Nashville, the capital of Tennessee in the US, is one of the popular tourist destinations for all types of tourists out there. If you have heard about the city or been there, you already know what it’s known for The MUSIC scene! It is home to some of the best music venues.
So, if your kid is a music lover or they love to experiment with musical instruments, Nashville is your go-to place. Fortunately, music is not the only enjoyable and fun activity in Nashville. There are a lot of things you can try here. Here’s a list of a few of the best things to try with your kids and family in Nashville.
Top Attractions in Nashville
Take Your Kids to the Nashville Zoo
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is an ideal place for families traveling with kids. What could be a better place than a zoo to familiarize your little ones with different exotic animals that are on the verge of extinction and some rare species? You will find here the birds, leopards, bears, and other exotic animals you may not have seen before.
Watch a Live Show at the Children’s Theatre
Children love summer camps and plays. The Children’s Theatre in Nashville will give your kids the best time in the city. This theatre conducts some fantastic performances throughout the year. These acts are for children in different grades and age groups. An evening show is a perfect option for those touring Nashville with kids.
Try Food at Wildhorse Saloon and B.B. King’s
All the walking, exploring, and sightseeing will lead to exhaustion. Take your kids to the Wildhorse Saloon and B.B. King’s to give them a wonderful treat. Some of the restaurants in the city are also music venues, giving you a pleasant and memorable experience.
Click Photos with Celebrities at Madame Tussauds
Your trip to Nashville is incomplete without learning the history of music. Madame Tussauds is your one-stop destination to know more about music, the stars, and top performers. The museum has wax replicas of some of the famous artists, including Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash. Your children will love to have a picture clicked beside these top performers.
Stand on the Musical Stage
Not everyone is lucky enough to get a chance to share the stage with a musical star. So, the Grand Ole Opry is your best bet to get closest to these top performers. Enjoy a live video concert and check out the artists’ dressing rooms, stage, and backstage areas. One of the best kid-friendly activities to try in Nashville!
Try the Hop on Hop Off Bus
So, this one will give you the best tour of the city with an incredible experience. Not only is it a beautiful attraction, but the Hop On Hop Off bus is for those looking for a quick city tour. It is a double-decker bus and has a professional who points out all the famous attractions in the city. An excellent way to keep your toddlers engaged throughout the ride.
A Visit to the Belle Meade Plantation
Belle Meade Plantation attracts your tods with the beautiful greenery and some picturesque locations. Check out the horse stables, a well-planted lawn, and carriage storage. Take this 45-minute tour and teach your kids more about plantations and horses.
Play the Escape Game
Who doesn’t like games? But, if you are traveling with kids or teens, The Escape Game in Nashville is a must-visit place for you. Eight kids are put in the room, and they are given an hour to find the escape. It is for adventure junkies and mystery solvers. If your kids are good at puzzle solving, chances are they will figure out the escape in no time.
Discover Music History at the Music City Hall of Fame
Instead of trying different music venues, schedule a visit to the Music City Hall of Fame and discover the unknown history of music. The place has a section dedicated to tods. It also has a Scavenger Hunt area for all adventure fans with a prize for the winner. The specialty is the recording area where visitors can record their voices and save the music, giving you a playback recording studio experience.
Visit the Frist Center
At first, it doesn’t sound like something your kids will enjoy but wait until your munchkins find the kid section. Parents can spend hours here exploring the beautiful collection of photographs while their kids have the best time of their lives in the kid’s section. Your kids can try sketching, painting, building, and a lot of other interesting activities here.
Enjoy Some Good Time at Adventure Science Center
A perfect place to combine “fun and learning” for your kids. The Adventure Science Center is not the ordinary museums or science clubs where you are given boring lectures on science activities. This place is far from boring. Climb to the top of the building through the climbing structure and enjoy a beautiful view of the city. Or, try the Farting Slide that produces a farting sound as your kids slide down.
Relax for FREE at the Gaylord Opryland Resort
The resort is for moms and dads looking for a place to relax while enjoying a scenic view. Your children will not bother you, as this place has some cool and fun activities for toddlers. The free entry makes it even more beautiful. The resort has eateries, a waterfall, a conservatory, a delta river, and a lot of interesting places for families.
Visit Centennial Park
The place is totally free for visitors, except for those who want to view the Athena statue located within the grounds. It is a fantastic park, featuring velvety grass and a pond. Take your kids here for some fun time. The park is, however, located outside the city.
Attend the Puppet Show at the Nashville Library
The 300,000 sq. ft building located near the city and easily accessible from the Nashville downtown is special for all the tourists traveling with their kids. The Story Time is conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday, and it’s for the 2-5-year-old kids, while the Puppet Show is organized on Friday and Saturday.
Take Your Kids to a Sport Event
Your kids will spend 2-3 hours easily at a sporting event in Nashville. The country is home to some of the best sports events. You can watch live hockey, basketball, football, and other exciting matches.
Check Out Some Cool Spots at Honky Tonk Highway
Honky Tonk Highway has a plethora of music venues, restaurants, local shops, and a few exciting places for your kids. You will always find someone performing on this highway – whether it is a local artist or a professional performer. Some of the places here are for adults only, so research it before scheduling a visit.
Check out the Nashville’s Library
There are plenty of libraries in Nashville, and it’s not possible to explore each one of them.
Start with Nashville Public Library. It is a perfect place for all avid readers. You can also find storybooks for kids to keep them occupied while you check out the wonderful collection of the latest novels and educational books.
Listen to the Songwriters Live
Nashville isn’t only about the singers, but the city has many talented lyricists that add life to the music. Bluebird Cafe and Listening Room Cafe are your best places to listen to the songwriters live. Your kids will also love the experience.
Try Meat and Three
Restaurants are your kids’ favorite place, and it’s easy to see why. Nashville is home to the world’s delicious and different types of restaurants serving a wonderful variety of dishes, some of which you must have never tested before.
Order fried chicken and beef tips for the meat and three veggies. You must have never been to a place where macaroni and cheese are considered vegetables. Well, this one is going to surprise you.
Have Fun at Doyle and Debbie
Get ready to laugh your head off as this comedy show takes place at the Station Inn, one of the most popular music venues in Nashville. The first-rate jokes, cute costumes, and uncontrollable laughter will give you the best time of your life. It is a kid-friendly venue. In addition to making you laugh, this pair of comedians will give you powerful insights into the music world.
Enjoy Music Concerts at Musician’s Corner
Musician’s Corner is a must-visit place for tourists visiting Nashville during Spring or festival times. The free-of-cost entry combined with the food truck that is known for serving you a wide variety of Nashville’s street food will give you a seamless experience.
The Beach, Playground, and Camping Site in One Place
What if you could have a playground for your little ones, a pristine beach, the campground in one location? Seven Points in Nashville is a go-to place for locals and tourists looking for a fun time with family. The gigantic campsite and some beautiful sights give you a memorable experience here. The best part is it is a 20-minute ride from Downtown Nashville.
Click Instagram-Worthy Photos at Instagram Murals
It’s an awesome place for all teens and parents. The picturesque location has plenty of selfie spots that give you a beautiful background and a nice shot. Some of the spots are so famous and beautiful that tourists may need to stand in the line for a photo. One such example is the angel wings mural. The murals are located within walking distance of each other.
Enjoy with Your Family at the Cumberland Park
The park has greenery, gentle hills, and rock walls that give your kids a wonderful experience. Check out the picnic tables and spend some relaxing hours here while your kids play around. Once you are done exploring the park, walk to the Musical Downtown through the bridge.
Shop and Dine at East Nashville
East Nashville is known for its local culture with a lot of shopping and dining options. If your kids are into art, check out the Five Points to find some lovely and colorful street art. For shopaholics, Fatherland street is a place to find some cool clothes and some beautiful souvenirs. The East Nashville is a kid-friendly zone, except for the bars and a few lounges.
Try Food at Pfunky Griddle
One of the must-try activities in Nashville with kids is dining at the Pfunky Griddle. The food here is as funky as you must have guessed from its name. Each table features a griddle located in the center, giving guests an opportunity to cook the pancakes. In addition, you get a chance to prepare brownies, eggs, cheese, and other delicious foods. Your toddlers will definitely not hurry for the food here.
Camping at Pool Knobs Campground
If you are in Nashville with your toddlers or teens, you should spend some quality and relaxing time with your family at the Pool Knobs Campground. Set up your tents and bring a basket of food for the night. The feeling of waking up to the chirping sound of birds and the cool waves of water is beyond amazing.
Explore Greenery at Fannie Mae Dees Park
Nashville is popular for music and greenery. Fannie Mae Dees Park is one such place where you will find plenty of exciting kids playing sports and lush greenery. The park has a huge dragon (mosaic tile one), which is why it’s also known as the Dragon Park. There is a splash pad, kids’ play equipment, and a lot of fun things.
Take the Ghost Tour
No matter how much your kids are afraid of the ghosts, they will never turn down the ghost tour. The Ghost Tour will take you to some of the scariest spots in the city. The tour guides are dressed in some historical costumes with lanterns in their hands, giving a full horror-movie vibe. Some tour guides offer a combined tour – ghost tour with the sightseeing experience.
Take an Adventure Course at the Treetop Adventure Park
Nashville has some of the best locations for a family adventure. If the above locations did not convince you to visit this exotic city, the Treetop Adventure Park would catch your attention. The place has more than 100 exciting adventure obstacles of different difficulty levels built within the woods. The Tarzan Swings, Zip Lines, and Cargo Nets are few popular activities you can try here. For families looking for a nice hangout spot, the Treetop Adventure Park is for you.
Visit America’s 7th President’s Home
History and politics lovers know the excitement of visiting Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. It is a place where you can learn more about America’s 7th president while exploring the history of the country. Take the 1.5-hour tour to explore the ground to its fullest. The tourist guide will point out the important locations, showing the life of slaves of that time.
Have Fun at the Nashville Shores Waterpark
The places like Nashville Shores Waterpark tell us that Nashville is definitely a kid-friendly spot. Featuring more than a million gallons of water, this waterpark offers a lot of fun to families. It is an all-in-one place for families looking for some fun time.
The eight water slides, a playground, a lazy river, and a serene beach makes it a family-friendly spot for Nashville tourists. If your kids want some fun and playtime, take them to the Nashville Shores Waterpark. They will most certainly have the best time ever. Bring your kids to the beach once they are exhausted from all the fun.
Capture the Panoramic Views of the City from Adventure works Zipline
For a relaxing and calm evening, head to the Adventure works Zipline and catch the panoramic views of the city. The spot is located 25 miles west of the countryside. You could also enjoy zip-lining and other fun activities with your toddlers here.
Give Your Kids an Ice Cream Treat at Pied Piper Creamery
The Pied Piper Creamery has been serving the Nashville locals and tourists since 2007 with delicious and flavorful icecreams, sherbets, and other delicacies. Your kids will love to savor the tasty icecreams. Once you are done with the eating, head to the local shops to get some souvenirs and nice clothes for your kids. There is plenty of cool kids’ stuff here.
Check out the Music Row
Nashville is a city for music lovers, and your trip here will be incomplete until you check out the Music Row. It is a one-stop destination for all music buffs. It has record labels, studios, radio stations, and some cool music production companies, giving you detailed insights into the music scene of the city. Many spots in the Music Row are named after some of the popular music performers, which is quite a fun thing to explore here. The place is located in such a convenient spot that you will find many restaurants, eateries, and local shops located within walking distance.
Teach Your Kids More About the Athletes in Tennessee
Tennessee is one of the world’s best sports events organizing states. Many athletes from Tennessee have represented America in different types of sports events. And, the Hall of Sports and Fame is a perfect location to celebrate these victories and the success of the athletes that come from this state. If your kids are sports junkies, they will love to know the history of the state’s top athletes.
Enjoy Time in Nature at Warner Parks
Warner Parks is your go-to place for some family time in nature if you want an escape from the city’s hustle. This location reminds you of the natural beauty of Nashville and the incredible landscape of the city. It’s a combo of the Percy Warner, and Edwin Warner Park spread across thousands of acres, giving you a beautiful view of Nashville’s natural landscape. It’s a family and kid-friendly spot, so you can bring your munchkins and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
Visit the Tennessee State Prison
Have you watched Ernest Goes to Jail and Against the Wall? Well, these are the two movies featuring the Tennessee State Prison. It is the state’s biggest prison that gives the historical vibes. Earlier, prisoners had to wear stripe uniforms and were required to perform manual labor in this prison. Today, it has become an abandoned place.
Catch the Rugged Scenery at the Radnor Lake
The abundant wildlife and rugged scenery featuring jagged rocks and a peaceful lake are the beauties of this place. There isn’t a lot of fun activities for kids, but the place gives you a perfect sightseeing experience. Bring your cameras to capture some good shots of the lake and the surrounding area. If you are lucky, you will catch the turtles, hawks, and deers. Swimming is, unfortunately, restricted here.
Explore the Wildlife at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Unlike the name, the Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary is home to a lot more species other than owls. You will find small mammals, reptiles, birds, and tons of exotic animals here. To make your trip memorable, enroll in the basket-weaving class or enjoy a picnic in the greenery. It is a non-profit sanctuary that aims to provide a home to wildlife while increasing tourists’ passion for sightseeing and exploring exotic animals.
A Family-Friendly Tour at Honeysuckle Hill Farm
This is another popular picnic spot for families looking for some fun and cool time away from the city’s traffic. Your toddlers will love to feed the cute animals at the zoo, playing hide-and-seek in the corn maze, and getting pumpkins for crafts. The farm is home to sweet fruits and ciders. Overall, a fun and cool spot for families.
Explore the Johnny Cash Museum
If you are a Johnny Cash fan, you should definitely plan a visit to this museum in Nashville. It has his photos, records, and artifacts that tell you everything you need to know about this legend and how he became such a popular figure in the music industry. Head to the listening stations to check out his latest songs.
Explore Nashville’s Landscape at Shelby Bottoms Greenway
The place offers amazing sights to nature lovers. If you are touring Nashville with your kids, schedule a visit to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway in Nashville to explore the city’s beautiful landscape. It features forests, fields, streams, and a lot more. The place has more than five miles of trails that can be explored on foot or a bike.
Eat at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant
This is one of the oldest yet popular Nashville restaurants. It houses a grocery store and a restaurant where you can order delicious meals. The place also has a music hall, giving the tourists a chance to enjoy live performances by popular artists and local music bands. The barbecue platters and some hot music shows are the attention-grabbers at Puckett’s Grocery. Bring your kids to this restaurant for some fun time.
Enjoy a Good Time at the Monkey’s Treehouse
This place is for kids aged 1-6. So, if your toddler needs some quality time, bring them to the Monkey’s Treehouse. In addition to playgrounds, the Treehouse offers a great learning opportunity to your kids. The place remains closed on Sunday, so plan your trip accordingly.
Try Chicken at Loveless Cafe
Known for the biscuits and chicken, the Loveless Cafe is one of the few must-try eateries in Nashville. Give your kids a chicken treat at this Southern cafe. Check out the kid’s special menu to order food for your munchkins.
Get a City Pass
A city pass is the best way to explore Nashville’s sightseeing locations while saving on your tour. You only have to pay for a single pass, which can be used for many sightseeing places. You can bundle your attractions and save as much as 50% on your tour with a valid city pass.
A Tour of Ryman Auditorium
If Nashville is the Music City, then this auditorium is the soul of the country’s vibrant music culture. The auditorium shows you the 125 years of history of the city with some cool effects and exciting holograms. Even if your kids are not fond of music, they are going to love the tour of Ryman Auditorium.
Try a Scavenger Hunt
The best game for families wanting to spend some quality and fun time together. The best part is these games are conducted through your mobiles, and they involve a few challenges that take you to the city’s landmarks and popular destinations that you might otherwise miss.
Go for a Trolley Tour
Another activity that your kids will remember from their Nashville trip is the Trolley Tour. This 90-minute tour takes you to over 100 locations. The trolley makes a 20-minute stop at a State Park, so you get enough time to grab lunch or a drink. So hop on this trolley and enjoy a wonderful sightseeing experience with your kids.
Conclusion
These were some of the best things to do in Music City. Hope it helped you learn more about the culture and food trends in Nashville. Try the above activities with your kids and have the best time exploring the kid-friendly locations here. Happy Journey!
