15 Best Things To Do In Nashville With Kids

If you’re planning a family trip to Music City, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Nashville with kids. While Nashville, Tennessee, is well known for its bachelorette parties, honky-tonks, and lively nightlife, it’s also a surprisingly great destination for families.

We visited as part of a family trip and were surprised by how many kid-friendly activities there actually are. From cultural sights to beautiful parks and local food spots, there’s something here for all ages.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Nashville with kids, along with family-friendly attractions and practical travel tips to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time in the city.

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How Long to Spend in Nashville as a Family

We spent four nights in Nashville and had such a great time. This felt like the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of the city without feeling rushed, while still leaving space for slower, family-friendly days.

For most families visiting Nashville for the first time, 3 to 4 days is ideal to explore the main attractions, enjoy the parks, and fit in a mix of sightseeing, food stops, and live music.

Is Nashville Good for a Family Vacation?

Nashville might be best known for its bachelorette parties, honky-tonks, and lively nightlife, but we were pleasantly surprised by what a great family vacation destination it is.

We visited Nashville with our 2-year-old toddler and the grandparents, so this really was a proper family trip for us. It worked really well as a multigenerational destination, with a good mix of easy sightseeing, parks, music experiences, and family-friendly food spots.

Where to Stay in Nashville with Kids

Downtown Nashville is one of the best areas to stay in as a family, as it’s central and within walking distance of many of the main attractions. We also love 12 South, which has a slightly more relaxed, neighbourhood feel and works well for families who prefer a quieter base.

Below are our top picks of the best family-friendly hotels in Nashville for different budgets:

Affordable Family Hotels:

• Graduate by Hilton Nashville – A fun, quirky hotel with real Nashville personality. It’s reasonably priced, family-friendly, and within walking distance of key attractions.
• Caption By Hyatt Downtown Nashville – A modern, highly-rated hotel in a fantastic central location, making it easy to explore the city with kids.
• Best Western Downtown – A reliable and affordable option with a great location for sightseeing on a budget.

Luxury Family Hotels:

• The Hermitage Hotel – A historic, elegant hotel in a central location. Perfect if you want a more classic, upscale stay.
• The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville – A stylish luxury hotel with spacious rooms, excellent service, and an outdoor pool with city views.
• 1 Hotel Nashville – Beautifully designed with a modern, eco-luxury feel. A great option for families who want something a bit more special in a central location.

How to Get Around Nashville with Kids

If you want maximum flexibility, hiring a car is the easiest option for families. This is especially useful if you plan to visit attractions further out from downtown. Find the best rental car prices here.

Nashville is a fairly spread-out city, and it can feel quite hot in the summer months (we visited in mid-May and it was already warm). While a car would have been ideal, we didnt have one and still found it manageable to explore the main areas.

We mainly walked between central attractions and used the local buses when needed. The bus system in Nashville was easy to navigate and very affordable at around $2 per adult per journey. You can also get a 2-hour transferable ticket, which is helpful if you need to change buses during your journey.

If you’re visiting Nashville with older kids (age 5 and above), this Sightseeing Car Tour looks like such a fun way to see Nashville!

15 Best Things to Do in Nashville With Kids

Here we will share the best family-friendly things to do in Nashville, including top attractions, interactive experiences, and outdoor activities for kids of all ages.

1. Relax in Centennial Park

Centennial Park is a relatively large park located in the West End of Nashville. When travelling as a family, parks are always a good idea. Centennial Park is the perfect place to relax or let children burn off some energy. There’s plenty of open space for kids, and it’s a beautiful area for everyone to enjoy.

There’s also a nice duck pond/lake with a 1-mile trail to walk around it. There were storyboard props around, which were great things to do in Nashville with toddlers or young children. If you have a little Taylor Swift fan, a bench dedicated to her can also be found around the lake!

There’s also a children’s playground, which is always the best free way to let little ones burn some energy!

2. Explore the Parthenon

Located inside Centennial Park, the Nashville Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens and one of the most unique landmarks in the city.

Inside, it functions as an art museum and is home to a huge statue of Athena. It’s worth noting it’s closed on Mondays (which is why we didn’t go inside).

Adult tickets are $10, with under 4’s going free. Find out more information on their website here.

3. Visit the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is the home of country music in Nashville and one of the city’s most iconic attractions.

Families can take a backstage tour, where you’ll see behind-the-scenes areas like the artists’ dressing rooms, or book tickets to a live country music show if one is running during your visit.

It’s a great way to experience Nashville’s music history, even with children, and is one of the most memorable things to do in the city.

4. Enjoy Some Retail Therapy at Opry Mills Outlet

Located right next to the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills Outlet is one of the largest shopping centres in Nashville and a great indoor option for families.

It’s also a useful stop for families who need a break from sightseeing, with plenty of shops offering discounted prices, as well as food and entertainment options inside.

I really enjoyed some shopping time while our toddler took a rare nap. When he woke up, his main interest was the Lego Store!

5. Get a Sweet Treat from Mattheessens

Who can resist a sweet treat during a family vacation? Matthessens Ice Cream, Cookies & Fudge shop, located in Downtown Nashville, is the perfect place to stop for a break and enjoy something delicious.

Kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy visiting here. We got ice creams here and highly recommend them!

6. Explore The Gultch

The Gulch is one of Nashville’s trendiest neighbourhoods, filled with stylish shops, restaurants, and cafés. It’s a great area to wander around as a family, and there’s a nice mix of things to see and do within a small, walkable space.

It’s also one of the best places in Nashville to get a feel for the city’s modern, creative side.

7. Pose by the WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural

Located in The Gulch, the WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural is one of the most famous photo spots in Nashville and a must-visit for families.

This is the perfect photo spot to capture a memory from your trip. There are also mini wings next to the main one, which is a fun photo opportunity for kids visiting Nashville.

If you want to discover more of the best places to take amazing photos, click here to read our guide on the top photo spots in Nashville.

Top Tip: Stand a little bit away from the wall to get the best effect of the wings!

8. Enjoy the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame is one of the most popular attractions in Nashville and a great option for families, especially if your children are interested in music.

Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits, memorabilia from famous artists, and plenty of opportunities to learn about the history of country music in a fun and engaging way.

Although we didn’t get a chance to visit on this trip, it’s consistently recommended as one of the best things to do in Nashville and is well worth adding to your itinerary if you have time. Reserve your Country Music Hall of Fame tickets here.

9. Spot Colourful Murals in 12 South

This was my favourite area in Nashville. It’s another small neighbourhood where you’ll find lots more fun murals, which make great photo backdrops.

There are also some nice shops and plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Five Daughters Bakery is an extremely popular option for a sweet treat. I am so sad we didn’t make it there during this trip!

We ate at Edley’s Bar-B-Que. While there weren’t many options on the menu for my vegetarian self, my family really enjoyed the food here.

If you’re a foodie family, consider a 12 South Food Tour, which includes Five Daughters, Edley’s Bar-B-Que and more.

10. Shop in Stoney Clover Lane

Located in 12 South, Stoney Clover Lane is a colourful, Instagram-famous store known for its personalised bags and accessories.

It’s especially popular with families visiting Nashville with older children or teens.

There’s also a fun mural and photo area at the back of the shop.

11. Play in Sevier Park

While the moms shopped, the dads took our toddler to the playground. Sevier Park is nice for wandering through and also has a large children’s playground, which is perfect for kids.

12. Splash at Gaylord Opryland

If you’re taking a trip to Nashville in the summer, Gaylord Opryland is a huge resort located about 11 miles from the centre of Nashville (close to The Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills). It has an amazing water park, shows, a golf course, and so many other options for families. You do need to be a guest to take advantage of all this. Check opening times and availability here.

Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited, which is such a shame as it would have been a great way to escape the heat! If you’re looking for fun things to do in Nashville with kids, definitely look into this!

Check Current Rates and Book the Gaylord Opry Resort Here.

13. See Capitol Hill (Tennessee State Capitol)

Capitol Hill is home to the Tennessee State Capitol building, which sits on one of the highest points in Nashville. The architecture is impressive and has strong Greek influences.

Free guided tours are available on weekdays. While it’s more suited to older children, it’s still a nice, quick stop for families passing through the city centre.

During our visit, it was really quiet, and our toddler loved climbing the steps and running in and out of the columns.

14. Listen to Live Country Songs on Music Row or Broadway

No trip to Nashville is complete without visiting Broadway and Music Row. This area is what Nashville is most famous for, so definitely check it out.

This is the heart of the city’s live music scene, and during the day it’s surprisingly family-friendly. Many venues allow children in earlier in the day, and you can often hear live country music spilling out onto the streets.

Visiting on a weekday during the day is best for families, as it gets a bit rowdy on weekends and evenings. We ate at Rippy’s Honky Tonk, located on Broadway, and they have live music daily.

Seeing live country music while in Nashville is a must, and this is the perfect place to do it!

15. Play in Fannie Mae Dees Park

Our final thing to do in Nashville with kids is another park and playground. Also known as “Dragon Park,” this is a fun playground with a colourful mosaic dragon sculpture running through it.

It’s a great spot for children of all ages to explore and play. Our toddler really liked playing here and burning some energy before we caught our flight back to New York!

Map of the Best Things to Do in Nashville with Kids

Below is a map showing the locations of all the places I will talk more bout later in this post. Just click the button in the top right corner to open it in Google Maps.

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FAQ’s About Nashville With Kids

Final Thoughts on Visiting Nashville with Kids

Nashville might be best known for its music scene and nightlife, but as we discovered, it’s also a fantastic destination for a family vacation.

From exploring parks and neighbourhoods to enjoying live music and unique attractions, there are so many fun things to do in Nashville with kids. We loved how easy it was to mix sightseeing with more relaxed, family-friendly activities, making it a great option for travelling with younger children.

Whether you’re planning your first trip or looking for new ideas, Nashville is a city that really does offer something for everyone in the family.

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on the best things to do in Nashville with kids. We hope you have a great trip to Tennessee and enjoy Music City!

Happy Exploring,