Fun Places in Nashville to Have Mother-Son Date Nights

This family-friendly spot is a great place to expand on science knowledge and enjoy a day of mother-son fun. There are six scientific concept areas throughout the museum: Earth Science, Creativity & Innovation, Sound & Light, Air & Space, Health and Energy. While exploring the museum, enjoy a fulldome show at the Sudekum Planetarium, which has an optical star projector that can produce 6.5 million stars. What a lovely way to have a movie date!

The animal kingdom is fascinating. And with more than 2,764 animals, there are plenty of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish to see in Nashville. One of the newest exhibits is the Andean Bear exhibit. Inside are two bears, along with pudus, viscachas, sloths and guinea pigs. In the future, a new state-of-the-art veterinary medical center will be built at the zoo, as well as an African village that will showcase lions, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes and more African species. In addition to animals, there is a jungle gym playground, carousel and zipline for children to enjoy. Adults and children over 42″ tall are free to ride the zipline, so both mom and son are sure to have a blast while bonding in the “wild.”

There are over 60 trampolines to practice jumping, somersaults and gymnastics on. For kids, there are foam pits and the KidJump zone. More adventurous visitors will enjoy Extreme Dodgeball, the trapeze and the Ninja Obstacle Course. Throughout the week, the venue has different specials, like College Night, Family Night and Theme Night, which features a variety of musical styles like ’80s and hip-hop.

Junior League of Nashville opened the venue in 1931 as an amateur theater. The very first production was Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp. The shows are put on with the goal of empowering young people in Middle Tennessee through cultural literacy and to instill empathy through transformational theatrical experiences. Professional adult actors from the Nashville area are hired to perform both weekday and weekend performances of classic tales for school groups and families. The theater also hosts drama classes and summer camps for children ages 3–18. The Tennessee Arts Commission, along with the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, makes it possible for the theater to offer after-school workshops, community events and professional development programs for educators.

Offering indoor rock climbing, fitness classes and yoga, Climb is for thrill-seeking children and adults. Climbers under the age of 13 are required to be accompanied by an adult and children under 18 must have a signed waiver filled out by a legal guardian. No experience is required to climb at the facility, however all climbers do need to take a short orientation. There are also classes, group events and summer camps available for those interested in maintaining a more active lifestyle.

Located a bit outside of Nashville is Tennessee’s largest petting farm. There are over 100 animals to interact with, including pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and rabbits. The animals can be pet, hugged or fed, and little ones can enjoy pony rides. There is also a 20-minute wagon ride available for children who aren’t fans of riding animals. And for those who simply want to explore farm life without getting up close and personal with animals, there are games, playgrounds and tire climbs. The farm features seasonal activities for the whole family, which are included with admission. These include Easter egg hunts, a corn maze, a watermelon festival and a pick-your-own vegetables garden. For an additional cost, pick a pumpkin or two in the pumpkin patch during the fall.