Things to do with kids in Nashville

Things to do with kids in Nashville

1. See

   Belle Meade Plantation

   Featuring the mansion built in 1853 and restored, as well as the carriage house from 1890 and one of the oldest log cabins in Tennessee, built in 1790. There is a great deal of history associated with the plantation starting from before the American Civil War. Excellent, highly interesting guided tours of the plantation mansion are offered by the local heritage society.

   9AM–5PM. Closed Easter Sun, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.·$24, Seniors $20, children 6–12 $13, children under 6 free

2. See

   Belmont Mansion

   An approximately one-hour guided tour of 16 rooms in the mansion. Also walk the grounds to examine the marble statues and cast iron ornaments in the gardens.

   Mon–Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun 11AM–4PM. Closed Memorial Day·$16, seniors $15, youth 13-18 $7, children 6–12 $5

3. See

   Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

   A fascinating state park stretched out in front of the state capital building. Features a giant map of the state, monuments recounting the history of the state since prehistoric times, a carillon, and more. In the summer, the fountains are often filled with splashing kids. The park is next to the farmers market, which includes a food court, fish market, nursery, as well as the expected vendors hawking fruits and vegetables. The Nashville Business Journal's Book of Lists ranks Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park as Nashville's #1 Tourist Attraction.

   Free

4. Do

   Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art

   A 55-acre (22 ha) estate built by the founders of Maxwell House coffee on the fringes of the city featuring an art museum and a beautiful botanical garden. The art museum features American and Europeans exhibits.

   Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 11AM-4:30PM. Closed on every Mon except for Memorial Day and Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day, as well as the second Sat in June·Adults $10, Seniors $8, College Students $5, Children 3-13 $5, Children under 3 free. The most any family will pay is $30, thanks to an admission cap

5. Do

   Frist Art Museum

   formerly Frist Center for the Visual Arts

   Featuring 24,000 sq. feet (6500 m²) of gallery space with exhibits from local through to regional and all the way to international artists. The Frist strives to be a family friendly museum and as such has created ArtQuest, a colorful space with 30 interactive stations.

   Mon–Sat 10AM–5:30 PM, Sun 1–5:30PM

6. Do

   General Jackson Showboat

   Get a meal and a show on this classically styled 300 ft long paddlewheel boat. Midday cruises, including buffet and show.

   Shows and schedules vary throughout the year·$38.95 plus tax for adults and $21.95 for kids 4-11. Dinner cruises range from $44.95 to $74.95 for adults and $27.95 to $42.95 for kids

7. Eat

   Maggiano's Little Italy

   A busy national chain restaurant, serving Southern Italian meals "family style", portions that are more than large enough to share. Reservations recommended for parties of any size. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days.

8. Eat

   Monell's

   Located in historic Germantown, Monell's is a Nashville tradition. They serve different meals every day and the good ol' home cookin' is sure not to disappoint! Seating and serving are done family style, 13-14 per table. More than likely you will sit with people you don't know. First come, first serve. No reservations and no cell phones allowed.

   Mon-Fri 10:30AM-2PM, Tue-Sat 5PM-8:30PM; Country Breakfast Sat 8:30AM-1PM, Sun 8:30AM-11AM; Sun Meal 11AM-4PM

9. Do

   Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

   Displaying many animals and hosting activities for the family, including a large playground with two-story netting that you can swing onto (off a rope), or just jump and roll around on. The zoo is getting bigger and better every day. There is an aviary where you can feed lorikeets nectar by hand, and an amazing hand-carved wooden carousel.

   Apr-Oct 9AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 9AM-4PM. Closed 1 Jan, Thanksgiving Day, 25 Dec.·Adults $24, Seniors $22, Child (2-12) $20 (discounts may be available on select days)

10. See

    Nashville's Second Avenue

    Provides entertainment for many different styles of people. The street includes bars such as Hooters and the famous Wildhorse Saloon, dining destinations including the Old Spaghetti Factory, the Melting Pot and B.B. King's Restaurant and Blues Club, and locations for family-friendly fun such as Laser Quest.

11. Do

    Ryman Auditorium

    Completed in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle as commissioned by riverboat Captain Thomas Green Ryman, a newly converted southern evangelist. The Ryman has earned its mark in history by hosting the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 and is now a fantastically intimate setting for concerts of all genres. It was named Pollstar's "America's Theatre of the Year" for two years in a row, and one of CitySearch's top ten "Best Places to Hear Live Music.".

    9AM-4PM daily for tours. Closed 1 Jan, Thanksgiving, 24-25 Dec·$8.50 for the standard tour or $11.75 to add the backstage tour, Children (4-11) $4.25 or $7.50 respectively

12. Eat

    San Antonio Taco Company

    SATCO

    This place is always a favorite with Vandy kids, offering reliably so-so Tex-Mex food (very little meat on the tacos, and the guacamole has tons of pepper) and cheap buckets of beer. Right off the Vanderbilt campus. Stop by Ben & Jerry's next door for dessert. Caveat: towing in this area can be ruthless. Check the signs wherever you park. If you go, get the queso and chips for around $3. It's the best thing on the menu and is enough for 2.

13. Drink

    Springwater

    Located next to Centennial Park, this is one of Nashville's most reliable dive bars and often hosts underground and noisy local and touring bands. Once a speakeasy, later a hangout for Jimmy Hoffa, now host to a strange mix of local drunks, slumming Vandy kids, and musicians. Pool table, arcade games, good jukebox, good booker, a cheap beer-only bar, and a large screened-in cement block porch. Don't miss its regular Working Stiffs Jamboree.

14. See

    The Hermitage

    The former home of U.S. President Andrew Jackson is full of his family's personal possessions, and is adorned with much of the furniture that they personally purchased. It was one of the first historic preservation projects in the state of Tennessee. This was accomplished by the Ladies' Hermitage Association which was modeled after the Mount Vernon Ladies Association that had restored George Washington's home. Plan for a two-hour tour with a moderate amount of walking. No cameras, video cameras, food, or drink are allowed within the Hermitage or the exhibit gallery. Security precautions are taken and the Hermitage asks that all backpacks or large bags be left in your vehicle.

    Nov–Feb: 9AM–5PM; Mar–Oct: 8:30AM–6PM. Closed Thanksgiving and 25 Dec.·$27 adult, $24 seniors, $17 youth (13–18), $12 children (6–12), free children 5 and under. Family pass for 2 adults and 2 children, $62

15. Drink

    Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea

    A locally-owned coffee house residing in historic East Nashville, Ugly Mugs brews the local roast Drew's Brews and displays artwork by local artists as well as live music on Saturday nights. Known for serving coffee in a vast collection of quirky and non-cosmetic coffee mugs. Toys available for children. Wifi friendly.

16. Drink

    Verna Café & Bar (formerly Cafe Coco)

    It isn't a bar, per se, but it does serve beer and remains open 24 hours every day. Expect to find studious Vandy kids, scene-making hipsters, and drunk everybody at night. Located just off Elliston behind the Exit/In.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nashville (CC BY-SA 4.0).