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This post covers family-friendly things to do in Nashville, including a top 10 list, free things to do, museums and attractions, and nighttime activities and tours, and is updated for 2019.
This section will cover our top 10 ideas for the best things to do with your kids in Nashville. If the activity is open late or free, we will point it out.
Nashville is full of green spaces. From the Bicentennial Park to the Centennial Park with a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, you can enjoy the outdoors all over Nashville.
One of the most unique, family-oriented parks is Fannie Mae Dees Park. Locals call it the Dragon Park, for its prominent display of large, mosaic tile-covered dragon popping out of the ground.
Other features include play equipment, a covered picnic shelter, and a splash pad for keeping cool in the summer, all great options for kids.
Nashville has plenty of tours that will be interesting for everyone in the family. Download one of our self guided GPS audio tours of Nashville. or take our self guided walking tours.
Trolley Tours has a popular hop-on-hop-off-tour of the city with 15 stops. You can learn about Nashville from a brightly-colored trolley with a knowledgeable tour guide on board, spend extra time where you wish, and another trolley will come around in 20 minutes.
Of course, there are plenty of other great buses through Nashville to try – we have a bus tour comparison post here.
If you’re looking for a smaller group tour, this open-air vehicle tour combines fun with education, and this horse-drawn carriage ride is a unique way to see downtown. A higher-end option is to cruise down the river on the General Jackson Showboat with live music. To get active with the family, try the evening Ghost Tour at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage after hours or a daytime scavenger hunt walking tour.
Love animals? Try the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. The zoo has outdoor trails, birds, bears, leopards, and a large variety of other exotic animals.
Make sure to check the schedule of educational talks by the zookeepers to hear how they take care of the animals.
In addition to the exhibits, you can also ride the Wilderness Express train or Wild Animal Carousel, or attend the feedings of Lorikeets and Tortoises.
If you’re adventurous, you can ride the zip line!
The Nashville Children’s Theater is a nonprofit organization that puts on plays, acting classes, and summer camps.
Throughout the year they have performances suited for all grade levels, and all age ratings and recommendations are on their website.
Depending on the day of the week, you could see a matinee or an evening show.
All branches of the Nashville Library have Story Time on their schedule, but the Main Branch is a beautiful 300,000 sq. ft. building close to the city center and easy to access from downtown.
The Story Time programming is aimed at children aged 2-5 and held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The puppet shows are held most Fridays and Saturdays, and the recommended ages depend on which production is being shown.
Story Time: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 A | Puppet Show: Most Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM
Note: Check the event calendar for exact programming offered at specific dates and times.
Have a uniquely Southern experience at the Wildhorse Saloon.
There is always live music to enjoy and everyone is encouraged to learn and join in on the line dancing. Dance instructors are on staff to give lessons between band sets.
They also have a $5.99 kid’s menu, so everyone can enjoy their meal before or after hitting the dance floor.
Nashville is home to many sports teams, from hockey and football to basketball. Take your family out to the ballgame – or hockey match.
Children are welcome in many of the restaurants that double as live music venues, such as B.B. King’s and Wildhorse Saloon – both of which have a kid’s menu.
Get some more laid-back Nashville fare at The Pharmacy, where you can fill up on burgers and play some lawn games.
And don’t forget dessert! Try the world-famous “bonut” at Biscuit Love.
Or better yet, go to the Goo-Goo Shop! This family-run candy shop has been in business since 1912 here in Nashville. You cannot find them everywhere because they were never bought out by “big candy” so they really are a local treat.
You can try their classics with peanuts and marshmallows or (and here is where the extra kid-friendly part comes in) … Make Your Own Goo Goo! You get to choose the fillings that go into the chocolate mold. You can watch them make it in front of you.
The most famous wax museum in the world has a branch in Nashville. You and your family can get pictures with Nashville’s biggest stars and learn about Music City’s musical history. The kids can also get excited about current celebrities.
Madame Tussauds Nashville is open until 9:00 PM every night of the week except for Sunday nights when they close at 7:00 PM. Madame Tussauds is not near downtown, but it is right next to the Grand Ole Opry (which we also think is a good option for kids!) so you can plan to do both.
Tickets are also included in several of Nashville’s city passes. Click here to see our pass comparison article.
Nashville’s nickname is Music City for good reason. The famous Honky Tonk Highway is home to countless music venues on the Upper and Lower Broadway streets.
Take a walk up and down the famous street, lined with free music venues, restaurants, western wear stores, and gastropubs. Music is always playing on Honky Tonk Highway, whether from a street performer or inside.
You can find Alan Jackson’s bar, AJ’s Good Time Bar, or the Whiskey Row gastropub which is owned by Dierks Bentley. Both, of course, offer live music.
You may be wondering about visiting Honky Tonk Highway with kids, but we have never had any issues. Many of the places are open with live music as early as 11 am and daytime is probably a better time to visit with young ones, but you’ll see kids out at night as well (just don’t expect to go inside most places) especially since Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is open until 10pm!
Many of the venues have a cover charge or may be adults only at night, but no matter what time of day you visit you don’t have to go inside to hear the music, often performed on stages by street with the windows open!
You can even get the whole family outfitted in cowboy boots and hats at Boot Country, which is known for their 3 pairs of boots for the price of 1 pair year-round deal.
If you plan on seeing all the sights, why not purchase a tourist attraction discount pass? With a city pass, just one ticket can get you into multiple attractions and venues.
There are multiple Nashville passes to choose from, depending on your interests, price point, and how much time you’ll be in Music City.
These passes include great family-friendly attractions such as:
Click here to see our in-depth comparison of the best Nashville City Passes and prices.
FREE TOURS BY FOOT IS THE ORIGINAL PAY-WHAT-YOU-LIKE WALKING TOUR. OUR GUIDES HAVE GIVEN TOURS TO OVER 3 MILLION GUESTS AROUND THE WORLD.”
Free Tours by foot is the original PAY-WHAT-YOU-LIKE walking tour.
OUR guides have given tours to over 3 million guests around the world.