Nashville with kids is much more than live music and Broadway’s neon lights. From a giant golden goddess and hands-on science exhibits to pumpkin trails, vintage trains, riverfront play spaces, and wild animals, this city makes an excellent family getaway or Southern road-trip stop.
To help keep our content free, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and buy something, we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you are looking for kid friendly Nashville Tennessee, these are the places I would put at the top of your family itinerary. I’ve included what children actually do there, approximate costs, age fit, accessibility notes, and the planning detail most likely to trip you up.
1. Adventure Science Center
800 Fort Negley Blvd
This hands-on science museum is one of Nashville’s best rainy-day anchors. Kids can crawl through body-science exhibits, experiment with light and sound, explore fossils, visit the Early Explorations area, and climb through the six-story Adventure Tower. The Sudekum Planetarium adds an immersive space experience.
- Hours: Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Cost: About $22 for adults and $18 for children ages 2–12. Planetarium shows cost extra.
- Best ages: 3–12, with a dedicated area for younger learners.
- Accessibility: Indoor exhibits make this a useful weather-proof option; check current exhibit and planetarium access details before visiting.
- Gotcha: The hours are genuinely unusual. The climbing tower also has height requirements, so smaller children may need to stick with the lower-level exhibits.
2. The Parthenon
Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave
Walk inside Nashville’s full-scale Greek Parthenon replica and children will likely stop talking for a moment when they see the 42-foot-tall gilded statue of Athena. The museum visit is compact but memorable, especially for kids who enjoy mythology, ancient history, or enormous things.
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30–4:30 p.m.
- Cost: $15 adults; $10 youth ages 4–17 and seniors 62+; free for children under 4. WIC and SNAP participants can receive free admission.
- Best ages: 5 and up.
- Accessibility: The museum is an indoor stop, while Centennial Park involves outdoor paths and lawns. Ask at the ticket counter about the best current route for your family’s mobility needs.
- Gotcha: This is usually an hour-long stop, not a full afternoon. Pair it with the playground, pond, and walking trail outside.
3. Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
The park is the free part of the Parthenon visit, and it gives children room to move after looking at statues. There is a playground, duck pond, one-mile walking trail, bandshell, open lawn, and skyline views.
- Cost and hours: Free and open daily.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Accessibility: The paved walking route is the easiest option for strollers, though playground and lawn surfaces vary.
- Gotcha: Parking can fill on event weekends. Check the park calendar, especially during festivals or major concerts.
4. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Dr
Cheekwood combines a historic estate with 55 acres of gardens, making it a strong choice when adults want beautiful scenery and children need something interactive. The Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden includes water features, sensory plantings, and a hollow tree to explore.
During Cheekwood Harvest, September 19–November 1, 2026, families can follow the new Marigold River to Pumpkin Village, see more than 100,000 pumpkins, walk the Scarecrow Trail, listen to weekend music, and join TOTS! programming.
- Hours: Harvest runs Tuesday–Sunday, generally 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Cost: Timed tickets are roughly $14–$29 depending on age and admission level; parking and service fees may apply.
- Best ages: 2–10.
- Accessibility: This is a large garden property with substantial walking. Check Cheekwood’s current accessibility and parking information before booking.
- Gotcha: Timed entry is required, and weekend parking can reach capacity. Reserve ahead and consider arriving at opening.
5. Frist Art Museum
919 Broadway
Inside a beautiful 1930s Art Deco post office, the Frist offers changing art exhibitions and Martin ArtQuest, a hands-on gallery where children make, build, and experiment rather than simply look at paintings.
- Hours: Gallery and ArtQuest schedules can vary, so check the day’s hours before visiting.
- Cost: Adults are about $20. Admission is free for everyone 18 and under.
- Best ages: 3–12.
- Accessibility: This is an indoor, downtown option; confirm current Martin ArtQuest access and activity availability if your child has sensory or mobility needs.
- Gotcha: ArtQuest hours may differ from general museum hours. It is walkable from Broadway, but downtown parking can be expensive.
6. Tennessee Central Railway Museum
220 Willow St
For train-loving children, this is less a traditional museum visit and more an experience. Vintage train excursions run on select Saturdays, with remaining 2026 departures including the Fall Yard Sale on October 3, Fall Foliage rides on October 17 and 24, and Santa Express trips on November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19.
- Cost: Usually $60–$160 depending on the event and seating class.
- Best ages: 3 and up.
- Accessibility: Boarding and vintage rail-car access can vary by excursion; call ahead about mobility needs.
- Gotcha: These are advance-ticketed excursions, not walk-up museum days. Arrive early, and book Santa Express tickets quickly.
7. Lane Motor Museum
702 Murfreesboro Pike
This is the museum for children who claim they do not like museums. The collection is packed with microcars, streamlined oddities, unusual prototypes, and vehicles that look as if they came from a science-fiction movie.
- Hours: Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Cost: $15 adults, $10 seniors, and $3 youth.
- Best ages: 4 and up.
- Accessibility: The indoor setting is easier in hot or rainy weather; check current route details before visiting with a wheelchair or mobility device.
- Gotcha: It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so do not plan it as a backup for Adventure Science Center on those days.
8. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
3777 Nolensville Pike
Plan on a full day here. Families can see animals, ride the carousel, visit the historic Grassmere home, and add seasonal activities or encounters. The zoo is especially easy with mixed-age groups because toddlers, elementary-age children, and animal-loving tweens all have something to do.
- Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. through October 12, 2026; 9 a.m.–4 p.m. from October 13 through early March 2027.
- Cost: Dynamic pricing varies by date; adults and teens are generally $16–$26, youth ages 2–12 save $4, and children under 2 are free.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Accessibility: The zoo is large and outdoor, so a stroller, water, and comfortable shoes help. Check the map for the easiest route.
- Gotcha: Buy online when possible and arrive early. Heat and parking become more challenging later in the morning.
9. Radnor Lake State Natural Area
1160 Otter Creek Rd
Radnor Lake is the place to burn energy without spending money. The 1,200-acre natural area includes a 1.35-mile paved road loop around the lake, wooded trails, and frequent deer sightings.
- Cost and hours: Free; plan for daylight hours.
- Best ages: 4 and up for the full loop.
- Accessibility: The paved loop is the stroller-friendly choice. Other trails can be uneven or steep.
- Gotcha: Pets and bikes are not allowed on the trails, and Ganier Ridge is steep.
10. Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
This free nature center has hands-on exhibits, a green roof, and access to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway. It is a good reset after busy downtown attractions, especially for children who need open space and nature-based play.
- Cost and hours: Free; check the current nature-center schedule and family programs.
- Best ages: 2–10.
- Accessibility: The center provides an indoor option, while greenway conditions vary by weather.
- Gotcha: This entrance is separate from Shelby Park proper. Use the nature center address for parking and navigation.
11. Cumberland Park, now Wasioto Park
592 S 1st St
This riverfront park has skyline views, a splash pad, hillside climbing structures, nets, slides, and the playful Hollow area. It is one of the best free stops for younger children who need active play.
- Cost and hours: Free and open daily from dawn to 11 p.m.
- Best ages: 2–12.
- Accessibility: Outdoor surfaces and climbing features vary; review the park layout before visiting if your child needs a smoother route.
- Gotcha: The splash pad is seasonal and may be closed for maintenance. Check its current status before packing swimsuits.
12. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
600 James Robertson Pkwy
Children can walk across a 200-foot granite map of Tennessee, listen for the 96-bell carillon, stroll beside the river, and see the World War II Memorial. The adjacent Nashville Farmers’ Market makes lunch easy.
- Cost and hours: Free and open daily.
- Best ages: 3 and up.
- Accessibility: Much of the mall is paved and easy to navigate, but there is very little shade.
- Gotcha: Bring hats, water, and sunscreen. The farmers’ market, not park concessions, is the reliable food stop.
Where to base yourself
Families often sleep better outside the loudest downtown areas. Look toward Opry Mills, Brentwood, or Franklin for free parking, suite-style rooms, and less honky-tonk noise at bedtime. Before booking, compare attraction and resort discounts through Undercover Tourist.
For more family trip-planning help, visit Packed for Fun.
If you’re road-tripping in
Nashville fits naturally into many Southern family road trip ideas, whether you are connecting Tennessee with Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, or the Great Smoky Mountains. Compare car rental discounts, flight deals, Trip.com travel options, and ways to explore North America. Families who prefer traveling by sea can also browse family cruises through Cruise Direct.
Pack for the car
For a drive into Nashville, a few compact items can make the day easier: a kids travel tray, motion-sickness roll-on, kids neck pillow, flushable travel wipes, and a mini first-aid kit. Add an On the Plane Activity Book or mess-free coloring set for restaurant waits and long stretches between stops.
Before driving out, confirm hours, ticket prices, timed-entry rules, and seasonal closures directly with each attraction. Several Nashville attractions close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and that is the planning detail most likely to trip families up.