties you see on vacation.

Families are just enjoying the culture and feel of the city. And that’s what we were doing.

When I mention we were drinking, dancing, listening to music, and snacking, I assure you we were doing this between 11am and 6pm. Life changes on Broadway after 6pm.

We watched the change happen right in front of our eyes! And we headed back to the parking garage where we’d left our vehicle and went back to the Gaylord.

Exploring Downtown Nashville

Three of us were drinking non-alcoholic beverages all afternoon while three others were enjoying adult beverages. We found tables to sit at in every bar or restaurant. We took pictures and had a ball in each location!

Of course, I am the explorer, so I had to explore every inch of each bar or restaurant… including the rooftops! Several of the restaurants have rooftop bars and lounge areas!

And on the sidewalks, I had to look down every alley and locate everything we weren’t going to have time to visit. Like the Johnny Cash Museum and Hard Rock Cafe ! I saw several murals that we didn’t have time to get up close and personal with.

There were fascinating food trucks and flower trucks and souvenir trucks on every street… but my family would NOT let me stop at most of them.

Afterall, they kept reminding me, we only had a week in Nashville! (Generally, I’m the only one who doesn’t care to SLEEP while on vacation!)

Truth be told, they wouldn’t let me walk over the pedestrian bridge because of time, but we took pictures on the city side of it!

So in conclusion, no worries about corrupting your family members on Broadway if you go during the day!

The Best Family-Friendly Attractions

Now that I have filled you in on what our family did during our vacation to Music City, let me share some kid friendly, fun things that we did not have time to do.

I spend a LOT of time researching options and developing an itinerary when we go on vacation. The activities listed below are things we were unable to do for one reason or another. But I hope to get back to Nashville someday and get to do these activities.

Also, while we spent money because this was an extraordinary vacation involving our granddaughter dancing at the Grand Ole Opry, there are many free activities and less expensive places to visit in Nashville with kids.

Outdoor Family Activities – Nashville

We all enjoyed exploring the city for “surprise” murals.

We found the two below on a tiny little street somewhere between Broadway and the Gulch (but we lost them a few times before finding them again) after driving around “lost” looking for them! But we were having FAMILY FUN IN NASHVILLE!

Can you imagine how much FUN my husband was having with us squealing every time we saw a new mural!?!?!

In addition to the activities we enjoyed together as a family, such as exploring Broadway and The Gulch, these are some other outdoor family activities that we did not have time to explore:

Cumberland Park

Cumberland Park is budget-friendly and located on the East Bank of the Cumberland River. It has an innovative play area for children and families, incorporating unique play structures and water features for family fun. It’s an exciting 6.5 acre attraction along Nashville’s riverfront.

An outdoor amphitheater can hold approximately 1,200 people for special events. The park sits between the Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and allows dogs for those who are traveling with their pets.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort

Nashville Shores offers over an incredible number of fun activities for families. It is a 385-acre resort located on a 14,000 acre lake, Percy Priest Lake. The resort is just 10-miles from downtown Nashville.

The resort features a first-class waterpark, exciting zip lines and ropes course, RV sites with full hook-ups, including beautiful lakefront accommodations, lakeside and hillside cabins, jet-ski and pontoon boat rentals, and much more.

Nashville Shores is also the home of Nashville Shores Waterpark , the largest waterpark in Nashville! You and your family can spend a fun-filled day at the waterpark loaded with more than 20 attractions and 1 million gallons of water fun.  

You will also find the Treetop Adventure Park here! Treetop Adventure Park is an adventure course featuring over 100 exciting and challenging obstacles including suspended bridges, giant zip lines, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, and many thrilling other elements.

Nashville Shores Waterpark and Treetop Adventure Park are two of the most exciting activities for families in Nashville. If you are looking for outside family fun, check out these activities. You do not need to stay at the resort to enjoy the activities.

Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo was something I seriously hoped we could make time to visit during this trip. Sadly, it just wasn’t going to happen this time.

I’ve heard many people talk about the Nashville Zoo and it’s always wonderfully positive!

The website also shares some very impressive information:

“Nashville Zoo is a progressive and dynamic zoological park located just 6 miles south of downtown Nashville. With just 90 of 188 acres developed, Nashville Zoo is the 9th largest zoo in the country by landmass. The Zoo is one of the top tourist attractions in the state and has been named the Best Regional Attraction and Best Day Trip by The Tennessean. “

The zoo also has an admirable Mission Statement:

“To inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. “

I would highly suggest you check out the Nashville Zoo, especially if you are traveling with children!

Fannie Mae Dees Park

Also known as Dragon Park, the Fannie Mae Dees Park is very suitable for small children and family events. There are many different playgrounds and grassy areas for fun, as well as tennis courts and multiple shaded areas.

It’s known as Dragon Park because of the large mosaic serpent sculpture that looks like it slithers through the landscape. The park takes its official name from the local civic leader Fannie Mae Dees, and was created in 1978.

The park is located near Vanderbilt University.

Indoor Nashville Activities for Families

Some of our favorite indoor family activities were the Grand Ole Opry, Wildhorse Saloon, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. But these are some additional indoor family activities we did not have time to see during this visit:

Adventure Science Center

Adventure Science Center has an experience for all members of the family! These are just a few of the activities you will find at the science center in Nashville:

• Adventure Tower
• AR Physiology Mirror
• Car Culture
• Destination Exploration
• Early Explorers
• Physics of Flight
• Galactic Gardens
• Space Chase

Be sure to also check out the Sudekum Planetarium, the center’s state-of-the-art, 63-foot dome theater, where you can enjoy planetarium shows, laser shows, concerts, and even yoga classes.

Visit the website to learn more about this incredible experience for the family!

Escape Game Nashville

For those of you who enjoy the Escape Game experience, there are 9 options to choose from in and around Nashville. These are not generally for younger children but teenagers and their families are welcome! They have dozens of themes to choose from at the various escape rooms!

For specific information, you can do an Internet search for Escape Games Nashville and choose what you and your family would enjoy the most!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Nashville is an experience that brings famous country music stars (and some other surprises) right to your side for photo ops.

There are seven zones that mimic significant Nashville experiences such as The Ryman Auditorium, Music Alley, and Backstage. Plus there are replicas of a Recording Booth, a Soul/Jazz & Blue Bar, and the Bluebird Cafe for visitors to enjoy.

Your children will likely enjoy top entertainer displays likes Taylor Swift and Katy Perry! You can kick back with country royalty like Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan, shake your hips with Elvis, or let the good times with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.

Visit the website to plan your day at Madam Tussauds today!

Best Things to do in Nashville for Older Adults

Now that we have reviewed many things do to in Nashville with kids, let’s learn about some of the best things to do in Nashville for older adults on a multi-generational vacation.

These are the obvious attractions for all ages: Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame. But I would suggest you also consider the following for older adults:

Nashville River Cruises

The General Jackson is the Nashville River Cruise showboat that treats tourists to a spectacular meal and entertainment twice a day down the Cumberland River.

According to the website, the General Jackson Riverboat is “one of the largest showboats ever built, the grand General Jackson is an elegant triumph of American ingenuity. The General Jackson was built by the largest inland shipbuilder in the United States, Jeffboat, and was launched on the Ohio River in Indiana to start the journey to its new home on Nashville’s Cumberland River on April 20, 1985. “

During your experience, you enjoy a lunch or dinner and a show, as well as gorgeous views from the boat as you wind your way around the city in the Cumberland River. It is consistently a top Nashville attraction on TripAdvisor and one I hope to do someday.

Gaylord Opryland

You do not have to stay at the Gaylord to enjoy the amenities and beauty of the resort. Visit the website for additional information: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Since I’ve already shared our experiences, I won’t go into more detail here but it’s a lovely place for older adults to enjoy leisurely time and beauty.

The Hermitage

The Hermitage is the home of Old Hickory, former President Andrew Jackson’s plantation mansion. This Nashville favorite offers you mansion tours, behind-the-scenes tours and discussions, wine tastings, grounds passes, a wagon tour that explores the history of slaves on the plantation, and a walking tour of the places where enslaved men, women, and children were born, lived, worked, and died on the farm.

President Andrew Jackson is considered one of the best presidents of the United States.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s premier parks and has a fascinating history dating back to the 1800’s.

The 132-acre park is located on West End and 25th Avenue North. It includes a variety of attractions, including: 1) the iconic Parthenon ; 2) a one-mile walking trail; 3) Lake Watauga; 4) the Centennial Art Center; 5) several historical monuments; 6) an arts activity center; 7) a beautiful sunken garden; 8) a band shell; 9) an events shelter; 10) sand volleyball courts; 11) a dog park and 12) an exercise trail.

Centennial Park is also home to the  Centennial Sportsplex .

The Centennial Park Conservancy is also located at Centennial Park. The conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to bring cultural enrichment, green space initiatives, education, and year-round fun to everyone in Nashville.

Thousands of people visit the park each year to take photos, visit the museum, see the exhibits, attend festivals, and just enjoy the beauty of the park with friends and family.

Children will enjoy the park also but the history and cultural experiences of the park will be highlights for older adults seeking a relaxing day in Nashville.

Tennessee State Capitol Building and Tennessee War Memorial Building

Nashville is the home of the Tennessee State Capitol Building and Tennessee War Memorial Building , as seen in the beautiful photo below. Today, the Tennessee State Capitol stands much as it did when it first opened in 1859. Self-guided and guided tours are available for visitors.

You can visit the website linked below the photo for more information.

Other Activities in Nashville for Older Adults

Outside the city, there are a variety of plantations, like Belle Meade and Carter House, that offer historical tours. They make for great cultural and informative day trips.

There are also a variety of wineries, vineyards, gardens, and breweries around Nashville that are enjoyed by adults. They offer tours, picnics, games, tastings, live music, and food.

Alternatively, you can visit several cemeteries near Nashville where the famous are buried.

Country Music – Why Isn’t George Strait a Member of the Grand Ole Opry?

I had to include this information for you because it’s one of the most talked about issues I heard before the vacation , during the vacation , and after the vacation !

Did you know members of the Grand Ole Opry need to commit to a certain number of performances at the Grand Ole Opry every year in order to be inducted and remain in good standing? The exact number of times has changed over the years and reliable information is hard to ascertain.

Reportedly, George Strait has been unable to commit to that number of performances in Nashville because he lives in Texas and has obligations that would prevent him from being in Nashville as often as necessary.

George performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 1982 but has not ever been inducted as a member of the Grand Old Opry. Country music fans find it remarkable since he is consider by many to be the King of Country.

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How Did Taylor Swift Get Her Start in Music?

I had to include this information also because it’s another topic you hear discussed frequently by country music fans.

If you have ever been a country music fan, you have probably heard of The Blue Bird Café in Nashville. It is a tiny bar and restaurant in a strip shopping center just outside of the city where many song-writers play to the 90-guests that can fit inside. (See my photo above.)

In order to get reservations, you have to get up early on Monday mornings and hope you are one of the lucky people who get through on the open-phone line to make a reservation for the following weekend. It’s quite a challenge.

The country music television show, Nashville , used The Bluebird Café for filming quite a bit. And Garth Brooks was discovered at The Bird Café.

Today, it continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nashville.

More Travel Adventures For Families

If you and your family enjoy travel adventures like Nashville, both indoors and outdoors, you will enjoy Off On Our Next Adventure: Travel in America and My Favorite Animal Adventure . These articles provide information about dozens of places across the United States that I have visited with my children, grandchildren, and parents!

I consider myself blessed to be able to travel but I also truly experience the health and wellbeing benefits. It brings life to my spirit and keeps my mind young.

With each adventure, I become more curious and motivated to find our next adventure.

This article contains adventure quotes to inspire your youthful spirit . It will inspire you to find adventures, near or far, that open your mind and make you SMILE!

Back to our family fun in Nashville, far too soon, it was time for us to pack up the Tahoe and head out onto Nashville’s honky tonk highway toward home! It was time for our family fun in Nashville to come to an end.

As you might imagine, there were lots of silly stories during the 12-hour ride home, but maybe I’ll write about those in another article. I think I’ve left you with plenty to think about for now!

In Conclusion – Nashville for Families

I would be negligent not to mention that Nashville is the home of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt University. The hospital is one of the largest, leading children’s hospitals in the nation. It is always ready to treat children in need and will never turn away anyone.

Vanderbilt University is a highly respected private research university.

Additionally, Nashville has several sports teams with many college and professional teams. The Nashville Predators play professional ice hockey at Bridgestone Arena and the Tennessee Titans football team is based in Nashville and play at the Nissan Stadium.

There are numerous minor league and farm club professional teams, too. It’s a big sports town so there’s lots of family fun in Nashville for sports lovers, too!

Oh before I forget, we all agreed that the restaurants mentioned here in this article are worth visiting again! They were delicious!

Finally, I want to mention that we also went to the site of the Christmas Day 2020 bombing. I wanted to reflect on the impact it had on the city of Nashville. They are still working on the area. Sadly, some places may never open again.

I spent a few quiet moments there to honor the city and those impacted.

I said earlier in this article that you could not possibly do everything, and see everything in Nashville, during a single visit. Have I helped you understand WHY?

There is so much family fun in Nashville! You can take a wonderful vacation with all generations and ages!

I hope you have found this “Family Fun in Nashville 2021” article helpful! If you have any questions, or would like additional information about our family fun in Nashville, you can leave a comment below or contact me via email or on social media.

I would love to share more about our trip!

Here’s another adventure you might want to consider. We had an incredible time in Charleston, SC:

• 5 Cool Things To Do on a Weekend in Charleston, SC

If you found this article helpful, please share it on your socials and with your friends. I appreciate your support! It means a lot to me!

Love to All! ~Susan

Family Fun in Nashville – What Sounds Like the Most Fun To You?

Have you been the Nashville? What are your favorite activities? I’d love to hear about them in the comment section below! Let’s share, support, and inspire each other with our adventures!

If you found value in my words, please consider sharing it on your socials by clicking the buttons below. Thank you for your continued support! It means so much to me!

Susan Ballinger is an award-winning educator, author, speaker, PTSD survivor, and advocate for ALL who has always been passionate about supporting and inspiring others in their personal growth. In her retirement years, she became the primary caregiver of her aging parents and developed an extensive knowledge-base about the elderly. You can learn more about Susan's professional work and compassionate nature by exploring her ABOUT page and connecting through her social media platforms.

I have always wanted to visit Nashville with my family! I can’t wait to show this to my mom and visit all landmarks you’ve shared. Thank you for this xx

Glad you enjoyed it, Martina! We had such a wonderful time and hope to go back soon! Hope you get to visit! xoxo

Yayyy this is incredible

Thank you, Faith:) xoxo

There’s some great places to check out. Thanks

Thank you, Areil:) xoxo

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Nashville, the state capital of Tennessee, has a long history of beautiful music culture.

The “Music City,” where Vanderbilt University is, is home to illustrious music venues, including the Grand Ole Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium.

But Nashville isn’t just about the music; there are a ton of family-friendly activities that can keep you busy for days.

If you’re looking for some ideas, check out this list of the best things to do in Nashville with kids!

• Grand Ole Opry and Backstage Tour

While the closest some of us may get to being rockstars is doing an off-key rendition of Rockstar on a karaoke night, at the Grand Ole Opry, you may go as close as standing on the very stage your idol once stepped on!

Visitors may enjoy an awesome live radio show here, and they can also take a tour of the Ryman Auditorium’s backstage areas to learn more about the venue’s legendary past and see the actual dressing rooms.

Because of its perfectly timed 45-minute show length, church pew seating (which allows free movement), and popcorn, the concert is one of the best family-friendly activities in Nashville.

• Hop On Hop Off Bus

One of Nashville’s best family attractions and a practical way to experience the city is the popular Hop On Hop Off Bus.

The onboard experienced tour guide of the double-decker bus can point out attractions you might otherwise miss, including the recording studios and particular areas of town, all for an affordable price.

The steady influx of attractions will also help to keep the little ones occupied and under control, allowing parents to focus on the attractions rather than the kids.

• Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade is a great plantation to visit in the South because it offers engaging tours to keep the kids interested, and the adults get a delight right at the end – wine tasting!

There are horse stables, carriage storage, and a lovely lawn on the formerly horse-breeding plantation.

The entire site is covered in the 45-minute tour, which is fascinating in and of itself. However, you are left in charge of your children and any “emergencies” for the duration of the tour as they keep the door locked when the tour starts and will only open it at the end.

• The Escape Game Nashville

The Escape Game Nashville is a great place to start if you’re wondering what tweens can do in Nashville.

This attraction, a distinct escape game, is one place where the kids won’t whine about being indoors.

Participants are divided into groups of up to 8 and given 60 minutes to figure out how to escape from their specifically designed rooms.

You have a variety of sets and props to assist you along the way, as well as instructions for when things get very challenging, so don’t worry!

The excitement, intrigue, and adventure they offer here will likely appeal to tweens!

• Music City Hall of Fame

The Music City Hall of Fame is “the” place to go if you want a super-detailed look at everything “country music.” After all, Nashville is the Music City.

The museum features fantastic kid-friendly attractions, such as the Scavenger Hunt (with prizes at the end!) and a kids’ area to keep them entertained. There are also well-displayed exhibits that cover the genre’s history for you to explore.

The recording studio, a favorite among visitors, is undoubtedly the highlight. Here, you may record, replay, and save your song like in a recording studio.

• Frist Center for the Visual Arts Nashville

This may not seem like something kids would enjoy until they try the interactive activities the Frist Center offers.

Visitors of the Frist Center may find themselves staying for hours because the art section has a fantastic photography collection that both parents and kids will love. They also have a kids’ area where the little ones can enjoy themselves.

There are a variety of interactive children’s activities focused on fine art and construction, including building, water-color painting, and stop-motion animation, all available in the kids’ section.

The entire family can create art together while kids let their inner Picassos loose!

• Nashville Adventure Science Center

Every city has a fantastic place where learning and enjoyment coexist, and Nashville is no exception. The Nashville Adventure Science Center is where science is as far from being “boring” as humanly possible.

You may visit the TinkerLab to build at your fullest capacity (you may take your masterpiece home) or climb to the top of the super-cool climbing structure at the center of the museum, which has a stunning view over Nashville.

Last is the Farting Slide.

Yes, this slide farts every time you slide down on it. Kids adore it despite the disapproval of their parents.

• Gaylord Opryland and Resort Convention Center

Let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy a freebie?

If you just agreed, you’ll like Nashville’s enormous resort and convention center, where visitors can enjoy themselves without charge.

Many of the Gaylord Opryland resort’s amenities, including the delta river, the cascades, and the garden conservatory, are available for the guests to explore.

You may sit by a waterfall and unwind while the kids play freely across the property.

You may take a boat trip on the delta river right amid the hotel or visit the nice shops and restaurants.

• Centennial Park and the Parthenon

The huge Centennial Park has typical park features, including magnificent ponds and plush grass. The Parthenon, another unique feature, is a replica of the ancient Parthenon in Greece. Even the 24-foot-tall statue of Athena from the Greek Parthenon is included in the replica.

The grounds are free to use and can be enjoyed as much as you want, but entering the statue will cost you a few dollars per person.

Depending on where you’re staying, it can be a little bit of a drive to get to Centennial Park because it’s almost outside of Nashville.

•  Musician’s Corner

The Nashville Musicians’ Corner comes alive in the spring with various outdoor performances and music events.

The best part? It is free to enjoy.

Apart from that, the food trucks that frequent Musician’s Corner during the festivals are well-known for serving various delectable dishes.

You can eat everything from snow cones to grilled cheese at this location, where Nashville’s most well-known street cuisine is served.

Take your food and proceed to the picnic tables, or if you don’t care, spread out on the grass or the amphitheater’s steps and chow down!

•  Instagram Murals

With a name like “Instagram Murals,” you can be sure that there are many photo opportunities for social media here. The teenagers in the family are guaranteed to enjoy this one.

The most popular mural is the one with the angel wings; because of its popularity, there can be a line before you can take a photo of it. Visit at the correct time to prevent weird shadows.

The other murals are equally impressive, but while some are close, others require traveling by car, unless you don’t mind walking.

•  Cumberland Park and Walking in Downtown Nashville

Cumberland Park is not a well-known destination in Nashville; without looking for it, you probably won’t discover it.

The fun slide, rock walls, and mild hills of this cool park on the banks of the Cumberland River make it one of the best family activities in Nashville, Tennessee.

You can also bring a picnic and sit at a table where you can dine and unwind.

If the family becomes bored with the park, you may proceed to musical downtown through a walking bridge that connects the park to it.

Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown is a suggested lodging nearby.

•  Nashville Zoo

Who doesn’t love seeing animals? A trip to the zoo is always a perfect vacation plan.

Visit the Nashville Zoo if you enjoy animals or are looking for a fun family activity.

The zoological garden is situated in a historic plantation farmhouse just a few miles from Downtown Nashville.

More than 6,200 animals from about 340 species are housed in the zoo.

The little ones will also enjoy a variety of other activities, such as holding baby kangaroos and holding and petting tortoises.

They also have a wonderful jungle gym and the Wilderness Express Train, which offers a thrilling trip.

•  Bluebird Cafe

This famous coffeehouse continues to be as popular as the TV show it was in!

If you’re trying to figure out things to do with kids in Nashville, consider visiting this all-ages attraction.

Since its doors first opened in 1982, Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe has established itself as one of the top venues for acoustic music.

LeAnn Rimes and Garth Brooks are frequent visitors; many got their start here!

Every evening, the cafe hosts two performances, one of which is an open mic session.

You can also go on a tour solely focused on Nashville (the TV series).

•  Nashville Sounds

Catch a baseball game where the Nashville Sounds are playing if you’re in town any time between late March and early September.

The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team named in honor of the thriving music scene in the area.

The Pacific Coast League’s Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers represents the city’s home club.

On special days, super-fun baseball-related activities are planned for kids in addition to the excitement of the game and delectable food.

Depending on the location, time, and place of booking, tickets might cost anywhere from $10 to $41.

•  East Nashville

East Nashville is stunning and artistic; the local culture is vibrant here, and tourists have a wide variety of places to eat and buy.

Visit the Five Points neighborhood for some gorgeous street art, upscale fine-dining establishments, and buzzy bars.

You can also check out Shelby Park’s Greenway, which comes after the shimmering Cumberland that features lovely roads surrounded by trees.

Fatherland Street is a terrific place to go if you’re looking for unusual goods like hand-blended teas, weird clothing, or interesting souvenirs.

Many kid-friendly breweries are operating, so check them out if you’re looking for some amazing craft beer.

•  Wildhorse Saloon

Families can have a lot of fun at The Wildhorse Saloon thanks to its fantastic dance floor, delicious food (including a kids’ menu), and lively atmosphere.

Check the schedule in advance to avoid needless (and pricey) cover charges at this enormous bar and restaurant, which is just off Broadway. They host a wide variety of events every day.

The menu is somewhat pricey, much like the cover charge.

The major attraction here is the dance floor, where you may participate in a line-dancing class or jam out to country music.

The young ones also get a special session.

•  Pfunky Griddle

It’s a certainty that you must take the kids to the Pfunky Griddle, a restaurant as unique as its name if you’re in Nashville.

In this unusual restaurant, the tables have griddles in the center so that diners can prepare their pancakes.

There are several options for toppings to go with the pancakes, including fruit and M&Ms.

Additionally, you can prepare your own grilled cheese, hash potatoes, and eggs.

Oh, and the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat menu to make the syrup on your pancake even sweeter!

The kids won’t rush to leave the table this time, but you must be prepared for a sugar rush!

•  Poole Knobs Campground

Instead of using traditional transportation, rent an RV and drive down to Nashville; with its variety of campgrounds, Nashville is a wonderful spot for camping families.

One such fantastic camping location is the Poole Knobs Campground. It is enormous and has a view of the water so that you may wake up to lovely water views and go to sleep listening to the sound of the water.

It takes 45 minutes to drive from the campground to downtown Nashville, so be sure to factor that into your itinerary and travel plans.

•  Seven Points

Another stunning campground in Nashville is Seven Points. It is more convenient to the lake, situated adjacent to a playground, and, more importantly, the beach!

It makes sense that the campgrounds are enormous because the United States Army Corps of Engineers owns the land, making it comparable to a state park.

Furthermore, it’s not an RV park. This means there are no hookups, and you are at the pleasure of Mother Nature.

Seven Points is more accessible to build up a base than Poole Knobs since it’s only 20 minutes from downtown Nashville.

•  Fannie May Dees Park

Like music, Nashville is also abundant with beautiful green spaces, many of which are distinctive, but all are jam-packed with family-friendly entertainment.

One outstanding location is Fannie Mae Dees Park.

Because of the gigantic dragon that emerges from the ground coated in mosaic tiles, this family-friendly park is also known as “Dragon Park” in the neighborhood.

This spectacular display includes a splash pad, a picnic shelter, and a ton of playthings for the kids to enjoy.

•  Nashville’s Children Theater

One of the best family-friendly activities in Nashville is taking the kids to the Nashville Children’s Theater. This non-profit company hosts several entertaining kids’ programs, including acting lessons, summer camps, and the production of captivating kid-friendly plays.

There will always be kids’ activities here suitable for various age groups and grade levels, no matter when you visit. Their schedule is available on their website.

Depending on your schedule and the day of the week, you can choose to see a matinee or an evening performance.

•  Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is unquestionably the most well-known wax museum in the world. It has locations in every major city, and Nashville is no exception.

Get your photo taken with all of your favorite celebs; the little ones will also be thrilled to see the idolized stars of their generation.

The museum also provides an excellent introduction to Nashville’s musical history with monuments of all the city’s greatest musicians.

The Grand Ole Opry and Madame Tussauds are adjacent, and both are open until 9 pm every night (except Sundays, when it closes at 7 pm), allowing you to see both places in a single day.

•  Honky Tonk Highway

The music never stops at the Honky Tonk Highway, one of Nashville’s busiest streets.

There are countless music venues (most of them free), gastropubs, and eateries on both Upper and Lower Broadway.

The Whiskey Row gastropub, AJ’s Good Time Bar, and Alan Jackson’s Bar are some of the must-visit locations nearby, and they all feature top-notch live music.

Many eateries, including the must-try Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, are open to families during the day. Even if some places may only allow adults to enter at night, it is also usual to see kids playing on Honky Tonk Highway even after bedtime.

•  BB King’s Nashville

Kids may don their dancing shoes, groove to live blues and jazz music, and have a delicious meal from menus created just for them at BB King’s Nashville.

Families that visit BB King’s Nashville are treated to rock and roll, classic soul, and likely the most tender, juicy ribs in town, along with various delectable trademark beverages. It is consistently listed among Nashville’s greatest restaurants and live music venues.

In addition, other well-known locations are close by, so you can explore them and finish your day at BB King’s.

•  Nashville Ghost Tour

Nashville Ghost Tour offers a guided tour of the most haunted locations in Music City. You will surely enjoy this attraction if you’re a family of brave hearts.

Tour guides lead groups around Nashville’s sights like the Tennessee State Capitol, the Ryman Auditorium, and President Polk’s Tomb while telling ghost stories and wearing historical costumes; they even have lanterns!

Many tour providers offer combo packages, such as a ghost tour with a pub crawl or a ghost tour plus sightseeing. The hearse tour, which includes a 60-minute trip around Nashville’s most iconic sites, offers a genuine one-of-a-kind experience.

•  Treetop Adventure Park

The Treetop Adventure Park will probably convince you if you are still unsure if Nashville is a good place for a family vacation.

The Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort’s gorgeous forests are the setting for this adventure course, which has over 100 challenging obstacles of varying levels of difficulty, including zip lines, cargo nets, hanging bridges, and Tarzan swings.

Visit the Treetop Adventure Park for a great experience with lots of chances for family bonding – there is something for everyone to enjoy!

•  Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

The historic residence of America’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson, is known as the Hermitage.

You can learn about the president’s life and times in addition to touring one of Tennessee’s most beautiful and historic farms.

Numerous tours are offered, ranging from 1.5-hour VIP excursions that take guests through the expansive grounds and palace to a tour that provides a sobering insight into life as a slave during that era.

However, the main attraction is the horse-drawn wagon tour, which transports visitors back in time to the lives of everyone who had resided on this 1,000-acre cotton estate.

•  Nashville Shores Waterpark

With places like the Nashville Shores Waterpark, Nashville is kid-friendly.

The largest waterpark in the city offers a ton of fun – more than a million gallons worth, to be exact!

The amusement park contains eight entertaining water slides, a sizable wave pool, a lazy river, and the wildly entertaining Kowabunga Beach, which has a fascinating treehouse and playground.

When your all-you-can-play allotment at the park has been used up, you may relax on the lovely beach that backs up to the waterpark situated on the shores of Percy Priest Lake.

•  Adventureworks Zipline

Adventureworks Zipline is located on a 40-acre ridgetop at the Narrows of Harpeth State Park, about 25 miles west of Nashville.

Adventureworks is one of the best places in Nashville to get stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside because it is surrounded by the Harpeth River.

Numerous zip-lining experiences are available, including canopy, sweetheart, twilight firefly, and even haunted tours.

Kids can also celebrate their birthdays here, which is another bonus!

While the kids get their fill of thrills, you can unwind in a natural setting if you’re not up for the excitement.

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The 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Nashville

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With its live music, vibrant nightlife, amusement parks , and active sports scene, Nashville is well known for being a fun and exciting place for adults to visit. As it turns out however, there is plenty of things to see and do with kids too. If you're heading to the Music City with children in tow, here are a few suggestions of how you can keep them active, engaged, and entertained, while still having plenty of fun yourself.

Visit the Nashville Zoo

Doug McDannald / Getty Images 

The Nashville Zoo is a great place to take kids for a full day of activities. Not only will you find an amazing collection of exotic animals — including rhinos, giraffes, and bears — there is also a petting zoo, an animal-themed jungle gym, a carousel and a train to ride too. Throw in opportunities to interact with kangaroos, tortoises, and an assortment of birds, and your little travelers are likely to be enthralled for hours. The bravest of them may even want to ride the Soaring Eagle zip line , which may look a little scary at first, but is a fun and unique way to see the zoo from the air.

Get Educated at the Adventure Science Center

Adventure Science Center

A visit to the Adventure Science Center can be fun and exhilarating, while giving kids a chance to learn something new at the same time. With more than 175 exhibits to explore, not to mention plenty of special events and interactive displays, the ASC is unlike any other place in Nashville. Here, visitors can learn about gravity, experiment with the physics of light, discover how tsunamis work, and much more. If you have the time, be sure to take in one of the shows at the planetarium as well, as they are guaranteed to amaze and delight.

Romp Through Fannie Mae Dees Park

Brent Moore / Flickr /  CC BY 2.0

Nashville as many parks to explore, many of which have a lot to offer young travelers. But Fannie Mae Dees Park is especially enthralling for the little ones thanks in part to its colorful dragon statue. This feature has given Fannie Mae the nickname "the dragon park" and often lures in visitors young and old. The famous drawing is the main attraction of course, but once there you'll find several play areas that small children in particular will love. They'll have a blast discovering all of the swings, slides, suspended walkways, and other attractions that are on hand.

Take in a Show at the Nashville Children's Theatre

Nashville Children's Theater

The Nashville Children's Theatre has played an active role in the city's art scene since 1931, putting on a wide variety of plays and special events all year long. The theater selects plays that are designed for kids of all ages, with professional actors and a dedicated staff working hard to bring those performances to life. Regular workshops and camps are also offered, giving kids an empowering outlet to explore their creative sides and foster their talents. This is a great place for children to learn about the arts, potentially creating a lifelong love of the theater in the process.

Get the Adrenaline Pumping on a Zip Line

Zip lining is one of those activities that is fun to do just about anywhere you travel. In Nashville, the place to go for a zip is Adventureworks , which has two locations in the area. Here, kids and adults will have a blast taking on the zip lining course as a trained guide leads them through the fun. Afterwards, if they're still looking for more of an adrenaline rush, the Adventureworks West venue also offers an aerial adventure course that sends visitors up into the canopy of the trees where they'll walk, climb, and swing through the forest.

Beat the Heat on a Water Slide

Nashville Shores

There are several waterparks in the greater Nashville area, but one of the best and most easily accessible is Nashville Shores . The park features eight unique slides, multiple pools, a lazy river, and more. Additionally, visitors also gain access to nearby Percy Priest Lake where there is a whole different set of attractions, including the Aqua Park and Banana Boat. If that still isn't enough to keep the kids busy, then perhaps the Treetop Adventure Park, complete with its own set of zip lines, will add yet another dimension of fun.

Wander Through Opryland Resort

Opryland Resort

The Opryland Resort may look like just another hotel, but it truly does have plenty to offer families looking for fun things to do with their kids. The on-site gardens are filled with lush, beautiful plants and as well as lovely fountains and waterfalls. There are several kid-friendly restaurants on the premises and a new water park, called SoundWaves, has recently opened. There is even an option to take a Delta tour by boat, all while remaining indoors. These attractions make Opryland a good option on rainy days or when the legendary heat and humidity of Nashville are just too much to handle.

Feel the Need for Speed on a Go Kart

Travel a short distance from Nashville to nearby Hendersonville and you'll discover the Holder Family Fun Center . With its well-stocked arcade, 36-lane bowling alley, two-story laser tag facility, and 18-hole miniature golf course, the Fun Center is practically a kid's dream come true. But, the top attraction just might be the indoor go-kart course, which sends racers flying around a track designed to test their nerve and skill. This is one of those places where it is tough to tell whether it is more enjoyable for kids or adults, but it will definitely keep the entire family occupied for quite some time.

Escape From Reality for a Little While

The Escape Game

Escapes rooms are trendy and popular attractions everywhere, and Nashville is no exception. The Escape Game offers visitors a half-dozen different themed escape rooms to choose from, including Mission: Mars, Prison Break, and the especially kid-friendly Playground. Once you've picked the room you want to try, you and your family are locked inside and given one hour to try to break out. You'll do that by discovering clues, solving puzzles, and uncovering hidden objects. The various rooms offer an incredibly immersive experience that has to be seen to be believed, and since The Escape Game operates three different locations throughout Nashville, you'll never be too far from your next adventure.

Take a Walk Through Centennial Park

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One of Nashville's premier green spaces is without a doubt Centennial Park . This 132-acre oasis located in the heart of the city has plenty of things to do, most of which don't cost a thing. For instance, the park has a scenic one-mile walking trail that is great for stretching your legs. It is also home to Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, several historical monuments, an arts activity center, and a sunken garden. If that wasn't enough, it also features a band shell where live music is performed regularly, an events shelter, several sand volleyball courts, and a dog park. Oh, and did we mention it also features an exact replica of the Parthenon found in Greece ? Yep, that's right. Nashville has its very own Parthenon and it is a lot of fun to wander through.

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Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville 4.5

Things to Do with Kids

As the Country Music Capital of the World, Nashville is a popular year-round vacation destination. Nashville is filled with museum exhibitions and playgrounds as well as shops and restaurants that were created with children in mind. When planning a trip to Nashville, consider the following list of kid-friendly activities and annual events that will educate and entertain your little ones.

Know Before You Go

While the summer can be hot and humid, the pleasant spring and fall weather offers warm days and cool evenings. This requires dressing in layers, so bring a variety of clothes. And don’t be fooled by this southern locale, winter temperatures can stay below freezing throughout the day. You’ll find Music City to be more crowded from April through October during the peak tourist season. No matter when you visit, family fun abounds in Nashville. Hop on the Old Town Trolley for convenient and safe travel between major points of interest. You can sightsee, learn the history of Nashville and create lasting memories together aboard the trolley. And don’t be surprised if a stranger strikes up a conversation. Nashville is ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the country.

With so many things to see and do, Nashville is a great vacation destination for families of all ages and interests. Music City offers something that will please every member of the family!

Getting Around Nashville

To see the best of Nashville in a fun and safe environment, hop aboard the Old Town Trolley. Children will enjoy riding the trolley as it makes its circuit around Music City. They will hear an entertaining and educational narrative while traveling past many of Nashville’s most popular and well-known landmarks. The Old Town Trolley is also a great way to reach many of these attractions. This convenient form of transportation saves time by eliminating the need to navigate city traffic and find a place to park. The hop-on and hop-off privileges will help you create a personalized itinerary that allows your children to explore the places that interest them the most at their own pace. And for the adults, all you have to do is sit back and relax while you create lasting memories with your family. Also, kids under the age of 4 ride totally free!

Get ready to #VacayYourWay with Old Town Trolley in Nashville! Treat yourself to the relaxing vacation you deserve, whether you’re a history buff, a sightseer, or an adventurous family. From the Country Music Hall of Fame to the Ryman Auditorium and everywhere in between, see the best of Nashville with live narration from our friendly and knowledgeable guides.

Run Free Outdoors

It might as well be a proven fact that children love running around outside. Several of Nashville’s most visited attractions combine excitement, education and outdoor fun in one location.

Nashville Zoo

Opening in 1990, the 200-acre Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is home to more than 360 species that come from many different parts of the world. Residents include giraffes, kangaroos and meerkats. In addition to the petting zoo, children will also enjoy a carousel and the 66,000-square-foot jungle gym playground featuring swings, slides, climbing nets and a 35-foot-tall tree house.

Centennial Park

While the centerpiece of Centennial Park is the full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon, the urban green space is also the setting for a duck pond and a large lawn for enjoying picnics and playing games. The park’s band shell hosts a variety of children-friendly performances, including puppet shows and outdoor movies.

Several festivals held at the park, like the annual Arts and Craft Show, have hands-on demonstrations that kids will love.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Created in 1996 and situated near the Tennessee Capitol, the 19-acre Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is an opportunity to explore the state’s history. During the summer months, kids of all ages play in the spray fountains that represent the Volunteer State’s major rivers and other bodies of water.

Showboat River Cruise

Children can take a step back in time to the antebellum period and imagine themselves as Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher while aboard a paddle-wheel Showboat River Cruise. The boat travels the river past natural and historic man-made sites before docking near the Opryland entertainment complex.

Cumberland Park

Situated on the eastern shore of the river across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Cumberland Park is an innovative play area for children of all ages. Including water features and unique play structures, the 6.5-acre park also houses an amphitheater that hosts children’s shows. In addition to playground equipment, the park includes a climbing wall, nature trails and a butterfly garden.

Nashville Shores Water Park & Treetop Adventure Park

Situated in nearby Hermitage, Nashville Shores Water Park has a lazy river, a wave pool and a sandy beach as well as eight exhilarating water slides. You can relax on the beach and soak up the sun or enjoy a banana boat ride on the lake. Adjacent to the water park, Treetop Adventure Park boasts zip lines, aerial rope bridges, Tarzan swings and climbing nets that provide an exciting bird’s-eye-view of the surrounding countryside.

First Tennessee Park

Baseball, hot dogs and boxes of Cracker Jack await guests at First Tennessee Park during home games for the Nashville Sounds , the city’s Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Head downtown and watch the future big league stars of tomorrow hone their skills as they launch their professional baseball careers. There’s even a unique guitar-shaped scoreboard!

Pop Culture

Your family’s entertainment fans will enjoy visiting places that have served as the backdrop for scenes of their favorite television shows, movies and music videos. Located downtown and built in 1909, the iconic John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge has appeared in the background of numerous country music videos. Opening in 1982, the Bluebird Café is the inspiration for the movie “ This Thing Called Love ” as well as the hit TV show “ Nashville .” While the historic Ryman Auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry for 30 years, the distinguished Hermitage Hotel was used for scenes from “ Nashville ,” “ Master of None ,” “ The Hannah Montana Movie ” and “ Country Strong .” RCA Studio B is the venue where Elvis Presley and many other legendary musical performers recorded hundreds of hit records.

Sporting Events

Sports fans will enjoy joining the crowd as they cheer on their hometown teams. The NFL’s Tennessee Titans along with the Tennessee State Tigers play at the multipurpose Nissan Stadium. It is located on the eastern shore of the Cumberland River across from downtown. Hockey fans will enjoy watching the Predators of the NHL play inside the downtown Bridgestone Arena . If baseball is your family’s favorite sport, they can watch the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. These future stars play at First Tennessee Park situated just north of downtown.

Annual Events

Nashville hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. Children will enjoy the food and music as well as the games and other activities that are available during these celebrations. Popular events include the Independence Day concerts and fireworks, the Hot Chicken Festival and the Tennessee State Fair with its thrill rides, midway-style games and interesting exhibits. Children can also dress up in their favorite costume while enjoying Halloween events at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden or feast on the excitement of the holiday season by attending the Christmas parade.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Discover the natural beauty surrounding Nashville as you drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway during the spring and summer foliage seasons. In addition to the vibrant colors, you may spot various species of wildlife that call the forest home. The protected ecosystem is the habitat for more than 130 types of birds as well as deer, fox and coyote.

Bring the Excitement Indoors

Even if you hit a patch of rain or the summer temperatures are too hot for the little ones, you can always take the fun indoors. Many of Nashville’s attractions have interactive exhibits designed to entertain children of all ages.

Adventure Science Center

Adventure Science Center has encouraged curiosity and inspired a lifelong interest in science since 1945. The multilevel children’s museum boasts 175 hands-on, interactive exhibits that will educate as well as entertain. In addition to exploring and gaining a better understanding of the world around them, children can soar to the outer reaches of the galaxy during a star show in the planetarium.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a kid-friendly attraction that introduces visitors to the music that made Nashville famous. Moving to its current location in 2001, the organization has interactive displays, video stations and listening booths that enable visitors to have a hands-on experience.

The museum sponsors puppet shows and a variety of other youth programs throughout the year.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Opening in 2001, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has several programs that enable children to touch, feel and create art. Located in the historic Old Post Office building, the museum features the Martin ArtQuest Gallery. The gallery has 30 fascinating hands-on exhibits that inspire young visitors and offer opportunities for children to experience art by creating their own masterpieces. Visitors can discover the essentials of art, such as color, pattern and texture while creating paintings, sketches and collages.

Nashville Children’s Theatre

The oldest professional children’s theater in the country, the Nashville Children’s Theatre was established in 1931. The organization offers a wide range of productions throughout the year for a variety of age groups. Subjects include “ Junie B. Jones ,” “ Treasure Island ” and “ Cinderella .” It is ranked as one of the top five institutions of its kind in the nation. The Theatre supports a variety of projects that help cultivate children’s interest in the performing arts.

Dine at a Themed Restaurant

When it’s time to take a break from sightseeing and grab a bite to eat, consider one of Music City’s many themed restaurants. In addition to well-known favorites like Hard Rock Cafe and Rain Forest Cafe, you can also enjoy Aquarium Restaurant with its unique bottom-of-the-sea decor. In this aquatic-themed restaurant, you are surrounded by a 200,000-gallon water tank that is home to more than 100 species of tropical fish from the Caribbean and South Pacific as well as sharks and stingrays. Children can also take a naturalist-led tour or go behind-the- scenes and experience the excitement of being a marine biologist for the day. When it’s time for dessert, or even a tasty midday treat, head over to the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. and indulge in their signature namesake confections.

Housed in the National Landmark Old Post Office on Broadway, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts hosts an ever-changing schedule of traveling exhibits throughout the year. This world-class art venue also features the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, an interactive space with 30 hands-on stations where children can create their own works of art.

Tennessee State Museum

Travel back in time at the Tennessee State Museum and discover the history of the Volunteer State from the Paleolithic Period through the 20th century. Situated inside the James K. Polk Cultural Center, the museum highlights the Age of Jackson as well as the tumultuous Civil War period. The collection includes paintings, military artifacts and local crafts.

Down-home Cookin’

Nashville boasts a wide range of cafes, restaurants and other eateries. If your family craves down-home cookin’, Music City has you covered. Many eateries feature “a meat and three” menu, which is common in the South. Each family member can pick his or her preference of one meat from a daily selection of 3 to 6 choices and combine it with three side dishes from a list that may include up to a dozen options. Available throughout the country, this menu combination traces its roots to Nashville. You can also dine in country kitchens like Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant that feature live music as well as savory Southern comfort food like biscuits and gravy, fried chicken and slow-smoked barbecue.

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The Family Vacation Guide

29 Free Things to do In Nashville for Families

posted by Charmaine Cortes on December 26, 2022 // last updated on June 12, 2023

Every year Nashville welcomes thousands of visitors. This is because it is recognized as being the home of country music and bluegrass. On top of that, it has lots of great attractions, and the food is incredible.

With so many great things to see and do, planning your itinerary can be challenging. It can be tricky trying to fit everything into your vacation. Another issue can be your budget.

We all want to see and do as much as possible to make family vacations memorable, but it can cost a lot.

One great way to reduce the cost of family vacations is to explore the best free things to do in Nashville.

This article will take you through the best options for families looking to enjoy a low-cost vacation to Nashville.

1. Fannie Mae Dees Park

2. bicentennial capitol mall state park, 3. kidsville, 4. music city walk of fame park, 5. cheekwood estate & botanical gardens, 6. country music hall of fame and museum, 7. fort negley, 8. gaylord opryland resort, 9. tennessee agricultural museum, 10. sightseeing tour, 11. tennessee state museum, 12. radnor lake state park, 13. warner parks, 14. the ‘what lifts you’ art installation, 15. adventure science center, 16. frist art museum, 17. nashville zoo, 18. storytellers hideaway farm & museum, 19. centennial park, 20. cumberland river pedestrian bridge, 21. free music, 22. downtown nashville, 23. fort donelson national battlefield, 24. music city bus trip, 25. tennessee state capitol, 26. nashville public library, 27. nashville farmers market, 28. walk the john seigenthaler pedestrian bridge, 29. cumberland park, the best free things to do in nashville for families.

We have looked at all the best things to do in Nashville to bring you a comprehensive list. The following free attractions and things to do will help you enjoy a great family vacation.

This extensive list of free things to do in Nashville will also help you to reduce the overall cost of your vacation.

Fannie Mae Dees Park in Nashville, Tennessee, is also known as Dragon Park. This is because of the large, colorful dragon sculpture in the park.

There is an excellent play park for children. The playpark also features specially designed equipment for wheelchair users to enjoy.

The play park is great for kids of all ages. There is lots of nearby seating, and the area is shaded by trees.

Tennis and soccer facilities are also at the park. Families can enjoy picnic tables, a water fountain, and toilets.

The car park is relatively small, but on-street parking is available nearby.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a much larger option than Fannie Mae Dees Park.

The park can be accessed using the Old Town Trolley. Alternatively, there are free two-hour parking facilities available.

Some of the great attractions at the park include the Tennessee State Museum. The Tennessee State Museum is free to enter and is a great place to learn about the state’s culture and history.

The Tennesee Map Plaza is a granite map that stretches 200 feet wide. Additional granite maps provide further information about the local area.

The park is also home to the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. It is made up of 31 spray fountains that pay tribute to Tennessee’s rivers and lakes. The fountain has inscriptions that detail the major waterways of the state.

The fountain is a great place to visit on hot days. Visitors can play among the water jets and cool down in the water.

The park is home to several memorials, including a World War II Memorial.

Live music and concerts can be enjoyed at the stylish 2,000-seater amphitheater.

The state is also commemorated by the long Pathway of History that measures 1,400 feet. Important events in the state’s history are engraved along the path.

The Kidsville playground is a free program for kids. It is located at the Parthenon in Centennial Park.

The weekly program provides storytelling, arts & crafts, and educational activities for kids to engage in.

The program also gives special guests and musicians the opportunity to perform and speak to kids.

Nashville’s nickname of ‘Music City’ pays tribute to its musical history. The Walk of Fame pays tribute to local performers that have made an indelible impression on the music industry.

The plaques make great photo opportunities for music fans. This is not a huge attraction and can be visited quickly. This makes it a wonderful option for parents that are worried their kids might get bored after a while.

Visitors to Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Gardens can enjoy 55 acres of beautiful gardens. There are also art galleries and cafes to enjoy on-site.

There is a nominal fee for adults, but kids under two get free entry.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is free to those under five years of age. This can help to reduce costs for people visiting Nashville that want to explore its musical roots.

There are lots of visual and interactive displays. You will get to learn more about some of the biggest country and rock n roll stars in history by visiting the museum.

Fort Negley is a historic site from the American Civil War. Union troops built the fort after Nashville was seized. This helped to defend their position.

There are interactive displays and videos that help you learn more about the history of the site.

The visitor center is only open if you have already made an appointment. However, you can enjoy self-guided walks all year round.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort is free to visit. The resort has excellent facilities that include a garden conservatory and swimming pools.

Indoor atriums include waterfalls, beautiful plant life, and wonderful walkways.

The Delta River boasts rides on flatboats, while the indoor and outdoor pools are great for families to enjoy.

Families love the Tennessee Agricultural Museum. There is an extensive collection of 19th and 20th-century agricultural tools and machinery.

Visitors will learn more about farming and home life during the early 20th and 19th centuries.

The property also boasts a great woodland trail, gardens, and log cabins.

Admission is free, and the museum is open between 9 am and 4 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

There is also an interactive Children’s gallery that is suitable for kids aged from 3 to 8.

Taking a sightseeing tour of downtown Nashville is a wonderful way to see famous streets and locations.

You can research the sights you’d like to include on your tour beforehand. You are then able to create a tour of these locations. Using Google Maps on your phone can help when creating your own tours.

If you do plan on creating a walking tour, keeping a note of your desired locations’ zipcodes is advised. This makes it easier to stick to your route.

Since 1937, the Tennessee Agricultural Museum has been a favorite among tourists.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore historical artifacts that date back more than 13,000 years.

Free tours are available every day at 2 pm. These tours take guests through the museum’s highlights.

Guests can enjoy free parking, making it an excellent choice for families looking for a fun, convenient day out.

Radnor Lake State Park is over 1,300 acres in size. There are lots of things to see and do at this park, including wildlife observation and hiking.

Walkers will love the pathways that lead around the park. Over 8 miles of walkways make this an excellent location for exploration.

Nature-loving kids and adults will love the free Ranger programs. These programs cover everything from wildlife to astronomy and plant life.

The park is great for peace of mind for families with young children. Dog walking, cycling, and jogging are not permitted. This makes it a safer environment for younger kids with less awareness.

Warner Parks are two separate public parks. Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park are both managed by the Nashville and Davidson County Parks and Rec boards.

The parks are located just a short drive from the center of Nashville. They cover over 3,100 acres of fields and forests.

The parks welcome almost a million visitors every year. They enjoy a range of activities and areas. These include;

• Mountain biking
• Cross country running
• Dog Walking
• Horse riding
• Athletic fields
• Bike trails
• Hiking trails
• Golf courses

Families can contact the parks admin team to book picnic shelters in advance. This is advisable during the summer when it can get busy. The reservation number is open between 8 am and 12 noon. The number is 615-862-8408.

If you are looking for a good photo opportunity, this mural by Kelsey Montague is perfect.

The installation depicts white angel wings on a black background. Posing between the wings has become popular. If any members of your family are big on their social media, this location is a must.

It is a relatively popular attraction, so you may have to wait in line for the opportunity to get your picture taken.

The Adventure Science Center is another option that requires an admission charge for entry. However, if you have kids under 2, they will get in for free.

The Adventure Science Center is an innovative learning experience that is great for kids of all ages.

There are passes available that offer discounted entry to many of Nashville’s top attractions. Exploring these options can help to save you money.

The Adventure Science Center has more than Adventure Science Center exhibits. The interactive exhibits explore a range of scientific and technological categories.

The Frist Art Museum is free to those under 18 and offers a wonderful opportunity to explore art.

As well as being free for those under 18, the museum also holds free family days and Family Mondays. Family Mondays allow the admission of an entire family for the cost of one adult.

This excellent, family-friendly gallery and museum regularly change exhibits. This makes it popular with visitors that have been before.

Nashville Zoo is another excellent option for those with kids under 2 years of age. Free entry for kids under 2 can help to reduce costs for fun family days out.

The Zoo boasts an excellent range of animals, including rhinos, monkeys, and giraffes.

While this isn’t strictly a free option, as some will have to pay an admission charge, it is a popular option. Passes are available to help reduce costs, and free entry for younger children is also a bonus.

Visitors to Storytellers Hideaway Farm & Museum will enjoy free entry to those under 10.

The pre-civil war era house has a rich history that can be explored by visitors. One of the biggest draws is that Johnny Cash used to own the property.

Johnny Cash memorabilia is also on show in the museum, making it a great choice for fans of the Man in Black.

Centennial Park is a 132-acre park that features a range of excellent attractions.

The park is home to a number of free concerts throughout the year in the events shelter and band shell.

As well as enjoying music events, visitors can also make use of volleyball courts, an exercise trail, and dog parks.

Other important attractions located at Centennial Park include;

• The Parthenon
• Lake Watauga
• Arts Activity Center
• Historical Monuments

The park is open until 11 pm at night. It has free parking facilities and is also accessible by the Old Town Trolley.

With so much to see and do, families can enjoy a great range of activities at no additional cost. Planning ahead with picnics and drinks can help you to enjoy a brilliant day.

The Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge offers stunning views of the Two Rivers Parkway. It is an excellent photo opportunity for anyone with a flair for photography.

The bridge also offers easy access to great local hiking and biking trails. To the west of the bridge, you will find the greenway. The greenway has more than 1150 acres of wetlands and a fascinating nature center.

To the east are a water park and golf course. Both of these options require a fee. However, there is also a free skate park and disc golf course that is free to play.

You can’t take a trip to ‘Music City’ without enjoying some music. There are lots of free music options in Nashville for families to enjoy.

During the months of September and August, the Live on the Green festival takes place at Public Square Park.

Concerts take place on Thursday nights, where you will get to see a mix of local and national musicians.

The Nashville Symphony also plays a number of free shows throughout the summer. There is no set venue. Concerts can take place in a range of parks across Nashville.

Nashville Symphony concerts are perfect for picnics and lazing in the sun with your family.

Downtown Nashville is a popular sightseeing location. The historic buildings and wonderful shopping options are great for the whole family to experience.

Savannah’s Candy Kitchen offers free samples, which are well worth the visit alone. You will also be close to Frist Art Museum, making it a great choice if you want to combine the two experiences in one day.

Fort Donelson is a significant location for anyone that wants to learn more about the civil war.

The area was key to the Union in controlling railroads and supply routes. This led to the Confederacy having to concede parts of West and central Tennessee and southern Kentucky.

Explore more than 6 miles of trails at this historic location. Free entry gives families lots to see and do for the day.

This option is ideal for families looking for historic free things to do around Nashville.

The Music City Circuit bus is a free and easy way to travel around the center of Nashville. Two main bus routes are covered by the service. This covers more than 75 stops in total.

This is an excellent way to see more of the city without getting tired legs. Anyone used to vacationing with kids will know how difficult it can be to get them to walk places. This free bus service solves that issue.

Younger kids often enjoy bus rides as much as they enjoy fairground rides. The bus also allows parents to keep an eye out for interesting places they may have missed otherwise.

The service typically runs from around 6 am to 11 pm every day. The frequent service means you won’t be waiting around too long. The traffic will make a difference, but buses should be every 15 minutes. Busier times can delay buses to around every 30 minutes.

Families looking for free things to do during the week can visit the Tennessee State Capitol. The Tennessee State Capitol houses the Tennessee Senate as well as the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The historic building is not open to the public on public holidays. Weekday tours are free of charge and run on the hour, every hour between 9 am and 3 pm. There is a one-hour lunch break from 12 pm when tours are unavailable.

The guided tours are led by staff from the Tennessee State Museum who have an in-depth knowledge of the building and its history.

The Nashville Public Library is a great free option for families. Younger kids can enjoy puppet shows and story time at different times throughout the day.

Craft days and music shows often take place in the library’s courtyard. While the movie area has a range of movies that run from just 10 minutes up. Parents can enjoy the art gallery and cafe.

Public parking is free for one and a half hours. This makes it a convenient option for visitors.

The Nashville Farmers Market is free to enter and browse. Here you will find a great selection of local vendors. It will give people a great opportunity to explore the wonderful produce available in the city.

While you will have to pay for the delicious food on offer, keep an eye out for free samples.

Opening hours run between 8 am and 4 pm, Fridays to Sundays. There is also a night market that runs between 5 pm and 9 pm every third Friday.

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge dates back to 1909. It offers incredible views of the Nashville skyline and Cumberland River. Snap-happy families will be able to get some great photos here.

At 3,150 feet in length, it is one of the world’s longest bridges designed for pedestrian use. There is free parking available for families that want to enjoy the sights.

Cumberland Park is another one of Nashville’s great selections of parks. There are four distinct areas that follow the Cumberland River.

The Hollow is the first area and is great for kids. There is a splash pad and play area.

The Scoops offers a stone path with cooling mists. This is a great place to cool off in the summer.

The Gorge is great for active families and older kids. There are climbing facilities at this spot, including a climbing wall, nets, and ropes.

Finally, the Explorer Trail is excellent for nature lovers. The trails weave through meadows and groves. Young kids will love bug spotting and looking out for butterflies.

Cumberland Park is an excellent option for families that love the outdoors. At 6.5 acres, it isn’t the city’s largest park. However, there are lots of things to do.

More about our TFVG Author

Charmaine Cortes

8+ Things to Do in Nashville With Kids

Posted on Published: 06/12/2023

Can the home of country music really be a fun place to visit with kids? As home to numerous clubs and concert venues, one may wonder if there are many things to do in Nashville with kids.

We decided to take our extended Thanksgiving vacation and spend four nights in the Music City , and were so impressed with how much there was to do with our family. All of us, including our two kids, loved our stay in Nashville and would definitely return.

Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links may result in a commission paid to us. All opinions are my own.

Things to Do in Nashville With Kids

Grand ole opry house.

One of the things that we absolutely wanted to do was to learn more about country music. When visiting Nashville with kids, you’ll probably want to do the same. Learning about country music is one of the best reasons to visit Nashville.

We started on that mission by doing the backstage tour at the Grand Ole Opry House. Located between the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and the Opry Mills Mall, the Grand Ole Opry House offers several different tour options.

During our stay, the Grand Ole Opry show had moved to the Ryman while the How the Grinch Stole Christmas show took over the Opry House, so we opted for the backstage tour. Check the Opry schedule in advance to see what the situation is during your visit.

Tickets for the backstage tour are available in advance (you can choose a tour time) or in person. The tour lasts about 45 minutes, and includes two small videos that explain the history and importance of the Grand Ole Opry, as well as what it means to be selected as a member. I actually had tears in my eyes at the video, because getting into the Opry means so much to the artists.

During the tour, you’ll see the talent entrance, the member mailboxes, the themed dressing rooms, and the stage. Professional photos are taken on stage, and you have the option to purchase them when the tour is over.

We wanted to visit the Grand Ole Opry House on our first day in Nashville. Because I wasn’t 100% sure when we’d be ready to visit the Opry, I didn’t purchase tickets in advance. If you are traveling during a busier time, however, it may be worth buying online in advance so you can choose your tour and make sure that you get in.

We were staying at the adjacent Gaylord Opryland Resort, so it was easy to go between the two. Staying in downtown Nashville? You may not want to make the trip to the Grand Ole Opry House without knowing when you’ll be able to go in.

My kids loved the tour, and enjoyed learning about the history of the Grand Ole Opry and the Grand Ole Opry House. I’d definitely recommend it for families, especially those with an interest in music.

Purchase tickets to the Grand Ole Opry here .

Ryman Auditorium

The original home of the Grand Ole Opry, located in downtown Nashville, is also worth a visit. The building is absolutely gorgeous, and the introductory movie is very well done. Even my children were impressed with learning about the history of the building.

There are two different tours – a backstage tour and a self-guided tour (which goes on stage, but not backstage). Since we’d already visited the Grand Ole Opry, we opted for the self-guided tour.

It didn’t take long but was still interesting. However, if your children don’t love the Grand Ole Opry (I’d go there first), it may be best to skip the Ryman. If you do decide to do both during your family vacation in Nashville, you may want to start at the Grand Ole Opry. That gave us a good amount of context to help us understand the importance of the Ryman.

You can choose to have your photo taken on the stage and can decide to purchase the picture if you like it. Aspiring country singers can also opt to do a music recording in their studio. Admission to the Ryman is required, and you need to make a separate reservation to use the studio (an additional fee applies).

If we had been staying longer, I definitely would have wanted to see a show at either the Ryman or the Grand Ole Opry. We’ll plan to do that on our next trip to Nashville.

Purchase tickets for the Ryman here .

The Adventure Science Center

On our last day, before flying back home, we decided to stop in at the Adventure Science Center. It’s a great place to take kids of all ages. Several different ticket types are offered, including a regular ticket, and a ticket with the planetarium show. We opted for the regular ticket since we didn’t have too much extra time. It’s recommended that you purchase a timed ticket online.

If you have a full day, it’s definitely worth spending more time there. The highlight of the museum for my kids was the Moonwalker and EVA Experience in the Space Chace section of the museum. It’s a fun way for kids to experience how astronauts deal with zero gravity.

There are also lots of other exhibits worth exploring, including the Body Quest section (we loved playing the Body Battles game). Younger children will love the three-story Adventure Tower. Overall, expect to stay at the museum for a few hours, unless you add on the shows.

There’s also BlueMax, an anti-gravity ride. It does have height restrictions, so check online before you arrive so your kids aren’t disappointed.

See reviews here .

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Music lovers will love visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame, located in downtown Nashville. It includes a number of costumes and exhibits, including Elvis’ car, as well as walls and walls of gold and platinum albums.

The Taylor Swift Education Center offers different activities for little ones. While we were there, they were offering a make-your-own puppet craft. The Hall of Fame also has interactive elements for children, including the one pictured below.

My kids, like us, aren’t too familiar with country music. So our visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame was educational in addition to entertaining. We really enjoyed our visit.

You can purchase tickets here .

The Hermitage

My kids love history, so we absolutely wanted to check out the Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson’s home, during our stay. It’s located about 20 minutes from Downtown Nashville (and 5 minutes from where we were staying, the Gaylord Opryland). There are a few different tour types, including an “In Their Footsteps” tour, a VIP tour (including a discounted wine tasting), a grounds pass, and a mansion tour.

If you are visiting with kids, I think a grounds pass works well. It includes the exhibit and film, and you’ll be able to explore on your own.

You can purchase a grounds pass here .

Gaylord Opryland

While Gaylord Opryland is a hotel, it’s also a fun destination to visit with kids. If you are there during the holiday season, definitely check out ICE!, an exhibit filled with amazing ice sculptures, including ice slides. Every year, there’s a different kid-friendly theme for ICE! Check the hotel’s website for more information. Tickets for ICE! can be purchased in advance, online.

The Gaylord Opryland is HUGE and has a number of restaurants, bars, and other attractions. There is also a brand-new water park that just opened. Guests who want to visit the water park should book a stay that includes tickets. Packages are available that include the water park and lodging at the resort. It’s really a bucket list hotel that every family should consider staying in at some point.

Read our review of the Gaylord Opryland here .

The Parthenon

Did you know that there is a full-sized replica of the Parthenon right in Nashville? Located right in Centennial Park, the Parthenon is a museum that you can tour. You’ll find artwork and history of the Parthenon on the first floor of the museum, and a gigantic statue of Athena on the second floor.

It’s definitely fun to visit and doesn’t take very long to tour. Note that they charge a fee for credit cards, so bring along cash if you can.

Opry Mills Mall

This isn’t your traditional mall. The Opry Mills Mall is filled with lots of activities for family fun, including a Dave and Busters and a Madame Tussauds. There are also a number of family-friendly restaurants including the Rainforest Cafe, Downtown Aquarium, and Johnny Rockets. It’s adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry so you could combine them for a fun day. If visiting during the holiday season, you could also combine this with a visit to ICE! at the Gaylord Opryland.

Other Things to Do In Nashville

Of course, the Music City is home to loads of live music venues, including those on the famous music row. Fans of the tv show Nashville may want to visit the Bluebird Cafe, which was regularly featured on the show. Some of these locations may not be entirely kid-friendly, so definitely look at them individually before planning a visit.

There’s also the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, where you can choose from a variety of tours, and the Frist Art Museum, which was formerly known as the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

You may also want to take a Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley Tour to be able to explore the different downtown attractions. Book those tickets here .

Places to Eat in Nashville With Kids

We made it our mission to eat delicious food throughout the city. Nashville has quite the food scene, including BBQ food and Southern classics. You can also choose to do one of the many foodie tours in Nashville .

Here are some of the kid-friendly restaurants we checked out.

Mission BBQ

Pancake Pantry

Puckett’s 

We loved all three of these and definitely would have gone multiple times to each. My son absolutely loved the Pancake Pantry and wanted to go back several times. Many of the popular restaurants in Nashville get crowded, so it’s best to arrive early when you can. The Pancake Pantry had a line out the door that just got longer later in the morning.

Where to Stay in Nashville With Kids

Wondering best places to stay in Nashville ?

While we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland for our stay, there are other great hotels too. The Renaissance Nashville Hotel and the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel both have great reviews. You can find other lodging options on the map below.

Frequently Asked Questions

I would definitely recommend having a rental car. You’ll probably need to drive around to see all of the attractions. You can compare rental car prices here .

The most convenient airport is the Nashville Airport (BNA).

I’d recommend spending about 4 days in Nashville for your family vacation. You could spend less time if you don’t want to do any shows while you are there.

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Susan Easterday

Monday 23rd of January 2017

As a local, can I add our lovely Zoo to your list? While zoos are everywhere, I like to think each has it's own personality and unique animals to make it worth a visit. The Nashville Zoo is located in the middle of the city area--just south of downtown. But, it doesn't seem that way when you get there. It's built among the trees--I used the meandering paths and shaded areas as a great stroller walk when my kids were young. They are working to add new exhibits right now and 2017 will see the Zoo change a lot with a new Andean bear exhibit (for example). Additionally, there is one of the largest wood playgrounds around, and my 13 year old still enjoys it. My kids also love to feed the turtles and ride the zip line ride, which was added last year. Note with seasonality, some of the animals may be moved in and out of the exhibits.

Jodi Grundig

Tuesday 28th of February 2017

Thanks! We'll definitely have to visit the zoo on our next visit!

Find a New Place to Explore within a Two Hour Drive

Have a Saturday and want to get out of town and explore? Check out our suggestions for day trips – all tested by our families and 7 kids. The Nashville metro area is big, so to give you an idea of distances we have used the Tennessee State Capitol as a central starting point. All of these locations are within a 2 hour drive or less from the Capitol.

If you want to travel further or need an idea for a weekend away check out our road trip suggestions.

Scroll through the list, or click one of the buttons below and see our adventures by state.

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T-Pain teams up with Checkers, Rally’s to offer new meal deal and free trip to Nashville concert

T-Pain meal deal Atlanta-based singer and producer T-Pain is teaming up with Checkers and Rally’s to offer a special meal deal that will be music to your taste buds. (PHOTO: Handout)

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based rapper and producer T-Pain is teaming up with Checkers and Rally’s to offer a special meal deal that will be music to your taste buds.

The “$5 T-Pain For Real Meal” includes a “classic Checker/Rallyburger OR the new BBQ Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which is Checkers & Rally’s Spicy Chicken sandwich, topped with melty American cheese, Sweet N’ Smoky BBQ sauce and pickles on a toasted bun. PLUS, a small fry, 16-ounce soft drink and new 8-piece BBQ Chicken Bites, dusted with BBQ seasoning.”

“I’m a big fan of Checkers & Rally’s. It’s one of my go-to spots, so this partnership and collaboration just made a lot of sense for me and something that I’m genuinely excited about. The fact that I get to have my own meal there is crazy! You are not going to want to miss out on the BBQ-inspired T-Pain For Real Meal,” T-Pain said. “This partnership is like a dream collab track that you just know is going to be a hit, especially since it’s available starting at only five dollars, so everyone better be ready to get down with the new T-Pain For Real Meal.”

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The burger joint also has a new burger named after the singer, called the T-Pain Cheesy Bacon BBQ Buford. It includes “two large hand-seasoned all-beef patties stacked up with melty Swiss cheese, crispy onion tanglers, melted cheddar cheese, three strips of bacon and Sweet N’ Smoky BBQ sauce all on a toasted bakery-style bun.”

“T-Pain is not only a well-respected and highly successful artist, his audience perfectly overlaps with our core consumer, and he is actually a frequent guest of Checkers and Rally’s!” said Scott Johnson, chief marketing officer for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. “T-Pain’s skills as a professional drift driver and his love for cars make this a no-brainer given the car culture heritage of our brands. This collaboration will resonate with all who are fans of T-Pain, his music, and drifting, but it also provides them with a delicious meal at an unbeatable price.”

To celebrate the news collaboration, Checkers & Rally’s is also hosting a sweepstakes that will grant two lucky winners the chance to win a trip to Nashville to see T-Pain live in concert at the Pinnacle next year.

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