Five Family-Friendly Activities in Nashville

Travel with my family requires research to find attractions and activities we all can enjoy. It isn’t always easy finding things both parents and kids will love. For a family vacation to Nashville, start by finding the right hotel for your family. Search for hotels close to major attractions or near airports, and look for amenities that would make the vacation fun and relaxing. Once you’ve booked your hotel, check out some of these family-friendly activities in the Nashville area.

Nashville Zoo

Spend the day at the Nashville Zoo, where you’ll find over 2,200 animals, 353 different species, and attractions like the Wilderness Express Train. Admission prices range from $11 to $16 for children, adults, and seniors, but kids two and under can enter for free. The zoo is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Check the zoo’s calendar of events for special events like Boo at the Zoo in October. There are also animal shows and guided tours for families looking to get up close and personal with the animals.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Country music fans can’t visit Nashville without a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Children five and under can enter for free, and tickets for kids from six to 12 cost $14.95. Adult admission starts at $24.95,. The museum offers a military discount and various ticket packages for guests.

Centennial Park

Located on West End Avenue, Centennial Park is a 132-acre green space that uses technology to encourage visitors to approach and engage with trees. Custom tree signs featuring QR codes enable visitors to view and download videos of local Nashville talents telling tree stories. Centennial Park is also home to a full-size replica of the Parthenon, a one-mile walking trail, an activity center, and more. Check the park’s website for fees associated with visiting the Parthenon, the Sportsplex, and the Conservancy.

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art

Pull out your walking shoes, pack a picnic basket, and head out to Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art. Cheekwood offers free public tours to families and individuals on Saturdays and Sundays. Adult tickets costs $16, tickets for kids ages three to 17 cost $9, and tickets for children two and under are free. There’s an additional $5 parking fee per vehicle. Cheekwood is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s closed on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Adventure Science Center

The Adventure Science Center has nearly 175 hands-on exhibits for your family to enjoy. Exhibits focus on physics, listening, air and space, visual perception, energy and earth science, and biology. The center offers daily demonstrations, camps, lectures, and other special events. General admission starts at $14.95 for adults and $10.95 for children two and older. Guests have the option to purchase add-on attractions like the Planetarium, Laser Shows, and BlueMax. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to these family-friendly attractions, Nashville has a great food scene as well. Be sure to do some research on local favorites to add to your vacation plans.