Family Fun Activities to Do in Nashville
The summer holidays are here! With the kids out of school, many families are taking trips. One of the most popular destinations is good ole Music City. Nashville has a lot to offer tourists, and that includes families. If you’re looking for some ideas, we’ve put together some recommendations for guaranteed family fun!
Adventure Science Center
For over 70 years, the Adventure Science Center has been making learning fun. While exhibits, galleries, and programs are designed for kids ages three to eleven, we dare teenagers and adults not to have a good time. Most of the center is hands-on with a focus on six different sectors: Healthy and Energy, Creativity & Innovation, Sound & Light, Earth Science, and finally Air & Space. When you stop by, don’t forget to check out their planetarium.
Creekwood Botanical Garden
Time spent at Cheekwood Botanical Garden is mostly outdoors and includes a lot of fun for the whole family. Meander around the gardens taking in all flora and fauna. You can explore the Japanese Garden, take a walk through the statues, or catch the train exhibit. Once you head inside you can visit the historic home and the art gallery. With so much to see and do, even the most energetic of children will be worn out from the adventure.
Cummins Fall State Park
Take the family fun to the great outdoors at Cummins Falls State Park. It’s a beautiful area with a three-tiered waterfall and beautiful swimming hole. It’s about an hour and a half outside of Nashville but worth the visit. Cummins Falls is the 8th largest waterfall in Tennessee, and it won’t disappoint. You can climb up the waterfall and jump into the pool of water. Some areas of the swimming hole are deep enough. There’s a rock bed where you can set your belongings as you jump in for a swim. Just be careful. The trail down is steep, and you must wade through the rocky waterbed to get the falls. Bring water shoes to make the trip easier.
Foggy Bottom Canoe Trip
A short drive west of Nashville and you get to Kingston Springs. In Kingston Springs you’ll find Foggy Bottom Canoe and Kayak rental. Foggy Bottom has become a precious resource for locals who want to indulge in a bit of canoeing. You can choose from a short or long trip depending on how much of an adventure you are ready for. The company will take you down to the loading area and help get you on your way. Once you arrive at the end, they grab your canoes, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. You can visit Foggy Bottom seven days a week. The last departure for short trips is 3 pm, and longer trips are 1 pm.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Expose your kids to some culture at the Frist Center. Their exhibits cover a wide range including Italian fashion and to portraits. The Frist Center is excellent for families with tweens and teens. The center offers rotating exhibitions. Check out their website for the most up-to-date information. The Frist provides programs for families to help engage children as they take in the various pieces of artwork. They’ll be treated to stories, introduced to various art, paint a picture, make prints, and a whole lot more. It’s also very cost-effective. All kids 18 and under get free admission.
Nashville Children’s Theatre
The Nashville Children’s Theatre was established in the early 1930s as a way to expose kids to cultural heritage. Highly-trained actors conduct each performance. With every season they change out their performances, so you will want to review their website for a complete list. All productions are age appropriate such as, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Hans Christian Andersen. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance. It’s a popular destination during the summer holidays. Youth tickets are $16, and adults are $21.
Nashville Zoo
Could there be a more quintessential summer activity with the family than a trip to the zoo? Nashville Zoo at Grassmere has a whole host of animals to explore. From reptiles to mammals, you can spend hours navigating the different parts of the animal world. Kids are exposed to quite a bit of hands-on learning. Stop by the Shell Station or perhaps the Kangaroo Kickabout to get up close and personal. Kids up to age five can hop on the Wilderness Express Train or ride the Carousel. There’s also a jungle gym for them to monkey around. You can purchase tickets at the gate!
Looking for more ways to have fun with the family? Don’t forget to stop by and see Tommy. Tommy’s Tours are guided Comedian Charmin’ Tommy Garmon. You’ll get to see celebrity homes from some of your favorite superstars and get a trip through Downtown Nashville.
