The ULTIMATE List of 50+ Kid-Friendly Things to do in Nashville

As a native Nashvillian and a professional nanny in the city for 10 years, I know most of the best spots to take kids in Nashville, Tennessee.

Here are some of my secrets for families, babysitters, and nannies:

Do you love making messy art projects but don’t love the cleanup that comes with it? If you’re a local nanny or parent, check out the Little Art House! They offer art classes for all ages, at all times - this place is not to be missed! Check out their website for up-to-date calendars and events here.

Downtown library for story time Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30

A short, ten minute walk away from the library, The Frist Center of Visual Arts, isn't to be missed! Upstairs is the award-winning  Martin ArtQuest, filled with fun, interactive activities that will keep your little artists engaged for hours! Older children and adults will love the exhibits and the gift shop is the perfect place to get Nashville souvenirs.

Want to see some of the sights but don't have a car? Check out Music City Trolley Hop (ages 4+)  Hop on and off at your leisure, discovering Nashville along the way. Stops include Ryman Auditorium, Bicentennial Park, the Parthenon, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Antique Archaeology and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

If you have a little (or big!) history buff the Tennessee State Museum always has FREE fascinating exhibits and their new location near the Downtown Farmer’s Market is not to be missed. TPAC (Tennessee Performing Arts Center), where many great shows, such as Wicked and Lion King, perform. Check their calendar to try to catch a show! Also for history buffs (and FREE!): the Tennessee State Capitol (guided tours are available daily). Our capitol building is haunted and if you listen carefully you might hear arguments in the walls!

Walk down 2nd Avenue to The Old Spaghetti Factory and eat your heart out (they have gluten free options)! My favorite thing on the menu: the signature spumoni ice cream for dessert, which comes with every entree. Visit Nashville Guru here for other kid-friendly dining options.

If I had to choose one place to eat downtown with kids, it would be Puckett's. Check out their calendar for music and events, as they always have great live music! Be sure and get some of the BBQ and fried green tomatoes! They also have a great Sunday brunch.

For the older kids, ages 12 and up, I recommend checking out The Escape Game, where you have one hour to solve million dollar heists, decode secret service missions, and navigate through prison passageways.

If you want a taste of something sweet, I would like to recommend a stop at Savannah's Candy Kitchen or Mike's Ice Cream Shop which are both located on Broadway. I like to take my ice cream down to Riverfront Park and watch the boats go by or take a walk across the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. If you want a great picture of the family in front of the Nashville skyline - THIS is the spot! The bridge is also a great place for a good view of LP Field, where the Titans play, and across the bridge you can make a stop at Cumberland Park, which has an awesome splash pad during the warm months.

Other sweet spots to note are Bang Candy Company (get their marshmallows), Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream (my #1 choice for ice cream), Bobbies Dairy Dip, and Olive and Sinclair (chocolate shop). I guess you could say we have quite a sweet tooth here in Nashville!

If your family likes baseball, come check out our new Nashville Sounds stadium for a game! Check their website for discounts and fireworks night schedules. Even if you aren't a baseball fan, it makes for a great summer night outing with the family!

If you find yourself in East Nashville I would recommend eating at The Pharmacy for one of the best burgers you will ever have and an old-school soda fountain serving legendary milkshakes and ice cream sodas.

And, if you have some time for a leisurely walk or bike ride with the kids a great place to go is Shelby Bottoms Park. I can't say enough great things about this park!

Do you have a little Taylor Swift or Johnny Cash in your family? The Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum (Johnny Cash's gravesite is in Hendersonville) and The Ryman might be a couple places you will find yourself! Of course, being Music City, there are endless options and places to get in touch with your musical side, these are just two of my favorites. (Adults, I highly recommend Roberts for your boot scootin' honky tonk  needs) While you are at the Country Music Hall of Fame, visit Hatch Show Print and check the website to see if you can join them in making letterpress art while you are there.

Take a drive down Natchez Trace Parkway in the fall and eat breakfast at the famous Loveless Cafe. Their biscuits are the best on this side of the Mason-Dixon!

Visit the Bicentennial Mall - play in the Rivers of TN fountains, take a walk through the Farmers Market and grab a bite to eat in the food court.

Did you know that Nashville is home to a full scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens? And, wow, what a sight it is! Visit Athena inside it's doors and be sure and take a look at the art galleries, too. Take a ball and a picnic blanket on a warm day and enjoy beautiful Centennial Park! In the spring and summer you are likely to catch a free, live show or a festival. Look for the train and the tulip garden for a gorgeous picture backdrop in the spring and in the off seasons take a stroll around the beautiful Lake Watauga and feed the ducks, or let the kids play at the playground.

For food in the West End area I would recommend Calypso Cafe and Rotiers. If you want brunch, I recommend  trying Bricktops (get the homemade doughnuts and the shrimp & grits - trust me!)

If ice skating is something your kids would enjoy, Centennial Sportsplex is the place to be! Be sure to get a cup of hot chocolate and bring a jacket (for ages 7 and under they have Skate Aid Skooters).

Hike at Radnor Lake and look for local wildlife. This is my favorite place to escape in the city and go for a walk!

Nashville Zoo is known for its amazing treehouse playground, be sure to see Grassmere Historic Home and Farm and get up close to a kangaroo in Kangaroo Kickabout! Nashville Zoo has a full cafeteria with healthy food options or bring a picnic. Nashville residents - check out Zoo Tots for 18 months- 5 years old.

Cheekwood Art and Gardens is a MUST see and has year round seasonal exhibits, festivals, and events for visitors.

While you are near Cheekwood, be sure and make a stop at Percy Warner park and count the stairs! This is another one of my favorite places in Nashville to take a walk and after a couple of trips up and down these stairs, your little ones will be ready for a nap.

Adventure Science Center is an awesome indoor option for little scientists. (Open daily, 10:00- 5) Try climbing to the top of the pyramid for a great view of the city! There is a Subway restaurant on the second floor if you'd like to eat lunch there. To avoid visiting during school field trips, plan on going after 1:00.

Shhh! Don’t tell anyone else but one of Nashville’s best kept secrets is Ellington Agricultural Center. There are horses, Tennessee Agricultural Museum, gardens, an amazing creek, and more.

Visit Nashville Children's Theatre, a professional theatre company providing the children, families and educators of Middle Tennessee with extraordinary shared theatrical experiences that inspire imagination, develop creativity, and build community.

For your little car aficionados, check out Lane Motor Museum, which houses the largest European collection in the U.S. Be sure and see the huge landing craft out back! I consider this museum another one of Nashville's best treasures that not many know about.

Nashville has two water parks for those hot and humid summer days: Nashville Shores Water Park (jet-skis, paddle boats and water slides for all ages) and Wave Country for your little surfers.

For a laid-back family friendly, southern style evening featuring Middle Tennessee's finest bluegrass music under the light of a full moon, join us for a Full Moon Pickin' Party.  If you aren't able to attend, I suggest a visit to Warner Parks and the Nature Playground Center.

Although Nashville no longer has what my generation's childhood remembers, Opryland (1972-1997 and, yes, we STILL miss the Grizzly River Rampage!), if you are staying in the Opryland area, you're in for a treat. Opryland Resort is open to the public (don't park on site to avoid the $20 parking fee) and the botanical garden atrium is a lot of fun for kids. Incredible waterfalls, a river complete with Delta River Flatboat Tour, and fountain shows. If you visit around Christmas time A Country Christmas and ICE are absolutely a MUST SEE! Opry Mills has great shopping and I love going to Dave and Busters for dinner, bowling and games. Also recommended is the underwater dining experience, Aquarium Restaurant. Book your tickets online for a truly unique experience on the General Jackson Showboat and stop in to the Grand Ole Opry to say hello to the show that made country music famous. Another favorite activity in this area is Grand Old Golf for mini golf and GoKart fun!

One of Nashville's favorite parks is one we refer to as Dragon Park but is actually called Fannie Mae Dees Park and it's a great spot to get the kids out to play or have a picnic. Skip the line at Pancake Pantry and eat breakfast at Fido instead (if you really want pancakes try going to The Pfunky Griddle), eat lunch at Grilled Cheeserie or Pizza Perfect. For some artistic fun in Hillsboro Village you will find The Little Art House for art classes and camps for young and old. If painting pottery is more your style, check out Brushfire Pottery Studio in Green Hills

For even more kid-friendly Nashville visit The Nashville Mom here.

If you have any other recommendations to add to this list, I would love to hear them in the comments below!