2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids In and Around Nashville
Nashville's favorite places to take kids for 2019
There are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in greater Nashville! Each year, we survey Nashville parents to find out where they love to take their kids. 2018's results are below. And make sure to sign up for our fantastic FREE weekly newsletter with dozens of ideas each week for local stuff to do with kids, many of them free.
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Adventure Science Center
Igniting curiosity and inspiring the lifelong discovery of science. The Science Center also houses the Sudekum Planetarium, offering world-class programs on astronomy and other sciences on a 63-foot dome.
Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a progressive and dynamic zoological park serving Middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky and hundreds of thousands of tourists that travel to Nashville every year.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Nashville area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
Lucky Ladd Farms
The Ladd Family is excited to provide a wholesome source of family entertainment for thousands of visitors each year with more than 60 acres & 70 exciting activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, playgrounds, hay rides and more!
Cheekwood
Experience Cheekwood, the 55-acre estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune in Nashville, Tennessee, and one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era Estate in the United States. The Botanical Garden is a spectacular showcase of color and horticultural diversity, as well as home to seasonal festivals, public programs and world-class art exhibitions for visitors of all backgrounds and ages.
Tennessee Aquarium
Come see for yourself why visitors like you rate the Tennessee Aquarium the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction. Enjoy a remarkable journey from the mountains to the sea as you explore above and below the surface in the Aquarium’s two buildings. Discount ticket packages with the Aquarium's IMAX 3D Theater and River Gorge Explorer make your travel plans easy and affordable.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park is one of Nashville's premier parks. Located on West End and 25th Avenue North, the 132-acre features: the iconic Parthenon, a one-mile walking trail, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, historical monuments, an arts activity center, a beautiful sunken garden, a band shell, an events shelter, sand volleyball courts, dog park, and an exercise trail.
Chuck E. Cheese's
Where A Kid Can Be A Kid! Have a blast with food, games and prizes for the whole family.
Nashville Children's Theatre
Believing the culturally curious child is the future, Nashville Children’s Theatre nurtures the next generation of global citizens by providing transformational theatrical experiences which reflect our evolving community, instill profound empathy, and foster personal discovery.
Frist Art Museum
YMCA
Discover the largest collection of pools and waterparks in the area for year-round family fun. Swim lessons, summer camps and youth sports leagues provide additional opportunities to keep kids active and healthy. At the Y, you’ll enjoy a welcoming community that supports your entire family.
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
The Hermitage, Home of The People's President, is one of the largest and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with more than 30 historic buildings, that welcomes some 180,000 annual visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren, from all 50 states and many foreign countries. We are open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4 p.m.
Gentry's Farm
We offer educational programs for school groups in the fall and the spring and we also offer a down-to-earth fun summer day camp.
Sudekum Planetarium
Our state-of-the-art giant screen dome is located inside Adventure Science Center. Our featured events include laser shows and special offerings on the Second Saturday each month and unique programs like Yoga Under the Stars. On most Mondays, preschool families come together for Early Explorers. If you're sensitive to light or sound, our sensory-friendly shows offer a more comfortable experience. Don't forget to check out this month's Star Chart, or take a look at our upcoming showtimes.
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a hands-on museum and nature center that inspires exploration, enhances learning, and builds confidence through diverse programs and exhibits.
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club offers a family-friendly atmosphere for fans of all ages to come and enjoy good company, good food, and a good game. Come cheer on the Sounds!
Brentwood Skate Center
Providing fun family entertainment for all ages. We offer beginner Sk8's for those youngsters in your life, 8-years old and younger !! Every Saturday morning, 9:30 - 11:00 - Games and prizes !! And one unbeatable way to introduce your youngster to sound aerobic exercise guaranteed to promote self esteem, balance, and dexterity.
Fannie Mae Dees/ Dragon Park
There are many different playgrounds and grassy areas for fun, as well as tennis courts and multiple shaded picnic areas.
Opry Mills
Located in Nashville, Opry Mills® is Tennessee’s largest outlet and value retail destination.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in several categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Discovery CenterDiscovery Center at Murfree Spring is a hands-on museum and nature center that inspires exploration, enhances learning, and builds confidence through diverse programs and exhibits.
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Nashville ZooNashville Zoo is a progressive and dynamic zoological park serving Middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky and hundreds of thousands of tourists that travel to Nashville every year.
Favorite Performing Arts
Nashville Children's TheatreBelieving the culturally curious child is the future, Nashville Children’s Theatre nurtures the next generation of global citizens by providing transformational theatrical experiences which reflect our evolving community, instill profound empathy, and foster personal discovery.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Adventure Science CenterIgniting curiosity and inspiring the lifelong discovery of science. The Science Center also houses the Sudekum Planetarium, offering world-class programs on astronomy and other sciences on a 63-foot dome.
Favorite Nature Center
CheekwoodExperience Cheekwood, the 55-acre estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune in Nashville, Tennessee, and one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era Estate in the United States. The Botanical Garden is a spectacular showcase of color and horticultural diversity, as well as home to seasonal festivals, public programs and world-class art exhibitions for visitors of all backgrounds and ages.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Farm
Lucky Ladd FarmsThe Ladd Family is excited to provide a wholesome source of family entertainment for thousands of visitors each year with more than 60 acres & 70 exciting activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, playgrounds, hay rides and more!
Favorite Miniature Golf
Glow GalaxyKids go crazy for our all Glow in the Dark play area. The play area features five large glow in the dark inflatables, a mini-golf course, our special lighted interactive dance/game floor and football, soccer, basketball and air hockey games. All activities are included with the birthday party, so children can play it all and do their favorites over and over again.
Favorite Sports Team
Nashville PredatorsNational Hockey League, Western Conference, Central Division
Favorite Arts Education
Frist Art MuseumThe mission of the Frist Center is to present and originate high quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities. The vision is to inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways.
Favorite Sports Education
YMCAWe help people grow in spirit, mind and body. Whether you come for a workout, coach a soccer team, volunteer as a tutor, or join a support group here, we’re grateful to have you in the Y community. Through nurturing the potential of youth and teens, improving our community's health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors in need, the Y is strengthening Middle Tennessee.
