10 Must-Try Activities for Families in the Nashville, TN, Region
The region offers a plethora of fun activities and events for the whole family.
There are numerous venues and attractions that suit the tastes of all ages and personalities in and around Nashville, TN. And that’s especially good news for families, who have no trouble finding something fun to do together, from museums and U-pick farms to zoos and outdoor festivals.
Whether you’re new to the area, or just visiting, here are 10 must-try activities for families.
In This Article
1. Learn Something New in the Nashville, TN, Region
The Nashville Region has an abundant amount of museums and cultural attractions that are ideal for families. In Murfreesboro, the Earth Experience Museum allows kids to explore natural history through archeological finds and fossils, while the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring offers a children’s museum, nature center and wetlands boardwalk. Closer to downtown Nashville, families can explore the ever-changing exhibits at the Frist Art Museum or go to the Adventure Science Center. In Columbia, the aMuse’um Children’s Museum gives kids a place to learn, think and create.
2. Go Wild in the Nashville, TN, Region
At the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, your only challenge will be deciding what activity to do first. The Zoo not only features wild animals from around the world in educational exhibits, but a historic house, animatronic dinosaurs, a zipline, a 4-D theater, animal encounters, a giant jungle gym, a train and a carousel.
3. Be an Agritourist in the Nashville, TN, Region
The counties surrounding Nashville have a long agricultural tradition, and you can take part in it. Visit places like Honeysuckle Hill Farm, a family-friendly attraction with a pumpkin patch and adventure park in Coopertown; Shade Tree Farm and Orchard, a U-pick apple orchard located in Adams; and Bloomsbury Farm in Smyrna, a certified organic farm with a farm stand selling fresh produce.
4. Enjoy the Outdoors in the Nashville, TN, Region
Middle Tennessee has Percy Priest Lake, along with numerous beautiful state parks not far from the city center. The 1,368-acre Radnor Lake State Park is just 8 miles from downtown and features 5 miles of unpaved trails that surround the lake. In Cheatham and Davidson Counties, Harpeth River State Park connects several historic, natural and archeological sites along the Harpeth River. Forty miles west of Nashville, Montgomery Bell State Park near Dickson spans 3,782 acres and offers camping, cabins, a lodge, hiking, golf and 23 miles of mountain biking trails. For a unique outdoor experience, take a cave tour at Dunbar Cave State Park in Montgomery County.
5. Cheer on the Home Team in the Nashville, TN, Region
Nashville is home to several professional sports teams. You can cheer on the NFL Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, the MLS Nashville SC at GEODIS Park and the NHL Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Triple A Nashville Sounds baseball team plays at First Horizon Park.
6. Mosey to Main Street in the Nashville, TN, Region
The Nashville Region is home to many charming small towns like Franklin in Williamson County, Columbia in Maury County and Springfield in Robertson County, where you can spend the day exploring quaint and historic downtown squares filled with locally owned shops and restaurants.
7. Dive Into the Music Scene in the Nashville, TN, Region
You can’t turn a corner in the Nashville Region without encountering music. Dive into the region’s music history at the National Museum of African American Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, two of the country’s most significant music museums.
8. Have a Drink with a View in the Nashville, TN, Region
Arrington Vineyards in Williamson County is a place where both the kids and parents can enjoy themselves. While parents camp out at the picnic table surrounded by tasty food and drinks, kids have many acres to roam and play.
9. Try a Sensory-Safe Experience in the Nashville, TN, Region
Play at the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, a Williamson County indoor play space that is full of equipment designed for kids of all abilities, especially those with sensory processing disorders.
10. Attend a Festival in the Nashville, TN, Region
Nashville is home to many annual art festivals, from Full Moon Pickin’ Party to the Southern Festival of Books. One year-round highlight is the Nashville Farmers Market, which houses outdoor market sheds, along with an indoor Market House.
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