Top 20 Places to Take Kids In and Around Nashville

Nashville Zoo is an animal adventure for everyone. Explore beautiful habitats like Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear, voted the best zoo exhibit in the country. There's the new Sumatran tiger exhibit, Tiger Crossroads as well as Spider Monkey: Treetop Passage and guest favorite Kangaroo Kickabout. Oh, and white rhinoceros, Masai giraffe, Caribbean flamingos, clouded leopards, red pandas and many more! Ride the Soaring Eagle zip line, tour the Grassmere Historic Home, swing and climb at the Jungle Gym, and relax during the award-winning Wild Works Animal Show. Whew! No wonder it's Nashville's top family attraction.

For over 75 years, Adventure Science Center has been bringing science to life for students, teachers, and families in Middle Tennessee and across the U.S. The science center offers engaging learning experiences and science fun through hands-on, interactive exhibits, innovative programs, and full-dome productions in the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium.

Experience Cheekwood, a 55-acre botanical garden and museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Cheekwood presents family activities, year-round programs, seasonal festivals and art exhibitions. The two-acre Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, inspired by Cheekwood’s historic landscape and architecture, offers an interactive, imaginative experience to inspire interest in art and nature, and the outdoor TRAINS! exhibit is enchanting to the young and young-at-heart. Family programs include Tots! hands-on activities and storytime offered Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 12 noon; Summer Camps for kids ages 5-15; and a variety of hands-on learning activities.

The Discovery Center’s mission is to engage curious minds to fuel the future. Chartered in 1986 as Children’s Museum Corporation of Rutherford County, the Discovery Center provides hands-on education opportunities for the community. An extensive grassroots campaign orchestrated by young parents led to purchasing a building and creating exhibits and programs. During its first year of operation, over 11,000 visitors came to experience the museum’s exhibits and programs. Now, 30 years after its inception, the Discovery Center serves as a vibrant community and tourism center with over 120,000 children and families exploring the exhibits each year.

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 best places to take kids this year!

Belle Meade is dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s history, architecture, hospitality, and equestrian legacy. Guests can enjoy Historic Tours, Family Tours, Wine & Food Pairings, Bourbon Tastings, and Chef-Inspired Food & Wine Pairings, knowing that the purchase of these experiences supports the educational mission of Belle Meade.

Minor League Baseball

Located in the shadow of the Capitol in downtown Nashville, Bicentennial Capitol Mall gives visitors a taste of Tennessee’s history, natural wonders and serves as a lasting monument to Tennessee’s Bicentennial Celebration, which was June 1, 1996. With just a simple walk in the 11-acre park visitors can experience many facets of Tennessee’s history including a 200-foot granite map of the state, a World War II Memorial, a 95-Bell Carillon, a Pathway of History and the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. The 11 planters along the Walkway of Counties show native plant species from different regions of the state.

Bowie Nature Park, located in Fairview, TN contains a glorious 722 acres of forest, lakes & trails, Bowie is a great place for individuals, couples & families to come and enjoy their time. Bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, running, walking and playing aboard the Treehouse Playground can be enjoyed each & every day of the year. With the completion of our modern Nature Center, Bowie Park is also an exciting place to learn more about nature. You can also Reserve the Nature Center, Outdoor Classroom or Picnic Areas for your upcoming community or social event!

Sports*Com is community recreational facility that is run by the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.  The pool is open daily, weather permitting. The outdoor pool (Boro Beach) Outdoor Pool (“Boro Beach”) features a zero-depth entry toddler play area; splash pad; 50-meter lap lanes; three slides; play feature; rock wall; floating bridge; and a diving board.

Metro Parks & Recreation is your gateway for all things green and healthy in and around Nashville and Davidson County. Kids of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy various activities in our 178 parks and 100 miles of greenways. We offer engaging nature-related programs for children at our sprawling nature centers, school and after-school programs, arts, music, and dance classes, water activities, sports leagues, and just fun and camaraderie at our many playgrounds. The best thing is that most of it is free or for a very low fee. Check our website for a complete list of programs and activities, and don’t forget to bring your water bottle!

TPAC serves several hundred thousand patrons each year with a variety of performances, including an annual Broadway series and education programs.

The 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.

For over 75 years, Adventure Science Center has been bringing science to life for students, teachers, and families in Middle Tennessee and across the U.S. The science center offers engaging learning experiences and science fun through hands-on, interactive exhibits, innovative programs, and full-dome productions in the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium.