23 Things To Do in Nashville With Kids

Vanessa M.:  You'll find more things to do in Nashville for family a short drive east of the city. The Nashville Shores Waterpark and Treetop Adventure Park attracts many thrill-seeking guests in the warmer months. The waterpark boasts a giant wave pool, eight major waterslides, a lazy river, sandy beach, and kid-approved water treehouse and playground. The Treetop Adventure is a high ropes course set in the beautiful woods offering Tarzan swings, ziplines, suspended bridges, and many other fun obstacles!

Kelly R:  Families staying at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland can book a premium package that includes their luxury SoundWaves water resort, with four sprawling acres of indoor and outdoor fun. Play structures for all ages, lazy (and not-so-lazy) rivers, waterslides with sound and light effects, and a FlowRider surfing experience are a hit with kids.

Vanessa M.:  The Grand Ole Opry is one of Nashville's most visited spots for tourists and locals alike. The iconic radio show has been called "the home of American music," that attracts world-class talent to perform live concerts and shows. Check the calendar to see who will be performing, or just walk its grounds. Book a backstage tours, too.

Kristy Pepping:  Five Daughters Bakery has three locations around the area. It was started by a husband and wife team who have five daughters. Basically, if you are a donut lover, you must stop at one of their restaurants. These baked fresh donuts include everything from a smore inspired creation to a cinnamon cream donut. They also have cookies and other pastries. You can either order out or dine in.

Vanessa M.:  An unassuming place to visit, a trip to the Lane Motor Museum is fun for the entire family. It features a few kid friendly activities and indoor play, too! A remarkable collection of unique automobiles, each with its own interesting history, makes this museum a great place to wander and learn. More than just cars, the museum's extensive collection of motorcycles, aircraft, and other will wow you! The indoor kid's place area has car toys, coloring, and plenty of space to run.

Vanessa M.:  One of the best things to do in Nashville with family is to check out its world-class zoo! Critter Encounters allow you to brush a goat, pet a kangaroo, and feed a tortoise. The Wilderness Express Train is always exciting for kids, as is the carousel, but the top family favorite is the huge Jungle Gym offering 66,000+ sq feet of playground space for kids to monkey around. This all-day activity is super filling for families to enjoy!

Vanessa M.:  One of the best kid friendly things to do in Nashville, TN, is to go out to eat downtown and then see a show! Since 1931, Nashville Children's Theater has delighted families with their creative productions for audiences of all ages. From Baby Shark to Hans Christen Andersen, shows are colorful and exciting in a way that especially capture kids' attention. I love that parent tips are posted for each show, so parents can know what to expect for their children, too.

Kristy Pepping:  No trip to Nashville is complete without a trip to a BBQ restaurant. A great one to try as a family is Martins BBQ Joint. They offer additional locations around the Nashville area featuring fresh meats like ribs, chicken and whole shoulders as well as scratch-made sides. Most of their dishes are made with family recipes like the desserts - Coconut Cake, Pecan Pie and Fudge Pie. You can grab a menu, choose your bbq of choice and then they will bring you out your dinner tableside. Kids will love looking at the fun decor and appreciate the fast service!

Vanessa M.:  Goo Goo isn't just what your baby is babbling, it is also a chocolate-covered peanut, marshmallow, and caramel treat that is a Nashville specialty. The Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar is the best place to pick up Goo Goo Clusters to bring home, along with novelty items that make great souvenirs. This iconic dessert bar also serves delicious pies, cupcakes, ice cream, and coffee drinks. Check out their chocolate making classes, too, for a fun and interactive activity to do with the family or group. Work your chocolatier skills, sample flights of chocolate, and make your own Goo Goo! 24-hours reservations required.

Kristy Pepping:  If you want to listen to live country music, Nashville is a great place for it. And when you have your family in tow, a great stop for lunch or dinner is Ole Red Nashville, Blake Shelton's restaurant. This place offers two stories with great views of a central stage where your group can listen to great artists. The menu is simple American favorites and they do have a dedicated kids menu.

Vanessa M.:  When you are visiting Nashville with kids, stop in here! They will definitely be on board with a trip to this magical candy shop. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop is full of wonderful nostalgic candies and unique flavored sodas that range from fun to downright bizarre flavors. Where else can you find Carrot Cake, Dill Pickle, and Bacon flavored sodas?

Vanessa M.:  A visit to Music City isn't complete without a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Kids can explore a few dedicated hands-on exhibits that cater to young musicians, learn about many favorite country music stars, and see exclusive memorabilia (like Elvis Presley's Cadillac!). Check the calendar for special exhibits and live concerts. The iconic rotunda features plaques of the Country Music Hall of Fame members - make this your stop for your family photo op!

Vanessa M.:  Robert's Western World is a spot where you can hear live music in Nashville with kids. Known as the home of traditional country music, this historic concert venue and bar and grill makes a great daytime excursion for families. While it is limited to ages 21+ after 6 pm, kids are welcome at family-friendly daytime concerts. Music is in abundance here with many live concerts scheduled every day. Bonus: no cover fees means more money for fried bologna sandwiches, a house specialty!

Vanessa M.:  Pancake loving families need to come to the Pfunky Griddle, the only restaurant with a built-in griddle at each table where customers cook their own custom pancakes! Their signature batter and favorite toppings of your choice are provided such as M&M's, blueberries, pineapple, chocolate chips - the list goes on and on! The menu includes lots of other chef-cooked options like sandwiches, wraps, salads, and soups. It is definitely a Nashville family favorite!

Vanessa M.:  One of the most intriguing things to do in Nashville with kids is to visit the Adventure Science Center. Geared toward curious kids of all ages, there are tons of STEM-based exhibits to explore, including a state-of-the-art planetarium. Family favorites include Dino Rumble, Vapor Vortex, and Imagination Playground. This is an amazing experience any day, but especially for a rainy day indoors too! Check out their DIY Science zone for inspiration too, and test out more interactive science experiments when you return home!