70 Things to Do with Your Kids in Nashville This Summer: 2015 Edition

  1. Salote says:

    Thanks gor the great ideas… Have you ever visited the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville? Bruiser would probably like it and Punky too! http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/visit-lane-motor-museum

    • Angelas001 says:

      I second the Lane museum if you haven’t been there! I believe it’s free too.Be are to look out the back window to see what they have sitting there…

  2. Angelas001 says:

    The Discovery Center in M’boro also has a garden and fountains, and the best- a boardwalk through wetlands right outside. We’re never ready to go home yet when they close, so we take a walk there and see ducks, geese, birds, and sometimes even an otter.

  3. Sarah Elzabeth Mason Walden says:

    Pro Tip I I
    As a former Opryland employee, the Hotel is actually wheelchair/stroller friendly. Stay on the paths with bricks on either sides and you can get through just fine! It is more fun to dart around, sure, but don’t miss out on a fantastic day just because someone with you is on wheels. Another tip is to call ahead and see which restaurants will validate parking. Or as long as you are ready to leave before 8pm, you can park for free at Opry Mills and take their complimentary bus over to the Hotel and back. It leaves from in front of the food court entrance on 15 and 45 past each hour.

    • suburbanturmoil says:

      Thanks for the input, Sarah! I’m going to stick with advising no strollers if they can be avoided- I did Opryland Hotel with a stroller a time or two when friends were in town and it was a nightmare. Just my personal opinion. 🙂

      I love your advice on the restaurant validation. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Meagan Story Maxwell says:

    Also, there is a splash pad in Mount Juliet called Ava’s Splash Pad which is so much fun for the kids! Especially if you have toddlers because it takes the worry away of them actually being in standing water like a pool. It is fenced in so you do not have to worry about children running everywhere near the parking lot. It is located in Charlie Daniels Park which also just received a total make over with all new state of the art equipment for children to play on and run around. There are a few educational areas, like outdoor musical instruments etc., around the playground area as well. It is a large park. Lots of fun!

  5. Lora Farrell says:

    What a fantastic list! We live just an hour north of Nashville and love to visit. Will definitely be checking out many of these ideas. One addition to your list that I would recommend is Land Between the Lakes! It’s not that far from the city and it has a working 1800’s farm, a planetarium, a nature station, a bison and elk range, and tons of great camping places!

  6. Peggy Simpkins Shores says:

    Awesome list! We have six grandchildren and I’m constantly looking for things to broaden their minds (video games are not allowed in our home!) This will help keep them busy all summer. Love that so many things on the list are freebies. Especially helpful that links to many of the websites are provided as well.

  7. atd says:

    I’m exhausted just looking at this list! There is also a cruise on the Lebannon side of OHL that we plan on checking out this summer! http://www.cumberlandrivercruises.com/

  8. Kaci K. says:

    Lots of great ideas! I’ve marked several events on my calendar and made reservations for the observatory already. One more for your list. The Drum Corps International competition in Murfreesboro is usually around the end of July. It can be a more expensive outing (tix $30-45), but it is an AMAZING spectacle as the marching bands perform incredible maneuvers and can push you back in your seat with the power of their brass. It’s a great family outing the kids will not forget. http://www.dci.org/schedule/details.cfm?event=419

  9. CDLewis says:

    The Wilson County Fair in Lebanon is one to experience. And with Fiddlers Grove Historic Village on the fairgrounds, it’s a cool place to visit. The fair is August 14-22.

  10. […] HERE for a great blog titled 70 Things to Do with Your Kids in Nashville this Summer, written by Lindsay […]

  11. Lisa says:

    One free event that I am planning this summer is the Hallowed Ground lantern tour of the Stones River National Cemetery in Murfeesboro. http://www.nps.gov/stri/planyourvisit/hg.htm

  12. Jenn Alvey says:

    One little place we love along the Natchez Trace is Garrison Creek, http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-tennessee/leipers-fork-fly-tn/95-garrison-creek.html.
    Since you are fairly close to Leiper’s Fork, it’s easy to grab a lunch there and then go.
    There are restrooms, picnic tables, and a fantastic wading creek. It’s about knee high in most places. Shaded in most places near the picnic tables. Lots of tadpole and crawfish catching opportunities, easy, gently sloped banks. Pro Tip: Crocs or water shoes are necessary, because many of the rocks are sharp to our suburban, softie feet. Great place to go hang out for an hour or two, and since it’s free, you can go back again and again. We’ve rarely seen more than one other family there any time we’ve gone, so your kids can be loud and no one cares!

  13. traci says:

    Update: Metro Nashville Community Education does not offer fencing in the summer. 🙁

    • suburbanturmoil says:

      It does, but it’s the skill builder class, which is open to kids who’ve had the intro class. The intro class will be available again in the fall. 🙂

  14. […] 70 Things to Do with Your Kids in Nashville This Summer: 2015 Edition […]

  15. Tona says:

    You should include the free indoor 5 story playground at Cornerstone Church in Madison on Old Hickory. It is wonderful and open from 8 in the morning until 7 at night. We have been several times since finding it. A truly fun experience for parents as well since the playground is large enough that parents get to enjoy it as well. I climb right up inside with my kids and they truly enjoy it.

  16. Katie Harness Leniski says:

    Fantastic list! Thank you for such amazing ideas! I’ll add the free Summer Saturdays at the TN Agricultural Museum / Ellington. The line-up looks really fun! http://tnagmuseum.org/summer.html

  17. Kelly says:

    Shelby bottoms in East Nashville has some great summer programs, camp fires, picking parties and a great area for kids to do nature play. There is even a par three golf course that is great for young golfers.

  18. […] for fun (and hopefully, cheap/free) things to do and places to go in and around Nashville. (I also share my list with you guys, to save you some time.) Whether you’re into wacky roadside stops, historic homes, bike […]

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