The Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Nashville
Nashville evokes images of honky-tonk bars and late-night music venues, significant historical and cultural landmarks and hip boutiques in old-world neighborhoods that are just crying out for you to browse their inner depths. But you’d be surprised – a somewhat hidden side to Nashville is just how many child-friendly activities you can find here. Visit the city with kids, and you’ll discover a side of it that’s laid-back, filled with adventures and a whole lot of fun.
1. The Adventure Park at Nashville
Amusement Park, Natural Feature, Sports Center
Adventurous kids will love this challenging treetop adventure, set among the forest canopy just outside Percy Warner Park. Harness up, clip yourself on and tackle a range of obstacles. From there, embark on a journey across bridges, rope courses, ladders and zip lines, all of which are ranked on difficulty so that you can progress at your own pace. The high-ropes course is suitable for kids aged seven plus, but it has a low-ropes course and a pretty awesome adventure playground for younger ones (and parents that aren’t too fond of heights). Recommended by local insider Leena Kollar
2. The Escape Game
Amusement Park, Sports Center
Engage your children’s brains with a visit to Nashville’s premier escape room. Get them to choose the theme (options include space, prison break, an art heist and even securing a record deal), and plunge into a 60-minute interactive, puzzle-tastic adventure that will keep your entire family on their toes. Book a private experience to ensure that it’s just your nearest and dearest in the room. Otherwise, the Escape Game may sell the remaining spots to other people – which is fine, but probably not the family-bonding experience you were after.
3. Shenanigoats
Yoga Studio
Yoga, with friendly, frolicking goats. What’s not to love? One for older kids (the activity isn’t suitable for under 11s), goat yoga will have your family in rhapsodies of delight as the farm’s cutest and most mischievous critters bound onto your backs, nuzzle at your nose and do just about anything to distract you from the yoga part of the package. Oh, and don’t forget to take your camera for some top photo ops. Combine it with brunch at the exceedingly well-regarded Old School restaurant next door for a family day out – even the surliest teenagers won’t be able to resist. Recommended by local insider Cristy Wicks
4. Nashville Children’s Theatre
Theatre
Nashville Children’s Theatre is somewhat of a hidden gem. Not many of the city’s residents know about it, and it certainly deserves more recognition than it currently receives. Its annual program centers around family-friendly productions, performed by professional actors. It’s a great alternative to the cinema for an afternoon’s entertainment, and it might well foster a love of drama in your little ones that’s hard to achieve in adult-oriented theaters. Recommended by local insider Leena Kollar
5. Wave Country
Amusement Park, Swimming Pool
Kids love a water park, and Wave Country is no exception. Is it exceptional, as water parks go? Not particularly – it has a solid range of slides and a wave pool (one of the only ones in the area) – but it is an absolute godsend on a hot Tennessee summer day when all you can think about is how to cool off. While there are food concessions, you can bring a picnic, too. Shade is limited, so get here early to bag an umbrella or bring a pop-up tent along. You’ll need it! Recommended by local insider Leena Kollar
6. Aquamermaid School
Swimming Pool
Make your kid’s fairytale dreams come true with a one-hour mermaid experience. Your child will receive a sparkly mermaid tail and spend time learning to swim like a mermaid (yes, there is a specific style they will need to perfect). For those under the age of seven, Aquamermaid (located on the Vanderbilt University campus) offers swimming parties headed up by one of its in-house mermaids. Younger kids won’t be able to don the tails due to safety concerns, but they will enjoy splashing around with their real-life mermaid instructor. Meanwhile, you’ll love the super adorable photo ops. Recommended by local insider Leena Kollar
7. Topgolf
Sports Center
The best way to describe Topgolf is as an augmented reality driving range, using microchipped golf balls to make target-based games a possibility. The beauty of it is that you can play different types of games depending on your skill level. If you’re a family of golf pros, aim for some of the advanced options, or simply stick at seeing how many times you can hit the target. Food and refreshments are available on the premises, with the cheese fries being a hit among kids and grown-ups alike. Recommended by local insider Chaney Curd
8. Adventure Science Center
Museum
9. Mike’s Ice Cream and Coffee Bar
Ice Cream Parlour, Dessert
10. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Museum, Theater
11. Nashville Zoo
Gym, Zoo
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