The things to do in Nashville with kids are endless. Nashville’s reputation as Music City might lead you to think all the best activities are just for adults, but Nashville has plenty of family-friendly attractions too.
From amazing parks to sporting events and performing arts, there are a ton of fun kid-friendly things to do in Nashville.
As a local Nashville mom, I’m here to guide you to the best activities for kids of all ages. No matter what your family likes to do, you’ll find a lot of experiences to enjoy together.
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19 Things to Do in Nashville with Kids
Cumberland Park
Keep it cool at the splash pad in downtown Nashville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-8400 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 11 pm daily
Cumberland Park in downtown Nashville is the best place to experience the outdoor city atmosphere as a family. Kids can scale the climbing wall, get wet in the splash pad, navigate a maze, or play on the cloud bridge. Adults will enjoy the riverfront views of the Cumberland.
The park is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of downtown and have some family fun. Especially if kids need a place to release some excess energy from travel days.
Nashville Zoo
See animals from around the world and be sure to check out the carousel, train, and zipline.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 833-1534 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $16-26, adults and teens, $12-21 under 13, Free under 2
The Nashville Zoo is the ultimate stop for an animal-based outdoor learning adventure. The zoo has over 350 species in habitats designed to mimic the animals’ natural environment as closely as possible.
Visiting the zoo is akin to a mini-adventure around the world. Kids absolutely love the Lorikeet Landing and the Kangaroo Kickabout. There’s also a huge jungle gym, a carousel, and a zip line. Young kids especially love riding the Wilderness Express Train. The zoo is a great place to spend several hours with kids of all ages.
The zoo is extremely popular on the weekends, so it can be worth it to get skip-the-line tickets in advance.
👉 Pro Tip: Pack your own snacks and drinks to save a few dollars. The food at the zoo is on the pricey side.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Have a picnic, listen to the bells, and take a stroll at this charming park in downtown Nashville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 867-2757 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm daily
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is an 11-acre park in downtown Nashville with a view of the Tennessee Capitol Building. The park has a nice paved pathway with monuments and inscriptions celebrating the history and culture of the state.
One of the best parts of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is the 95 bell carillon that plays every 15 minutes. Even though there’s no playground here, there’s lots of green space for kids to spread out and play.
The park is one of my favorite spots for a family lunch picnic. The Market House across the street has a lot of food options, so you don’t even have to worry about packing anything yourself.
Nashville Shores Water Park
Beat the heat on a summer afternoon at this popular water park on Percy Priest Lake.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 889-7050 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $49.99 adults, $29.99 children
⚠️ Closure Note: This attraction is temporarily closed until May 11, 2024.
Nashville Shores is a water park located on Percy Priest Lake about 15 minutes outside of the city. It’s the perfect way to beat the summer heat.
Kids will love the wave pool, water slides, and lazy river. The park recently added a slide called Mega Mayhem. It’s over 6-stories tall and is perfect for thrill-seeking kids (and adults).
Nashville Shores is an awesome place for a day full of action or for a day of lounging by the water. The property also has an RV park on-site, so it’s great if you’re traveling by RV.
📚 Related Reading: Nashville’s weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Read more about what to expect in Nashville by season.
Opry Mills Mall
With a movie theater, play area, cool restaurants, and more, all ages will enjoy a trip to the mall.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 514-1000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm daily
Opry Mills Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Nashville and a great place to go with children. There are a number of shops children will love like the Lego Store and Build-A-Bear.
Younger children will love the children’s play area and the carousel. Older children and youth will enjoy the movie theater and the Escape Game. Families will also like fun-themed restaurants like Johnny Rockets and the Rainforest Cafe.
On rainy days, the Opry Mills Mall is the perfect place to walk around with kids. Watching the trains at Lionel Trains and seeing the fish at the Bass Pro Shop are two favorite activities for my family.
Grand Ole Opry
Get a look behind the scenes at the venue where country music stars become legends.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 871-6779 | Website | Hours: Varies daily, Open Sunday-Saturday | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
The Grand Ole Opry is part of the reason Nashville became Music City. The radio broadcast (which is the longest-running broadcast in the world) introduced people all over the US to country music.
The show launched the careers of notable music legends and continues to be a platform for rising stars and country greats today. Kids who love music will enjoy getting a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry House. A guided tour lets you see how the magic happens.
You can also get tickets to see a show. Watching the Grand Ole Opry is a great way to experience live music in Nashville.
Nashville Sounds
Enjoy a classic summer outing and catch a baseball game at First Horizon Park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 690-4487 | Website | Entrance: Tickets range from $10-40
If you’re in Nashville from March to September, be sure to plan a trip to the baseball field. The Nashville Sounds is Nashville’s Minor League Baseball team. Seeing a baseball game is a classic summer activity that every kid should experience at least once.
The park regularly has special activities planned for kids to participate in during and after the game. Check the schedule online to see what’s happening during your family vacation.
Centennial Park
Explore a replica of the Parthenon complete with a giant statue of Athena inside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-8400 | Website
For a trip to Greece without an expensive plane ticket, head to Centennial Park. Before Nashville got the nickname Music City, it was known as the Athens of the South. The park is home to a life-size replica of the Parthenon, including a golden statue of Athena inside.
On Saturday morning, there’s frequently an event called Kidsville at the Parthenon with activities, stories, and crafts for kids. I especially like this event because it’s completely free for families with children 12 and under.
The park, located right between Midtown and West End, also has a walking trail and a lake, making it a perfect place to get kids outdoors on a beautiful day.
👉 Pro Tip: Old Town Trolley Tours is a hop-on double decker bus that will take you from downtown to sites all around Nashville, including Centennial Park. The Old Town Trolley is an easy way to see sites in Nashville without having to park each time. Book tickets in advance to make getting around easier.
Treetop Adventure Park
Swing through the treetops during a day of outdoor fun and thrills.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 889-7806 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Wednesday to Saturday, Closed Sunday to Tuesday | Entrance: $49.99 adults, $24.99 children ages 7-9
Get ready to channel your inner Tarzan at Treetop Adventure Park. The park, which is set on the same property as Nashville Shores, has all kinds of thrilling activities and outdoor fun.
There are three courses, an adult course, a junior course, and a kid course depending on age and height. Children must be at least 7 years old to do the kid course. The courses are not for the faint of heart (or those scared of heights), but for everyone else, it’s an unforgettable adventure of overcoming challenges and obstacles.
Nashville Ghost Tour
Discover Nashville’s spookiest spots (while also learning a some interesting facts about the city’s history).
📍 Google Maps | Tickets: $23 adults, $15 children | 👉 Browse Tours on Get Your Guide
If your family loves the spooky and supernatural, then you’ll love the Nashville Ghost Tour. Your host will take you on a walk around Nashville’s paranormal hotspots and reveal the dark history of some of Nashville’s iconic locations.
The family-friendly tour begins in downtown Nashville. Besides the sinister aspects of Nashville, you’ll also learn a bit about Nashville’s rich history as well. It’s the perfect family outing for brave kids.
Nashville Children’s Theater
See a children’s play or sign theatrically-inclined kids up for fun classes and summer camps.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 254-9103 | Website
Seeing a show at the Nashville Children’s Theater is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Nashville. The shows change each season, and the programs appeal to a range of ages.
The non-profit organization also has lots of options for kids interested in the performing arts. Throughout the year different acting classes and summer camps are available. It’s worth looking at the online schedule if you have a budding performer in your family.
Frist Art Museum
Create and appreciate art together at the hands-on Martin ArtQuest Gallery.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 244-3340 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm Monday, Friday, Saturday, 10 am – 8:00 pm Thursday, 1:00-5:30 Sunday, Closed Tuesday & Wednesday | Entrance: $15, adults, Free under 18
Normally an art museum wouldn’t necessarily be the best place to bring kids, but the Frist Center has an excellent hands-on area for all ages. The Martin ArtQuest allows visitors to rotate through a variety of art-making stations.
The whole family can try out drawing, animation, printmaking, painting, and other interactive art forms. The other exhibits at the Frist in downtown Nashville rotate regularly and may or may not be interesting for all children. But, visiting the museum is sure to spark artistic creativity for all visitors.
Plus, entrance is free for anyone under 18.
Fannie Mae Dees Park
Discover Nashville’s dragon park featuring a mosaic dragon (along with a playground and splash area.
Thanks to the gigantic mosaic dragon featured at the park, Fannie Mae Dees Park is better known as Music City’s “Dragon Park.”
While this feature makes the park unique, there are plenty of other cool things to enjoy. There’s a playground and a splash pad for kids to enjoy. It’s the perfect place to bring a picnic and spend a while relaxing while kids play.
Gaylord Opryland Resort
Wander through the indoor atriums at Nashville’s one-of-a-kind resort.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 889-1000 | Website
Staying at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort is an amazing experience, but you can visit the resort completely free even if your Nashville itinerary has you staying elsewhere. The resort is in Music Valley right near the Grand Ole Opry House, so it’s easy to get to if you’re already visiting the Opry.
You can spend a long time wandering through all there is to see in the resort, including the 9 acres of indoor garden atriums. If you’re looking to splurge on accommodations in Nashville, the Opryland Resort is a great choice. Especially since the resort’s water park is only open for guests.
Note that during the holiday season, the garden atriums are sometimes only open to guests as well due to crowd sizes. I usually check the resort’s website before heading over, but it isn’t closed often.
Wildhorse Saloon
Listen to live music and learn to line dance at one of the few family-friendly honky tonks downtown.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 902-8200 | Website | Hours: Varies by day, closed Monday & Tuesday
If you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants near Broadway, the Wildhorse Saloon is a great option. I wouldn’t recommend bringing kids to most of the bars downtown, but the Wildhorse Saloon is an exception.
The Wildhorse Saloon even has a kids’ menu. You and the kids can have the classic Nashville live music experience while keeping everyone happy. There are also line dancing lessons between sets, which is fun and also keeps kids from getting bored.
Check the website to make sure you aren’t going on a day with a ticketed event scheduled.
🎸 Read Next: How to Do Nashville on a Budget
Goo Goo Chocolate Co.
Make your own chocolate at this beloved candy company’s storefront in downtown.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 490-6685 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily (closes at 4 pm on Thursdays)
Head to the Goo Goo Chocolate Co. in downtown Nashville for a little bit of a Willy Wonka experience. The beloved candy bar was first produced in 1912 and has remained a Southern staple since.
Just looking at all the Goo Goo products in the storefront is an experience in itself. Kids will love getting to make their own candy bars on-site. Older kids may enjoy signing up for a candy-making class.
📚 Related Reading: You’ll need more than chocolate to keep you full. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Nashville.
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway
Hike, rollerblade, or bike at this outdoor space right in East Nashville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-8539 | Website
Nashville has an incredible series of parks and greenways for visitors and locals to enjoy. Shelby Bottoms Nature Center is located in East Nashville. It’s one of the best parks in Nashville for kids.
The Nature Center has a variety of educational exhibits and programs for all ages. Shelby Park has an awesome nature playground for children.
Plus, there are miles of paved greenways that are easily accessible. Visitors can push strollers, ride bikes, and rollerblade along the pathway without issue. It’s one of my favorite places to take an easy hike in Nashville.
Adventure Science Center
Have fun climbing through an enormous guitar or lifting a car single-handedly while also learning about science.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-5160 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Thursday – Monday, until 3 pm Friday, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday | Entrance: $22 adults, $18 under 13, Free under 3
The Adventure Science Center allows kids to have a hands-on, fun experience while learning about science. In my opinion, it’s one of the coolest places to take kids in Nashville. In fact, there are even night events at the museum just for adults who want to get in on the fun.
Kids get to enjoy exciting activities like climbing through a giant replica of a heart, going through an enormous guitar, and even trying to lift a car single-handed. Kids will want to stay for hours to try all the different exhibits. There’s something for all age groups to enjoy.
Country Music Hall of Fame
Share a love for country music at this museum that’s got something for all ages to enjoy.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 416-2001 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $29.95 adults, $19.95 youth | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
Visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame while in Nashville is one of the top things to do and not just for adults. One of the best museums in downtown Nashville, it has a huge collection of over eight hundred stage costumes, six hundred instruments, and countless other artifacts related to country music history.
Adults will love the well-designed exhibits. While kids can complete a scavenger hunt while going through the museum. Families can also check out a Young Explorer Bag for additional fun activities for kids ages 2-7. The bags need to be reserved in advance, so plan ahead.
👉 Love country music? You can get a ticket combo that lets you into the museum and RCA Studio B, Nashville’s famous recording studio.
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Thanks for reading my guide to the best things to do in Nashville with kids! Many of Nashville’s attractions are great for making memories together. Before you go, check out my guide to where to stay in Nashville.
(Cover Photo Credits: Stan DaMan / Shutterstock)
